Visiting Home

Watching the snowy landscape camouflage the Vishiege's last moments as it disintegrated into junk data, Eternalis exhaled quietly, and looked down at the snowdrift where the Vishiege had been earlier. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any leftover data to convert into battlechip data. Better luck next time, one might say. He shrugged to himself, and turned back towards the path that he was going to take. However, before he could take a step, his operator interrupted.

"Ah, Eternalis, hold on a sec," said Harke. "I'm sending you some backup. Pretty insistent about it." Eternalis nodded, expecting his canine companion to return to him. As Harke activated the transfer, however, he tried to hide his worried expression, and hoped that Eternalis wouldn't be caught off guard by too much from what he was about to do.

Eternalis crossed his arms as he waited for the transfer to complete, but as the light receded from the silhouette of his transferred "backup", his eyes began to grow wide. Staring back at those eyes, from behind a blue-tinted visor, was his Support Program, Aurora. His body stiffened as she looked up and down, as if to appraise him. From what he could notice, Aurora's appearance had undergone some changes. For one, her usual cream-white armor was replaced with what appeared to be parts of his old blue-grey armor, and her midriff appeared to fluctuate slightly-- was that just his imagination? However, what took his attention the most was the ally identifier tag that showed up on his heads up display when Aurora had beamed in before him. The name "Aurora" was unchanged, that much was certain, but the extension that came afterwards brought the most questions: "EXE", or Executable. By itself it wasn't at all odd, but before, he had always known her extension to have been "SP", or Support Program. The extension notation was something subtle, yet powerful, that inextricably designated one as permanently bound to a Navi.

Before long, she silently turned her back from him, walking through the snowy landscape. The crisp sound of snow being trampled underfoot did nothing to snap Eternalis out of his fugue. A few feet into her walk, Aurora turned her head back towards him with a questioning face, before setting off again. This seemed to trigger something in Eternalis' mental processes, as he shook his head quickly, and ran to catch up with Aurora. "No-- wait! Aurora! Wait!"

[Z > 16990 > 490 > 4140, BF > 209 > 9 > 54]
[Rogue Battle 3 - Ready!]
[Eternalis.EXE: 360 HP, Aurora.EXE: 100 HP.]

Sometimes unexpected reunions were joyous affairs. Other times they were bitter-sweet and confusing. As it was, Eternalis and Aurora didn't get very long to catch up before the expectedly hostile elements of the net were attacking them again... Aurora was already all business, or so it seemed, and had a slight lead on her navi when they came upon the viruses in their way.

This section of the trail was mostly open snow, and someone or something seemed to have built a small selection of snowmen in the field. One of them looked pretty generic; it was made of three round sections, and had sticks for arms. Rocks had been used to make coat buttons and a face. It sat to Eternalis' left, not too far from him, while a second snowman was a little further off in the middle. This one seemed to have been a failure, more or less. the lowest ball was malformed and broken, and a long stabilising stick had been driven through the top of it to help the other sections to stay on. It hadn't worked, however, and there remained only the broken half of one snow ball sitting on the base, with the other half fallen to the side. Some other supplies for making a snowman were sitting on top of the broken piece; a few sticks and some more small stones, but it seemed the maker had given up on this failure. Next, off to the right and further back still, a very tall, proud snowman had fared much better. This one was an impressive five sections tall, all well balanced and neat, with a selection of perfectly black, round stones making up its coat buttons, and a scarf wrapped around its neck. It wore a woollen beanie and had the ever-traditional carrot nose and corn-bowl pipe. It's arms were well-picked sticks that even managed to look a bit like arms, too, with cute red mittens on the ends. One of the middle sections of this one looked a bit more angular than the rest and was pulsing with a steady blue light.

There was... one more Snowman. Towards the back right, this one looked well formed, and was wearing a top hat. It, too, had a carrot nose, as well as coal eyes, three coal buttons and was made with a total of three sections. For arms, this one seemed to have been given monstrous wooden branches that ended in bludgeoning stumps... not the friendliest design. It was also doing something the other snowmen were not, which was to say, it was moving.

Along with this turn of events, a PulseBat screeched in from the right, high in the air as it flapped amidst the blizzard, while a pair of Swirly viruses emerged from the snow, curving paths around the snow sculptures towards Eternalis and Aurora. A Shrimpy also appeared from the left, though it was holding a collection of sticks and small stones in its pincers and seemed, for the moment, oblivious to the imminent battle.

Just as the battle lines were being drawn up, right in the middle of everything, a single patch of snow suddenly burst upwards as a burst of energy converted it to verdant, green grass. Sitting atop this out-of-place panel, was a lamp-like creature, looking quite pleased with itself, as well as distinctly mischievous.



-=Attacking Pests=-
PulseBat2PulseBat2 (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 160
Attack Damage/Effect: 70 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar2, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack.: 160 Hp [High Altitude]
Shrimpy2Shrimpy2 (Shrimpy)

Shrimpy viruses are able to move between attacks as a free action, however dodging still costs them an action. They must pause movement to attack. Shrimpy viruses may move over fragile panel types without damaging them, such as moving over Cracked panels without breaking them. Shrimpy viruses cannot be forcibly submerged or smashed through fragile panels, even if thrown. They can submerge of their own free will, however.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Aqua + Spread 2
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Bub-V
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Bubble-V, Zenny
Special: ShadowShoes: 180 Hp [Snow][Right of field, neat the impressive snowman]
Elemperor2Elemperor2 (Elmperor)

Elemperor viruses are Planeswalker viruses: their attacks and abilities all depend on the terrain they stand upon. Pay attention to the special sections of their stat sheets, as those will tell you what types of terrain must be present for an Elemperor to appear (this terrain requirement naturally overrides the Network's terrain selection). All Elemperor are immune to any adverse terrain effects... except damage multiplication, of course. They attack every action they are able to.

Area: Beach, Sharo, Yumland, Netfrica, NetVegas

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 (Elemental Rage) + Small Rage Terrain Change + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Fires a magic flare that changes the ground beneath the enemy's feet.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ElementLeaf, ElementalRage2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Immobile.
- Always appears on Grass Terrain.
- Gains Regen 90 when on any terrain but Normal.
- If this virus is on Normal Terrain, its attack power is halved.
- Attacks assume the element of the terrain this virus sits on, and attacks create more terrain of the same type.: 180 Hp [Grass][Dead centre of field]
SnowmedSnowmed (Snowlo)

A snowman with a top hat, a carrot nose, coal eyes, three coal buttons and monstrously large wooden stumps for arms.

Area: Sharo

HP: 150
Attack Damage/Effect: 50 wood + impact / (25 aqua + small ice terrain) x 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: B / D
Attack Description: Slams fists downwards in a hammerblow. If it misses, 3 clumps of snow will fall from above randomly and turn into ice panels.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Avalanche2, Zenny
Special: If tricked into attacking a cracked / broken / missing panel, it will fall in and convert it into an ice panel. This counts as a deletion.
-- Can use IceStage once.: 150 Hp [Snow][Back left]
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. A: 140 Hp [Snow][Mid field, amongst the Snowmen]
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. B: 140 Hp [Snow][Cover behind failed snowman]

-=Awkward Pair=-
Eternalis.EXE: 360 Hp [Snow]
Aurora.EXE: 100 Hp [Snow][A little ahead]

-=Terrain=-
75% Snow
10% Missing
10% Ice
5% Grass

-=Objects=-
Average SnowMan: 80 Hp
Failed SnowMan: 40 Hp
Impressive SnowMan: 120 Hp [Emitting a blue glow]

-=Rogue Re-3, Start!!=-

As the pair trudged through the snowy landscape of the Sharo network, only the howling wind and the sound of boots plowing through snow could be heard, as a deep, unbound silence pervaded between them. Eternalis' mind felt lagged as he tried to rack it through the situation. He had had somewhat vague, patchy memories of what had transpired within the confinement server. Most of it was him trying to struggle not to lose his own self through the muck of the foreign bug trying to obtain control of his body. It had almost felt like he was swimming through a molten pile of rock, trying to find his way out of it. However, at one point, he recalled being able to resurface, and finding himself face-to-face with Aurora. Then, a surge of pain had racked him, giving him a powerful jolt of sudden clarity.

After that, it was almost as if he was forced to watch a torture film, except that it was his body that was moving against his will. With all the violent misdeeds that the bug was rampantly forcing him to do, he had cried out and struggled for control. However, every time he did so, he recalled his body protesting in return, almost increasing its violent tendencies with each bit of effort he made. With each instance of it happening, he saw Aurora's struggles to keep herself alive, to save him from his predicament. And then, the sights that happened alongside that--

Eternalis realized that his eyes had been locked onto Aurora's back all this time, and shook his head. The slime Navi looked down at the ground, an intense guilt clearly painted all over his face. Having been created as an entity that barely passed as "humanoid", it would have been odd to most observers that said sights had indeed excited him in ways he never knew before. Before the incident, it had never occurred to him that he had wanted to know this much about Aurora. About how she appeared in his life, and her lovely figure, and her motivations for struggling with him, and the curves that built up the softer parts underneath her armor, and how she had tried to treat him as an equal, and how her rear swayed tantalizingly in front of him in the snow...

Snapping back to his senses, Eternalis clutched his head in his hand, as he roared loudly in frustration. The sound of trudging boots stopped shortly after. The Navi looked back up, and saw his partner with a concerned look on her face, and her hand almost as if it wanted to reach out. As he did so, however, she quickly retracted her hand towards herself into a guarded pose. "Aurora, do you--" he quietly squeaked out, before being interrupted by Aurora, who had held her hand up in a gesture. Her mouth was slightly open, as if she wanted to say something, but she only managed to hold her breath for a moment, before her lips then resealed themselves. The howling winds continued to blow, almost obscuring both of them in its heavy snowfall, as it perpetuated their continued silence for what seemed like forever.

"Do you... remember anything?"

The abrupt question made Eternalis jump and pause. Though the question was worded a bit vaguely, the intent of what she had meant was clear as day. Should he lie? It had clearly been more traumatizing to her than it was for him. Perhaps she was clinging onto the tiniest thread of hope that he had absolutely no lucidity during the incident. The temptation tore at him, but in the end, he nodded quietly, not willing to speak any further. Aurora's reaction was about as expected for him as it was emotionally hurting; her already guarded pose tensed up, and her eyes widened slightly. Before he knew it, Aurora took off again, this time into a run, and he found himself chasing after her instinctively.

"Aurora!!" he called out. "Wait!!"

As they both ran, the snowfall seemed to blur out everything into something akin to a mystical land; he felt that if he strayed too far from her, he would lose sight of her. Fortunately, he didn't have to chase for too long, as he saw Aurora standing relatively in the middle of some snowy clearing. Spread out all around the area were some oddly shaped snowmen. Some of them had a few flaws, which made them a bit... charming, to say the least. Unfortunately, they couldn't sit around and appreciate the artwork, as one of the snowmen began to move, and a few viruses started pouring in from all around. What a time for some viral intervention, Eternalis thought. However, when he looked forward, he saw Aurora's body rapidly dissipating into thin air, covered up bit by bit by a honeycomb of transparent hexagons.

"Wha-- Aurora?!" he blurted out, before a small text window with his SP's face showed up on it. It simply stated, "Flanking."

Eternalis clicked his tongue in frustration, and brought up the video link to his operator, which had somehow closed itself during the earlier transfer. The reason made itself pretty clear as Harke showed up on the screen, burying himself behind a pillow. "Um, did you guys settle things yet? I didn't want to eavesdrop..." said Harke.

"No, never mind that, she just disappeared right in front of me and said she was 'flanking'!" blurted out Eternalis.

"Oh! Um, that's because she borrowed a bit of your processing power to activate an old optical camouflage process for herself-- she requested a chip a little while ago too..."

Eternalis' face looked slightly less worried as he heard the news, and he sighed in a strained voice. "All right, well, send me some too, we're facing a kind of sizable group here," he said. "Katana, PhoenixShot and WaterLine would be good."

"Alright, I'm sending it in."

While the chips started to come in, Eternalis looked up at the sole noisemaker of the viral group they had stumbled on. The PulseBat was currently high up in the air, but it wasn't anything that he couldn't fix. Swiping his arm in an arc, a long, thin blade materialized from his palm, and he hopped slightly into the air, dematerializing into mist. His body spun back into existence above the PulseBat. The blade that had sprung from his hand flew into a crosslike trajectory, with twin strikes of the sword aimed at the bat every time he moved. As he was falling down, he heard a crackle and a loud boom from below him; a lightning bolt had materialized from seemingly out of thin air that cut through the ranks of the viruses.

A swell of hope rose from within him, but it wasn't to last long. Focusing on the battlefield again, he thrust his left side towards the ground, and the pile of blue slime began to morph rapidly. Before long, he had what appeared to be the head of a bird of prey mounted on his left shoulder. It screeched loudly before belching out a gout of fire, specifically aimed towards the lamp virus that had perched itself atop a very out of place patch of verdant grass. Then, Eternalis landed with a muted thump and splash, causing the ground to shake briefly before it cracked open, and blasted up a wall of water near his location. The impact of his landing was muted quite well with his restorative processes, but all the time his thoughts were towards his partner, whom he quietly hoped had also been successful.

