Coastal Paths

Still cautious, Lyntael let her eyes flick around to each of the viruses surrounding the area as she drew closer. A younger Lyntael might have accepted the uncertain calm without guile or caution, but she knew she wasn't that girl any more, and the truth of it sent a wistful thread of sadness through her awareness. Caution was just sensible, she knew, but it struck her that she'd probably never be ale to go back to the complete open-heartedness she remembered.

Instead, she approached slowly, guard still up and with careful, light steps. When she reached the sunbathing metool, Lyntael glanced down at herself and focused, closing her eyes for another moment or two. The lightly dancing charge in her skin receded enough to pull back from he hands and fingers and she crouched down, with one hand to make sure her skirt was still decent, while she reached out with the other hand to lightly brush and shake the extended weapon haft with her finger tips.

“Hey there...” After another moment, she smiled, then shifted to sit down on the sand, knees to one side and looked at the little met, then out past it to the other viruses and the ocean itself.

“Guess you guys don't see many visitors down here, do you? But... you don't seem like you're doing any harm or damaging anything.” She shrugged softly, and wondered if there was any way she could communicate more clearly. The more sapient viruses often seemed to understand her own words, but even the clever ones had never been able to really speak back in any way she'd seen. She'd heard stories though.

“Lyntael, this is not what you are here for.” Rogan's voice, speaking firmly from its usually source just behind and above her made the girl turn her head in its direction before she shook her head.

“Maybe not... But, it sort of is, as well, I think.” She sighed and leaned back on her hands, shifting to sit alongside the little metool's beach town and look out at the waves while her legs spread out and let her dig her toes into the sand. These ones weren't doing any harm. She could feel the pulse of her charge filling her still but she held it and resisted the natural stability pulse that wanted to cascade from her skin. Gradually, the tension settled down again and quieted back towards her normal resting pulse. She'd fight when she needed to, and she wasn't scared, at least... but that didn't mean she had to just attack without thinking. “I know, I know... It's not an excuse.” She shook her head again, this time more directed at herself than anyone else, and looked at the small cluster of viruses again. After a moment she pushed herself up again and carefully brushed the sand from her skin. Maybe it wouldn't have been such a bad idea to bring her swim wear after all.

“Play nice, you guys... I've got to go find the real trouble-makers.” She grinned and glanced at each of the others again, and her eyes lingered in the shelled virus an extra moment. “Say... I was sent down here because there's a big swarm of shelled ones, like you, but way too many and being destructive and dangerous... or that's what the Wrangler says. Do you know where they're gathering?” Once she finished dusting herself off, Lyntael stretched lightly and let her hands come to a rest gently clasped behind her back as she posed the question; she was focused on the shellnerd virus, but glanced around to the others as well to see if they had any input or understanding.

Summary

L1) Accept hand shake
L2) Take a seat and chat
L3) Hold charge and suppress stability pulses.
L*) Hold tension: (Overcharge +1)
L4) Relax a moment
L5) Be calm, and exist.
L6) Ask about dangerous viral presences
L*) Settled calm: (Buster Charges dispelled, Overcharge -1)

Cooldowns and Overcharge

Overcharge: Begin: 0, Tension held, then released, End: 0
As Lyntael took the mattock peace offering and shook, the Metool attached to it was extremely excited and happy. Happily holding on until she let go and began to talk, the viruses breathing a sigh of relief as the Piranha would slowly sink into the sea with a calm expression, fins sticking up out of the top as it enjoyed itself, Elemperor and Tubby seemingly laying against each other, the latter at a semi-relaxed angle, and the Shellnerd converging on Lyntael, with a few (albeit messy) hops to get near and listen to the navi. The metool nodding to her question as she asked, a few meeps and some gestures to (try) and convey this was a more or less secluded area of the network, so viruses didn't see a ton of navis coming about. Weather she could intrupret these or not, was a gamble, but the Met went out of it's way to try and express it.

The shellnerd listened in on the conversation Lyn and her op were having, but, the clamshell virus was patient much like with the Met and waited as she sat down to calm herself, electricity dispersed, the two could feel they were in the presence of a friendly as her battle routines would release. Lyn getting up, the viruses gave her a light breadth as she pretty much shook the sand off of her, but as she asked, a trio of needles whizzed past the group. They had come a long distance, probably further away than they should have by all merits. The Met and Shellnerd turning to see where they had come from, it seemed obvious where Lyn was headed next, but, the two viruses seemed a bit...perturbed at this development, seemed this place was fairly peaceful barring the occasional fights with net navis.

Battle 1: FRIIIIIIENDSHIIIIIIP!~
Rewards: The feeling something is about to happen
Also 2700z and ElementLeafDamage: 40 + Line Attack(3) + Wood Terrain Boost 60
Accuracy: B
Description: Shoots a wave of plant energy along a straight line, and grows stronger when on earthy terrain.
Duration: Once
Element: Wood
Special: If the user is on Grass, Soil, or Mud terrain, this attack's power is increased by 60, and acquires unlimited Line Attack for the duration of the attack.
Special: StageReset: If the Wood Terrain Boost for this attack is triggered, a zone of Normal panels is created around the user.
Trader Rank: C
As she stretched and listened to the efforts of the more chattery viruses, Lyntael nodded along; like before, there was no real way she could unpick their language, per se, but they each seemed to understand her, and elements of body language and gesture seemed to at least paint something of a picture.

