Coastal Paths

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))

Continuing through the area with a new friend in tow, more of the same made streets would corral her and the Met into the area, weather it was some sort of makeshift killzone with it's cramped streets or just a way to drag her down a preferred path, she'd not have to run for long before reaching a grassy courtyard of sorts, a few small stones and some sand patches off to the sides. It wasn't until they moved forwards that the area would lock down, leaving them trapped as all four walls had gates that clamped down upon their entry.

It was silent for a moment before digging out of the ground, a Killweed in it's native colors would make itself known, tendrils flailing around before a quartet of other viruses would make their way in. A Shellnerd, her prey, was lured into the fight, whist a Fishy2 and swarm of Skeetos would come in shortly thereafter, leading to the duo to hover on the sand towards the northern gates, as well as a Lark flopping in ungracefully with a splatter near the eastern gates. All these viruses were naturally colored, unlike the ones she had fought previously. Maybe the navis lured in natural viruses to capture? Either way, battle routines flared up, whist the Metool that had followed took the initiative to hide in it's helm, it wasn't likely to fight, but, could still probably be convinced to do so if Lyntael wished.

-- Viruses --
SkeetoSkeeto (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 80 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain2, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: 80 HP (Near the Fishy2) (Sand)
BarkBark (Lark)

Area: Electown, Yoka, Beach

HP: 200
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Aqua + Wide Attack
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Fires wideshot.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): WideShot2, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes
Special: Can blind one enemy once instead of attacking.: 200 HP (Towards the Eastern gate, lining up a shot) (Grass)
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.: 140 HP (Middle of the field) (Grass)
Fishy2Fishy2 (Fishy)

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

HP: 150
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 + Stun 1 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies, and stuns them.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack2, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: 150 HP (Up towards the North-Eastern corner) (Sand)
KillWeedKillWeed (KillPlant)

Area: Beach, Yumland, Netfrica, Dentech

HP: 160
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Wood
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: The virus spits a large wooden seed at one target, like a bomb. If it misses, it remains on the field for one turn.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Wood + Ground + Line Attack + Aqua Boost(+90 Wood, +AccuracyUP)
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C / B
Secondary Attack Description: If the seed is left alone for one turn, it will erupt into a Wood Tower attack. If the seed is hit by any Aqua based attacks or it lands on a Sea Panel, it will double in power and speed.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per virus): TreeBomb2, Zenny
Special: This virus is immobile.
- The Seed is immune to damage.
- Fire and Impact will destroy the Seed.
- This virus attacks every other turn, starting on the first turn.: 160 HP (In the South-Western corner) (Grass)

-- Navis --
Lyntael.EXE: 325 HP (Near gates) (Grass)
Metool2Metool2 (Metool)

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

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

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 50 Null + Piercing + Ground Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Whacks ground with pickaxe, sending forth a shockwave.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 50 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Throws a mattock at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Guard2, SonicWave, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.
Special: Can use Recover150 on self once.: 100 HP (Near the gates) (Grass) (Defending)

-- Objects --
Gate A: 100 HP (Behind you)
Gate B: 100 HP (On the Northern wall)
Gate C: 100 HP (On the Eastern wall)
Gate D: 100 HP (On the Western Wall)

-- Terrain --
80% Grass

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

(If you're not on sand, you're here)
20% 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.

(In a quartet of small patches off to the corners)

-- Rogue Battle 3 Ready? Start!! --

As much as she was moving quickly to track down the ne'erdowell navis, Lyntael stopped and skipped back a half pace as the park she had been crossing suddenly turned itself into a lock box with gates one each side. Unconsciously, she felt her body slip into a combat stance, light on her toes and hands raised, ready. Her eyes darted to each exit as she scanned the situation, but none of the actual heels she had seen before were present here.

Movement all around caught her senses and she turned in place, rapidly taking in each of the viruses that had started to appear; it was almost like they'd been driven to the surface, so to speak, by the gates locking down. They weren't marked either, not like the other ones had been. Wild viruses then, but locked in. Maybe this was how they were catching them? She grit her teeth and tried to size up how each of the creatures around her seemed to be acting, then glanced down to her travel companion.

“Stay safe, little guy, this could get awkward...” Her heart had kicked up to a rapid beat, fresh adrenaline spiking the thrum of her charge from a warm glow to a pulsing beat. She extended one hand out from her body as she turned, making eye contact with each of the new arrivals as much as she could. A swell of energy followed the motion, building in her core then expanding outward in a shell of static energy that glowed brighter as it passed her strikers and drew stabilising energy from them. The shell faded form sight as it settled into place.

“I don't know which ones of you can understand me... but I don't think any of you want to be in this box any more than I do... not if it's what I think it might be.” Her eyes flickered from the viruses to the gates. They might be reinforced to stop viruses from leaving easily, but she doubted they were made to hold navis. Behind her shoulder, Rogan's voice reached her ear.

“Lyntael... it will be very difficult for you to assess your combat strength if you try to avoid every fight.” She shook her head, but there wasn't much time to respond without also moving, so move she did. Regardless of how aggressive the viruses actually were, she had a feeling that some of them, at least, were likely to just attack her on sight. That was a danger she would have to weather for now. She darted forward, light on her feet enough to let her duck and weave between any violent offerings made by the creatures around her as she crossed the part towards the far gate. Her body pulsed with energy as she ran, scattering sparks around her as she went.