// Summary (Penalty Turns: Eternalis -1 Action 1/5)
[Ar.1] Sig: Infiltration Module: Invisibility + Self-Slow @ Self
[Et.1] Sig: Rapid Sublimation: Teleport @ Above PulseBat2
[Et.2] Chip: Katana2Damage: (80 + Slashing + Wide Attack) Then (80 + Slashing + Long Attack)
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a long metal blade with exceptional cutting speed. Hits with a wide slash, then a long slash in the span of a single action, hitting 3 and 2 targets, respectively. Only one target can be hit with both slashes. Rare
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 2 uses.
Element: Null
Trader Rank: B: (80 + Slashing + Wide Attack) Then (80 + Slashing + Long Attack) (Acc: B) @ PulseBat2 (Teleport: Acc+, Use 1/2)
[Et.3] Chip: Katana2Damage: (80 + Slashing + Wide Attack) Then (80 + Slashing + Long Attack)
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a long metal blade with exceptional cutting speed. Hits with a wide slash, then a long slash in the span of a single action, hitting 3 and 2 targets, respectively. Only one target can be hit with both slashes. Rare
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 2 uses.
Element: Null
Trader Rank: B: (80 + Slashing + Wide Attack) Then (80 + Slashing + Long Attack) (Acc: B) @ PulseBat2 (Use 2/2)

[Ar.2] Act: Reposition and roll next to Shrimpy2 (Feint)
[Ar.3] Chip: DollThunder1Damage: 80 + Line-Attack5
Accuracy: B
Description: Fires a powerful bolt of lightning that pierces through objects and enemies alike.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Trader Rank: D: 80 + Line-Attack5 (Acc: B) @ Shrimpy2, SwirlyA, Snowmed (Elec: Atk+15, Aqua: +100%*Atk)

[Et.4] Chip: PhoenixShot2Damage: 90 + Wide Attack
Accuracy: A
Description: Fires a wide wave of fire resembling a phoenix that can hit up to three enemies, depending on circumstances.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Special: Wide Attack: This attack hits a line of targets perpendicular to the direction the attack is launched in. Unless otherwise specified, a wide attack can hit up to 3 targets, max. Once a target is hit, the attack ends, thus all targets must be hit at roughly the same time.
Trader Rank: C: 90 + Wide Attack (Acc: A) @ Elmperor2 (Grass: +100%*Atk)
[Et.5] Chip: WaterLine2Damage: 130 + Ground Attack + Wide Attack
Accuracy: B
Description: A wall of water gushes from the ground, drowning up to 3 targets.
Duration: Once
Element: Aqua
Trader Rank: C: 130 + Ground Attack + Wide Attack (Acc: B) @ SwirlyA/B, Elmperor2 (Aqua: Atk+15)
[Et.*] Sig: Influx Aegis: Healing 18 x5 (90) @ Self

The sexual tension and PTSD suffered by both navis would have to wait as they were greeted by a slew of viruses. Aurora turned invisible and stated that she was going to flank the viruses. That meant that Eternalis would take them straight on, which he was better equipped for. First thing on his target list was the PulseBat2. Teleporting up to it, he laid into it with a few Katana2 swings. He cut deep with the first strike, tearing the virus to ribbons before it could scream out its attack ([(-80)+(-80)=(-160)] to PulseBat2). The second strike hit nothing but air as he descended to land on the snowy terrain below.

The Shrimpy2 zipped around on top of the snow like an elf, barely leaving tiny footprints behind. It launched a shotgun spread of bubbles at Eternalis and hit, even through the afterimage of the teleport (-45 to Eternalis). Thankfully, not only did the rest of the bubbles miss Aurora, but the cold wasn't enough to temporarily freeze Eternalis' gooey programming. And then the SwirlyB, its crab-like body spinning in a wide arc, struck Eternalis, but missed the invisible Aurora (-40 to Eternalis). Again, thankfully, the snow and ice that swirled around the crab-like virus did not freeze Eternalis.

As the Shrimpy2 was about to strike again, Aurora unleashed a powerful bolt of lightning at a few of the viruses. The Shrimpy2 and Snowmed took the brunt of the lightning, while the SwirlyA was not struck (-190 to Shrimpy2; -80 to Snowmed). The Shrimpy2 was cooked, its burnt shell flopping down onto the snow. The Snowmed's form sizzled a bit before some of the snow fell off it, revealing it to be mostly wood underneath. It charged forward and tried to slam its treetrunk fists into the partially visible Aurora. It fought the snow as it advanced, but she was near enough for him to punch. However, the slaming tree-fists hit nothing but snow, just off to the right from Aurora's true position. Three clumps of snow rain down upon the battlefield from the avalanche-like shock of the blow. Two fall on SwirlyB and one falls, funnily enough, directly on the Snowmed's head. SwirlyB does not suffer any hits, but the Snowmed does (-25 to Snowmed). The Snowmed then freezes to the ground as the snow below him becomes an icy panel.

Eternalis and the lamp-like Elemperor2 launch simultaneous attacks against each other. Eternalis takes a bolt of wood energy from the flare that the Elemperor2 launched at him, changing the ground below Eternalis into grass (-45 to Eternalis). Eternalis' PhoenixShot2 hits the smug Elemperor2 right in the grass, burning the lamp-like virus alive and tarnishing its value on the streets (-180 to Elemperor2). The baked lamp fell over onto the soil panel that was left behind, getting even more dirty.

Before the freezing cold reached its core, the Snowmed tried to attack Aurora again. Though its accuracy was hampered by the Snowmed sliding on the ice. Once again it whomps the ground, missing Aurora and raining down more clumps of icy snow. One falls on Aurora while two more fall on SwirlyB. SwirlyB is not amused by its bad luck, especially when it is struck by one of the two snow globs (-25 to SwirlyB). Though the ice that forms under SwirlyB doesn't effect it in the slightest.

SwirlyA tries to take its revenge on the two navis and spins to win, flinging cold ice and snow everywhere, as it boomerangs around the battlefield. Once again, Eternalis is struck, but Aurora is not (-40 to Eternalis). This time however, Eternalis is on soft, warm grass, and is not in danger of freezing from the attack.

Eternalis then blasts a wall of water at the viruses remaining. Unfortunately, SwirlyB is not there, nor is the deleted Elemperor2. But SwirlyA is right there and takes the hit (-145 to SwirlyA). SwirlyA goes to the digital crab-heaven. SwirlyB makes a last desperate gambit against Eternalis and Aurora this round, but strikes neither.

And then Eternalis healed as the Snowmed froze solid (+90 to Eternalis; Freeze1 to Snowmed).

-=Attacking Pests=-
PulseBat2PulseBat2 (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 160
Attack Damage/Effect: 70 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar2, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack.: DELETED
Shrimpy2Shrimpy2 (Shrimpy)

Shrimpy viruses are able to move between attacks as a free action, however dodging still costs them an action. They must pause movement to attack. Shrimpy viruses may move over fragile panel types without damaging them, such as moving over Cracked panels without breaking them. Shrimpy viruses cannot be forcibly submerged or smashed through fragile panels, even if thrown. They can submerge of their own free will, however.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Aqua + Spread 2
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Bub-V
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Bubble-V, Zenny
Special: ShadowShoes: DELETED
Elemperor2Elemperor2 (Elmperor)

Elemperor viruses are Planeswalker viruses: their attacks and abilities all depend on the terrain they stand upon. Pay attention to the special sections of their stat sheets, as those will tell you what types of terrain must be present for an Elemperor to appear (this terrain requirement naturally overrides the Network's terrain selection). All Elemperor are immune to any adverse terrain effects... except damage multiplication, of course. They attack every action they are able to.

Area: Beach, Sharo, Yumland, Netfrica, NetVegas

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 (Elemental Rage) + Small Rage Terrain Change + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Fires a magic flare that changes the ground beneath the enemy's feet.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ElementLeaf, ElementalRage2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Immobile.
- Always appears on Grass Terrain.
- Gains Regen 90 when on any terrain but Normal.
- If this virus is on Normal Terrain, its attack power is halved.
- Attacks assume the element of the terrain this virus sits on, and attacks create more terrain of the same type.: DELETED
SnowmedSnowmed (Snowlo)

A snowman with a top hat, a carrot nose, coal eyes, three coal buttons and monstrously large wooden stumps for arms.

Area: Sharo

HP: 150
Attack Damage/Effect: 50 wood + impact / (25 aqua + small ice terrain) x 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: B / D
Attack Description: Slams fists downwards in a hammerblow. If it misses, 3 clumps of snow will fall from above randomly and turn into ice panels.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Avalanche2, Zenny
Special: If tricked into attacking a cracked / broken / missing panel, it will fall in and convert it into an ice panel. This counts as a deletion.
-- Can use IceStage once.: 45 Hp [Ice] [Freeze1] [Near Aurora]
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.A: DELETED
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.B: 115 Hp [Snow] [Near Aurora]

-=Awkward Pair=-
Eternalis.EXE: 280 Hp [Grass]
Aurora.EXE: 100 Hp [Snow] [Flanking!]

-=Terrain=-
60% Snow
10% Missing
20% Ice
5% Grass
5% Soil

-=Objects=-
Average SnowMan: 80 Hp
Failed SnowMan: 40 Hp
Impressive SnowMan: 120 Hp [Emitting a blue glow]

Watching the spectacle on his screen unfold, Harke's eyes went wide as the coordinated destruction left most of the viruses incapacitated, or otherwise heavily damaged. Before he could voice out his amazement, however, a small text message appeared on his screen. "Requesting MagBolt," it said. He quickly complied with the chip, though it was rather jarring to have the requests be sent without voice. Still, he hoped that Aurora would be more willing to speak after she had done what she wanted, as she had told him in her message earlier.

Back in the Sharo network, with most of the viruses nearly eradicated, Eternalis swiveled in his spot on the rough snow, but he was stopped in his tracks as a small message window showed up in his periphery. "Cleaning up," the message stated, with Aurora's face displayed in a corner. As his recovery module began to recover from the barrage of attacks that he had received earlier, he stared at the two remaining viruses, watching out for any additional attacks they would throw out at him, as well as looking out for his Support Program. While the strong blizzard muffled most of any traces of footsteps, he saw a small glimpse of Aurora's figure, partially uncloaked as she drew in for an attack.

He could see a ferocious expression on his partner's face, as a yellow glow appeared in front of her. Before he knew it, a ball of electricity flew out at the large snowman virus. The glow still persisted, however, as she then appeared to direct her attack towards the whirlpool-riding Swirly. Contrary to her previous ranged attack, this one would be more up close and personal, as it would draw the Swirly towards her, and deliver more than a few Amps of hurt.

// Summary (Penalty Turns: Eternalis -1 Action 2/5)
[Et.*] Sig: Influx Aegis: Healing 18 x5 (90) @ Self
[Ar.1] Sig: Infiltration Module: Invisibility + Self-Slow @ Self
[Ar.2] Act: Basic Attack: Elec 20 (Acc: A) @ Snowmed (Aqua/Ice: +200%*Atk)
[Ar.3] Chip: MagBolt1Damage: 90 + Stun + Magnetic Pull
Accuracy: B
Description: Uses an electromagnet to pull the target into range, then stuns them with a close range electrical shock.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Special: Magnetic Pull: A stronger version of the Pull effect that either pulls the target towards you, or you towards the target over a greater distance than normal.
Trader Rank: D: 90 + Stun + Magnetic Pull (Acc: B) @ SwirlyB (Elec: Atk+25, Aqua: +100%*Atk)

[Et.1-5] Act: Avoid incoming attack (Dodge)

To put it in brief terms, Aurora's serious brand of savagery was both efficient and accurate as she swiftly cleaned up the remaining targets; Eternalis was left to watch on, barely needing to take any effort to avoid the attempts at attack directed at him by the last two before they met their rather suddenly painful end. It was all over almost before it began, and there wasn't really too much to talk about, save the potentially difficult sense of quiet that remained in the lull afterwards while the spoils were collected.

Of course, they could always take some time out to build or play with the snowmen, but there was no telling how such a suggestion might go over. At the very least, though, the fancy one probably warranted an inspection, with its tell-tale blue glow.

-=Attacking Pests=-
PulseBat2PulseBat2 (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 160
Attack Damage/Effect: 70 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar2, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack.: DELETED
Shrimpy2Shrimpy2 (Shrimpy)

Shrimpy viruses are able to move between attacks as a free action, however dodging still costs them an action. They must pause movement to attack. Shrimpy viruses may move over fragile panel types without damaging them, such as moving over Cracked panels without breaking them. Shrimpy viruses cannot be forcibly submerged or smashed through fragile panels, even if thrown. They can submerge of their own free will, however.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Aqua + Spread 2
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Bub-V
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Bubble-V, Zenny
Special: ShadowShoes: DELETED
Elemperor2Elemperor2 (Elmperor)

Elemperor viruses are Planeswalker viruses: their attacks and abilities all depend on the terrain they stand upon. Pay attention to the special sections of their stat sheets, as those will tell you what types of terrain must be present for an Elemperor to appear (this terrain requirement naturally overrides the Network's terrain selection). All Elemperor are immune to any adverse terrain effects... except damage multiplication, of course. They attack every action they are able to.

Area: Beach, Sharo, Yumland, Netfrica, NetVegas

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 (Elemental Rage) + Small Rage Terrain Change + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Fires a magic flare that changes the ground beneath the enemy's feet.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): ElementLeaf, ElementalRage2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Immobile.
- Always appears on Grass Terrain.
- Gains Regen 90 when on any terrain but Normal.
- If this virus is on Normal Terrain, its attack power is halved.
- Attacks assume the element of the terrain this virus sits on, and attacks create more terrain of the same type.: DELETED
SnowmedSnowmed (Snowlo)

A snowman with a top hat, a carrot nose, coal eyes, three coal buttons and monstrously large wooden stumps for arms.