“Not much activity around here... yeah, I guessed. I suppose that's all you really know, huh?” She smiled and crouched down enough to look at the little met properly, inclining her head in a polite motion. “Thank you.” With another small grin she stood and looked about, deciding which way to head – either direction seemed as good as the other, really. “I should really get moving then. I've got to—” the sudden interruption of needle shot attacks passing by snapped the girls eyes back the direction they'd come from, looking along the beach for the source; no other virus close by, and the sudden surprise from the other viruses around her probably meant they were as unaware as she was about the source. Without realising it, Lyntael's body had slipped back to a light combat stance, on unthinking instinct, one foot ahead of the other and her body turned side on to the direction she was now peering towards. Her charge beat in her chest, warm and bright along with the sharp catch of her breath.

“Guess that answers that...” she paused long enough to glance at the other viruses, but didn't find any words to say that would communicate the scattershot of sudden thoughts in her mind. She ended up just nodding once towards the group then taking off across the sand at a light run, her toes barely brushing the sand as the sea breeze ruffled her clothes, in the direction the attack had come from. If there were aggressive, destructive or hostile elements close by she'd much rather go the them than let them come closer and endanger any other more passive viruses; once by a hot spring, she'd had enough of that kind of failure.

((Ready for Battle 2... and if the first encounter is considered sufficiently resolved, actual battle payout would be appreciated ^.^))
As the navi rushed off, the feeling of chip data passed into her as well as a small-ish sum of zenny, seemed the viruses appreciated things enough to give her something, Rogan was likely getting a request to download the chip onto a blank shortly thereafter. Though she left the viruses in the dust, the Met and Shellnerd practically bidding her off as she rushed towards the shots.

It wouldn't take long, however, before the coastline would have some viruses in her way. Some...off-color viruses however, stood in her way. A trio of Starfish2s would be in front of her, but, instead of their "usual" coloring of a Mossy Green front and Darker Yellow back, these viruses saw themselves more a Chartuse color on the back, with a Crimson face. As they stood their ground, Lyntael could very well see lashes across their body, whitened scars and fresher ones across front and back. These were not wild viruses, they were "tamed"...as so much as a circus troupe would tame a Lion, at least, their data coloring having been altered at the very least.

While she waited for the first move, see if they were hostile, a pair of Shellgeeks in similar coloring would come out of the sand, revealing a BMD covered in the sand, it's top half just poking out of the sand as it stayed still. Sand blowing in the wind as a large, top with a red X would come down from the heavens, landing perfectly on top of the BMD and covering it. Turning to see a group of shadows atop a ridge, Heel-navis with some Punks interspersed in the group if she could tell correctly, a single navi drawing a thumb across it's neck as the Shellnerds opened fire, just barely missing Lyntael as they did, settling into their clamshells before she could react as the group walked away. Battle Routines flared up, and it was clear there was something amiss at this beach, and that group could be some likely culprits. But first, the quintet of viruses in front of her...the Starfish would make sure to have her in their crosshairs, whist the Shellnerds peeked from their shells, hardened expressions on their faces from what she could tell...one even having an eyepatch where an eye should have been...

-- Viruses --
Starfish2Starfish2 (Starfish)

Area: Yoka, Beach

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Aqua + Bubble Trap + 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: D
Attack Description: Launches three slow moving bubbles that trap the targets in a bubble prison, immobilizing them. These bubbles act as 10 HP objects, and can be shot before they make contact to pop them. Conversely, the virus can block incoming attacks with them.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleStar2, Zenny
Special: Bubble Trap: Any target hit with this virus' attack will be instantly trapped in a 10 HP Aqua Element Bubble that can only be popped from the outside. Targets trapped within these bubbles will take 100% more damage from Elec element attacks. The Bubbles will expire at the end of the turn, or when hit.
Special: This attack can hit the same target multiple times (up to 3), or attack 3 separate targets.
Special: Targets trapped in Bubbles are easier to move with Wind Effects, Knockback, and Microburst than normal.
A: 180 HP (Twelve-o-clock position, right in front of Lyn) (Sand)
Starfish2Starfish2 (Starfish)

Area: Yoka, Beach

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Aqua + Bubble Trap + 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: D
Attack Description: Launches three slow moving bubbles that trap the targets in a bubble prison, immobilizing them. These bubbles act as 10 HP objects, and can be shot before they make contact to pop them. Conversely, the virus can block incoming attacks with them.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleStar2, Zenny
Special: Bubble Trap: Any target hit with this virus' attack will be instantly trapped in a 10 HP Aqua Element Bubble that can only be popped from the outside. Targets trapped within these bubbles will take 100% more damage from Elec element attacks. The Bubbles will expire at the end of the turn, or when hit.
Special: This attack can hit the same target multiple times (up to 3), or attack 3 separate targets.
Special: Targets trapped in Bubbles are easier to move with Wind Effects, Knockback, and Microburst than normal.
B: 180 HP (Nine-o-clock position, near the path) (Mud)
Starfish2Starfish2 (Starfish)

