The Dark Knight Returns Once More!

"SELF REMOVE FROM PREMISES!" bellowed the same voice that had been following Runeknight for quite a while now. "LEAVE INTRUDER! LEAVE INTRUDER!"

Runeknight was suddenly clocked across the head by another virus capsule, which was already spewing smoke. A few more landed nearby, and Runeknight suddenly realized that he was surrounded by capsules splitting open.

ShrubbyA: 50 HP
ShrubbyB: 50 HP
ShrubbyC: 50 HP
BunnyA: 50 HP
BunnyB: 50 HP
BunnyC: 50 HP
SpikeyA: 90 HP
SpikeyB: 90 HP
SpikeyC: 90 HP

Runeknight.EXE: 115 HP

--FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE!--
"Ugh," Runeknight groaned as he shook his head to clear his vision. "Who ever is following us seems to be holding a grudge."

"Yeah," Zan amplified his voice to address their attacker. "My name is Zanallen Espial and I am a detective with the ACDC NetPolice. You are interfering with an official NetPatrol. So far, you have caused no actual harm so I am willing to drop it if you cease and desist all activity. However, my Navi and I will be forced to delete these viruses as they are a threat to the wellbeing of the Network. Runeknight, do your thing."

The knightly Navi nodded as he approached the first of the viruses that surrounded him, his crossbow appearing in a flash of cobalt light. He took aim at the hopping rabbit viruses, strafing quickly to the left to line them up before pulling the trigger. The arrow exploded into a wave of buckshot that ripped through the air and would hopefully continue to rip through the viruses in its path.

The Navi loaded another bolt into the crossbow as he felt the data from the BattleChips surge through him. The tip of this arrow was wrapped in a white cloth that had been dipped in an acrid smelling liquid. Runeknight snapped his fingers, sparks from the rubbing metal setting the cloth alight. The Navi took aim at the trio of plant-like viruses, setting his sights on the one cowering in the middle of the bunch and slipped his finger over the trigger. The flaming arrow launched from the crossbow, flaring into a veritable fireball primed to explode on contact with the virus in its path.

"Runeknight," Zan whispered to his Navi. "I just finished that nice little trade. Here is a new BattleChip to try out."

The Navi nodded, his spear forming in his hands. The shaft of the weapon began to glow with a fluid azure light. The knight twirled the spear with one hand, the aquatic colored aura making the twirling spear look more like a solid shield. The Navi pivoted to the left, swinging his weapon of choice in a wide arc. The aura flew from the spear in a wave, sailing through the air toward the trio of Spikey that growled in the distance.

The Navi complete his pivot with a complete spin, dropping to one knee while facing the other viruses. He held out his free hand, a black and cobalt shield forming immediately. He raised the shield to block his body as he watched the viruses, waiting for any sign of retaliation.

Summary:
1. Shotgun(50) to BunnyA and BunnyB
2. HeatShot(40x2) to ShrubbyB and ShrubbyA
3. Wideshot(80x2) to SpikeyA, B, and C
4. Guard to self
The viruses have just enough time for a quick "OMFG" consensus before Runeknight goes to work.

The Shotgun and the Heatshot both hit their marks, but just failed to spread their extra damage to the enemies waiting behind. However, they were perfectly capable of taking out their primary targets. The Wideshot swept through the Spikeys, drowning them all with one well-targeted attack. A Bunny fired a ring of electricity at Runeknight, but he bounced it harmlessly off his Guard.

ShrubbyA: DELETED!
ShrubbyB: 50 HP
ShrubbyC: 50 HP
BunnyA: DELETED!
BunnyB: 50 HP
BunnyC: 50 HP
SpikeyA: DELETED!
SpikeyB: DELETED!
SpikeyC: DELETED!

Runeknight.EXE: 115 HP
Runeknight raised his shield as a small golden ring sailed toward him with the sped and force of a lightning bolt. The jet black shield flared brightly with a golden light, absorbing the energy of the Bunny's blast and ricocheting it harmlessly away. The enchantment spent, the shield shattered into a mist of data and through that mist charged Runeknight.