Area: Sharo

HP: 150
Attack Damage/Effect: 50 wood + impact / (25 aqua + small ice terrain) x 3 targets
Attack Accuracy: B / D
Attack Description: Slams fists downwards in a hammerblow. If it misses, 3 clumps of snow will fall from above randomly and turn into ice panels.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Avalanche2, Zenny
Special: If tricked into attacking a cracked / broken / missing panel, it will fall in and convert it into an ice panel. This counts as a deletion.
-- Can use IceStage once.: DELETED
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.A: DELETED
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.B: DELETED

-=Awkward Pair=-
Eternalis.EXE: 360 Hp [Grass]
Aurora.EXE: 100 Hp [Snow]

-=Terrain=-
60% Snow
10% Missing
20% Ice
5% Grass
5% Soil

-=Objects=-
Average SnowMan: 80 Hp
Failed SnowMan: 40 Hp
Impressive SnowMan: 120 Hp [Emitting a blue glow]

-=Rogue Re-Three, Victory!=-

Spoils: 4350z, 48 BugFrags

Open BMD?

As the snow cleared, residual energy sparks began to leak away from the spot where Aurora had discharged her attack. Her camouflage process began to wind down, and bit by bit, Aurora's figure reappeared in front of him, her hand outstretched towards thin air away from him. Yellow glowing lines pulsed weakly all over her body, and she breathed slowly as the charge died down. While Aurora cooled down from the battle, Eternalis merely elected to watch. The blustery Sharo winds caused Aurora's long hair to flutter about slightly, though she didn't seem to be the least bit affected by the chill. In fact, her fair cheeks seemed to be as flushed as they would be in a warmer climate, even as she breathed out misty vapors in front of her face. While they had fought together for quite some time, he had never actually stopped to realize that his partner was actually quite pretty.

After a while, without realizing it, he was staring in the SP's direction. Meanwhile, Aurora had finished allowing her electrical charge to dissipate, and was also looking in his direction with an enigmatic expression on her face. Wait-- Oh god! As he realized the situation, the slime Navi panicked at the sudden eye contact, and averted his sight above him. Meeting his gaze was an impressively tall snowman, standing strong behind him. Well built by whoever was responsible for it, it had a long carrot nose, eyes and buttons made out of bits of rock, and large wooden sticks making up its arms. Whoever made it didn't skimp on the accessories either, with a pipe, mittens and scarf rounding out the grand-looking snowman. While its build was quite a spectacle, Eternalis saw it more as a convenient target to divert his attention to, and turned his back to Aurora to look at it.

"Aurora?"

"Mm?"

"Um-- thanks for saving my life and all. I can't be grateful enough."

A brief silence. "Well-- you're welcome, I guess."

"Sorry for forcing you to do it and all, and um, for..."

"For?"

"N-No, just forget about it."

Another awkward silence ensued. Eternalis thought that was the end of it, before the crisp sound of footsteps through the snow echoed about the area. Though his slimy disposition didn't allow him to sweat, it certainly felt like he was sweating in his mind as he heard the footsteps draw closer. While averting his gaze upwards, he unconsciously backed up against the giant snowman behind him, until he was almost touching it. The footsteps stopped. Silence pervaded through the gales, until Aurora broke the silence.

"... Look at me."

Hesitantly, Eternalis complied with the order, and met eyes with an intense-looking Aurora. Her translucent visor had been dismissed, and there was nothing between him and her piercing orange eyes. Contrary to that, however, her face looked almost completely flushed. From how red her face was, it wouldn't be a stretch if one thought she was about to explode, though to be fair, he was about to do the same from embarrassment as well.

"T-Tell me what you remember doing inside that server."

The statement processed inside of his head for a moment, before he blurted out a shocked "What?!"

"Tell me," said Aurora, electric charge building up within her hands again.

Eternalis drew back, waving his hand about in a panic. "Wait, wait, n-no, I mean, why would I want to remember anything?!"

Aurora's eyes went wide. "Wha-- What's that supposed to mean?!"

Eternalis tried to avert his gaze once again, hugging himself with his right arm. "That-- I mean-- Y-Your armor was all torn up, so I-- Grnk- Ow!" He felt a sharp twinge of electricity travel through his chest. Looking down, Aurora was digging her fingers into his pliant slime torso, though she was also releasing a few errant arcs of electricity through it. Her expression was contorted into some twitchy grin, as if she was trying to bear herself through something extremely difficult.

"O-Okay, yeah, go on?" she choked out.

"G-Get off of me!" Agitated, Eternalis wrested himself away and threw up his arms. "Why do I need to tell you this anyway?! You know what I did! I know what I did! I saw everything, like it was some kind of sick reality show!" Then, it was Aurora's turn to avoid his gaze, with her face cast downwards towards the snowy ground, causing him to regret his earlier raised voice. "C'mon, Aurora, just--"

"I needed to know if I can trust you!" Aurora cried out, causing Eternalis to freeze up. Slowly, she began to hiccup, and eventually sob. "Back... hic, back then... it was scary, you know?!" Overwhelming guilt consumed his mind as the memories of the server came back again. "A-At first, I thought... I thought you were still in control-- when the Boiler chip came in, but, then after that... I didn't-- didn't even know if you were even, hic, even still alive, or I was just- hic, just trying to save a c-corpse..." Perhaps if he had tried just a little harder to overcome the influence of the monster, he could've avoided looking at his partner like this. His partner, who was currently standing in front of him in the midst of the harsh Sharo snowfall, tears flooding from her eyes. Seeing that sight in front of him, the moment was strained to the limit. A few seconds passed, with nothing but Aurora's weakly restrained sobbing as the only noticeable sound in the area.

"I... I can't say for certain that I couldn't have controlled myself back then. I don't even know if I'm still in full control now," started Eternalis. "But..." He looked at Aurora, who had most of her face obscured by her long white hair, flowing over it. "Please. I'm sorry for what you went through because of me, and I don't know if you can forgive me, but just... Just let me try my best, and show you that I can be-- that I can be your partner. Okay?" he said, ending his spiel by extending his good hand towards her.

It took a while, but Aurora's sobbing started to recede, and Eternalis saw her hand extend towards his, and grasp his fingers in between hers firmly. The squishy blue hand gripped back with a gentler amount of force. Standing there with their right hands clasped in the other's, they spent a moment of silence as Aurora finally quieted down.

Suddenly, a coughing sound echoed in out of nowhere, and both of them leapt up in their boots. "Wha-- whoa!" Eternalis in particular had been pushed up against the snowman behind him, and stumbled backwards into the snow, catching some of the left part of his body on the snowman and dismantling it. It brushed up against the glowing blue nestled inside as Eternalis fell into the snow behind him, rear end first. The crystal inside began to decrypt itself as Aurora panicked.

"O-Oh, sorry, are you okay?" she asked.

[Z > 8490, BF > 102 > 32]
[Open MD.]

The BMD compiled into a pile of Zenny.

GET: 5400z

The crystal fully decrypted itself into its contents, which turned out to be zenny packets. They spilled out of the snowman like some odd pinata, all out onto the snow. Of course, they didn't stay there for long, as one by one, they were automatically collected and vanished as they transferred themselves into the PET. Eternalis looked up at Aurora, who had an odd mix of expressions on her face, with reddened eyes, tear-stained cheeks, and a worried look as she bent over slightly, hand half-extended in uncertainty. The entire scene felt rather emotional, in a somewhat nostalgic sense.

"Snrk."

With Eternalis' suppressed laugh, Aurora's concerned face turned to confusion, with a hint of indignation. "W-What? What's so funny?"

Eternalis sat up in the snow, with his maw showing an unabashed smile. "No, I mean, I haven't seen that worried look from you in a while. Sorry, it's just made me a little happy," laughed Eternalis.

Aurora's eyebrows raised suddenly, and she briefly glanced off to the side, her teary cheeks slightly rosier than before. "Well, uh, good for you, then. C'mon, get up already, let's go," she said, crossing her arms with a forced-looking steeled expression.

The blue Navi chuckled lightly as he propped himself back up. "What, don't I get a hand in pulling myself up from this snow?" he said, as he did so, and looked down the pathway. The facility was very close, so the errand would be over pretty quickly. Though he was already healed up to full from his recovery processes, a part of him also felt further refreshed, as if something more that had been on his shoulders was just cleared away. He turned to look at Aurora, who was also gazing at the same direction. The SP noticed his turned head after a bit, and met his gaze as well.

"Let's go, Aurora," said Eternalis, beckoning towards the path ahead.

"Right here at your side," she replied, as they both forged onwards into the snowy landscape.

[Z > 13890]
[Rogue Battle 4 - Ready!]
[Eternalis.EXE: 360 HP, Aurora.EXE: 100 HP.]

It was turning out to be one of those days where the hardest battles Eternalis and Aurora had to fight through were the ones that happened between the actual battles. the harsh and ever-growing blizzard around them only really made the vulnerability of the moment more poignant, but it wasn't long before the pair had to get their focus back on the current task, which was still finding their way through the snow.

It was, as such, that when they approached what felt like it might be a major contributor to the howling blizzard, that it was probably more of a relief and a distraction than a serious worry. Just up ahead, the snow drifts had piled up to become impressive mounds, obscuring what little of the land ahead of them could be seen clearly to begin with. They could still see enough to avoid the occasional breaks in the ground that fell away into deep blackness, but it was the sound, more than visual confirmation, that told the duo about the presence of three advanced Twister viruses that had apparently taken up residence in their way. None could really be seen clearly beyond the three largest snow drifts ahead, except at partial angles, and what little good line of sight there was was blocked by a single, resolute IronGuard sitting in the snow between the two larger drifts, blocking the passage with its shield lowered.

In front of the snow drifts, on either side, a pair of very large walrus-looking viruses were just turning towards the incoming pair of navis, tusks bared as they began to hork loud warnings sounds at them. While this fairly impressive battery of defence was making itself known to Eternalis and Aurora, an extra interloper drifted past and looked as though it was about to join the fray as well. A cloudy virus, bearing a slightly out-of-place parasol seemed like it was particularly enjoying the gale-force blizzard that was whipping past them, unperturbed by the way the harsh winds tugged and pulled at its wispy body. If the Hurricanes at the back weren't really the cause of the inclement weather here, they certainly weren't helping matters, at the very least.



-=Welcome Distractions=-
HurricaneHurricane (Typhoon)

This family is an upgrade to the viruses found in MMBN. Unlike their game version counterparts, these roll around on four wheels. They are thus able to move and dodge. All of their attacks have the Wind Type attribute, and thus deal extra damage and other added effects when used on Sand and Snow terrain. The viruses themselves are not able to summon this terrain, however. Their secondary attack is mainly used to counter Object chips or creatures that are closing in to attack them.

Area: SciLab, Yoka, Sharo, Netfrica

HP: 180 HP
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: (20 Null x 3 Hits) + Homing
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Creates a tornado that chases the target. This attack is Wind Type.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Null + Microburst
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: Shoots a single target with a concentrated blast of air that is virtually guaranteed to send them flying. This attack is Wind Type.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Hurricane, AirShot2, Zenny
Special: Wind Type: This Attack counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.A: 180Hp [Snow][Behind Drift A, left]
HurricaneHurricane (Typhoon)

This family is an upgrade to the viruses found in MMBN. Unlike their game version counterparts, these roll around on four wheels. They are thus able to move and dodge. All of their attacks have the Wind Type attribute, and thus deal extra damage and other added effects when used on Sand and Snow terrain. The viruses themselves are not able to summon this terrain, however. Their secondary attack is mainly used to counter Object chips or creatures that are closing in to attack them.

Area: SciLab, Yoka, Sharo, Netfrica

HP: 180 HP
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: (20 Null x 3 Hits) + Homing
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Creates a tornado that chases the target. This attack is Wind Type.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Null + Microburst
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: Shoots a single target with a concentrated blast of air that is virtually guaranteed to send them flying. This attack is Wind Type.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Hurricane, AirShot2, Zenny
Special: Wind Type: This Attack counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.B: 180Hp [Snow][Behind IronGuard, centre, but further back and not in line with the other two]
HurricaneHurricane (Typhoon)

This family is an upgrade to the viruses found in MMBN. Unlike their game version counterparts, these roll around on four wheels. They are thus able to move and dodge. All of their attacks have the Wind Type attribute, and thus deal extra damage and other added effects when used on Sand and Snow terrain. The viruses themselves are not able to summon this terrain, however. Their secondary attack is mainly used to counter Object chips or creatures that are closing in to attack them.

Area: SciLab, Yoka, Sharo, Netfrica

HP: 180 HP
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: (20 Null x 3 Hits) + Homing
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Creates a tornado that chases the target. This attack is Wind Type.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Null + Microburst
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: Shoots a single target with a concentrated blast of air that is virtually guaranteed to send them flying. This attack is Wind Type.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Hurricane, AirShot2, Zenny
Special: Wind Type: This Attack counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.C: 180Hp[Ice][Behind Drift C, right]
CloudierCloudier (Cloudy)

Area: Yoka, Netopia, Sharo

HP: 140
Attack: 80 Aqua + Group Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a rainstorm that lasts 2 turns.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): MediumCloud, Zenny
Special: Immune to Ground Attacks.
- Rainstorm lasts 2 turns.
- Virus attacks every 3 turns.: 140Hp [Floating over Snow][Near right]
WallandWalland (Walla)

TwinFangs can actually block attacks. This is very useful to the Walla, as they do not move or dodge once battle begins.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 160
Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null x 2 Targets
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Opens mouth to launch a pair of steel spikes at the enemy. The spikes can block or deflect incoming attacks, and they cannot strike the same target twice.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TwinFang2, ZennyA: 160Hp [Ice][In front of Drift A, left]
WallandWalland (Walla)

TwinFangs can actually block attacks. This is very useful to the Walla, as they do not move or dodge once battle begins.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 160
Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null x 2 Targets
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Opens mouth to launch a pair of steel spikes at the enemy. The spikes can block or deflect incoming attacks, and they cannot strike the same target twice.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TwinFang2, ZennyB: 160Hp [Snow][In front of Drift C, right]
IronGuardIronGuard (IronShield)

Area: SciLab, Dentech, Sharo, Netfrica, NetVegas

HP: 200
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Blast2 x 3 Hts @ 2 Targets
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: When the shield is lowered, it fires EnergyBombs from its twin mortars.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Null + Break
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When the shield is raised, it fires a wrecker from it's main gun.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): IronShield2, MegaEnergyBomb, Zenny
Special: IronShield can defend against all non-Break attacks from the front or above.
- The virus may turn towards an attacker to keep itself defended.
- The virus may raise its shield over it's body to ward off aerial attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is raised, it must remain raised for 1 turn.
- The virus may lower its shield from the raised position to guard against frontal attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is lowered, it must remain lowered for 1 turn.
- This virus can move, but it's size and slow pace makes dodging impossible. It can turn quickly, however.: 200Hp [Snow][Behind Drift B, centre]


-=Working Things Out=-
Eternalis.EXE: 360 Hp [Snow]
Aurora.EXE: 100 Hp [Snow]

-=...Is A Battlefield?=-
70% Snow [The majority]
10% Missing [Two notable gaps on the left hand side of the field, before any of the major snow drifts]
20% Ice [Scattered patches]

-=Objects=-
Snow Drifts A-C: 60Hp [Two large hills of snow on the left and right, with a third just ahead of them in the middle — There's enough of a gap to walk between them without climbing][Snow]

-=Rogue Re-Four, Start!=-

"So... where are we going, exactly? I think the last few minutes scrambled my memory a little," said Aurora. Eternalis glanced at her questioningly. Being lost in memory wasn't generally a thing that happened to regular old computer programs, much less Navis, so it was more likely that she was making some small talk instead.