Area: Yoka, Beach

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Aqua + Bubble Trap + 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: D
Attack Description: Launches three slow moving bubbles that trap the targets in a bubble prison, immobilizing them. These bubbles act as 10 HP objects, and can be shot before they make contact to pop them. Conversely, the virus can block incoming attacks with them.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleStar2, Zenny
Special: Bubble Trap: Any target hit with this virus' attack will be instantly trapped in a 10 HP Aqua Element Bubble that can only be popped from the outside. Targets trapped within these bubbles will take 100% more damage from Elec element attacks. The Bubbles will expire at the end of the turn, or when hit.
Special: This attack can hit the same target multiple times (up to 3), or attack 3 separate targets.
Special: Targets trapped in Bubbles are easier to move with Wind Effects, Knockback, and Microburst than normal.
C: 180 HP (Roughly at the three-o-clock position, floating right next to the beach) (Sea)
ShellnerdShellnerd (ShellGeek)

Shellgeeks alternate actions between attacking and guarding. These are the only actions Shellgeeks may perform, and the first action of every battle is always guarding. Shellgeeks will not break from this pattern unless forced to by status effects. The secondary attack of Shellgeeks can be used to grant an ally of this virus a free movement, or even to knock an ally out of the path of an oncoming attack.

Area: Yoka, Sharo, Beach, Okuden Valley

HP: 140
Primary Attack Damage/Effects: 20 Null x 2 Spears
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Fires two spears at one target.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effects: 40 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Fires a star tipped arrow. Can be used on an ally to move them. Causes no damage to allies.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TripleNeedle, StarArrow2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Attacks every other action. IronBody when not attacking.
A: 140 HP (Flanking left of the BMD) (Sand) (Defending)
ShellnerdShellnerd (ShellGeek)

Shellgeeks alternate actions between attacking and guarding. These are the only actions Shellgeeks may perform, and the first action of every battle is always guarding. Shellgeeks will not break from this pattern unless forced to by status effects. The secondary attack of Shellgeeks can be used to grant an ally of this virus a free movement, or even to knock an ally out of the path of an oncoming attack.

Area: Yoka, Sharo, Beach, Okuden Valley

HP: 140
Primary Attack Damage/Effects: 20 Null x 2 Spears
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Fires two spears at one target.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effects: 40 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Fires a star tipped arrow. Can be used on an ally to move them. Causes no damage to allies.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TripleNeedle, StarArrow2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Attacks every other action. IronBody when not attacking.
B: 140 HP (Flanking to the right of the BMD, towards Lyn) (Sand) (Defending)

-- Navis --
Lyntael.EXE: 350 HP (Roughly at six-o-clock, on the edge of the field) (Sand)

-- Terrain --
20% Sea
  • Fire Elementals lose 10 HP/action standing, 20 HP/action submerged. Other Non-Aqua Elementals lose 5 HP/action submerged. Nullified for Aqua Elementals.
  • Ice attacks: 50% Freeze1 chance, Changes terrain hit to Ice.
  • Terrain changes between Sea and Onsen do not inflict damage upon submerged entities, nor do they eject submerged entities to the surface.
  • Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
  • PanelShot: Imbue Aqua.
(To the right, bouys floating on the edge of the (explorable) sea-line)
20% Normal
  • No effects.
(Off to the left-side, leading up as path to higher ground)
20% Mud
  • Non-Wood Elementals get -10% Evasion penalty and reduced movement speed, 25% (+/-25% RP) chance to fall or get stuck (1 action to get free).
  • Automatically triggers Aqua Boost for appropriate chip attacks.
  • Wood attacks: Change terrain hit to Soil.
  • PanelShot: Imbue Wood + Slow1.
(On the left-side of the area, minus the boardwalk leading upwards)
40% Sand
  • -20% Evasion and reduced movement speed to all.
  • Can Burrow as standard action, incurable Blind1 until turn after exiting Burrow.
  • Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage + Blind1, change terrain hit to Normal, trigger Sandstorm for 3 turns: Lose 5 HP/action, Blind1, Fire attacks gain Slashing.
  • Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Glass.
  • Terrain changes between Sand and QuickSand do not inflict damage upon burrowed entities, nor do they eject burrowed entities to the surface.
  • PanelShot: Blind1.
(The coastline, in front of the sea)

-- Objects --
BMD: 25 HP (Half-buried in the sand) (About a feint away, near the edge of the sea) (Sand)
Metal Dome: 40 HP (Atop the BMD with a giant X in red)

-- Rogue Battle 2 Ready? Start!! --
Lyntael skidded to a halt in the sand as her chase gave way to a collection viruses on all sides facing down her approach. The shots had definitely come from some of them, but as she scanned the arrayed hostiles Lyntael glanced up to the ridge and caught sight of the figures above. Her eyes traced back from their gestures, to the viruses surrounding her, and the way the grizzled-looking creatures complied.

“Hey, stop!” She felt her charge rise, a hum glowing in her chest as she called out, but the other navis didn't seem to listen. She didn't know if they had anything to do with the upsurge of shell viruses in the area, but if they were using them to attack other navis for fun, that wasn't okay. With another quick glance to the hostile viruses, Lyntael began to give chase to the retreating heels, but another spear from a Shellnerd slammed into the sand across her path and she jumped back from it on instinct, her hair crackling and her hands coming up into a combat stance. All around her, it looked clear that the viruses weren't just going to let her run past. She grit her teeth.

“Alright... Fine...” She felt her own expression draw into a more serious frown as she faced them properly and embraced her charge. Her body sparked and crackled as a dancing scatter of sparks drifted from her skin in every direction and the lightly blowing breeze across the beach drew in and curled around her suddenly, kicking up sand and whisking the electrical fall-off into a briefly obscuring mesh of light. When it faded a moment later, Lyntael was gone.