“That's not the only reason I'm here, Rogan. I need to... I'm working something out. Just... give me a minute, please. I want to try.” She responded in a quieter tone as she ran, focusing on the gate in front of her rather than any of the viruses. In her hear, she heard Rogan sigh.

As she reached her goal, Lyntael leapt forward, twisting into a forward spiral that brought her left foot around to strike at one upper corner of the gate. Small trails of wind curled and rushed with her motions, supporting and keeping her stable through the attack; as the momentum carried her body her other leg snapped outward, aiming to connect at the opposite anchor before she landed in front of the mesh obstruction. Lyntael didn't slow, but turned her landing into a low sweep, crouching and extending her right foot again right away to strike at a lower corner of the obstacle, then switching as she turned to lash out with her left a second time, at the fourth corner as she rose to standing. She kept going, pushing off the foot to continue the second twist and add to its momentum; a twisting curl of wind flared her skirt as she jumped and turned pulling her arms in tight then thrusting out again, palms first against the centre of the gate as she faced it at the arc of her leap. The circling breeze rushed forward with her, attempting to batter the blockage down.

As she landed the second time, Lyntael spun back to face the other viruses, fists clenched. She could feel her charge filling her rapidly, eager to expend, and the sense of it under her skin buzzed.

“I'm not here for any of you right now. Any of you can go, and I won't stop you.” She darted back the other direction, her charge full and ready to burst while another stabilising pulse rippled from her skin into the nearby air; any viruses that had decided to come close to her only had themselves to blame for small shocks, right now, and she had to accept that while she looked after her own safety as best she could. It was danger she was taking on herself, she knew that, and if they were committed to hostility, she'd deal with it... but not before at least giving the smarter ones the chance to choose otherwise. Was this who she was going to be? Maybe...

“Actually, Lyntael...” Rogan's voice alongside her was hard to read in the moment. “You are here for some of them. That one in the centre is one you have a bounty for deleting.” Lyntael did her best to ignore his words. “And you're only endangering yourself by not quelling the immediate threats swiftly.”

“Maybe...” She muttered back to him under her breath as she approached the opposite gate and let her body flow into another fluid series of pin-point strikes, aimed at battering the gate from its anchors and knocking it away. “But that's my choice this time... and I'm making it.”

As she finished her second assault on the other gate, Lyntael turned back to the other viruses again, this time letting the glow of her charge manifest brighter as sparks crackled in her hair and light caustics danced across her skin, ready to explode into lightning. She walked back towards the centre of the area, looking left and right as she spoke.

“This fight isn't any of yours, and it's not one you'll win. Go live your lives somewhere else... that's my offer.” Maybe she was talking to insapient data programs; she knew that was possible, but is the little metool that had followed her was any proof, not all of them were... not all the time. She'd fight the ones she had to, but if a few extra bruises meant giving a choice to the ones that could actually make one, maybe that was worth it.

Summary
L*) First Armour: 20Hp Casing (as subtle outfit reinforcement)
L1) My Heart Falters, yet beats anew (Buster Charge, 80Hp Barrier, (Off-Target1, 1 Round))
L2) A Manifest Spirit, and eyes that dance (10Elec Nova2, Take Aim, Dodge, Movement, (Off-Target1, 1 Round))
L3) Basic Buster Strike (30 x 5 hits, A) at the forward gate.
L*) Fast Armour: 20Hp Casing Refresh
L4) My Faith Can Heal, with time for laughter (Buster Charge, Feint, Movement, 10Elec Nova2, Knockback, (Self-Slow1, 1 Round))
L5) Basic Buster Strike (30 x 5 hits, A) at the rear gate.
L6) My Pain is Real, it lingers after (Counter (On Hit): (10Elec Nova2, Knockback, Time Delay (Start of next turn): Counter (On Hit): (10Elec Nova2, Knockback)), 15Hp Sacrifice)

Cooldowns and Overcharge
My Heart Falters, yet beats anew (3TCD)
A Manifest Spirit, and eyes that dance (3TCD)
My Faith Can Heal, with time for laughter (3TCD)
My Pain is Real, it lingers after (2TCD)

Overcharge: Begin: 0, My Heart Falters (-3), A Manifest Spirit (-1), My Faith Can Heal (-2), My Pain is Real (+1 per counter Triggered), End: +0/+1

The viruses took up their owndefensive positions as they watched Lyntael move, the navi quickly making sure her defenses were up and ready to block anything sent her way. The viruses would be quick to respond in kind...but froze in their tracks as they noticed the met that had followed her into this situation. It had been defending, but did not take up arms against Lyn herself. They were, in many aspects animals of all sorts, but even this was a bit on the strange side for this quintet.

The viruses side eyeing one another (or at least trying to) as Lyn lept at the gate, trying to talk the viruses down like the first group, even as she was interrupted by her op in her ear, the Met peeking it's helm up as lightning flashed across Lyntael's body, fits and feet crashing against the gate straight ahead of her as it buckled under her power with ease, crumpling with one hit, foot going through it with another...and the last two would bring it off it's track, sending it flying through the air, wind carrying it far further as it crashed against the ground...