"I was heading to the Ezarith research facility server to pick up something Reverus wanted. I think we're getting close. Though I've never been there from an external network before, but from what Harke says, the Ezarith research facility network does kind of have a windy path. I got lost earlier, too," said Eternalis, looking around the area. The blizzard seemed to have picked up its pace somewhat, barely noticeable as it was. He briefly wondered whether the weather pattern was simply for show to emulate the actual real-life location, or whether it was some sort of Sharo-brand obfuscation technique. Probably both. Certainly, if one didn't know the path to take, they would certainly end up in a ditch somewhere and lose their bearings completely.

"Well, we can always ask Harke? I've got the general area mapped out from way back then, but it's been years, so they might've updated a few paths," said Aurora, opening up the video feed to pass the conversation to Harke, whom he had almost forgotten was also in the group. "Harke, are you there?"

A slight crackle came over the audio before it stabilized, and the image of their operator came into view. Harke's face looked slightly skewed, looking as if he was working on something in the background. "I have got to get that transmitter module fixed... Oh, Aurora, hey. Did you, um... you know..." said Harke, trailing off towards the end of his query.

"Yeah, we got things cleared up, more or less, haha," laughed Aurora, her eyes lingering over to Eternalis, who was still walking nearby. The blue Navi peeked into the window with a wave of his hand. "We wanted to ask if we were heading the right way. Don't want to trespass onto someone else's server firewall, and I'm not sure if my old address maps are up to date."

Relief washed over Harke's expression at Aurora's report of her success. "That's good to hear... Oh! Don't worry about the path, Dad told me that Sharo's maintenance hardly ever updates their paths, so it should be straight ahead, just a block or so. Though I can ask him or Karen for the most recent address map for the area if you want?"

The blue-clad support program was about to respond, before she felt a tap on her shoulder. As she turned, she saw Eternalis gesturing forward, and directed her attention to a sizable gathering of viruses. "Sorry, Harke, we've got a few more viruses to deal with before we get there. Can you operate?" she said, scanning the perimeter as she did so. At first, there only seemed to be two walrus viruses, along with a Cloudy virus towards the side. However, behind some large snowdrifts, she could see the movements of a few more viral comrades backing them up. A trio of mounted fan viruses looked to be contributing a lot to the blizzard, which did seem unnaturally strong to her before. The state of the battlefield slowly formed itself within her mind, and a strategic map blinked to life in front of her. The map rapidly moved and changed as she focused her thoughts, eventually settling on one particular arrangement. The screen blinked over to Eternalis, who seemed a little surprised at the sudden unsolicited pop-up, but he seemed to understand its contents well enough as he nodded briefly.

"Sure, just send me what you guys need," said Harke, immediately before a list of battlechips scrolled up from below his video feed.

The chips soon found their way to the duo's processing queues, and Eternalis started off the assault. Gathering some of the slime in his formed arm, he heaved back and lobbed it in a wide arc towards one of the Walrus viruses. Aurora crouched low in a ready stance as she watched the blob of slime fly through the air. Then, as the blob descended, it started to rapidly flash red, after which both of them dashed forward quickly towards it. In Aurora's hand, a energy sword began to materialize, before she drew it rapidly in a blur in front of her. Faint trails of energy were the only thing that showed where the sword traveled. As the sword vanished into the air, her appearance began to follow suit as well, her camouflage module beginning to manifest once again. However, this time, a squishy limb wrapped around her rapidly disappearing hand, causing her body to truly dissipate into the air.

The duo reappeared behind the enemy lines quickly enough, though only one of them was visible. Both of them drew their weapons from their sides, and sliced through the air with fervor. A violent gust blasted at the shield-bearing virus before Eternalis, while two trails of energy slashed at the one of the nearby wind machines. The slimy sentinel wasn't quite done yet, however, as he charged up another attack in his arm, giving it a dim yellow glow. He then activated the last chip in his queue, and began to run forward. With the power of the DashAttack battlechip, his bullrush attack turned him into a kinetic missile, providing him with unearthly acceleration towards his target: the Cloudy virus. As he blasted through anything that happened to be in his way, he thrusted his glowing arm forward, and released its potent electrical charge. Of course, the kinetic charge didn't last long, and he eventually dragged himself into the snow, using the landing to allow his recovery processes to start patching up any collateral damage he had suffered along the way.

// Summary (Penalty Turns: Eternalis -1 Action 3/5)
[Et.1] Chip: LittleBoiler1HP: 1
Properties: Light
Object Damage: (100 Aqua + Damage Absorbed) + Blast 3
Damage Method: Throw, Knockback, Microburst, Telekinesis, Gust
Attack Damage: (100 Aqua + Damage Absorbed) + Blast 3
Accuracy: E (thrown) / B (trigger)
Description: Throws a boiling kettle 3 panels ahead that boils over when hit once, dealing aqua damage to everything around it without regard to who or what that may be. The damage of the attack that strikes it is added to the blast.
Duration: Until destroyed.
Element: Wood
Special: Time Delay: Upon taking damage, there is a 2 action time delay before the attack triggers.
Special: For the purposes of Elemental Bonuses, this chip is counts as Aqua Element.
Trader Rank: D: 1HP Light Object: (100 + Damage-Absorb + Blast3 + Delay-Action(2)): On-Hit (Acc: E (thrown) / B (trigger)) @ Ground near DriftA (Aqua: Atk+15)
[Ar.1] Chip: Katana2Damage: (80 + Slashing + Wide Attack) Then (80 + Slashing + Long Attack)
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a long metal blade with exceptional cutting speed. Hits with a wide slash, then a long slash in the span of a single action, hitting 3 and 2 targets, respectively. Only one target can be hit with both slashes. Rare
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 2 uses.
Element: Null
Trader Rank: B: (80 + Slashing + Wide Attack) Then (80 + Slashing + Long Attack) (Acc: B) @ WallandA + WallandB + LittleBoiler, WallandA + DriftA
[Ar.2] Sig: Infiltration Module: Invisibility + Self-Slow @ Self
[Et.2] Sig: Rapid Sublimation: Teleport @ Beside IronGuard (Tag Along: Aurora)
[Et.3] Chip: WindRacketDamage: 100 + Northwind (On-Hit Only) + Microburst (On-Hit Only) + Gust + Wide Attack
Accuracy: A
Description: Description: Creates a fan to smack enemies with the power of wind. Destroys barriers and auras and sends enemies flying on contact, or just to manipulate their position. Hits up to 3 enemies with good RP.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Wind Type: This chip counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.
Trader Rank: C: 100 + Northwind (On-Hit Only) + Microburst (On-Hit Only) + Gust + Wide Attack (Acc: A) @ HurricaneB + IronGuard (Snow: +100%*Atk, Teleport: Acc+)
[Ar.3] Chip: Katana2Damage: (80 + Slashing + Wide Attack) Then (80 + Slashing + Long Attack)
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a long metal blade with exceptional cutting speed. Hits with a wide slash, then a long slash in the span of a single action, hitting 3 and 2 targets, respectively. Only one target can be hit with both slashes. Rare
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 2 uses.
Element: Null
Trader Rank: B: (80 + Slashing + Wide Attack) Then (80 + Slashing + Long Attack) (Acc: B) @ HurricaneC, HurricaneC + DriftC (Teleport: Acc+)

[Et.4] Chip: DashAttack1Damage: 90 + Impact + LineAttack(5) + Movement
Accuracy: C
Description: The user charges forward at a great speed to ram a line of enemies. Hits a maximum of 5 enemies before the momentum is lost.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Direction of travel may be altered with chip, terrain, and sig use.
Trader Rank: D: 90 + Impact + LineAttack(5) + Movement (Acc: C) @ HurricaneC + DriftC + WallandB + Cloudier
[Et.5] Chip: MagBolt1Damage: 90 + Stun + Magnetic Pull
Accuracy: B
Description: Uses an electromagnet to pull the target into range, then stuns them with a close range electrical shock.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Special: Magnetic Pull: A stronger version of the Pull effect that either pulls the target towards you, or you towards the target over a greater distance than normal.
Trader Rank: D: 90 + Stun + Magnetic Pull (Acc: B) @ Cloudier (Aqua: +100%*Atk)

[Et.*] Sig: Influx Aegis: Heal 18x5 (90) @ Self
[Et.*] Act: Panacea: Status Cure @ Self (Subtype)

Despite their difficulties, the two navis (more or less) worked dangerously well together when they set themselves to the task, and they responded with combat speed to the blockade in front of them. the first attacks were thrown and promptly triggered within moment,s well before any of the hostile viruses could respond, and the boiler began to whistle and bubble furiously while the follow-through of aurora's first strikes removed one walrus from the field and damaged the other badly.

This was all the duo had time for, however, before the three hurricane machines whirred up and launched a veritable swarm of twisting whirl-winds at them. the nine gusts that spilled out wove and wavered erratically, but by some ill-fortune of fate, the normally wayward blasts managed to find their marks an uncomfortable number of times. The first one to strike Eternalis kicked up the snow under his feet, freezing and scoring, and cracking small fragments of his gooey form that solidified. A further three bursts of wind assailed him shortly after while the whirlwinds raced all around. Aurora fared only a little better, and unlike her companion, she had far less sturdiness to burn on the assaults. Two of the gales found their mark on her, the first causing an excruciating level of pain, and while the second didn't hurt quite as much, it still left her teetering dangerously close to her limit.

The remaining whirlwinds, the ones that passed the two by, arced out around the snowy landscape, and curved, homing on the pair as they began to come back for another attempt. There wasn't any time to consider those, however, as the remaining Walland unleashed its fangs at them while the pair reeled from the assault. Precision accurate, Eternalis took another painful gouge, though Aurora, very fortunately, managed to avoid the one destined for her.

The IronShield swivelled and launched a volley of explosive rounds while the rain cloud above spun its parasol and caused a sudden, freezing deluge to begin pouring down over the place where the two stood, but both of them had vanished a moment before, evading the heavy field fire power as they teleported to a better vantage point. With their own targets in mind ,the two ended up back to back for a moment, Eternalis showing that the hurricanes weren't the only ones able to make use of the wind and snow as he obliterated the ironguard and the back most hurricane with his WindRacket, while Aurora laid into another one with her katana. The two remaining wind machines were about to send concentrated bursts to blow the all-too-near attackers away again, but at about that moment there was a brief pause of stillness, before an ear-piercing shriek and an explosion announced the little boiler, triggered earlier, now detonated. Perhaps they'd expected to have more time, or perhaps they'd just misjudged the size of the blast; one way or the other two pair had about a half a moment to realise that they were too close to it, before the shock-wave rolled out.

For the two navis, there might have been an uncomfortably strange moment of deja vu; the field ,the viruses and the remaining drifts of snow were blasted away, and not for the first time, Eternalis found himself between Aurora and the blast. As a result, one of them got his gooey body splattered heavily by the detonation, while the other, by twist of fate, escaped harm.

The snow drifts were sufficiently cleared and flattened and the viruses were all gone too, except for the rain cloud off to the side, still drifting altogether too merrily. It seemed content with its storm cloud for now, and wasn't doing anything else, but Eternalis' first attempt at eliminating it resulted in the cloud deforming and sliding around him smoothly like, well, a wisp of cloud. his second attempt caught it more off guard though, and the mag-grapple found purchase and ripped it down, purging the last virus from the net with a crackle.

The battle was over, and had taken mere seconds, if that, but the brief and furious melee had been almost as harsh on Eternalis and Aurora as they had been on the viruses. Blasted all the way down to his second-chance limit, Eternalis' regeneration processes has a lot of catching up to do as they began to patch him up and restore his body. Aurora was also in a dire way, and without her companion's natural healing to assist her. On the bright side, there were some nice spoils from the battle to be had, an no-one would begrudge the pair taking five to gather them all up and catch their breaths.


-=Welcome Distractions=-
HurricaneHurricane (Typhoon)

This family is an upgrade to the viruses found in MMBN. Unlike their game version counterparts, these roll around on four wheels. They are thus able to move and dodge. All of their attacks have the Wind Type attribute, and thus deal extra damage and other added effects when used on Sand and Snow terrain. The viruses themselves are not able to summon this terrain, however. Their secondary attack is mainly used to counter Object chips or creatures that are closing in to attack them.