The Navi was already holding his crossbow, a small glass scope attached to the top on the wooden weapon. His vision seemed to have become enhanced by the scope and a small targeting reticule appeared within his visor. Runeknight allowed the reticule to guide his hand. trusting in the enchanted scope to lock onto the closest virus. A Bunny entered his sights and the targeting reticle flared crimson. The Navi pulled the trigger on the crossbow and a blast of energy ripped through the air, heading straight toward the rabbit virus.

The scope, it's work done, shattered and Runeknight slammed a clip containing a handful of crossbow bolts into a slot on his weapon. He took aim at the other Bunny, holding down the trigger as a mass of crossbow bolts exploded from the weapon at a rapid pace. Fifteen small arrows sailed through the air, each aimed to impale the hopping rabbit virus.

Runeknight tossed the crossbow to the side, the weapon vanishing in a flash of cobalt light seconds before it would have hit the ground. Instead, a small icy blue crystal formed in the knight's armored hand. He hefted the orb, testing its weight, as he took aim at one of the cowering plant viruses. He cocked back his arm and hurled the orb toward one of the Shrubby, the projectile shattering into a wave of ice and snow seconds after leaving his fingertips. The frosty wave hurtled toward the virus, like an avalanche threatening to engulf a forest.

Finally, Runeknight began a low chant, his black armor glowing with a soft blue aura in response to his words. As his incantation continued, a circle of inky darkness spread out from beneath the other Shrubby. The blackness seemed alive, churning faster as Runeknight's words reached a crescendo until, finally, black flames erupted from beneath the virus.

Summary:
1. MarkCannon(70) to BunnyB
2. Vulcan2(15x5) to BunnyC
3. Icewave1(80) to ShrubbyB
4. Rune Purge(70) to ShrubbyC with a heal(25) to Runeknight
Boom, boom, boom, boom. The MarkCannon, Vulcan2, Icewave and Rune Purge all struck with absolutely perfect accuracy. The Bunnies and Shrubbies stood absolutely no chance in the face of the assault.

ShrubbyA: DELETED!
ShrubbyB: DELETED!
ShrubbyC: DELETED!
BunnyA: DELETED!
BunnyB: DELETED!
BunnyC: DELETED!
SpikeyA: DELETED!
SpikeyB: DELETED!
SpikeyC: DELETED!

Runeknight.EXE: 140 HP

--VICTORY ASSURED!--

Get: 500z!
Runeknight gathered up the left over data, his eyes scanning the horizon for signs of the being who was stalking them while Zan used his computer to scan for any incoming viruses. The Navi was determined to continue on despite the danger.


((Sort post. Gotta go. Battle 9))
As Runeknight continued, the path that he was following wound deeper into the network. He could feel the unsavoury signature that this part of ACDC retained; he was in a place that wandering Navis weren't supposed to go.

Presently, his road passed underneath a higher path that ran perpendicular over top of Runeknight's route, leaving a good ten feet of head room. Runeknight suddenly saw something atop the higher path and stopped in his tracks. There was some kind of virus perched on the edge of the higher path, looking down at Runeknight--no, wait, it was a NormalNavi! The Navi looked quite viral, though; four huge black arms grew out of its back, and many pieces of its blue and purple armour had been chipped off to expose grey muscle underneath. Part of the NormalNavi's visor had been ripped away, and round white eye shone out of the crevasse in its protective plating.

Hissing furiously, the oddly viral NormalNavi glared down at Runeknight. Three of its massive black arms were holding more virus capsules, and the fourth was pointing accusingly at the intruder. The NormalNavi's regular arms were folded decisively.

"OUT GET YOU!" it shouted down at him. "OUT GET YOU! NO YOU PLACE, NETWORK MINE! CHANCE LEAVE, 326J GAVE! REFUSED! 326J DELETE!"

The four black arms drew back and hurled their capsules down to the lower path that Runeknight occupied. They struck the ground several feet in front of the intruder, and immediately started spitting smoke.

"FEAR CREATION! 326J GREAT GENIUS!"

The three virus capsules exploded open, spitting out three distinct orders of virus.

The first type seemed to be a fusion of a Spikey and a Canodumb. Their mounted cannons were shaped like the heads of open-jawed Spikies. The bodies of the viruses were those of Canodumbs, but were painted blue with highlights of red to look like Spikey pelts. Pairs of legs derived from the wolflike virus were coiled underneath the bodies, although they ended in feet of metal riveted to the ground, rendering the viruses immobile. A number of short Spikey tails, connected by steel and rubber joints, hovered behind for stability.

