Background Information
Over 10 years ago, there was a Navi called MachMan.EXE, who was under the command of his Netop, Nikolai. MachMan.EXE was a military-issue Navi from the Netopian military, with the sole mission of gathering information about local viruses, locations, and Navis. When MachMan was tandem battling with TeethMan.EXE, Nikolai received an order to transfer to a new location, far away from his current ACDC post. Due to some corrupted military protocol, his Navi had to be deleted to prevent "falling into enemy hands." A hidden program within MachMan activated, and caused the missiles housed in his body to detonate, which caused an explosive self-deletion. Believing his Navi to have been completely destroyed, Nikolai resigned from the Netopian Military and created a new navi: Vengeance.EXE and to this day is pursuing justice for his fallen partner.
Seven years later, Mazer Patrovski logged his new NormalNavi into the ACDC network. The NormalNavi followed a group of local Navis participating in a virus busting run in ACDCNet. The group struck deep into the network, and the NormalNavi became separated by the group. Mazer Patrovski and his Navi noticed a large, black explosion scar on the ground and decided to investigate out of pure curiosity. They then encountered an odd spectral data anomaly, which was a part of MachMan's original programming. The data still had some of MachMan's remaining AI, and was desperate to continue it's existence after 7 years of waiting. The data merged with the NormalNavi and the two became one. The majority of MachMan's original appearance was reflected in this new Navi, as was a fraction of his past memories. The end result was MachMan.EXE MkII.
With his newly-gained powers, MachMan and Mazer Patrovski started their own adventures in the local networks, busting viruses, and making new friends along the way, including XIII.EXE his NetOp, Miss Kasumi Misumaru. However, Machman started to experience odd feelings about his past, heard voices, and experienced disturbing visions. Some included seeing the original MachMan's face over his own reflection in the water during a rescue mission in ACDCNet, saw a "familiar" ghost in a spirit-filled hallway in SciLabs, and MachMan.EXE (MkI) himself when Aera.SP first activated. These experiences have been dwelling in MachMan's mind, and he feels like he needs to go back to where he was "born."
While MachMan was out on his adventures all over the network, there was unrest at the spot where the original MachMan was deleted. Supposedly during the data merge 3 years ago, not all of the data was incorporated into the current MachMan's program. This data manifested into a malevolent spectral program, hell-bent on obtaining satisfaction for it's near decade-long period of constant isolation and suffering. This data, known as VengefulGhost, or "Spectre" has patrolled it's limited territory and attacked countless viruses and several Navis, including Delta.EXE and Rhea.EXE. The Spectre even defeated PsycheMan.EXE, and orphaned the Navi's SP, Nell. ((Not at all important, but may become important later))
Seven years later, Mazer Patrovski logged his new NormalNavi into the ACDC network. The NormalNavi followed a group of local Navis participating in a virus busting run in ACDCNet. The group struck deep into the network, and the NormalNavi became separated by the group. Mazer Patrovski and his Navi noticed a large, black explosion scar on the ground and decided to investigate out of pure curiosity. They then encountered an odd spectral data anomaly, which was a part of MachMan's original programming. The data still had some of MachMan's remaining AI, and was desperate to continue it's existence after 7 years of waiting. The data merged with the NormalNavi and the two became one. The majority of MachMan's original appearance was reflected in this new Navi, as was a fraction of his past memories. The end result was MachMan.EXE MkII.
With his newly-gained powers, MachMan and Mazer Patrovski started their own adventures in the local networks, busting viruses, and making new friends along the way, including XIII.EXE his NetOp, Miss Kasumi Misumaru. However, Machman started to experience odd feelings about his past, heard voices, and experienced disturbing visions. Some included seeing the original MachMan's face over his own reflection in the water during a rescue mission in ACDCNet, saw a "familiar" ghost in a spirit-filled hallway in SciLabs, and MachMan.EXE (MkI) himself when Aera.SP first activated. These experiences have been dwelling in MachMan's mind, and he feels like he needs to go back to where he was "born."
While MachMan was out on his adventures all over the network, there was unrest at the spot where the original MachMan was deleted. Supposedly during the data merge 3 years ago, not all of the data was incorporated into the current MachMan's program. This data manifested into a malevolent spectral program, hell-bent on obtaining satisfaction for it's near decade-long period of constant isolation and suffering. This data, known as VengefulGhost, or "Spectre" has patrolled it's limited territory and attacked countless viruses and several Navis, including Delta.EXE and Rhea.EXE. The Spectre even defeated PsycheMan.EXE, and orphaned the Navi's SP, Nell. ((Not at all important, but may become important later))
Subplot Core
Ch1: A request
- Mach receives a communique from PsycheMan.EXE, sees a mission request on the BBS posted by PsycheMan, or passes by him somewhere on the net
- PsycheMan is looking for a SP named Nell, explains how he last saw her in ACDCNet
- Mach suggests going back to where she was seen last, in case she returned in an attempt to seek out PsycheMan, or at least find clues
Ch2: On the trail
- Bust their way into the net
- Find blast zone, no other clues, PsycheMan departs
Ch3: Tortured Spirit
- Encounter the spectral Navi, which previously remained hidden until PsycheMan left
- Enraged, it absorbs Aera and Vector
- Battle Start!