Area: SciLab, Yoka, Sharo, Netfrica

HP: 180 HP
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: (20 Null x 3 Hits) + Homing
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Creates a tornado that chases the target. This attack is Wind Type.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Null + Microburst
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: Shoots a single target with a concentrated blast of air that is virtually guaranteed to send them flying. This attack is Wind Type.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Hurricane, AirShot2, Zenny
Special: Wind Type: This Attack counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.A: DELETED
HurricaneHurricane (Typhoon)

This family is an upgrade to the viruses found in MMBN. Unlike their game version counterparts, these roll around on four wheels. They are thus able to move and dodge. All of their attacks have the Wind Type attribute, and thus deal extra damage and other added effects when used on Sand and Snow terrain. The viruses themselves are not able to summon this terrain, however. Their secondary attack is mainly used to counter Object chips or creatures that are closing in to attack them.

Area: SciLab, Yoka, Sharo, Netfrica

HP: 180 HP
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: (20 Null x 3 Hits) + Homing
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Creates a tornado that chases the target. This attack is Wind Type.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Null + Microburst
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: Shoots a single target with a concentrated blast of air that is virtually guaranteed to send them flying. This attack is Wind Type.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Hurricane, AirShot2, Zenny
Special: Wind Type: This Attack counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.B: DELETED
HurricaneHurricane (Typhoon)

This family is an upgrade to the viruses found in MMBN. Unlike their game version counterparts, these roll around on four wheels. They are thus able to move and dodge. All of their attacks have the Wind Type attribute, and thus deal extra damage and other added effects when used on Sand and Snow terrain. The viruses themselves are not able to summon this terrain, however. Their secondary attack is mainly used to counter Object chips or creatures that are closing in to attack them.

Area: SciLab, Yoka, Sharo, Netfrica

HP: 180 HP
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: (20 Null x 3 Hits) + Homing
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Creates a tornado that chases the target. This attack is Wind Type.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Null + Microburst
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: Shoots a single target with a concentrated blast of air that is virtually guaranteed to send them flying. This attack is Wind Type.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Hurricane, AirShot2, Zenny
Special: Wind Type: This Attack counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.C: DELETED
CloudierCloudier (Cloudy)

Area: Yoka, Netopia, Sharo

HP: 140
Attack: 80 Aqua + Group Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a rainstorm that lasts 2 turns.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): MediumCloud, Zenny
Special: Immune to Ground Attacks.
- Rainstorm lasts 2 turns.
- Virus attacks every 3 turns.: DELETED
WallandWalland (Walla)

TwinFangs can actually block attacks. This is very useful to the Walla, as they do not move or dodge once battle begins.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 160
Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null x 2 Targets
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Opens mouth to launch a pair of steel spikes at the enemy. The spikes can block or deflect incoming attacks, and they cannot strike the same target twice.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TwinFang2, ZennyA: DELETED
WallandWalland (Walla)

TwinFangs can actually block attacks. This is very useful to the Walla, as they do not move or dodge once battle begins.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 160
Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null x 2 Targets
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Opens mouth to launch a pair of steel spikes at the enemy. The spikes can block or deflect incoming attacks, and they cannot strike the same target twice.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TwinFang2, ZennyB: DELETED
IronGuardIronGuard (IronShield)

Area: SciLab, Dentech, Sharo, Netfrica, NetVegas

HP: 200
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Blast2 x 3 Hts @ 2 Targets
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: When the shield is lowered, it fires EnergyBombs from its twin mortars.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Null + Break
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When the shield is raised, it fires a wrecker from it's main gun.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): IronShield2, MegaEnergyBomb, Zenny
Special: IronShield can defend against all non-Break attacks from the front or above.
- The virus may turn towards an attacker to keep itself defended.
- The virus may raise its shield over it's body to ward off aerial attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is raised, it must remain raised for 1 turn.
- The virus may lower its shield from the raised position to guard against frontal attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is lowered, it must remain lowered for 1 turn.
- This virus can move, but it's size and slow pace makes dodging impossible. It can turn quickly, however.: DELETED


-=Working Things Out=-
Eternalis.EXE: 91Hp [Snow]
Aurora.EXE: 10Hp [Snow]

-=...Is A Battlefield?=-
Mostly snow, some ice, a couple of missing patches, and some normal points where attacks reverted things. I can't brain out the specifics exactly right now, sorry.

-=Objects=-
Snow Drifts A-C: Casualties of war

-=Rogue Re-Four, Victory!=-

Spoils: 4350z, MediumCloudDamage: 90 + Wide Attack + Drop Attack
Accuracy: C
Description: Cloud moves up and down three enemies, raining on them for two turns. Enemies can move out from under it if possible.
Duration: Two turns
Element: Aqua
Special: Drop Attack: This attack originates above the battlefield, and falls to the ground. It gains one rank of accuracy against High Altitude targets.
Trader Rank: C, 60 bugFrags

In the midst the battle's aftermath, and the collection of spoils, one of the mounds of snow lurched suddenly, and a figure staggered out, stumbling slightly and shaking snow off as she went. The small woman was dressed only in a rather short red velvet skirt with white trimmings, and a matching breast and, but she also had the advantage of a covering of white fur to help keep her warm in the blizzard. A fluffy rabbit tail poked out the back of her skirt top, and a matching pair of long ears lay back to either side of a silly-looking Christmas hat made of white material, with three bells on it, and a red pom-pom at the end. She spent a few extra moments shaking the snow off and looking around before darting over to Eternalis and Aurora. When she approached, it became clear that she was quite diminutive indeed, standing only about thee feet tall including the ears, but she grinned up at them with bright, wide eyes and distinctly lapin features.

"Cold one, isn't it?" The voice was chirpy and high. "Just got the one left for you two, sorry about the delay! Season's greetings, though, hope you enjoy!" With a wink, she pulled a tiny miniature blue crystal from the waist of her skirt, and flicked it onto the ground in front of them, before applying a secondary untrap to it as well. "See you later, good luck!" with another small giggle, the odd character hopped up in the air once, then seemed to disappear into the snow drifts with a puff of white as she came back down, vanishing from sight. The data, on the other hand, quickly resolved itself, offering an extra festive gift for the pair.

Eternalis Get: NorthWindEffect: Aura/Barrier Removal + To-All-Clause (Enemies)
Accuracy: A
Description: A wind blows and knocks off enemy auras and barriers.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Affects entire field.
Special: Wind Type: This chip counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.
Trader Rank: C

The ear-piercing shriek of the LittleBoiler had brought up starkly unpleasant memories for both Eternalis and Aurora, though with their teamwork, all of the viruses had fallen within their coordinated attack. Eternalis' charge had ended up causing him to reel in his injuries in the snow, with one knee bent, as if revering some unseen force. The blast had shaved off half of his body mass, splattering a mess of blue muck everywhere and making the area look like some form of contamination zone. Eternalis got up relatively quickly, however, his recovery processes restoring him to mostly working order.

"You guys all right? Those Hurricanes did a number on you guys," said Harke. "If you guys get to the facility network, you should be able to rest and come back."

"I'm fine, just need a bit of stretching..." said Eternalis. More importantly, he was worried for his partner, who had sustained a decent amount of damage in the last fight before he saw her disappear into the air. However, it was proving a little difficult to find Aurora, as the blizzard hadn't quite yet subsided, with the natural winds still blowing at a moderate pace. Everywhere he looked, blindingly white snow simply stared back. As he looked about, he spotted a flicker in the midst of all the snow. "Aurora!" he blurted out. Running towards the source of the flicker, he saw Aurora's body flickering in and out of view, as her optical camouflage module started to power down.

"Ugh..." murmured Aurora, struggling to move through the pain that racked her body. The Hurricane's wind attacks hadn't been kind to her, with all of her joints feeling as if they had been broken separately. She knew that nothing had been broken or anything similar; they were programs, after all. However, it didn't make moving from the pain any easier. Planting one of her hands in the snow as leverage, she tried to prop herself up, only to be pulled back down by her body revolting against her command. Her other hand limply stuck out, curling into and uncurling from a fist, trying to get her body to move.

Suddenly, she felt her hand being grasped by someone, and her body jolted up. Vitality began to flood through her limbs at an alarming rate, and her eyes forcibly went into focus once again, towards the one that had rescued her from the snowdrift. Eternalis looked back at her, concern on his inhuman-looking face as he remarked, "Hey, are you all right? Can you stand?" She forced a smile. The physical pain went away so easily, it was hard to catch up to it sometimes. She had been reminded of her days without him in the server, of having to tough out the damage in her fights. As it was now, the healing process felt unnatural, almost invasive. But as she felt the strength in her limbs surge back from Eternalis' firm grip on her hand, her forced smile mellowed out into a more natural twinkle.

"Yeah, thanks," she said, as she pulled herself back up to stand.

At that moment, the diminutive woman in a skimpy red-white outfit chose to approach, and presented them with the blue Mystery Data crystal. "Oh, um, thanks?" said Eternalis, as the mysterious person left as soon as they appeared. Examining the data verified its legitimacy, at least. "What was that about?" Harke said, equally confused as his operated programs, with both of them collectively shrugging. Deciding to simply take it as it was, they gathered up the remaining data, and transferred it up as they came through the last stretch of road.

--

"IDENTIFICATION CONFIRMED. RELEASING FIREWALL. WELCOME BACK!"

The squeaky voice of a Mr. Prog echoed through the alcove that held the transfer pad into the Ezarith network. Immediately, both Eternalis and Aurora vanished into thin air, and reappeared in the lobby of an enormous complex, with a lone Mr. Prog floating in the middle of it. The little program waved one of its antennae at them as it floated near. "HELLO! IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU TWO! I HAVE YOUR PACKAGE HERE. PLEASE DELIVER IT TO YOUR OPERATOR'S FATHER!" the Prog reported, carrying a glowing data sphere in its other antenna.

"Ah, alright, thanks. Good to see you too," said Eternalis, accepting the sphere. Attempting to examine the contents didn't reveal anything of note, as the EES-1028 encryption was quite secure. Whoever went through the trouble seemed to want its contents privy to themselves. The sphere disappeared quite quickly as it was transferred to their PET, and both of them exhaled slowly in relief. That was one thing down.

"That was pretty harrowing. Do you guys want to go back?" said Harke.

Eternalis and Aurora looked at each other. After a few seconds, determining that Eternalis was waiting for her reply, Aurora shrugged. "Well, I don't really mind going on if you're still up for it. I just got here. We're all patched up. Let's try to go somewhere warmer, though."

"WARMER?" the Prog in front of them blurted out, much to their surprise. "I HAVE THE PERFECT AREA. PLEASE STAND BY FOR TRANSFER."

"Wait, huh?" said Eternalis, but it was too late, as the Prog gleefully yelled out, "TRANSFERRING!"

[Z > 18240, BF > 92, ExF > 7]
[Transfer to Hades Rogue Net.]

The landscape of Sharo's networks was as white and snowy as ever as three figures materialized on a transfer pad. "... Oh, we didn't transfer to the facility. Oops," remarked Eternalis, stepping out onto the main road.

"Arf! Arf!"

Sparky's barking was as energetic as ever as the dog bounded up to Aurora, forcing her to catch him in her arms to be carried. "Such a spoiled boy. You can't be carried all the time! You need to walk too!" said Aurora, though her words didn't quite match her actions as she walked along, with Eternalis shaking his head in amusement. Thus did the unlikely-looking trio move along, observing the wonders of the beautifully pure Sharo network and watching out for their specified hunting target.

[Rogue Battle 1 - Ready! Bounty Set: MetalCragger.]
[Eternalis.EXE: 400 HP, Aurora.EXE: 100HP, Sparky.SP: 60 HP.]

Working together again after a moderate break, the trio arrived in the darker parts of teh Sharo networks with a more jovial attitude than recent times had offered them. a pot of busting and some bounty hunting would probably do well, and, being that they were trawling around the rogue nets, the viruses were swift to respond to their presence.

the first, regrettably, was another one of those mechanised titan viruses that Eternalis had encountered earlier, rolling forward through the thick snow with obvious intent. Far off, behind it, there seemed to be the lights of some kind of settlement, but it was hard to make out any details through the weather, and for now, they had more pressing concerns. Further back a bit, to the left, another mechanical-looking virus in, of all things, a baseball cap, seemed to be readying a a large explosive of some kind, while higher up on a ridge to the right, an IronGuard lowered its shield into firing position when it registered the navis approaching.

At the bottom of the slope, a small collection of trees partially obscured a blob of something that had been sleeping, until the sounds of imminent combat had roused it. It looked towards Eternalis and Aurora, then towards the approaching titan, then yawned. Not to be left out, what had initially seemed like a pile or rocks to Eternalis' immediate left, and a short distance away, suddenly rumbled and shook itself off, revealing one of the over-populated MetalCraggers that the trio were hunting.


-=Viruses=-
TitanTitan (Gigas)

The Gigas are a clan of 8 foot tall viruses whose semi-humanoid bodies are made of a durable metal alloy. Gigas lack legs, and instead roll around on a 3 ton solid steel ball 2-feet in diameter that rests in a cupola. Rising from the top of the cupola is an alloy pillar that supports their metal bodies. The Gigas fight with their huge iron fists, which are provided their immese striking power by large barrel-like forearms. Their great-helm-like heads sit directly atop their shoulders with their blocky hinged jaw slanted in a sneer while their neon-red eyes radiate their hatred of all things Navigator. It is speculated that Gigas are a hacked derivative of the Bladia viruses spliced together with fragments of other viruses and a healthy dose of battlechip program data. This would account for their size, strength, and malicious nature. Where and how this was possibly accomplished is unknown. Gigas move at increased speed, but dodge at a slower than average rate. Gigas viruses prefer to pummel the life out of their foes with their bare hands (even though using the ball-and-chain in melee range would be more devastating), but if they find themselves surrounded or at a great distance to their target, they will use the ball-and-chain to perform a HammerToss. If an object blocks their path, they will either send it flying with a GigasArm attack, or smash it to dust before continuing on. Gigas will sink like the lead weights they are in liquid, and they know it. They will avoid liquid terrain entirely, if possible, and will never appear near these types of naturally occuring terrain for this reason. Only a Gigas' body is damageable. Striking a Gigas' cast iron arms will not damage the virus or the arms themselves, no matter what you hit them with. The Gigas' will not intentionally defend themselves with their arms, as they should be too busy pummeling or hurling something to bother. Do not abuse this.