The next type were a small, Metool-like varity wearing the prerequisite yellow helmets with the green cross and stripe, although the colours were inverted. Poking out from the helmet's shadow were bundles of leaves that seemed to be wearing the helmet. Sad yellow eyes peered out from the darkness. Their feet consisted of round slices of log.

The final variety of virus seemed to be ghostly electrical plugs. Between the tines that formed the head were perched nurse's caps. The virus' bodies were ghostly and incoporeal underneath the ample robes that they wore. They were armless, but had small, flat feet that hung off the bottom of their spectral torsos. An immensely long tongue lolled out of the viruses' open mouths.

Cackling, the viral Navi calling itself 326J settled down on the upper path, out of reach, to watch the fight.

SpikodumbA: 140 HP
SpikodumbB: 140 HP
SpikodumbC: 140 HP
ShrutoolA: 90 HP
ShrutoolB: 90 HP
ShrutoolC: 90 HP
BookyA: 100 HP
BookyB: 100 HP
BookyC: 100 HP

Runeknight.EXE: 140 HP

--FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE!--
"Well, that's new." Zan's voice held equal parts excitement and astonishment. "It's not everyday that some crazy Navi sends newly manufactured viruses your way."

"Sire," Runeknight said as he examined the newly arrived viruses. "Each of these beasts seem to be a strange mixture of two common ACDC viruses. Does that mean that this Navi is a virus breeder? Is he one of the cruel fiends that produce viruses for the sole purpose of causing death and destruction?"

"It would seem so, Runeknight."

"Then he shall pay for his crimes against the natural order of the Network. It saddens me that I must first exterminate more of his accursed creations."

Zan nodded in agreement, despite the fact that no one could see his movement. He slid his hand along his desk, choosing the BattleChips that would be the most effective for starting off this battle. The viruses arrayed against Runeknight were unique, but they were composed of pieces from creatures that he had fought countless times before.

"Runeknight," Zan called to his Navi. "These viruses may be unknown, but their elemental properties should still be the same. I'm going to send you some elemental BattleChips and hope for the best."

"Yes Sire."

Runeknight could feel the familiar surge of energy accumulate and pass through the various parts of his body. His spear appeared in his hand in a flash of cobalt light, the shaft glowing with a light blue aura. The knightly Navi began twirling his spear with both hands, spinning the weapon faster until it became just a blur. With a quick pivot, he twisted his body and broke the spear from its rotation. He swung the weapon in a wide arc, the blue aura lifting from the shaft and hurtling toward the trio of wolf-headed turrets.

Runeknight twirled his spear in a tight circle, halting it in his right hand, tip pointed out with the shaft resting against his back. Another BattleChip uploaded and settled in the tip of his spear, the black metal turning a dark shade of green and morphing into a large sphere. Runeknight took hold of the spear and held it above his head with one hand. He took a few steps forward and hurled the weapon toward on of the electrical ghost viruses. As it sailed through the air, the spherical tip of the spear sprouted three long spikes that would impale the virus.

Unconcerned, Runeknight turned his attention toward the leafy Metools, his crossbow materializing in a flash of light. The arrow loaded in the weapon was already aflame and Runeknight wasted little time. He took aim at the group of viruses, attempting to hit more than one with the spread of flames. He pulled the trigger on the crossbow, the arrow sailing forth toward the leafy viruses.

Runeknight dropped to one knee, bringing up his shield in defense. The black and cobalt shield shined with a magical light as the Navi watched for any sign of a counterattack from the mutated viruses.

Summary:
1. Wideshot(80x2?) to SpikodumbA, B and C
2. Cactiball1((20x3)x2?) to BookyA
3. Heatshot(40x2?) to ShrutoolA and B.
4. Guard to Self
Red light collected in the mouths of each of the Spikodumbs to fire, but Runeknight beat them to the punch; his Wideshot went hurtling through the air to annihilate the group of viruses with one watery blow. The CactBall that he threw seemed to be traveling on a collision course with one of the Bookies--until it warped out of the way, leaving the spear to harmlessly hit the ground instead of the virus. However, the Heatshot was successful in burning up one of the Shurtools. The Booky that had dodged the CactBall suddenly appeared in front of Runeknight, its tongue wreathed in static electricity, but its tongue-slap simply bounced off Runeknight's Guard and back into the virus's face. Meanwhile, though, one of the other Shurtools had snuck around behind the Navi and had thrown its wooden pickaxe at his backside.