The viruses were frozen as she continued to assault the gates, even as the charge exploded outwards against the air, it inadvertantly clipped the met. But it's helm had taken the damage and none to the wearer as it watched Lyntael do a repeat performance on the second gate they had gone through, the same gate crashing onto the ground mere moments later...she had more than just made her point, as the Bark lazily moved to the Shellnerd and gently picked it up between it's lips, beginning to float away from the field of battle, the viruses had a mutual understanding, they weren't about to fight this time if they could leave without a scratch. The Fishy would make a nod of understanding towards Lyn as it flew over to the Killplant, plucking the virus up and managing to put it on it's head before beginning to fly out of the killbox. This left the Skeeto swarm to float there for a moment, before moving to Lyntael. The swarm would gently tickle at her as data could be felt downloading to her before the swarm would disperse, leaving the navi and met alone.

-- Viruses --
SkeetoSkeeto (Skeeter)

Area: Yoka, Okuden Valley, Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 80
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 80 Drain (Null)
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: A swarm of Skeeters flies at the target. They will drain HP if they connect.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Drain2, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: 80 HP (Near the Fishy2) (Sand)
BarkBark (Lark)

Area: Electown, Yoka, Beach

HP: 200
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Aqua + Wide Attack
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Fires wideshot.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): WideShot2, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes
Special: Can blind one enemy once instead of attacking.: 200 HP (Towards the Eastern gate, lining up a shot) (Grass)
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.: 140 HP (Middle of the field) (Grass)
Fishy2Fishy2 (Fishy)

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

HP: 150
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 + Stun 1 + Line Attack(5) + Impact + Piercing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into a group of enemies, and stuns them.
Element: Normal
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): DashAttack2, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: 150 HP (Up towards the North-Eastern corner) (Sand)
KillWeedKillWeed (KillPlant)

Area: Beach, Yumland, Netfrica, Dentech

HP: 160
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Wood
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: The virus spits a large wooden seed at one target, like a bomb. If it misses, it remains on the field for one turn.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Wood + Ground + Line Attack + Aqua Boost(+90 Wood, +AccuracyUP)
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C / B
Secondary Attack Description: If the seed is left alone for one turn, it will erupt into a Wood Tower attack. If the seed is hit by any Aqua based attacks or it lands on a Sea Panel, it will double in power and speed.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per virus): TreeBomb2, Zenny
Special: This virus is immobile.
- The Seed is immune to damage.
- Fire and Impact will destroy the Seed.
- This virus attacks every other turn, starting on the first turn.: 160 HP (In the South-Western corner) (Grass)

-- Navis --
Lyntael.EXE: 325 HP (Near gate A) (Casing20)(Barrier80)(Grass)
Metool2Metool2 (Metool)

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

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

HP: 100
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 50 Null + Piercing + Ground Attack
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Whacks ground with pickaxe, sending forth a shockwave.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 50 Null
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: Throws a mattock at an enemy.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Guard2, SonicWave, Zenny
Special: Can hide in its helmet to negate damage.
Special: Can use Recover150 on self once.: 100 HP (Near the gates) (Grass) (Defending)

-- Objects --
Gate A: 100 HP (Behind you)
Gate B: 100 HP (On the Northern wall)
Gate C: 100 HP (On the Eastern wall)
Gate D: 100 HP (On the Western Wall)

-- Terrain --
80% Grass

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

(If you're not on sand, you're here)
20% 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.

(In a quartet of small patches off to the corners)

Battle 3: WIN (by technicality)
Rewards: 4500z, Drain2Damage: Drain 70
Accuracy: C
Description: Summons a cloud of Skeeto viruses, and sends them flying at one enemy. They surround the target, proceed to drain HP from it, and send the stolen energy back to their summoner before vanishing. This attack has a slow travel speed.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C

The spiky, ready-to-act tension held for another few moments, before the various viral entities around her began to move for the now opened gates. Lyntael let out a breath she hadn't realised she'd held and relaxed her shoulders. She honestly hadn't expected all of them to leave... the thought crept into her mind, wondering just what the ratio of sentient viruses to not really was, and whether the things that the greater net media taught everyone was as true as it claimed to be. Plenty of viruses were hostile from the outset, sure, but... most of the time, so far, when she'd taken the time to give them time, looking back across all the memories she could summon up... most of the time, stopping to ask had yielded at least some results.

“I'll admit, that was... unexpected.” Rogan's voice was dry in her ear. “But the point remains, the bounty request you agreed to is not progressed by scaring them off.” Lyntael let her shoulders slump a little as she turned and looked about herself once more, then moved to return to the metool that had decided to follow her.

“I know, I know... I just... I don't know, Rogan. I don't feel like I can just treat this all as black and white. It's supposed to be that simple, for navis and viruses, but it's just not. Maybe it was, back in the beginning, when all the programs here were simple, but I don't think any of us are any more.” Rogan was silent on the line for a while, and Lyntael crouched down, wrapping her hands about her knees as she addressed the metool with her instead.

“Hey there, all safe now. They decided to leave.” She grinned at the curious virus, to reassure it, but her expression shifted to a more concerned frown as she looked forward again, where the earlier shots had come from. She'd sprung the trap now, and if most of the viruses around these parts were self-aware enough to leave when their lives were in danger, then that made whatever those heels were doing even worse. “I don't think the ones we meet from here on will be that friendly though. It's still going to be dangerous.” She watched the virus long enough to see how it reacted, then stood and brushed off her skirt, smoothing it down again unconsciously.