She wasn't sure, exactly, what channelling her charge this way would do – just that the instinct for it was there, and as she felt the light bending around her with a distorted hum Lyntael only took a moment to glance down at her now occluded form. The memory of things that had happened in the depths of the net, and how the process had felt, came with it... She could work with this. She moved.

One quick step and then another shifted her to the side and then back around the star virus right in front of her until she was between it and the shell viruses, the only signs of her rapid motion slight shifts in the sand. The movement flowed by second nature first into a sweeping kick that carried her up onto one toe, then into a follow through with her second foot as the first landed. Wind ruffled through her clothes, adding to, then catching, her momentum so she could put power behind the elbow strike that followed, an over-head with her other fist and a final rising upper from the crouch it left her in. As her body spiralled, Lyntael let her charge pulse. A sharp series of bolts radiated from her body, seemingly from nothing, before dissipating; most reached towards the nearby starfish, though a few arced towards the two shell viruses, not far away.

Lyntael wasn't watching whether the bolts had the range to reach or not; still unseen, she raced on quickly – as long as the light twisting effect lasted, she meant to make the most of it. The faster this was done, the sooner she could catch up with the other navis and ask some questions. The brief emptiness left behind in the wake of her expenditure was filled by a growing surge, building up again, but it was almost strange how controlled it felt. She could handle far more than this pace, now.

Her dashing footsteps kicked up small puffs of sand as she darted towards the next starfish, on her left towards the hill. Don't give them time to react further. Even as she reached it the girl threw herself into a second rapid flurry of close-quarters strikes against her next target, flowing from one to the next with her toes barely touching the sand in between. From the outside, there was only a scuff of sand, followed by whatever impacts she could land, and a second radiating burst of electrical energy seeking to destroy the starfish and anything else in the handful of feet from its origin.

As the swift series of attacks ended, Lyntael glanced back towards the other viruses. Her charge cycled up again, a little faster still, and she could feel her heart rate rising along with it. Even if they weren't blocking her path from here, the shellnerds needed dealt with regardless. She kicked back off the sand lightly, the air currents carrying her an extra half step as she extended one arm and the shot came into line. Her charge flowed, drawing in from each of her strikers and combining into a maelstrom in her chest before flooding out again to her outstretched wrist. It burned as she embraced the release, and a searing flash of focused lightning lanced out from her with enough force to pierce through anything in its path. Lyntael tried to hold her focus on the strike, keeping it on target as best she could, until the drain of it left her empty and gasping a breath. If she could hold it steady, the flaring line of electricity ought to be enough to deal with both of them, closed and guarding or not, or at least she hoped so.

She landed in the sand after the strike tapered off, one knee down as she caught her breath. The void of emptiness was growing stronger each cycle, and the resurgence of her charge burning back through her faster and harsher, but even as it started to fill her being again Lyntael pushed back to her feet; still manageable. She kicked off the sand into a fresh dash, holding back her charge for now and letting it build. Instead, she chased down the line of her last attack, sliding into a rapid series of attacks with a grim determination that sought to finish off each and every virus that had endured her initial onslaught with as much precision and speed as she could manage; she could feel the haze keeping her form obscured beginning to thin. Best to get it done before they could see her again, if she could.

Summary
L*) First Armour: 20Hp Casing (as subtle outfit reinforcement)
L1) My Faith Trembles, and Forgets Laughter (Multi-Stage: (10Elec, Nova2), then (Invisibility, Dodge, Buster Charge)), Off-Target (2 Rounds, 1 Rank) (Overcharge -2)
L2) With Hopeful Stride (Multi-Stage: (Buster Strike: 30 x 5 hits, A), then (25Elec, Nova2)) (Overcharge +2) @ Starfish A (If in Nova range for Shellnerds, great, if not no problem)
L3) No More to Hide (Multi-Stage: (Buster Strike: 30 x 5 hits, A), then (25Elec, Nova2)) (Overcharge +2) @ Starfish B (If in Nova range for Shellnerd A, great, if not no problem)
L4) My anger Directed 'gainst Violent Threat (Multi-Stage: (Take Aim), then (ShotBase(50)Elec, Spread1, Splash1, Break, Impact, Slashing, Shot-type, A), then (Buster Shot: 30 x 5 hits, A) (Charge-Burner(1), 15Hp Sacrifice) (Overcharge +4) @ Shellnerd A, in line to Shellnerd B, and if possible to Starfish C if it's also in line (if not, no problem).
L*) Fast Armour: 20Hp Casing Refresh
L5) Basic Buster Strike (30 x 5 hits, A) to first in line along Shellnerd A, B or Starfish C
L6) Basic Buster Strike (30 x 5 hits, A) to first in line along Shellnerd A, B or Starfish C (Or I guess, bubbles if they are in the way)

Cooldowns and Overcharge
My Faith Trembles: 5TCD
With Hopeful Stride: 2TCD
No More to Hide: 2TCD
My Anger Directed: 4TCD

Overcharge: Begin: 0, My Faith Trembles (-2), With Hopeful Stride (+2), No More to Hide (+2), My Anger Directed (+4), End: +8
As she disappeared, the rolling thunder causing her form to disappear into the ether as lightning struck against the Shellnerd's closed off bodies, electricity dissipating as they struck leaving them no worse for wear in the end. The disappearing act had the quintent of viruses looking about, looking about for the disappeared navi as she began to make her move. The viruses on their toes as she rushed in to crush one of the starfish, multiple strikes ringing out almost immediately as she got close enough, three connecting (60!x3) and deleting the starfish almost immediately under cover of her cloaking, it's body falling back charred and scorched, disappearing a moment later as the blast of electricity exploded outwards, the blast catching one of the shellnerds in it along with the dome, unfortunately the former had kept it's head down during the discharge.