Area: Sharo, NAXA

HP: 180
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Break + Impact + Microburst
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Winds up and smashes the target with a giant iron fist that shatters defenses and sends the victim flying.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Break + Spin Attack / 40 Null + Break
Secondary Attack Accuracy: D / C
Secondary Attack Description: Summons a ball-and-chain, swings it around to build up momentum, and lets fly at the chosen target.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Break+ Impact + Burial
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Smashes the target over the head with an iron hammer-hand strike with enough force to plant them in the ground.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): GigasArm2 (Rare), HammerToss2, Zenny
Special: SuperArmor: Immunity to Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and similar effects.
Special: HardCase: Damage is reduced by half until hit with a Break attack, at which time this effect is nullified and they take standard damage. Break does not deal extra damage.
Special: Burial: Opponents struck by this effect are forcibly buried in soft terrain types (Mud, Sand, Snow) or submerged in liquid terrain types. Otherwise, the panel is cracked. If the panel is fragile, it becomes broken, and the target falls into the hole. This effect doesn't work if the target is standing on Metal Terrain.: 180Hp [Directly ahead, a little over a movement away][Snow]
IronGuardIronGuard (IronShield)

Area: SciLab, Dentech, Sharo, Netfrica, NetVegas

HP: 200
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Blast2 x 3 Hts @ 2 Targets
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: When the shield is lowered, it fires EnergyBombs from its twin mortars.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Null + Break
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When the shield is raised, it fires a wrecker from it's main gun.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): IronShield2, MegaEnergyBomb, Zenny
Special: IronShield can defend against all non-Break attacks from the front or above.
- The virus may turn towards an attacker to keep itself defended.
- The virus may raise its shield over it's body to ward off aerial attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is raised, it must remain raised for 1 turn.
- The virus may lower its shield from the raised position to guard against frontal attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is lowered, it must remain lowered for 1 turn.
- This virus can move, but it's size and slow pace makes dodging impossible. It can turn quickly, however.: 200Hp [on a raised ridge to the right][shield down][Normal]
BombWorkBombWork (BombLab)

BombLab viruses attack by summoning a huge cube-shaped explosive, called a BoyBomb. They push this bomb towards their enemies, using it as cover against incoming fire as they do so. It takes a BombLab virus an action to summon a BoyBomb, and another 2 to push it into attack range of the enemy. Once the explosive is in range, it will explode the very next turn. BoyBombs have StoneBody, and can be moved with special abilities, such as Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and Telekinesis. BoyBombs will explode if physically picked up, however (EX: Rageclaw or similar means). Bomb Lab viruses jump, not teleport, back to their starting position after setting the BoyBomb.

Area: Netopia, Sharo, NAXA

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Null + Blast 3
Attack Accuracy: S
Attack Description: Summons a 15 HP BoyBomb, and begins pushing it towards the enemy. Bomb deals massive damage once in range.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per virus): BoyBomb2, Zenny
Special: This virus is immune to the effects of BoyBombs, including damage.: 180Hp [Back left][Snow]
SnoozierSnoozier (Snoozy)

Snoozy are about 2 feet tall, and are shaped like a white translucent blob of goo, forming a basic head, body, and arm, with the body trailing behind. The head has an oversized nightcap covering most of it, colored dark blue, with white dots as stars. The end of the nightcap has a hanging moon from it. The lone arm carries a thick white pillow by the corner, with some down leaking out of a tear. The coloring scheme of its main body changes with its version. Snoozier are red, and Snooziest are blue. A menacing black Snoozy DS has an additional feature of serrated teeth forming a giant jaw. EX forms are darker shades of their originals. Snoozy attack by flailing their white pillows around and spreading their apparent sleepiness around. They start their attack by teleporting up to their targets. The teleport counts as a dodge if utilized correctly. They then teleport back to their original spot, and do not move otherwise. They may use their secondary full-heal at any time, though they are more likely to do so when they are injured. Snoozy viruses only appear when there is cover to hide behind, and will stay behind this cover for the entirety of the battle except to attack. They will not appear otherwise. If their cover is destroyed, they will attempt to flee starting next turn if they do not have a specified object chip to be dispensed first.

Area: Yoka, Dentech, Sharo

HP: 120
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: (Teleport) then (Aqua 35 + Sleep)
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Teleports near an enemy, and whacks its pillow at them. Teleports back to original position shortly after.
Secondary Attack Effect: Self Recover Max + Self Status Cure Max + Self Sleep (1)
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Goes to sleep, and recovers from all of its ailments and injuries. This attack may be used at any time, even when status effects would usually deny it, except for Sleep. This attack has a one turn cooldown after the virus wakes up.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pillow2, Zenny
Special: Will not attack sleeping targets.
Special: May use RockCube at any time once per battle as a standard action.: 120Hp [between two trees, on the right][Soil]
MetalCraggerMetalCragger (Cragger)

Craggers are pretty easy targets, given their size. They also move very rarely, and when they do they move slowly. Their dodge rate is abysmal. They generally rely on their HardBody defense, which reduces non-break damage by half, but doubles break damage. They have high attack power and AoE, but their accuracy is generally bad as their attacks are easy to follow and take time to deliver. Their attack is executed as a Drop Attack, and thus attacks from above, and not head-on. Targets caught underground within this attack's AoE range take an additional 50 Null damage that ignores all defenses.

Area: Netopia, Sharo, Hades Isle

HP: 200
Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Null + Break + Panel Break + WideAttack
Attack Accuracy: D
Attack Description: Slams the enemy and surrounding area with fist. This is executed as a Drop Attack, and is more damaging to targets below ground (IE: Submerged or burrowed).
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): GolemHit2, Zenny
Special: Hardbody.: 200Hp [directly left][Ice]

-=Virus Busters=-
Eternalis.EXE: 400Hp [Ice]
Aurora.EXE: 100Hp [Snow]
Sparky.SP: 60Hp [Ice]

-=Grounds for Execution=-

60% Snow [Most of the area]
20% Ice [A few patches mostly on the left]
10% Normal [the raised ridge to the right is less covered in snow]
10% Soil [Area under the trees is also free of snow]

-=Probably destined for destruction=-

Evergreen A-F: 60Hp [Small line of trees, at the base of the ridge]

-=Rogue Battle 1, Start!=-

Tracking through the snow, the trio moved through the main road, when Eternalis turned to his partner. "Say, Aurora, you're not cold or anything, right? It's hard to guess, since all you have on is my old set of armor on top of your bodysuit."
"You're worried about that? Could've sworn I told you something about it. I mean, come on, you can't expect me to have been operating in this net for years and not be used to it."
"What about Sparky, though?" piped in Harke.

Upon hearing his name from the operator's inquiry, Sparky's ears flitted up, and he responded with a bark and a wag of his tail. Aurora laughed. "He seems fine. His armor seems to be keeping him warm. Or maybe he's just a bundle of energy in the first place. Doesn't seem to be shivering, at least," she said, giving the pup a squeeze.

"That's good to hear... Hm? Oh, hang on, I think I see something up ahead," said Eternalis, as he squinted his eyes to see through the snow, which had picked up in the last couple of minutes of their trek. As he did so, the snow cleared up slightly, and traces of movement started to crop up from all sides. "Ah, it's one of those Titans... and I think it brought friends."

Aurora's visor began to light up, observing the various targets that showed up on it as they revealed their secrets to her. "Yeah, it seems like they're spread out somehow. Are they blocking the path to somewhere."
"Arf! Arf!"
"Hm? What's wrong, Sparky? --Oh, I think there's something on the far side of that Titan. Can't really quite make out what it is, though..."

"Why don't you have Sparky carry you up, and you provide Eternalis some aerial support? That way you guys can find out what's on the other side," suggested Harke.

"Arf!" barked Sparky, leaping out of Aurora's embrace. Before Aurora could react, the pup had already vanished. However, it wasn't too long before he reappeared, this time as a hoverboard underneath Aurora's feet. "W-Whoa!" she said, trying to balance herself on the board. Luckily, with Sparky's built-in systems, it didn't even take her more than a couple of seconds. Which was good, since without warning, the Model K-9 Sparkboard launched itself skyward in the blink of an eye.

"I-Is she going to be okay?" hesitated Harke, staring at the blank spot in the snow where Aurora was originally.

"I'm fine. More importantly, I think we need to start now... The new ClusterShot should be good for me."

The sound of a confirmation ping leaked through the voice link, and Aurora felt the chip settle in her systems. "Alright... Eternalis?"

"I'll leave it to you. These look like some strong defenses, though. Let's start with Timpani so they won't move," said Eternalis, looking down at his arms. The confirmation ping sounded once more, and his slimy arms began to morph and shift, eventually budding off into two separate blobs. One of them had a large funnel leading into it, and the other had a small eye that looked around in a bit of confusion. The first blob then proceeded to hop about in place, before launching off a jaunty tone, sounding a bit like a badly tuned bassoon. The other blob was more fixated on staring at the pile of rocks that had started moving around next to them, incidentally also being the virus that they were hunting.

"Steady, boy, steady..."
"Arf!"

High in the sky, Aurora was crouching onto the hoverboard, not looking the least bit affected by the height difference. One hand was on Sparky's oddly-placed head at the tip of the board, patting it for a job well done. The other hand was on her ear, as she reported her findings from high above. "Looks like some kind of settlement... We can check it out after we're done with these. I'm sending you targeting and laying down some bombardment." "Arf!"

Taking her hand off of Sparky's head, she focused on two of the viruses that were on the ground. With Eternalis' earlier Trumpy summon, they should've still been where she had seen them on the ground. Her visor lit up with a pair of crosshair circles as she pointed her palm downwards, and the glowing lines that ran down her arm lit up with electrical sparks. The smell of gathering electrical charge began to suffuse through the air as voltages soared. "Firing." Then, a hailstorm of thunderbolts began to rain down from her palm, arcing down powerfully towards the ground at her targets: a fluffy cloud-like virus, and a snapback-wearing ball. Her first couple of attacks were quite strong, but the current was difficult to sustain, as subsequent attacks were slightly less effective.

Back on the ground, Eternalis' immediate vision was overlaid with two crosshair circles of his own, courtesy of Aurora's aerial intelligence. The slime on his arms had already regenerated, prepared for his next attack as he drew back his melted side. The disfigured pile of slime started to bubble and pop, growing into an enormous, blocky-looking fist. The monstrous warrior grunted as he heaved the gigantic balled-up fist over his head, and tossed it into the sky. Despite its apparent weight, it flew rather well, heading directly for the Titan in front of him. When it landed, the ground shook with some audible rumbling.

The fist's physical weight wasn't the only weapon it held, however, as cracks appeared across the ground, spreading out towards the cannon-wielding IronGuard before erupting with a powerful geyser. Eternalis stood his ground, preparing himself to absorb any offense thrown his way with his rapid regeneration.

// Summary
[Sk.1] Act: Equipping @ Aurora (GMO: Model K-9)
[Sk.2] Act: Movement @ High Alt (Overclock/HG - 60% Evasion)
[Et.1] Chip: TimpaniHP: 50
Properties: Heavy
Object Damage: 50 + Impact
Damage Method: Throw, Telekinesis
Status Effect: Hold + To-All-Clause(Enemies)
Accuracy: S
Description: Stops all enemies from moving with a powerful sonic wave.
Duration: 1 turn or until destroyed.
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C: 50HP Heavy Object, 1-Turn: Hold + To-All-Enemy (Acc: S) @ Behind Self
[Et.2] Chip: Sensor2HP: 100
Properties: Anchored, ElecBody
Object Damage: 100 + Impact
Damage Method: Telekinesis
Attack Damage: 130 Elec + Beam Attack + Stun 1
Accuracy: S
Description: Summons a Killereye to search for enemies. Fires an eye-beam when it detects them. It can see through invisibility.
Duration: Until destroyed or until it attacks.
Element: Elec
Special: ElecBody: Immune to Elec damage. Special: Laser TAG: Attack triggers when something moves through the targeting laser beam, no matter who or what that may be.
Trader Rank: C: 100HP Anchored ElecBody Object: (130 + Beam Attack + Stun + Self-Destruct): Laser TAG (Acc: S) @ Behind Self, towards MetalCragger (Beam/Ice: +200%*SrcAtk)
[Ar.1] Act: Basic Attack: Elec 50 (Acc: A) @ Snoozier (Elec: +100%*SrcAtk)
[Ar.2] Act: Basic Attack: Elec 50 (Acc: A) @ Snoozier (Elec: +100%*SrcAtk)
[Ar.3] Chip: ClusterShot2Damage: 10 x 8 Shots + Variable Targeting
Accuracy: B
Description: Launches a volley of eight plasma spheres at targets designated by the user.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Special: Variable Targeting: Allows the user to select a target for each individual hit of an attack. This means they may strike the same target multiple times, multiple different targets, or a mix of the two as they wish.
Trader Rank: C: 10 x 8 Shots + Variable Targeting (Acc: B) @ BombWork (Elec: SrcAtk+15)
[Et.3] Chip: PanelGrabEffect: Accuracy Enhancement
Accuracy: S
Description: Increases the accuracy of all other attacks this turn by 1 Rank.
Duration: Until end of turn.
Element: Null
Trader Rank: D: Accuracy Enhancement (Acc: S)
[Et.4] Chip: GolemHit2Damage: 190 + Break + Panel Crack + Wide Attack
Accuracy: C
Description: A fist of stone falls from the sky to smash an enemy, and create a shock wave that hits two nearby enemies. The area affected by the fist becomes Cracked terrain.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C: 190 + Break + Panel Crack + Wide Attack (Acc: C) @ Titan (Grab: Acc+, Break: +100%*SrcAtk)
[Et.5] Chip: WaterLine2Damage: 130 + Ground Attack + Wide Attack
Accuracy: B
Description: A wall of water gushes from the ground, drowning up to 3 targets.
Duration: Once
Element: Aqua
Trader Rank: C: 130 + Ground Attack + Wide Attack (Acc: B) @ IronGuard (Grab: Acc+, Aqua: SrcAtk+15)
[Et.6] Chip: WaterLine1Damage: 80 + Ground Attack + Wide Attack
Accuracy: B
Description: A wall of water gushes from the ground, drowning up to 3 targets.
Duration: Once
Element: Aqua
Trader Rank: D: 80 + Ground Attack + Wide Attack (Acc: B) @ IronGuard (Grab: Acc+, Aqua: SrcAtk+15)