“Lyntael...” Rogan's voice sounded thoughtful now. “It took me far too long to understand that you are a being, in truth, and that you do indeed think, and feel, as I never permitted myself to accept. I know that you want to extend that benefit to every other program you meet, but I do not think there is another program out there on the net as unique as you.” She couldn't deny the flush of warmth that flooded her to hear him say it, nor the quiet smile that stole across her features, even as she began to move forwards again, even though she could hear the 'but' coming in his voice. “But you know that there are even whole classes of navigators out there that are known to be simple, insentient, insapient computer programs, fit to task... you can't expect to find a friend in every virus you meet. You will only get hurt doing that.” Her smile faded back into a serious frown.

“Maybe. These ones... they know what they're doing, I'm sure of it. I don't want to hurt anyone. I don't want to let them continue hurting others.” She pushed onward, making her way past the forward gate and looking for the group that had first attacked her.

“And... What will you do?”
“I don't know yet.” there were still these moments, where things were tense and awkward between her and Rogan. After everything, he still didn't seem to know how to talk to her, or he second guessed himself. She had to admit, she was doing the same, sometimes. Sometimes her feelings were conflicted, as the different people she remembered being would have held different perspectives, and she didn't yet know how she felt, herself.
“Well... I'm... watching.” An awkward, stumbling phrase as Rogan picked careful words and remained uncertain anyway... but it made her smile again even so. They would work it out, eventually. She was more sure of that now than either of herselves had ever truly been.

((Ready for battle 4))

The Met that had been following along with her gave an affirmative meep as it happily swung it's pickaxe, it seemed to want to continue traveling with Lyntael for the time being, it was afraid, she could see it in the met's eyes...but it seemed content and, more importantly, safe, at Lyntael's side. It wouldn't be long before the Met would continue along it's travels with Lyn, the scene shifting to the same copy-pasted looking paths, though they were a lot wider than the ones they had been passing through. The duo kept feeling eyes on them as they passed through...it was obvious whoever was here was watching them intently...no hostility being felt, no emnity...nothing...just...eyes from...everywhere.

Of course, it didn't take long to be ambushed again, a large hallway, walls on either side, integrity masked to navigator and virus ally. Soon enough, invisible walls would rise and Lyn would walk into it, another trap...and with it...the Met in front of her as other viruses dropped down. A Swirly...with a crimson colored water tornado it rode and a chartreuse body, landing in front of her companion and beginning to menace it. Whilst at the farthest reaches of the "battlefield" a Cateen would begin to roll up, in an exact coloring pattern, a chartreuse body and a crimson tank it rode in on, before giving a signal...and two more Shellnerds with chartreuse shells would be flung in, landing on either side of the field...and finally, a Genin2, it's body crimson and chartreuse in an alternating pattern from head to toe, landing in on one of the walls.

All five seemed primed on Lyntael in particular...but even she could feel some emnity being directed towards her companion, as well, she could overhear something on the airwaves. Broken up, some static, but, she could make out some words. "Capture...delete...drag back..." It wouldn't take much to put two and two together. Weather she would wind up meeting the one behind this all or not, that was in the air, but...it would take more than a quintet of viruses to bring her down. Battle routines engaged, a clash was all but certain.

-- Viruses --
Genin2Genin2 (Genin)

Area: Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 140
Attack: 70 Null + Slashing + Group Attack (MoonBlade) / 10 Null + Slashing x 7 Attacks x 2 Targets (Kunai)
Attack Accuracy: B / B
Attack Description: Counter attacks with either a spinning cut or a volley of Kunai.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Kunai2, MoonBlade2, Zenny
Special: This virus does not initiate attacks on it's own.
- Seeks cover behind objects when not attacking.
- If no objects are present, this viruses evasion is enhanced.
- Counters Battlechip use with Kunai once per turn.
- Counters Buster use with MoonBlade once per turn.
- Counters Sig Attack use with either Kunai, or Moonblade once per turn.: 140 HP (On top of Wall A)
SwirlySwirly (Whirly)

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 140
Attack Damage/Effect: 40 Aqua x 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Tries to spin into you along a boomerang shaped path.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AquaWhirl2, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes. Cannot fly into high altitude.: 140 HP (In front of Metool2)
CateenCateen (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: 200
Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Panel Crack + Blast2
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Blasts enemy with TankCannon.
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TankCannon2, Zenny
Special: May Move/Dodge while attacking.
Special: Slow: 200 HP (At the northern most part of the field, in the center)
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 (To Lyn's left and not far behind the Swirly, roughly half-way down the field)
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 (To Lyn's right and not far behind the Swirly, roughly half-way down the field)

-- Navis --
Lyntael.EXE: 325 HP (At the southernmost edge of the battlefield)
Metool2: 100 HP (In front of Lyntael) (Defending)

-- Terrain -- (The battlefield is essentially a wide, long, rectangle, invisible walls to the north and south. The field is the length of a movement from one end to the other, and two dodges or a feint to either side, enough to avoid even Wide Attacks or Blast2s at most with breathing room)
100% Normal

• No effects.