As she readied herself to move again, the other Shellnerd would quickly pop-up and turn to the one that had been able to shrug off the attacks, spitting out a star shaped arrow to send the other towards the path, spreading the viruses further out to avoid the crackling electricity that surged from the navi. As the other Shellnerd would open up, taking aim at Lyntael and take some potshots at where it thought she was at, only to hit the sand around her and miss entirely.

As these things played out, Lyn was well on her way to the Starfish on the hillside, leading herself to attack it before it could strike back in turn, and again, whilst she struck out against it, "only" three of her hits connected, sending the Starfish to the mud in a similar manner (60!x3), leaving it dead on the ground where it was the secondary pulse of electricity just reaching out enough to zap the Shellnerd on the path (50!). The remaining starfish would take a chance to send out a trio of bubbles at where it thought she was at, the slow moving things however would soon enough veer off course, leaving them to conga towards nothing in particular and popping before long, as the shellnerd that had moved it's ally would wind up hiding in it's shell again, hoping to avoid getting attacked.

But then she struck out, she directed her anger against violent threats, the attack quickly lashed out and struck the Shellnerd in no uncertain way, it's very existence being turned to ash before her eyes (100!). As the line lanced out towards the other, it attempted to hide within it's shell...with no chance to avoid it, being crushed completely and utterly from the attack, shell splintered across the area before disappearing (200!).

As the final virus watched on as it didn't know where Lyntael was at, the Starfish would prepare itself to avoid being destroyed in the same way as the other viruses had...it wouldn't help, the fight was all but wrapped up as she attacked the last virus rapidly, multiple strikes missing or just therein between the ten attacks she brought against it...and unfortunately, for the starfish at least, it would go down really quickly, disappearing as three shots connected, ending it's life just as quickly as the battle had begun. (60!x3)

With the battle won, zenny and rewards being hoovered to her PET, now, she could keep up on the line of the beach...or go up the path. Also, there was the BMD she could pick up if she was willing to risk a mimic.

-- Viruses --
Starfish2Starfish2 (Starfish)

Area: Yoka, Beach

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Aqua + Bubble Trap + 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: D
Attack Description: Launches three slow moving bubbles that trap the targets in a bubble prison, immobilizing them. These bubbles act as 10 HP objects, and can be shot before they make contact to pop them. Conversely, the virus can block incoming attacks with them.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleStar2, Zenny
Special: Bubble Trap: Any target hit with this virus' attack will be instantly trapped in a 10 HP Aqua Element Bubble that can only be popped from the outside. Targets trapped within these bubbles will take 100% more damage from Elec element attacks. The Bubbles will expire at the end of the turn, or when hit.
Special: This attack can hit the same target multiple times (up to 3), or attack 3 separate targets.
Special: Targets trapped in Bubbles are easier to move with Wind Effects, Knockback, and Microburst than normal.
A: DELETED (PING!)
Starfish2Starfish2 (Starfish)

Area: Yoka, Beach

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Aqua + Bubble Trap + 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: D
Attack Description: Launches three slow moving bubbles that trap the targets in a bubble prison, immobilizing them. These bubbles act as 10 HP objects, and can be shot before they make contact to pop them. Conversely, the virus can block incoming attacks with them.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleStar2, Zenny
Special: Bubble Trap: Any target hit with this virus' attack will be instantly trapped in a 10 HP Aqua Element Bubble that can only be popped from the outside. Targets trapped within these bubbles will take 100% more damage from Elec element attacks. The Bubbles will expire at the end of the turn, or when hit.
Special: This attack can hit the same target multiple times (up to 3), or attack 3 separate targets.
Special: Targets trapped in Bubbles are easier to move with Wind Effects, Knockback, and Microburst than normal.
B: DELETED (PING!)
Starfish2Starfish2 (Starfish)

Area: Yoka, Beach

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Aqua + Bubble Trap + 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: D
Attack Description: Launches three slow moving bubbles that trap the targets in a bubble prison, immobilizing them. These bubbles act as 10 HP objects, and can be shot before they make contact to pop them. Conversely, the virus can block incoming attacks with them.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleStar2, Zenny
Special: Bubble Trap: Any target hit with this virus' attack will be instantly trapped in a 10 HP Aqua Element Bubble that can only be popped from the outside. Targets trapped within these bubbles will take 100% more damage from Elec element attacks. The Bubbles will expire at the end of the turn, or when hit.
Special: This attack can hit the same target multiple times (up to 3), or attack 3 separate targets.
Special: Targets trapped in Bubbles are easier to move with Wind Effects, Knockback, and Microburst than normal.
C: DELETED! (PING!)
ShellnerdShellnerd (ShellGeek)

Shellgeeks alternate actions between attacking and guarding. These are the only actions Shellgeeks may perform, and the first action of every battle is always guarding. Shellgeeks will not break from this pattern unless forced to by status effects. The secondary attack of Shellgeeks can be used to grant an ally of this virus a free movement, or even to knock an ally out of the path of an oncoming attack.