[Et.*] Sig: Influx Aegis: Support Base Heal 24x6 (144) @ Self (Medical Mastery)

After a quick assessment, the trio got to work, with Aurora zipping skyward on her handy-dandy hover-dog. As she did, The cap-wearing Bombwork virus summoned up its bomb, a large cube covered in small signal lights, then peeked out from behind it towards Eternalis, to make sure he was pushing in the right direction. High on the hill, the IronGuard unleashed s rapid spread of mortar fire from its raised guns, peppering the field and giving Aurora a hard time trying to dodge its arcing fire in her elevated position. Several of the shells exploded in the air around her, while more rained down on Eternalis' position, and none of the three quite managed to escape unscathed from the shrapnel.

For his own part, Eternalis didn't want any of the more restrictable viruses going anywhere soon, and activated an old favourite; the timpani notes sent small sparking shudders through most of the viruses on the field, and the Titan that had just rolled up to him stuttered to a stop. It was close enough to swing its hammer-blow of a fist at the navi, but something about the sudden lock up seemed to have put it just enough, and the blow pummelled down into the snow beside him. Alongside the blaring noise-maker, the small blob of an eyeball watched the Cragger for movements, and though nothing seemed to happen quite yet, it was unflinching in its preparedness.

Up above, Aurora targeted the recently awakened Snoozy with a bolt of electricity, but as she did, the sleepy creature had looked up at her, and disappeared from before her shot unexpectedly. It showed up right in front of her, hanging in the air long enough to belt the unfortunate operative across the face with a luxuriously soft pillow. Why did it have to feel so cosy and nice? she managed to retaliate with a second bolt of energy, this one driving cleanly into the irksome blob, but the lingering drowsiness that had begun to creep up on her wasn't going away. As the Snoozy began to fall, it winked away again, reappearing behind one of the tall trees for cover, and settling down for a nap of its own. It honestly had no right to be so peaceful amidst all of this.

Espeically when, at about that moment, the Cragger decided to make its move, and started to move towards Eternalis for a might swing... As it began to move, however, the small eye blob opened wide, and a brilliantly sparkling laser beam shot out across the field, scouring the Cragger from the net before it could do so much as raise an arm. Satisfied, the little eyeball dissipated a moment later.

Still fighting sleep, Aurora turned her sights on the Bombwork virus that was now beginning to push its heavy payload towards her companion. Her volley of shots rained down on the virus, peppering it thoroughly, but it wasn't quite enough to stop its slow progress.

Down below, Eternalis was ready to counter the titan's powerful, if inaccurate swing, with a powerful, if inaccurate swing of his own. His strike, however, was still accurate enough to strike the much larger virus with a crushing blow that shattered its casing and rent its core, shutting the mechanical menace down for good. a moment later, a heavy wrecker shot pummelled into him from above, where the IronGuard had raised its shield and targeted him with its powerful main gun.

A response was, of course, required, and Eternalis answered back with a potent water attack, bursting up from the angle that the virus had no hope of covering. Something about the raised rocky terrain set his aim off, though, and the first geyser of water didn't emerge in the right place. A second, more finely aimed attempt connected cleanly, though it lacked the power of the first, and wasn't sufficient for removing the turret from contention. Across the field, the Bombwork virus seized up completely, its progress with its bomb halted for now. the drowsiness was really getting to Aurora, however, and her position riding Sparky high over head was not really a good place to be as she drifted to sleep.


-=Viruses=-
TitanTitan (Gigas)

The Gigas are a clan of 8 foot tall viruses whose semi-humanoid bodies are made of a durable metal alloy. Gigas lack legs, and instead roll around on a 3 ton solid steel ball 2-feet in diameter that rests in a cupola. Rising from the top of the cupola is an alloy pillar that supports their metal bodies. The Gigas fight with their huge iron fists, which are provided their immese striking power by large barrel-like forearms. Their great-helm-like heads sit directly atop their shoulders with their blocky hinged jaw slanted in a sneer while their neon-red eyes radiate their hatred of all things Navigator. It is speculated that Gigas are a hacked derivative of the Bladia viruses spliced together with fragments of other viruses and a healthy dose of battlechip program data. This would account for their size, strength, and malicious nature. Where and how this was possibly accomplished is unknown. Gigas move at increased speed, but dodge at a slower than average rate. Gigas viruses prefer to pummel the life out of their foes with their bare hands (even though using the ball-and-chain in melee range would be more devastating), but if they find themselves surrounded or at a great distance to their target, they will use the ball-and-chain to perform a HammerToss. If an object blocks their path, they will either send it flying with a GigasArm attack, or smash it to dust before continuing on. Gigas will sink like the lead weights they are in liquid, and they know it. They will avoid liquid terrain entirely, if possible, and will never appear near these types of naturally occuring terrain for this reason. Only a Gigas' body is damageable. Striking a Gigas' cast iron arms will not damage the virus or the arms themselves, no matter what you hit them with. The Gigas' will not intentionally defend themselves with their arms, as they should be too busy pummeling or hurling something to bother. Do not abuse this.

Area: Sharo, NAXA

HP: 180
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Break + Impact + Microburst
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Winds up and smashes the target with a giant iron fist that shatters defenses and sends the victim flying.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Break + Spin Attack / 40 Null + Break
Secondary Attack Accuracy: D / C
Secondary Attack Description: Summons a ball-and-chain, swings it around to build up momentum, and lets fly at the chosen target.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Break+ Impact + Burial
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Smashes the target over the head with an iron hammer-hand strike with enough force to plant them in the ground.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): GigasArm2 (Rare), HammerToss2, Zenny
Special: SuperArmor: Immunity to Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and similar effects.
Special: HardCase: Damage is reduced by half until hit with a Break attack, at which time this effect is nullified and they take standard damage. Break does not deal extra damage.
Special: Burial: Opponents struck by this effect are forcibly buried in soft terrain types (Mud, Sand, Snow) or submerged in liquid terrain types. Otherwise, the panel is cracked. If the panel is fragile, it becomes broken, and the target falls into the hole. This effect doesn't work if the target is standing on Metal Terrain.: DELETED
IronGuardIronGuard (IronShield)

Area: SciLab, Dentech, Sharo, Netfrica, NetVegas

HP: 200
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Blast2 x 3 Hts @ 2 Targets
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: When the shield is lowered, it fires EnergyBombs from its twin mortars.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Null + Break
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When the shield is raised, it fires a wrecker from it's main gun.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): IronShield2, MegaEnergyBomb, Zenny
Special: IronShield can defend against all non-Break attacks from the front or above.
- The virus may turn towards an attacker to keep itself defended.
- The virus may raise its shield over it's body to ward off aerial attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is raised, it must remain raised for 1 turn.
- The virus may lower its shield from the raised position to guard against frontal attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is lowered, it must remain lowered for 1 turn.
- This virus can move, but it's size and slow pace makes dodging impossible. It can turn quickly, however.: 105Hp [on a raised ridge to the right][shield raised][Normal][Hold]
BombWorkBombWork (BombLab)

BombLab viruses attack by summoning a huge cube-shaped explosive, called a BoyBomb. They push this bomb towards their enemies, using it as cover against incoming fire as they do so. It takes a BombLab virus an action to summon a BoyBomb, and another 2 to push it into attack range of the enemy. Once the explosive is in range, it will explode the very next turn. BoyBombs have StoneBody, and can be moved with special abilities, such as Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and Telekinesis. BoyBombs will explode if physically picked up, however (EX: Rageclaw or similar means). Bomb Lab viruses jump, not teleport, back to their starting position after setting the BoyBomb.

Area: Netopia, Sharo, NAXA

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Null + Blast 3
Attack Accuracy: S
Attack Description: Summons a 15 HP BoyBomb, and begins pushing it towards the enemy. Bomb deals massive damage once in range.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per virus): BoyBomb2, Zenny
Special: This virus is immune to the effects of BoyBombs, including damage.: 30Hp [Back left][Snow][Cover behind BoyBomb][Hold]
SnoozierSnoozier (Snoozy)

Snoozy are about 2 feet tall, and are shaped like a white translucent blob of goo, forming a basic head, body, and arm, with the body trailing behind. The head has an oversized nightcap covering most of it, colored dark blue, with white dots as stars. The end of the nightcap has a hanging moon from it. The lone arm carries a thick white pillow by the corner, with some down leaking out of a tear. The coloring scheme of its main body changes with its version. Snoozier are red, and Snooziest are blue. A menacing black Snoozy DS has an additional feature of serrated teeth forming a giant jaw. EX forms are darker shades of their originals. Snoozy attack by flailing their white pillows around and spreading their apparent sleepiness around. They start their attack by teleporting up to their targets. The teleport counts as a dodge if utilized correctly. They then teleport back to their original spot, and do not move otherwise. They may use their secondary full-heal at any time, though they are more likely to do so when they are injured. Snoozy viruses only appear when there is cover to hide behind, and will stay behind this cover for the entirety of the battle except to attack. They will not appear otherwise. If their cover is destroyed, they will attempt to flee starting next turn if they do not have a specified object chip to be dispensed first.

Area: Yoka, Dentech, Sharo

HP: 120
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: (Teleport) then (Aqua 35 + Sleep)
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Teleports near an enemy, and whacks its pillow at them. Teleports back to original position shortly after.
Secondary Attack Effect: Self Recover Max + Self Status Cure Max + Self Sleep (1)
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Goes to sleep, and recovers from all of its ailments and injuries. This attack may be used at any time, even when status effects would usually deny it, except for Sleep. This attack has a one turn cooldown after the virus wakes up.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pillow2, Zenny
Special: Will not attack sleeping targets.
Special: May use RockCube at any time once per battle as a standard action.: 120Hp [cover behind a tree on the right][Soil][Sleep]
MetalCraggerMetalCragger (Cragger)

Craggers are pretty easy targets, given their size. They also move very rarely, and when they do they move slowly. Their dodge rate is abysmal. They generally rely on their HardBody defense, which reduces non-break damage by half, but doubles break damage. They have high attack power and AoE, but their accuracy is generally bad as their attacks are easy to follow and take time to deliver. Their attack is executed as a Drop Attack, and thus attacks from above, and not head-on. Targets caught underground within this attack's AoE range take an additional 50 Null damage that ignores all defenses.

Area: Netopia, Sharo, Hades Isle

HP: 200
Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Null + Break + Panel Break + WideAttack
Attack Accuracy: D
Attack Description: Slams the enemy and surrounding area with fist. This is executed as a Drop Attack, and is more damaging to targets below ground (IE: Submerged or burrowed).
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): GolemHit2, Zenny
Special: Hardbody.: DELETED

-=Virus Busters=-
Eternalis.EXE: 400Hp [Ice]
Aurora.EXE: 50Hp [High Altitude][Sleep][Probably going to fall]
Sparky.SP: 30Hp [Equipped to Aurora]

-=Grounds for Execution=-

60% Snow [Most of the area]
20% Ice [A few patches mostly on the left]
10% Normal [the raised ridge to the right is less covered in snow]
10% Soil [Area under the trees is also free of snow]

-=Probably destined for destruction=-

Evergreen A-F: 60Hp [Small line of trees, at the base of the ridge]

BoyBomb: 15hp [StoneBody][Being pushed by BombWork][Snow]

As the smoke and steam cleared and the damage to his body recovering rapidly, Eternalis found himself still facing three of the viruses, unable to be cleared from their first round of assault. Eternalis looked up at the billowing "Whoa, those bombs did a bit of a number on you guys, are you two all right, Aurora?" A small pause. "... Aurora?"

At that moment, the crosshairs on Eternalis' periphery began to flicker in and out, and a dull groan leaked in through the audio link between them. Realizing what was happening, Eternalis immediately lowered his arm, and detached a part of his hand. The detached blob was then flung into the air, where it vanished into the snowfall. It reappeared above Aurora and Sparky, where it silently turned into a fine mist.

Aurora shook her head as the sudden drowsiness in her head immediately cleared, regaining her stance on Sparky. The damage she had sustained along The hover-dog turned back to face her and barked, most likely out of concern. "Ugh... I-- Sorry, my head just felt heavy all of a sudden after that blob virus attacked me. I think I'm fine now, though," she said, pressing on her temple with her finger. The damage she had sustained earlier quietly patched itself up with Eternalis' healing mist. As Aurora recovered from her sudden lapse, the data callouts in front of Eternalis blinked to life.