SpikodumbA: DELETED!
SpikodumbB: DELETED!
SpikodumbC: DELETED!
ShrutoolA: DELETED!
ShrutoolB: 90 HP
ShrutoolC: 90 HP
BookyA: 65 HP
BookyB: 100 HP
BookyC: 100 HP

Runeknight.EXE: 120 HP
Runeknight stumbled forward as a wooden pickax dug into his back, tearing through his jet black armor. The Navi dropped to one knee, dazed from the pain. His instinct had him relax his other leg and the fell into a roll in an attempt to dodge any more attacks. There was one thing that the Navi was sure of, these viruses were powerful.

"Runeknight," Zan called. "You alright?"

"For now." Came the Navi's cryptic response and he pushed himself to his feet.

The wooden crossbow appeared in the Navi's hands, materializing in a flash of cobalt light. Affixed to the stock of the crossbow was a small glass scope that seemed to guide the Navi's hand. A targeting reticule appeared within the Navi's visor, the free floating circle moving from virus to virus. The wounded Booky warped toward him as the reticule flared crimson. Runeknight pulled the trigger, firing a beam of energy straight at the weakened virus.

It's enchantment spent, the scope shattered and Runeknight tossed the crossbow aside. He summoned his spear into his hands and charged toward the closest of the ghost viruses. BattleChip energy flowed through his body, channeling from his hands into his spear. The weapon fluctuated as he ran, the shaft shortening as the tip lengthened and widened. It had become a massive sword and he swung the weapon down with all his might, attempting to crush electrical ghost that loomed before him. The sword crumbled as it struck, kicking up a cloud of dust and obscuring his vision.

Runeknight paid little heed to the fate of the ghostly creature. He turned his attention to the strange shrub-like Metool that had attacked him. The Navi spoke a single word, cobalt flames erupting from his armor to wreath his right arm. He held the arm toward the virus, the flames swirling around his arm to form a sphere of flames in the palm of his hand. With a second word of command, the flames shot toward the virus, attempting to engulf it.

The flames died down and Runeknight raised his arm, a black and cobalt shield forming in place of the magical fire. The Navi strafed the remaining viruses, shield raised in defense.

Summary:
1. MarkCannon1(70) to BookyA
2. BigHammer1(160) to BookyB
3. Rune Blast(90) to ShrutoolB
4. Guard1
With a spectacular booming, the Markcannon took out the Booky that had managed to cheat deletion once before. Runeknight's BigHammer annihilated its friend, while his Rune Blast devoured one of the Shurtools. Another Shurtool hurled its pickaxe at Runeknight, but he used his Guard to reflect the attack back at the last Booky.

SpikodumbA: DELETED!
SpikodumbB: DELETED!
SpikodumbC: DELETED!
ShrutoolA: DELETED!
ShrutoolB: DELETED!
ShrutoolC: 90 HP
BookyA: DELETED!
BookyB: DELETED!
BookyC: 80 HP

Runeknight.EXE: 120 HP
Runeknight dodged away from the remaining viruses, BattleChip data already flowing through his systems. His crossbow appeared in his hands in a flash of cobalt light and the knightly Navi slammed a large ammo clip into the bottom of the weapon. Runeknight took aim at the last of the ghost viruses, holding the repeating crossbow steady as he held down the trigger. A veritable storm of crossbow bolts erupted from the bow at a rapid pace, sailing straight toward the strange ghost virus.

The Navi tossed away the crossbow as he began a low chant. His armor shined with a light blue aura, growing brighter as a circle of darkness opened beneath the leafy Metool. As Runeknight's chant grew louder, the darkness began to churn and bubble. Jet black flames erupted from the darkness as the Navi reached a crescendo, the dark pyre threatening to engulf the small virus. Runeknight held out his hand and his crossbow sailed through the air to return to his grasp. He took quick aim at the strange Metool, using the pillars of flames to align his shot. He pulled the trigger, a single arrow sailing forth towards the virus.

Summary:
1. Vulcan2(15x5) to BookyC
2. Vulcan1(10x3) to BookyC
3. Rune Purge(70) to ShrutoolC with a heal(25) to Runeknight
4. Cannon(40) to ShrutoolC
Aaaand you're done.