Area: Yoka, Sharo, Beach, Okuden Valley

HP: 140
Primary Attack Damage/Effects: 20 Null x 2 Spears
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Fires two spears at one target.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effects: 40 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Fires a star tipped arrow. Can be used on an ally to move them. Causes no damage to allies.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TripleNeedle, StarArrow2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Attacks every other action. IronBody when not attacking.
A: DELETED!
ShellnerdShellnerd (ShellGeek)

Shellgeeks alternate actions between attacking and guarding. These are the only actions Shellgeeks may perform, and the first action of every battle is always guarding. Shellgeeks will not break from this pattern unless forced to by status effects. The secondary attack of Shellgeeks can be used to grant an ally of this virus a free movement, or even to knock an ally out of the path of an oncoming attack.

Area: Yoka, Sharo, Beach, Okuden Valley

HP: 140
Primary Attack Damage/Effects: 20 Null x 2 Spears
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Fires two spears at one target.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effects: 40 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Fires a star tipped arrow. Can be used on an ally to move them. Causes no damage to allies.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TripleNeedle, StarArrow2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Attacks every other action. IronBody when not attacking.
B: Wrong move, buddy.

-- Navis --
Lyntael.EXE: 350 HP (Roughly at six-o-clock, on the edge of the field) (Sand)(Casing20)(Off-target(2 turns, -1 Accuracy rank))

-- Terrain --
20% Sea
  • Fire Elementals lose 10 HP/action standing, 20 HP/action submerged. Other Non-Aqua Elementals lose 5 HP/action submerged. Nullified for Aqua Elementals.
  • Ice attacks: 50% Freeze1 chance, Changes terrain hit to Ice.
  • Terrain changes between Sea and Onsen do not inflict damage upon submerged entities, nor do they eject submerged entities to the surface.
  • Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
  • PanelShot: Imbue Aqua.
(To the right, bouys floating on the edge of the (explorable) sea-line)
20% Normal
  • No effects.
(Off to the left-side, leading up as path to higher ground)
20% Mud
  • Non-Wood Elementals get -10% Evasion penalty and reduced movement speed, 25% (+/-25% RP) chance to fall or get stuck (1 action to get free).
  • Automatically triggers Aqua Boost for appropriate chip attacks.
  • Wood attacks: Change terrain hit to Soil.
  • PanelShot: Imbue Wood + Slow1.
(On the left-side of the area, minus the boardwalk leading upwards)
40% Sand
  • -20% Evasion and reduced movement speed to all.
  • Can Burrow as standard action, incurable Blind1 until turn after exiting Burrow.
  • Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage + Blind1, change terrain hit to Normal, trigger Sandstorm for 3 turns: Lose 5 HP/action, Blind1, Fire attacks gain Slashing.
  • Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Glass.
  • Terrain changes between Sand and QuickSand do not inflict damage upon burrowed entities, nor do they eject burrowed entities to the surface.
  • PanelShot: Blind1.
(The coastline, in front of the sea)

-- Objects --
BMD: 25 HP (Half-buried in the sand) (About a feint away, near the edge of the sea) (Sand)
Metal Dome: 15 HP (Atop the BMD with a giant X in red)

Battle 2! WIN!
Rewards: 3600z, 31 Bugfrags, StarArrow2Damage: 100 + Carry
Accuracy: B
Description: Fires an arrow that hovers still in the air for a moment before rocketing forward. If anyone grabs the arrow at any point before it hits something, they are sent flying along with the arrow.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Carry: If anyone, user, ally, or foe, grabs the arrow at any point before it hits something, they are pulled along by it until it either hits something or they let go. This does not affect the arrow in any way.
Trader Rank: C

Open BMD?
With a faint shimmer and blurring of light, Lyntael's form shifted back into view; she felt the strange bending of light around her fragment apart and looked down at her hands for an extra moment. It was a strange feeling, but it had been effective, at least. She could still feel her charge beating, pulsing beneath her skin and straining for release as her hair sparked and crackled and faint light caustics had started to arc beneath her skin... the current still burned as it filled her, but the fury of it – an amount that would have made her cry out or collapse a month or two ago – felt mostly tolerable now. Not least, she supposed, because it was hers; she'd felt worse pain than this, from other, darker sources, and this just couldn't ever have that kind of weight... not any more. She took a deep breath and sought calm; a pulse of sparks rippled from her body and scattered into the sand.

The moment of reflection passed with the breath, and Lyntael looked about quickly; the heels that had set the group of viruses on her had disappeared over the ridge now, and if they were involved with the issue that the wrangler had pointed her towards then that was as good a lead as any to follow up while she was sorting her own mind out. Her eyes passed back towards the domed data crystal. Answers would be good as well, and if she could learn more without having to get into another scrap that would be preferable. The data had been covered and protected at the same time they'd given the attack command, so it might be something they were collecting, or something else important to whatever they were up to. She turned from the path up the dunes for a moment and inspected the crystal's situation.