-- Objects --
Wall A: Undefined HP (On the left, integrity unknown)
Wall B: Undefined HP (On the right, integrity unknown)

-- Rogue Battle 4 Ready? Start!! --

The sensation of being watched never faded, and it didn't take Lyntael by too much surprise when the next trap sprung on her between the old buildings of the long forgotten township. By a reflex she didn't even think about, her charge pulsed in response to the sudden motion and the brief start it drew from her; faint glows began again at her wrists and ankles and her hair snapped as her feet slid into a light, ready combat stance.

The ripple of energy that rose to form another barrier across the walls and the pathway ahead and behind made her eyes shift briefly; more of this, stronger this time. Whoever was doing this seemed to have a more than a casual operation set up. What had she wandered into, she wondered. Lyntael let herself take a few more cautious steps forward until the expected forces began to show themselves.

“I'm going to suggest, Lyntael... not friendly this time.” Rogan's voice was a quiet murmur behind her, and despite herself Lyntael give a faint nod. As each virus appeared, she could see the same unusual colour markings on them as the ones under the other navis' control before had borne, and they looked just as aggressive. A tight frown creased one corner of her lips before she smoothed it away.

“Probably not...” She stepped alongside the little metool and then past it to the Swirly that was making its display. “Be careful...” This she murmured back to her metool friend before taking a deeper breath and drawing the first beat of her charge up through her body until her skin began to dance with arcing light caustics. She knew it was probably meaningless; Rogan would probably chide her for it again, but she still didn't want to be the one throwing the first stone here; her body would retaliate if any of them attacked, but she wasn't going to strike first. That was her choice. The radio crackle caught her attention, and her eyes darted between the tank and the lingering ninja-like virus up above, trying to work out if either of them was more sensible than the rest.

“If you want me to come and see your boss, that's what I'd like too. If you want to give me an escort there, I'll go... but I can walk on my own just fine. Whether this is quiet or loud is your choice... and if none of these ones can make that choice for themselves, that goes for you too, whoever you are listening in. I'd like to talk.” She spoke loud enough to let it carry across the walled-in space, but clenched her fists as she did and let the next pulse from her chest expand into shell of energy that drew power from her strikers as it passed them and stabilised into an electrical barrier that faded from sight once it solidified. She raised her hand into a ready combat guard to face whatever first offence the viruses around her tried; as certain as it seemed, choice and a chance still mattered.

Summary
L*) First Armour: 20Hp Casing (as subtle outfit reinforcement)
L1) Movement (crossing to the centre of the field, between the shells, as she talks and over the course of the other two actions)
L2) My Pain is Real, it lingers after (Counter (On Hit): (10Elec Nova2, Knockback, Time Delay (Start of next turn): Counter (On Hit): (10Elec Nova2, Knockback)), 15Hp Sacrifice) (Overcharge +1 per counter triggered)
L3) My Heart Falters, yet beats anew (Buster Charge, 80Hp Barrier, (Off-Target1, 1 Round)) (Overcharge -3)

-=Turn Splice at 3 Actions=-

It was a gamble for her to attempt to talk to these modified viruses, even as she held one hand out to talk, she armed the other so to speak. Electricity flowing across Lyntael's body as she prepared her defensives and her body to explode upon disruption of her as the viruses stared at her, watching her make her next move...the fight would soon be interrupted by a voice in Lyn's comms, static hissing in her ear as a rough, tough sounding voice hissed as the static cleared away.

"So...the little spark plug wants to talk eh?" It came, female sounding by the tone and more high-pitched voice that came, the viruses seemingly standing down for the moment even as Lyn's skin sparked and hummed with powerful energy. "Why should I go belivin ya? You deleted the first set you came across, you released the wild viruses from that trap, now you wanna talk. If anythin, you're more dangerous than we are. You utterly vaporized my group's viruses and then took chase after us into this abandoned city..." The voice continued as the thoughts came to mind, attention back to the met that had been following her since she entered. "Then again...that met following you seems real fixated on ya. We always thought viruses, topside and otherwise, were little more than instinctual animals..." She continued again, trailing off, a click of the tongue as she thought again, a moment passed...and soon enough, the northern and southern walls would fade away, like glitter in the wind. "Fine spark plug. You and yer little friend can pass, but these here viruses are gonna escort ya to prevent ya from explorin and gettin lost. You're to come towards the center of town, the navis guardin it will escort ya into the buildin and up to where I'm at. We'll talk...but don't go expectin much."

The communication cut off abruptly, Lyn would have the Cateen begin to slowly move towards her, the Swirly would gently pick up the Met with it's water currents and hand it over to Lyn to carry. Whilst the Genin would jump down and hand Lyn a small data crystal, "rewards" or some such, flanking her left as the two Shellnerds would disappear out of the field, likely being "recalled". The battle routines would dissipate, but now Lyn had a meeting to get to. Hopefully, she wouldn't have to fight...but there was this niggle in the back of her mind, telling her she wasn't anywhere out of the frying pan just yet, even if whom she just talked to had convinced herself it was worth talking to her.