"Don't fall asleep on me, I don't think the snow here is too soft," said Eternalis, quietly exhaling in relief.
"Ahaha, sorry. Let's clear the rest of these up," replied Aurora, as three more crosshairs appeared on both of their floating displays. "Harke, do you mind letting me have the StepSword?"

The sound of screen navigation leaked through the audio. "Alright. I guess you're taking on the IronGuard... Eternalis?"

"I'll take a couple of electric chips to go," said Eternalis, as he crouched on the ice, his slimy body gradually turning into a transparent form, before disappearing entirely. Not too long after, he warped back into view behind the cloud-like Snoozier virus, his left side completely transformed into a gigantic two-pronged magnet shape. It crackled with powerful electrical currents as he lashed it forward like a whip, causing the voltages to be expelled forward in a powerful lightning bolt.

High above, Aurora surveyed the remaining two viruses, and stepped onto her hoverboard to reposition herself into a better vantage point in the blink of an eye. "There we go..." she muttered, as she veered into a clear shot onto the BombWork far below. She drew her hand back as the lines on her arm lit up, and launched a pair of electrical bolts at it. Not wanting to waste time, she activated the chip she was given, and crouched down further onto the board.

"Here we go, Sparky, let's see how fast you can go!" "Arf!"

With the singular bark, the boosters on the rear of the hoverboard whined to life, before a deafening eruption caused both of them to rocket downwards. Not a moment later, Aurora and Sparky had already appeared in front of the gun-toting IronGuard, the former armed with a gleaming saber of light. The rapid relocation didn't seem to have had any effect on them, as if the unearthly G-forces had not applied. With the physics-defying movement completed, Aurora struck out at the IronGuard with a sweeping slash of her sword, completing the triple assault handily.

// Summary
[Et.*] Act: Panacea: Status Cure @ Aurora (Subtype)
[Et.*] Sig: Influx Aegis: Support Base Heal 24x3 @ Aurora, Sparky (Medical Mastery)
[Et.1] Sig: Rapid Sublimation: Teleport @ Snoozier
[Et.2] Chip: MagBolt1Damage: 90 + Stun + Magnetic Pull
Accuracy: B
Description: Uses an electromagnet to pull the target into range, then stuns them with a close range electrical shock.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Special: Magnetic Pull: A stronger version of the Pull effect that either pulls the target towards you, or you towards the target over a greater distance than normal.
Trader Rank: D: 90 + Stun + Magnetic Pull (Acc: B) @ Snoozier (Teleport: Acc+, Elec: +100%*SrcAtk)
[Et.3] Chip: DollThunder1Damage: 80 + Line-Attack5
Accuracy: B
Description: Fires a powerful bolt of lightning that pierces through objects and enemies alike.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Trader Rank: D: 80 + Line-Attack5 (Acc: B) @ Snoozier (Elec: +100%*SrcAtk)

[Sk.1] Act: Movement @ Flank BombWork (Overclock/HG - 60% Evasion)
[Ar.1] Act: Basic Attack: Elec 50 @ BombWork (Aqua: +100%*SrcAtk)
[Ar.2] Act: Basic Attack: Elec 50 @ BombWork (Aqua: +100%*SrcAtk)
[Sk.2] Act: Evade incoming attack: Dodge (HG - 60% Evasion)
[Ar.3] Chip: StepSwordDamage: 120 + Slashing + Wide Attack + Teleport
Accuracy: S for primary target, A for additional targets.
Description: The user warps in front of an enemy, then swings with a strong sword. Can hit up to 3 targets with good RP. Rare
Duration: Once.
Element: Null
Special: Teleport: When RP Quality is excellent, this attack also counts as a free dodge.
Trader Rank: C: 120 + Slashing + Wide Attack + Teleport (Acc: S for primary target, A for additional targets.) @ IronGuard (Tag Along: Sparky)
// Turn Splice: Eternalis: 3/6, Aurora: 0/3, Sparky: 0/2

A little unsteady from the exchange of blows, Aurora and Sparky were in need of some assistance, which Eternalis was quick to provide. A moment afterwards, he focused on the foes still down at his level and warped to attack the sleeping blob, just as the IronGuard on the hill fired another heavy cannon shot at him. The projectile thudded into the snow moments after he was already gone.

The bomb-pushing virus peeked out from behind its payload, saw that Eternalis had moved further away, and muttered something to itself in unintelligible viral language, before shuffling around the side of its bomb and continuing to push it towards the navi, in the new direction. Aurora, recovered from her brief nap, wasn't about to let it gets its payload all the way there, however, and did a quick fly-by of the virus, bombarding it with electrical shots that, between them, were enough to destroy it before it could cause any damage. The heavy bomb powered down a moment later, becoming an inert cube of metal.

In the small copse of trees at the base of the hill, Eternalis had managed to position himself behind the napping Snoozy and lined up a shot against the virus that had almost made his partner fall. It wasn't a difficult shot, while the virus slept contentedly, and Eternalis put it out of its misery without even waking it up.

Up on the ridge, the IronShield had lost sight of its blobby, blue target, and focused on aurora again instead. Too high for its main gun, the virus lowered its shield to present its mortars instead, and launched another explosive volley in her direction. Shells burst over the battle field with the thumps and cracks of less-than-friendly fireworks, but even though several of the blasts came dangerously close to harming Aurora and Sparky, the pair managed to swerve and weave in the air, threading through the scattering of hostile fire and finishing with a sudden dive towards their target. the sword connected with a sharp clang; her aim was infallible, but the virus' shield withstood the attack as it came in head-on. Its mortar cannons still steamed from the shots, however, and it couldn't do anything more than defend with its guard for now.

With nothing else left to aim at, Eternalis had a bolt of lightning prepared ot fire, but getting the angle on shooting up between the drees, to hit the virus on the ridge proved a little it too fiddly of a shot for him to quite connect with it. Still, he had a few more seconds before it would manage to fire again, so there was ample time to clean the last remaining virus up.


-=Viruses=-
TitanTitan (Gigas)

The Gigas are a clan of 8 foot tall viruses whose semi-humanoid bodies are made of a durable metal alloy. Gigas lack legs, and instead roll around on a 3 ton solid steel ball 2-feet in diameter that rests in a cupola. Rising from the top of the cupola is an alloy pillar that supports their metal bodies. The Gigas fight with their huge iron fists, which are provided their immese striking power by large barrel-like forearms. Their great-helm-like heads sit directly atop their shoulders with their blocky hinged jaw slanted in a sneer while their neon-red eyes radiate their hatred of all things Navigator. It is speculated that Gigas are a hacked derivative of the Bladia viruses spliced together with fragments of other viruses and a healthy dose of battlechip program data. This would account for their size, strength, and malicious nature. Where and how this was possibly accomplished is unknown. Gigas move at increased speed, but dodge at a slower than average rate. Gigas viruses prefer to pummel the life out of their foes with their bare hands (even though using the ball-and-chain in melee range would be more devastating), but if they find themselves surrounded or at a great distance to their target, they will use the ball-and-chain to perform a HammerToss. If an object blocks their path, they will either send it flying with a GigasArm attack, or smash it to dust before continuing on. Gigas will sink like the lead weights they are in liquid, and they know it. They will avoid liquid terrain entirely, if possible, and will never appear near these types of naturally occuring terrain for this reason. Only a Gigas' body is damageable. Striking a Gigas' cast iron arms will not damage the virus or the arms themselves, no matter what you hit them with. The Gigas' will not intentionally defend themselves with their arms, as they should be too busy pummeling or hurling something to bother. Do not abuse this.

Area: Sharo, NAXA

HP: 180
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Break + Impact + Microburst
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Winds up and smashes the target with a giant iron fist that shatters defenses and sends the victim flying.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 20 Null + Break + Spin Attack / 40 Null + Break
Secondary Attack Accuracy: D / C
Secondary Attack Description: Summons a ball-and-chain, swings it around to build up momentum, and lets fly at the chosen target.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Break+ Impact + Burial
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Smashes the target over the head with an iron hammer-hand strike with enough force to plant them in the ground.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): GigasArm2 (Rare), HammerToss2, Zenny
Special: SuperArmor: Immunity to Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and similar effects.
Special: HardCase: Damage is reduced by half until hit with a Break attack, at which time this effect is nullified and they take standard damage. Break does not deal extra damage.
Special: Burial: Opponents struck by this effect are forcibly buried in soft terrain types (Mud, Sand, Snow) or submerged in liquid terrain types. Otherwise, the panel is cracked. If the panel is fragile, it becomes broken, and the target falls into the hole. This effect doesn't work if the target is standing on Metal Terrain.: DELETED
IronGuardIronGuard (IronShield)

Area: SciLab, Dentech, Sharo, Netfrica, NetVegas

HP: 200
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Blast2 x 3 Hts @ 2 Targets
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: When the shield is lowered, it fires EnergyBombs from its twin mortars.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Null + Break
Secondary Attack Accuracy: B
Secondary Attack Description: When the shield is raised, it fires a wrecker from it's main gun.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): IronShield2, MegaEnergyBomb, Zenny
Special: IronShield can defend against all non-Break attacks from the front or above.
- The virus may turn towards an attacker to keep itself defended.
- The virus may raise its shield over it's body to ward off aerial attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is raised, it must remain raised for 1 turn.
- The virus may lower its shield from the raised position to guard against frontal attacks as a free action. However, once the shield is lowered, it must remain lowered for 1 turn.
- This virus can move, but it's size and slow pace makes dodging impossible. It can turn quickly, however.: 105Hp [on a raised ridge to the right][shield lowered][Normal]
BombWorkBombWork (BombLab)

BombLab viruses attack by summoning a huge cube-shaped explosive, called a BoyBomb. They push this bomb towards their enemies, using it as cover against incoming fire as they do so. It takes a BombLab virus an action to summon a BoyBomb, and another 2 to push it into attack range of the enemy. Once the explosive is in range, it will explode the very next turn. BoyBombs have StoneBody, and can be moved with special abilities, such as Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and Telekinesis. BoyBombs will explode if physically picked up, however (EX: Rageclaw or similar means). Bomb Lab viruses jump, not teleport, back to their starting position after setting the BoyBomb.

Area: Netopia, Sharo, NAXA

HP: 180
Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Null + Blast 3
Attack Accuracy: S
Attack Description: Summons a 15 HP BoyBomb, and begins pushing it towards the enemy. Bomb deals massive damage once in range.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per virus): BoyBomb2, Zenny
Special: This virus is immune to the effects of BoyBombs, including damage.: DELETED
SnoozierSnoozier (Snoozy)

Snoozy are about 2 feet tall, and are shaped like a white translucent blob of goo, forming a basic head, body, and arm, with the body trailing behind. The head has an oversized nightcap covering most of it, colored dark blue, with white dots as stars. The end of the nightcap has a hanging moon from it. The lone arm carries a thick white pillow by the corner, with some down leaking out of a tear. The coloring scheme of its main body changes with its version. Snoozier are red, and Snooziest are blue. A menacing black Snoozy DS has an additional feature of serrated teeth forming a giant jaw. EX forms are darker shades of their originals. Snoozy attack by flailing their white pillows around and spreading their apparent sleepiness around. They start their attack by teleporting up to their targets. The teleport counts as a dodge if utilized correctly. They then teleport back to their original spot, and do not move otherwise. They may use their secondary full-heal at any time, though they are more likely to do so when they are injured. Snoozy viruses only appear when there is cover to hide behind, and will stay behind this cover for the entirety of the battle except to attack. They will not appear otherwise. If their cover is destroyed, they will attempt to flee starting next turn if they do not have a specified object chip to be dispensed first.

Area: Yoka, Dentech, Sharo

HP: 120
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: (Teleport) then (Aqua 35 + Sleep)
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Teleports near an enemy, and whacks its pillow at them. Teleports back to original position shortly after.
Secondary Attack Effect: Self Recover Max + Self Status Cure Max + Self Sleep (1)
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S
Secondary Attack Description: Goes to sleep, and recovers from all of its ailments and injuries. This attack may be used at any time, even when status effects would usually deny it, except for Sleep. This attack has a one turn cooldown after the virus wakes up.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pillow2, Zenny
Special: Will not attack sleeping targets.
Special: May use RockCube at any time once per battle as a standard action.: DELETED
MetalCraggerMetalCragger (Cragger)

Craggers are pretty easy targets, given their size. They also move very rarely, and when they do they move slowly. Their dodge rate is abysmal. They generally rely on their HardBody defense, which reduces non-break damage by half, but doubles break damage. They have high attack power and AoE, but their accuracy is generally bad as their attacks are easy to follow and take time to deliver. Their attack is executed as a Drop Attack, and thus attacks from above, and not head-on. Targets caught underground within this attack's AoE range take an additional 50 Null damage that ignores all defenses.

Area: Netopia, Sharo, Hades Isle

HP: 200
Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Null + Break + Panel Break + WideAttack
Attack Accuracy: D
Attack Description: Slams the enemy and surrounding area with fist. This is executed as a Drop Attack, and is more damaging to targets below ground (IE: Submerged or burrowed).
Element: None.
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): GolemHit2, Zenny
Special: Hardbody.: DELETED

-=Virus Busters=-
Eternalis.EXE: 400Hp [Soil]
Aurora.EXE: 100Hp [High Altitude]
Sparky.SP: 60Hp [Equipped to Aurora]

-=Grounds for Execution=-

60% Snow [Most of the area]
20% Ice [A few patches mostly on the left]
10% Normal [the raised ridge to the right is less covered in snow]
10% Soil [Area under the trees is also free of snow]

-=Probably destined for destruction=-

Evergreen A-F: 60Hp [Small line of trees, at the base of the ridge]

-=Splice=-

Eternalis has 3 actions remaining