The dome was marked, but aside from the large red 'x', she couldn't see any other sign of traps or safeguards - it was only the distant familiarity of the mark that gave her pause. Something in her mind said she'd seen a similar mark before, on the explosives that some viruses seemed to use. Carefully then. As delicately as she could, while still moving swiftly, Lyntael knelt down and examined the situation. It was just placed on the sand, she could probably lift it up, with some effort... Even so... The girl closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment, feeling the glow of energy as it remained in her strikers, and drew it to her chest before turning it outward. A static reverberation expanded from her, forming a familiar protective barrier. Two similar points of light formed at the same time, extending matching protective shells across both the data crystal, and the dome itself – though the latter-most Lyntael found her mind focused more on the idea of containing any unpleasant reactions, than actually protecting. The effort of splitting her power deliberately like that took her breath; it was a new feeling, built upon the most primary instinct that had always been with her, and it soothers the violence of her charge into a broader, more stable rhythm. Maybe she could even help protect her friends, in the future, if she focused. The idea felt nice.

With warding taken care of, Lyntael started to shift some of the sand around the base of the metal dome and get her fingertips beneath the edge, then both hands, so that she could slowly try to lift it up and over with as little jostling as she could manage. Chances were it was just simple metal, and the mark was just paint, but better safe than sorry.

If the covering didn't complain, or explode, or do anything else untoward by the time she lifted it clear, Lyntael only took an extra moment to reach one hand out towards the crystal buried in the sand. As much as each cache she'd found like this was unique, and had its own code structure, the process of accessing, unlocking and unpacking them was becoming mostly second nature to her now. She focused on the work and tried her best to stay alert for any anomalies. Rogan had remained quiet as she 'd fought and after. He might be conversing with his contact, true enough, but interactions with this particular mystery informant were always brief.

“Rogan... Are you busy?” She spoke quietly, still focused on the crystal. His voice came back a moment later, relaxed, but still thoughtful.
“My work is concluded, Lyntael. I am...” There was a second or two of hesitation. “It feels, strange to say it, and a little uncomfortable, Lyntael, but I am... trying to pay attention to... to who you are choosing to be.” She paused in her work for a moment, letting herself take in the words; what she wouldn't have given to have heard something like that, months ago, before any of this happened... But then, as dark as it all had been, he hadn't been the sort of person to ever consider saying something like that, then. Perhaps she needed to learn who Rogan was now, as well.

“Perhaps we'll find out together this time.” Her answer was a quiet murmur as she finished accessing the data.

((Yes, Open BMD; use of that signature normally has a Hp cost for Lyntael, so feel free to adjust her by -25Hp when the next combat starts))
As Lyntael would pull the fairly light-ish metal dome up, nothing activated, nothing would happen and more importantly as she accessed the data, the BMD would slowly unfurl it's top outwards. Crystalline structure splitting and opening up at her touch, a small golden nugget would sit there, coins fused together with a couple small parts of green bills sticking out of little crevices'. Easy enough to see that it was just a fused lump of zenny, but it would probably still be plenty spendable.

(BMD Reward: 9000z)
As the data unpacked itself, Lyntael scanned through the contents before converting it to a slim string of green data that curled around her fingers and slipped away up her arm. Just currency – so either the navis were making a lot of profit from whatever they were doing, or... or it wasn't related and they'd just found it, same as she had. No real information.

She shook her head and turned towards the sandy ridge where the figures had disappeared. Hopefully they hadn't gotten too far away and she could get some answers. In her own mind ,she realised, she had taken as a given that they must be involved in the upsurge in some way, and she mentally took a step back as light steps carried her slender form up the hill in a few wind-assisted strides. She'd assumed that, but they might not be. If they were just opportunists who'd tried to control some of the suddenly more populous viruses, they might not have anything to really do with it... As she crested the ridge, Lyntael dismissed her worries again; whether they were involved or not, they'd attacked her, or set viruses on her to do the same, and that was reason enough to make sure they weren't going to keep doing it to other navis, if she could.

((First post with Rogan 'absent' due to shop purchases))
As Lyntael wondered up the path, there was little that stuck out to her...until she was met with a wall just under her height, stretching across the area and entrance into what seemed to be a city. Large buildings stretching upwards into the sky as she went through the arched entrance into it, apartment buildings stretching far beyond her sight, so much so even the roofs of some were obscured into the landscape. The buildings fairly uniform in color and structure, tan and beige walls with eggshell white buildings that looked as identical as the other, maybe a few ornaments dotting their fronts, and even then some she could see beyond the walls had small plots of grass and dirt connected to other buildings, most while mostly unkept, some were well kept...at least without weeds...were there people still living here? Would explain the bouys out by the sea...

Before long, she would make her way a sizable distance into this beach-side city, a central area full of grass and mud surrounded by walls taller than the ones she had just passed through that had funneled her into here, likely a park area. As it stood, she was not too far into the city, but at least the buildings had shrunk down to more manageable sizes, while these weren't beach-side property, there were small-ish homes around, and likely had cost a small fortune before seemingly being abandoned. She had the feeling of eyes being upon her from behind, but nothing concrete, there were no navis or viruses here, but there were four paths including the one she had come from...and no footprints leading in or out of the area...just this rough path of concrete and stone surrounding a grassy, muddy, area...
As the sand gave way to firmer terrain and Lyntael crested the ridge, she paused and glanced around. She wasn't sure what she'd expected to find chasing the group of hostile navis, but the abandoned-looking cityscape, set back just a short way form the beach dunes, hadn't been in her initial thoughts. Had they gone in here? She hesitated, peeking over the wall and into the array of buildings and alleyways between. She'd lost their actual tracks, but there didn't seem to be anywhere else... The main problem, really, was that it was such a large space, with so many paths. A frown twisted across her lips; her chances of actually finding them again, unless they made themselves known, was probably pretty slim now.