-- Viruses --
Genin2Genin2 (Genin)

Area: Beach, Yumland, Netfrica

HP: 140
Attack: 70 Null + Slashing + Group Attack (MoonBlade) / 10 Null + Slashing x 7 Attacks x 2 Targets (Kunai)
Attack Accuracy: B / B
Attack Description: Counter attacks with either a spinning cut or a volley of Kunai.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Kunai2, MoonBlade2, Zenny
Special: This virus does not initiate attacks on it's own.
- Seeks cover behind objects when not attacking.
- If no objects are present, this viruses evasion is enhanced.
- Counters Battlechip use with Kunai once per turn.
- Counters Buster use with MoonBlade once per turn.
- Counters Sig Attack use with either Kunai, or Moonblade once per turn.: 140 HP (On top of Wall A)
SwirlySwirly (Whirly)

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 140
Attack Damage/Effect: 40 Aqua x 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Tries to spin into you along a boomerang shaped path.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AquaWhirl2, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes. Cannot fly into high altitude.: 140 HP (In front of Metool2)
CateenCateen (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: 200
Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Panel Crack + Blast2
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Blasts enemy with TankCannon.
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TankCannon2, Zenny
Special: May Move/Dodge while attacking.
Special: Slow: 200 HP (At the northern most part of the field, in the center)
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 (To Lyn's left and not far behind the Swirly, roughly half-way down the field)
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 (To Lyn's right and not far behind the Swirly, roughly half-way down the field)

-- Navis --
Lyntael.EXE: 325 HP (Casing20)(Barrier80) (At the southernmost edge of the battlefield) (Charge1) (Three actions remain)
Metool2: 100 HP (In front of Lyntael) (Defending)

-- Terrain -- (The battlefield is essentially a wide, long, rectangle, invisible walls to the north and south. The field is the length of a movement from one end to the other, and two dodges or a feint to either side, enough to avoid even Wide Attacks or Blast2s at most with breathing room)
100% Normal

• No effects.

-- Objects --
Wall A: Undefined HP (On the left, integrity unknown)
Wall B: Undefined HP (On the right, integrity unknown)

Battle 4: Subverted!

Rewards: 5400z, MoonBlade2Damage: 120 + Slashing + Spin Attack
Accuracy: Depends on number of targets.
Description: Executes a spin cut with a Kunai.
Duration: Once.
Element: Null
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.
Trader Rank: C

A momentary flare of irritation sparked in the corner of Lyntael's mind as she held her stance and listened. Why was it that people always seemed to want to come up with demeaning nicknames for her? She set the thought aside; it wasn't as though this person had any chance to know her name, after all... and the worst monster she'd even encountered... despite herself, Lytnael couldn't stop the shudder of revulsion and the undercurrent of distress and terror that came with it. Not any more. Never again. She tried to pushed the memory away; he had insisted very keenly about using her name, and looking into her eyes, and acknowledging, so fully, how real and legitimate a person she was. It was a memory that ached and disgusted her in equal measure, when it came amidst a time when the people who should have cared hadn't been willing to grant her that much. It stood there, in the back of her awareness, colouring even the joyful and bright moments of real affirmation she'd found since, and it wasn't ever going to go away.

She realised her stance had remained tense and tight, and her teeth were painfully grit. It wasn't until the movements of the viruses nearby drew her attention that she managed to pull her focus back to what the mystery voice had been saying. Carefully, she drew a breath and pulled her charge back, focusing until her skin was safe to touch, then accepted the slightly heavy armful of metool into her own protection as the rest of her 'escort' began to follow along and indicate the way she should go.

Shaking off the previous thoughts, Lyntael set a steady pace; she didn't want to stall, since she was being let through, but she needed time to think as well. Every now and then she glanced down at the virus she was now carrying to check how the little guy was doing. She hadn't, in truth, expect that to go quite so smoothly. The viruses were modified, it seemed, and following commands in some fashion, there seemed to be a spectrum in what she'd seen between 'loyal' and 'rabid attack dog'. She knew that at one time, she'd have felt much more optimistic about whatever meeting she was going to. A younger Lyntael would have taken the voice's plaintive protestations of innocence, and her own wrong-doing, at face value. Not any more... she knew what she'd hear, broken as it had been, and she knew that her own actions had been measured in response. She didn't trust that there was secretly some noble cause behind all of this, but she wasn't going to make that assumption without at least listening first, now that she was being given the chance.

“Lyntael... I am watching, but are you sure about this? My instinct tells me that whether our mastermind here wishes to talk or not, you are walking into violence that grows increasingly stacked against you the longer you stave it off with words.” Despite the warning in Rogan's voice, she felt a knot of tension between her shoulders relax at the sound of his voice.

“I know...” Her own response was barely a murmur, quiet on the curling breeze that shifted around her as she moved into the heart of the city, moving along with her escort and waiting to see what unfolded at the end of this path.

((Ready for events to unfold))

The met in her hands would catch her gaze downwards as she carried the met, the virus giving her an approximation of a happy expression, eyes closed and even though she couldn't see much beneath the helm, she could only see what could be a smile beneath in the darkness of the met's underside, even if it was the briefest flash. This met was happy to have met her and, even if things went wrong, it was obvious it wasn't going to hold anything against Lyn.

The virus lapdogs that escorted her through the area kept on edge no less, the Swirly was leading Lyn through the streets as the Cateen kept behind her a little ways, with the Genin walking on the treads at the same pace. It was clear something unfriendly was lurking within the area, a shiver running up Lyn's back as a shadow flew across overhead, leading the trio of viruses to pause momentarily and studied their surroundings, all on edge. Then came the attack as something lept from the buildings overhead and swiped at the Swirly with an elongated claw, glass and bone sticking out of a gross melding "hand" as a humanoid figure crashed in front of Lyn and the viruses.