Enemy Data
Name: Spectre
Element/Subtype: unknown
Physical Description: Initially appearing as a mass of viral junk data, the Spectre manifests as a creature covered in a "cocoon" consisting of different pieces and parts of virus corpses (broken Metool helmets forming the knuckles of its claws, Sparky spines along its back, etc.) The creature's main body appears to have a head, but the mish-mash of different pieces make it difficult to discern facial features. The creature also has a pair of four-fingered claws, which appear to be attached to its body by extendable cables, allowing it to fling its claws forward to drag itself along, or to attack foes at range
HP: unknown
Actions: unknown
NCPs: Unknown
Attacks:
Siphon Claw x2: Fires one or both claws at a maximum of two targets, then completely drains them of their data to incorporate it into the user's own program (1000dmg + 1dmg LifeDrain + Homing + Seeking + SuperPiercing) (S-Accuracy)
Name: Enraged Spectre
Element/Subtype: Null/Shield + Recover (has both Med Mastery/IV & Shield Bash/Reinforce)
Physical Description: After absorbing Aera and Vector, the Spectre "hatches" from its viral corpse shell to reveal a body it's been attempting to develop and protect for years. In this form it stands nearly 20ft tall and looks like its weight is more comparable to that of a piece of heavy machinery or aircraft than a Navi. Its lower torso consists of a large, angular chevron-shaped wedge, looking fairly similar to Vector's head in overall shape. The front surfaces of its metallic hull is specked with a seemingly random array of spherical mechanical eyes of varying shapes, each emitting an ominous crimson glow as they swivel and zoom independently. Attached to the wedge are a pair of angular blade-like claws, similar to that of a crab or scorpion, but the claws themselves appear to be more designed for snipping and cutting as opposed to grasping and crushing. Its rear hull has several movable slats, which are used to direct the exhaust of the various thruster banks underneath.
The Spectre's mechanical, serpentine spine is attached like a plug to the top of its Vector-esque lower torso. Said plug is lined with six 2" long spines that crackle with electricity, as if to form a protective barrier around the creature's spine, without significantly reducing its mobility. Its upper torso is significantly smaller, but still larger than a standard-sized NormalNavi. Its angular chest looks like a mix of Vector's plating and Aera's armor, but nothing is attached to its shoulder sockets other than a pair of immobile conical spikes sticking horizontally outwards. There are four large cylindrical structures sprouting outwards from its back, which have several glowing cyan panels that growl and buzz while powered, and occasionally let loose white-hot bolts of electricity that arc amongst the cylinders or to the ground. The Spectre's head looks scarily similar to Mach's but it looks entirely mechanical. Its "mask" is actually its upper and lower jaws, that can easily split apart to reveal a wickedly fanged maw. Combined with its crazed crimson eyes, the Spectre's expression appears stuck in a perpetual look of manic rage.
Finally, the Spectre has a pair of floating five-fingered hands, each with a 3-foot diameter with its sharpened claws outstretched. The wrists are cut short with a spike in its center (similar to the ones protruding out of its shoulder sockets), and there's a beam cannon recessed into each palm. These hands have all of the movement capabilities as Mach's own hands, but with the added ability to fly freely without being tethered to its body.