More cautiously, the girl began to make her way into the city, keeping an eye on the buildings and thoroughfares as she passed them and looking for any obvious signs of habitation. The next surprise was that she soon began to see several, but not in the way she'd expect of any ind of gang of thug hide-out... it just looked like some of the homes were being looked after, amidst the many that were not. Perhaps rogue or unoperated navigators lived here, seeking the relative safety of out-of-the-way obscurity.

Her steps slowed to a more gentle wandering pace, trailing like an errant breeze though the mostly forgotten city and letting her gaze wander across the sights. If she found the navis she was chasing, what was her plan? It certainly wasn't right for them to be attacking people, or setting viruses on them, but how did she actually want to handle it? Two months ago, she might have tried to plead with a group like that, or been too worried for her own safety to approach them at all. Two weeks ago, she'd have thrown herself headlong into them and revelled in bringing a fight to them that she was sure she'd have been adamant they deserved. Now...? She wasn't... quite sure.

Her steps carried her through the streets, naturally letting her course be directed towards one of the open park areas, and she paused to stand still, toes curling in the soft grass, and close her eyes; the wind whistles through the forgotten buildings, curling this way and through down lanes and alleys and around neglected structures... she could feel it playfully whistling through convenient shapes formed of the different homes and properties. A sensation, like a prickle that made the hair o her neck lift and the muscles behind her ears tense, made Lyntael stop and open her eyes, looking around. She felt watched, but couldn't find the eyes responsible.

A thought occurred, and she felt the edge of a grin tug at the corner of her lips. There was little sense in running off blindly, without any true leads, but if something was watching her from somewhere, it might also be an information source... and whether marked with good intentions or ill she was still a pretty young woman travelling alone. Lyntael glanced around again, making sure she couldn't see anyone nearby, then rolled her shoulders and stretched, reaching up above her and then out to the sides with a long, content sigh. She found the nicest patch of comfy grass she could and sat down, smoothing her skirt beneath her and making sure it was decent. She settled with one knee up and the other stretched out, arms back to support her weight, but then lay back fully after another moment with her hands behind her head, eyes closed as she gave all the signs of taking a moment to enjoy the quiet and the pleasant sun in private.

As she did, Lyntael let herself feel the movements of the breeze, and listened; if her mystery watcher wanted to come closer or make a move, that would be her opportunity... but if not, she might hear some sound or other from the surrounding city that might let her know which way the group of heels had gone – with any luck they might not be interested in being too quiet.
Lyntael would begin to lay in the grass, the feeling of wind kissing her face and body as more and more she could hear things happening around her...footsteps coming from the front slowly descending on her...before stopping just short of the navi. When she would look up, she would see the..."face"...of the Metool from the group she had befriended from before. The mauve colored Met giving her the approximation of a smile from under the helm, it seemed to have followed her from the beach to look after her after the group had given her more or less free passage.

It swung it's pick in happiness at having caught up, seemingly wanting to join her for when she found these supposedly dangerous navis. It wasn't too much longer before something happened though, a shot ringing out from above the two, the Met immediately dropping it's helm and blocking the shot with little worry of it's own safety, the shot having rang out far enough away she couldn't pinpoint exactly where it had come, but the general direction seemingly was off roughly towards the east, there being a path leading off to it. Even though the Met had a near-death experience, it had already left it's helm's defenses and was swinging it's pick, ready to follow Lyn where she may go.
At the sound of something approaching, Lyntael cracked an eyelid carefully to see what it was, but the figure wasn't that of another navigator at all. Instead, the shape turned out to be the outline of a metool, stopping just shy of her. She gave it another moment, but when the virus made no hostile move to attack, the girl let her eyes open properly and sat up, crossing her legs and straightening her skirt decently as she did. She tilted her head, looking at the virus; there weren't any immediately defining features, but its reaction made her smile.

“Hi there...” At the creature's familiar little wave, she felt more confident in her guess. “It's you, from before, right? I thought I felt someone watching... thought it might be some of the other navigators I'm following. Guess not though. Can't hear where they went either, so I should probably get moving again. I don't want—” Another errant shot striking out towards them from long range cut her off as Lyntael skipped back an extra step, her charge sparking and faint lights electricity jumping to life in her hair. Her expression drew into a frown as she scanned the direction, trying to track where the attack came from. That way... Were they trying to take pot shots at her just for following behind?

“Hey, I'm probably going to be going into danger, little guy, Are you sure you want—” Once more, she trailed off without finishing the question, though this time it was because the metool with her had already popped up and began making motions towards the source of the attack. Well, if the little met wanted a piece of the action, she wasn't going to stop it. “Well alright then... Be careful though, okay? And try not to get too close to me, if fighting starts, alright? I... I can be a bit dangerous, without meaning to, sometimes.” She paused to crouch, hands about her knees, and look at the metool more closely, scanning its features for recognition. “You understand? If I look like I'm getting really sparky, and it's going to burst everywhere, you take cover, okay?” With another nod she stood up again, then turned back towards the direction the shot had come from, and returned to her pursuit. Time to find some answers, hopefully.

((Rogan is 'back' now, and no battle has started yet, so I'll say Battle Ready now))