It was something out of a horror movie, what looked to be a modified punk navi, a dark purple coloring on what could be called it's "armor" stood in front of navi and viruses, heavyset legs carrying the creature, flesh colored and looking more like clay than actual skin. Flesh sloping to one side of it's face, held in place with metal plates and...pieces of a Shellnerd? The bright yellows of a typical Shellnerd's shell, however scuffed it might be, was plastered across the navi's mangled body, one arm far bigger than the other leading to the approximation of a navi slumping to one side to hold itself up as it's other "arm" was disjointed and mangled, glass and what seemed to be bone sticking out of a massive hand...if it could even be called that anymore, it looked more like wet clay held together by vanilla white and crimson sticks in the shape of a macabre mace. The Swirly had managed to avoid the brunt of the attack, but a large wound could be seen across the crabclaw it held up as more static hissed in Lyntael's ear, loud enough for Rogan to hear through his PET.

"Yo! What's going on out- Oh fuck no." The feminine voice began as it noticed from where she was, the figure in front of Lyntael. "Gonna make this brief kid. That's an experiment gone wrong, not our doing mind, far from it. We been workin on viruses, tryin to make them more "palatable" to the world wide web, there were experiments a good 40-some years ago, somethin called a Virus Breeder where navis could make use of viruses like pets, not unlike the Support Programs and virus summoning chips of today." The voice hurriedly explained. "Those things...they were made by some undernet adjacent group, tryin to make...some sorta weird hybrid navi, usin commercial navis as a base and shovin virus data into em. Well, 90% of their experiments lead to these kinds of...abominavis as we call em down here. Just dumped em here shortly before the Beach areas up top got renovated, sendin this place down into the "Rogue Nets" as you top-side folks call em." She continued as the thing...stared at Lyn and the viruses, like a hungry beast...dead, milky white irises sizing the quintet up.

"I ain't got no leg to stand on here askin for help, but we could use someone of yer talents for help in "exterminating" them while yer down here, there's not a ton of them thankfully, but they're stronger than what you'd be fightin down here. These viruses are precious to us, both because we love em and wanna learn more about em. We'll take care of yer friend there and we can talk more once this thing's taken care of, face to face. But you're gonna have to fight it alone, we can't be riskin em, these abominavis absorb their data...gain their power. They're a danger to us down here and up above, if that helps yer decision any."

The creature continued to stare down at the quintet, as if waiting to hear Lyntael's response...there wasn't a single spark of intelligence in the eyes that stared, not unlike the Met's...or the trio working for the lady on the other end for that matter. As if on que to give her some incentive, the creature began to lean down, staring right at the Met in Lyn's arms...a long, dripping tongue beginning to emerge from the creature's face.

As they walked, Lyntael let the rapid trail of thoughts and possibilities run through her mind, trying to work out what was most likely when the confrontation finally happened. It was only after a few more moments of futile planning that she took a longer breath and let herself feel the soft movements of breezes curling through the city and between the forgotten buildings. Her eyes shifted to her 'escorts'. They were nervous too but not, she realised, of her. A sense up and down her spine made the hairs on her neck stiffen as tension knotted up between her shoulders. What was it, and where? She didn't exactly trust that anything that happened here and now wasn't some part of some bigger plan by the ones that had first attacked her, but even so, the nerves from the escort with her seemed real enough...

Her thoughts were cut off as sudden motion and noise cut across the path they were on and the creature emerged and struck out. Already half reaching for the steady beat of energy in her chest, Lyntael felt it surge up through her as she moved. There was barely time to think about which side of what the politics fell, and she didn't; a thread of shock and apprehension was there; a thread of cautious fear as she took in the mutated and distended features of the creature attacking them, but no more than that. It was surpassed by the spike of adrenaline that came with it and she hurriedly crouched, sliding her companion to the ground as she did, then kicked off the pavement towards the assailant. The gentle movement of air through the roadway curled in suddenly, encircling the girl and ruffling her clothing as it boosted her forward to move between the creature and the other viruses.

“Hey! Easy there!” Even as she spoke the challenge, hands out and upraised, open but still ready to fight, her eyes took in the rest of the creature; she'd encountered navigators of plenty of different shapes and sizes but this one's gaze, as it lingered on the nearby viruses, had nothing behind it that seemed like it might answer. Lyntael grit her teeth. She might not need to hurt it too badly, but getting its eyes off the other viruses had to come first. The woman on the communication line was talking, and a part of Lyntael's mind tried to take it in, but most of her attention was on the moment in front of her. She darted in closer, focused on the mutated navi's extended, mangled arm-bludgeon first and foremost.

“Back up, all of you...” She glanced back over her shoulder as she called out; the winds circling her body twisted rapidly then flowed outward in every direction along with a mild wave of static energy; with her at the centre, the sudden air current tried to separate the groups more clearly. The blast of wind thrust at the creature, seeking to push it back and away, but if any of the other viruses hadn't made enough distance the static wind stood the chance of giving them a gentle, but firm push away from the melee zone as well. Lyntael herself didn't have the extra moment to check; she ducked low then thrust upward with her left arm, striking to knock the creature's arm upwards with the heel of her palm. The rising motion was followed with a second strike from her other hand and she leap upward, the trailing eddies of wind carrying her slight form into an arcing jump that should take her past the creature and over behind it. As her body moved, Lyntael sought to grab onto parts of the massive bludgeon, gripping tight and using it as a pivot to flip her body past it. Each foot struck out as she made the half spiral of motion, aimed at delivering small, jolting kicks to key points along the creature's arm, and with any luck numb some of the feeling from it, before she landed on the far side, still attempting to pull the mutated mass with her. She doubted she had the strength to actually pin the creature's arm behind it, but at the very least she might get its attention and force it to turn and face her, rather than anything else.