HP: 3500
Actions: 3
NCPs: BodyPack
Attacks: ((Can have all available, or leave it up to the mod to pick any 6 of the 8 attacks, etc))
Palm Guns: Fires a volley of plasma bolts from its floating claws. (20dmg x3 + Multi-hit) (A)
Claw Swipe: Rakes target with it's floating claws. (40dmg + Impact + Knockback) (B)
Collide: Rockets forward to bash the target with its body. (Movement + 50dmg + Impact + Knockback x2) (C)
Dagger Swarm: The spectre's scorpion claws explode into slivers of metal, that are then hurled towards the target (1dmg x200 + Variable Targeting + Slashing + Disarm) (C) [Fractal Pincer attack is disabled until next turn]
Fractal Pincer: Uses one of its large, metallic scorpion claws to bisect the target (100dmg Melee + Slashing + Disarm) (C)
Plasma Array: Fires a myriad of thin plasma beams from the multitude of gimbaled eyes on its lower torso. (20dmg x20 + Variable Targeting + Beam Attack) (D)
Overload: After a brief moment to charge, the spectre unleashes an explosion of debilitating electrical energy from its body. (1 Action Charge + 50dmg Elec Nova2 + Slow + Off Target) (A)
Stomp: The spectre slams its bulk against the ground, causing widespread damage around it. (80dmg + Drop Attack + Large Terrain Change (Cracked)
Absorbed Signature Attacks:
Tesla Pulse: Confusion + 2TCD (80pts)
Repulsion Shield: 2-hit shield + 1TCD (40pts)
De-bug: Status Cure + 1TCD (30pts)
Electro-Therapy: Heal 72 + 2TCD (80pts)
Recharge: [Passive] 18HP heal per turn (80pts)
Orbital Blade Defense System: 2-hit shield + 1TCD (40pts)
Special:
Can attack while moving or dodging
Dodges are mostly ineffective, though Enraged Spectre can eventually accelerate to a high speed
Possible Results
Victory
Spectre Defeated in <4 turns: roll D10
-- 1: Aera/Vector destroyed (lose all levels gained by SPs)
-- 2-4: Aera/Vector recovered, but only exists as upgrades for Mach (keep levels, SPs essentially kept permanently in PET)
-- 5-6: Aera/Vector recovered, but with complete memory loss
-- 7-10: Aera/Vector recovered
Spectre Defeated in 4 turns: roll D10
-- 1-2: Aera/Vector destroyed (lose all levels gained by SPs)
-- 3-5: Aera/Vector recovered, but only exists as upgrades for Mach (keep levels, SPs essentially kept permanently in PET)
-- 6: Aera/Vector recovered, but with complete memory loss
-- 7-10: Aera/Vector recovered
Spectre Defeated in 5 or 6 turns: roll D10
-- 1-3: Aera/Vector destroyed (lose all levels gained by SPs)
-- 4-6: Aera/Vector recovered, but only exists as upgrades for Mach (keep levels, SPs essentially kept permanently in PET)
-- 7: Aera/Vector recovered, but with complete memory loss
-- 8-10: Aera/Vector recovered
Spectre Defeated in >6 turns: roll D10
-- 1-4: Aera/Vector destroyed (lose all levels gained by SPs)
-- 5-7: Aera/Vector recovered, but only exists as upgrades for Mach (keep levels, SPs essentially kept permanently in PET)
-- 8: Aera/Vector recovered, but with complete memory loss
-- 9-10: Aera/Vector recovered
Defeat
Mach Defeated while Spectre has 10% Health (or less) Remaining: roll D10
-- 1-10: Aera/Vector deleted
-and-
-- 1: Mach absorbed (essentially deleted, only battlechips/Zenny/Subchips remain for potential rebirth)
-- 2-4: Mach deleted (all upgrades/NCP/battlechips/zenny/subchips remain for potential rebirth)
-- 5-6: Mach EJO, with permanent loss of combat capabilities
-- 7-10: Mach EJO
Mach Defeated while Spectre has 11-30% Health Remaining: roll D10
-- 1-10: Aera/Vector deleted
-and-
-- 1-2: Mach absorbed (essentially deleted, only battlechips/Zenny/Subchips remain for potential rebirth)
-- 3-5: Mach deleted (all upgrades/NCP/battlechips/zenny/subchips remain for potential rebirth)
-- 6: Mach EJO, with permanent loss of combat capabilities
-- 7-10: Mach EJO
Mach Defeated while Spectre has 31-70% Health Remaining: roll D10
-- 1-10: Aera/Vector deleted
-and-
-- 1-3: Mach absorbed (essentially deleted, only battlechips/Zenny/Subchips remain for potential rebirth)
-- 4-6: Mach deleted (all upgrades/NCP/battlechips/zenny/subchips remain for potential rebirth)
-- 7: Mach EJO, with permanent loss of combat capabilities
-- 8-10: Mach EJO
Mach Defeated while Spectre has >70% Health Remaining: roll D10
-- 1-10: Aera/Vector deleted
-and-
-- 1-4: Mach absorbed (essentially deleted, only battlechips/Zenny/Subchips remain for potential rebirth)
-- 5-7: Mach deleted (all upgrades/NCP/battlechips/zenny/subchips remain for potential rebirth)
-- 8: Mach EJO, with permanent loss of combat capabilities
-- 9-10: Mach EJO
Thoughts, feedback?
Edit: Yeah, didn't realize old me made something sort of similar years ago. Grabbed the background info and deleted that topic.