“Come on, over here... just look at me...” As she spoke she let the next stabilising pulse of her charge stretch beyond her body, forming the familiar protective shell that expanded out past her strikers before fading from sight. Within her, the charge hummed, eager to spend itself fully. She could feel the warmth filling her but she waited, holding the mass of electricity coursing through her until her strikers glowed and crackled. The former navi, if that's what it was, might just lash out at her in response, she knew that; the threads of fear remained, but they were subdued – that was fine. It could try it, and get another shock for its trouble; she wasn't going to escalate until she had to.

As she held her ground, only seconds had passed and Lyntael let her mind try to process what the other woman had been saying to her. Experiments, but not their experiments; dangerous to them, and others; trying to make viruses nicer, because they loved them – sure, right. She felt a small grimace curl at one corner of her lips.

“Okay, fine... let's pretend I believe you for now. If you want to get your friends out of here until the danger's gone, that's fine. My name,” without realising it, she put extra emphasis on the word. “Is Lyntael, and I'm going to handle this my way.” ...Just as soon as she worked out what 'her way' was, an unbidden thought murmured in the back of her mind.

It definitely looked like any semblance of self or sapience was gone from it, if it had ever existed in the first place, and the woman on the other end of the line said as much too, but a feeling in her chest said that wasn't enough, not yet. She held her ground, still light on her toes and in a ready combat stance, and looked at the monstrosity before her. If there had once been a person there, they had suffered; she could see that much. Her eyes focused on the milky, dead-seeming expression and she drew a breath, then she stepped in close again, weaving past any aggressive move it might make, at least as best as she could. It didn't matter if it hit her, she didn't want to be put off for this much at least; she reached up and put a hand against its chest.

It wasn't a dramatic or poignant moment, like stories and movies liked to paint, she knew that. She was trying not to be struck by a creature that likely had every intention of trying to devour anything it could get its hands on, and she wasn't perfect either; she was actively trying to debilitate it, and stop it from doing any proper harm, even as she reached out; her skin was alive with her charge, probably painful to the touch for any normal person. It wasn't picture perfect, but maybe that wasn't the point; it was what she could offer. She looked up towards the creature as she pressed her palm against it as the lingering eddy of wind circling her form spread broad to encircle the creature along with her.

“If there's anything left in there, struggling to hold onto yourself or trying to be seen... I'm here, and I'm watching, and I'm listening.” A sense of deep resonance thrummed from the well of her charge and passed through her body, across to the other entity. “And if there isn't enough, and you don't have the strength, then I'm here, and I'll be with you when it ends. You won't be alone.” The resonating pulse faded; a brief, fleeting sensation of three hands reaching out to the same place collapsed back into the one she could see in front of her as she looked up past it towards the creature's face.

The circling wind spread out and dissipated into a lighter, ongoing bluster of air as Lyntael stepped back again, light on her toes and watching carefully. She had done what she could; if it had to be stopped, then at least she was giving the others a chance to back off before things got messier. As she focused on the straining feeling of her charge and the dancing winds around her, the sky overhead had swiftly grown cloudy and begun to darken.

Summary
L*) First Armour: 20Hp Casing (as subtle outfit reinforcement)
L*) Turbulence: Frontal Deflection against shot or lobbed (hands free, layer 5)
L*) Knock Back effects are Double Strength, and attacks with them gain Wind type
L1) My Faith Can Heal, with time for laughter (Buster Charge, Feint, Movement, 10Elec Nova2, Knockback, Self-Slow (1 Rank, 1 Round) (Overcharge -2)
L2) Basic Buster Strike (30, Disarm x 5 hits, A)
L3) My Pain is Real; it lingers after (Counter (On Hit): (10Elec Nova2, Knockback, Time Delay (Start of next turn): Counter (On Hit): (10Elec Nova2, Knockback)), 15Hp Sacrifice) (Overcharge +1 per Counter Triggered)
L*) Fast Armour: 20Hp Casing Refresh
L4) My Heart Falters, yet beats anew (Buster Charge, 80Hp Barrier, (Off-Target, 1 Rank, 1 Round)) (Overcharge -3)
L5) Dodge
L6) A Scarred Soul, with love to give (Damage Reduction (10, 1 Round), 40Hp Casing, Stun (1 Action), Self-Slow (1 Rank, 1 Round), 3CD (Overcharge -2)

Cooldowns and Overcharge
My Heart Falters, yet beats anew (3TCD)
My Faith Can Heal, with time for laughter (3TCD)
My Pain is Real, it lingers after (2TCD)
A Scarred Soul, with love to give (3TCD)

Overcharge: Begin: 0, My Faith Can Heal (-2), My Pain is Real (+1 per counter Triggered), My Heart Falters (-3), A Scarred Soul (-2), End: +0