SpikodumbA: DELETED!
SpikodumbB: DELETED!
SpikodumbC: DELETED!
ShrutoolA: DELETED!
ShrutoolB: DELETED!
ShrutoolC: DELETED!
BookyA: DELETED!
BookyB: DELETED!
BookyC: DELETED!

Runeknight.EXE: 140 HP

--VICTORY ASSURED!--

Get: 500z!
"What?" Zan seemed disappointed. "Five hundred Zenny for deleting those monsters? Cheap."

"Sire," Runeknight admonished. "We do not rid the Net of viral monstrosities for the reward of armaments or treasure. We do it to protect the land and its inhabitants from corruption."

"Ah, yeah. Forgive me."

"You need not apologize to me, Sire. And another threat continues to present itself."

Runeknight gazed up toward the aerial path, searching for the spider-like Navi that had created the monstrous fusion viruses. His spear appeared in his hand in a flash of cobalt light and he thrust toward the crazed Navi. His eyes were grim behind his visor as he thought about the horrors that the spider Navi had committed, the strange experiments that had given birth the fusion viruses. Sparks of cobalt energy exploded from the tip of his spear as he shouted at the Navi.

"Fiend! I have bested your strange viruses. You have no place left to hide. In the name of the ACDC Police, I am placing you under arrest for virus creation and manipulation. Surrender or be deleted!"

((And finally, Battle 10.))
((Bumping for Twi!))
"I said, surrender or be deleted!"
However, despite Runeknight's shouts for justice, no reply came. It seemed as though the odd six-armed Navi had vanished again as the tide of battle had turned against his mutant viruses...

Too bad. The NetPolice probable would have appreciated the apprehension of such a loose cannon...

[Heh, sorry. Totally forgot to tie up that loose end. Go ahead now, Twi, if that was what you were waiting for.]
"Oh no, he is gone." Zan said in a bored, monotone voice.

"Who shall fight us now?" Runeknight asked with equal parts boredom and monotony.
As Runeknight soldiered on through the cobwebby corners of the ACDC network, he noticed that the area had started to go downhill. The good illumination that was typical to the more populated parts of ACDC had dimmed to near-blackness, making it difficult for him to see anything more than a few steps ahead. Odd creakings and chatterings came from all around him, but the shadow prevented him from discovering their sources. More than once, he heard a gurgling wail from somewhere up ahead, but it seemed to be moving away from him.

Finally Runeknight felt as though he had stepped into an open space. The darkness kept him from seeing how large it was, but he instinctively knew that it was big.

Suddenly, an entire row of floodlights suspended on a steel beam high above the open area snapped on, completely blinding the Navi. The set of stage lights swivelled to focus on him, and when he could see again, he realized that he was--irritatingly enough--standing on a large red X.

With all haste, Runeknight jumped forward to get off the marked landing point, just in time to avoid being completely fallen on by a familiar Navi. It was the corrupted one that had loosed the set of mutated combination viruses on him earlier. The four black arms that grew from its back reached down and spread the shock of its landing out like a cat would have. The arms lowered the blue-and-purple Navi to the ground, and then raised themselves to grip a cable that was hanging from somewhere above.

"HO HO HO, FOOL YOU ARE, YES, FOOL!" the strange, corrupted Navi practially roars, sending spit flying everywhere. Its four muscle-roped arms pulled sharply down on the cable. Something behind Runeknight screeched, and he spun to see what it was.

Across the large open space, just on the edge of the floodlights, was a cage. The barred door, attached to the cable via a set of pulleys and winches, was lifting into the air. As Runeknight watched, something huge stepped out and into the light...

"INVADE MY LAB? PUNISH YOU, PUNISH YOU!" the Navi screeched madly.

It was like a huge amalgamation of the mutated viruses that this strange Navi had sent against him in the last encounter. However, it was only one, and it seemed to consist of all of the viruses that Runeknight had ever seen in ACDC. The combined creature was huge in size, at least twice the height and width of Runeknight himself. Its body was that of a Spikey, its lower legs and feet the steel plating of a Canodumb, its eyes the sad yellow orbs and its tail a short leafy hedge of a Shrubby, its upper shoulders draped with the red robe of a Spooky, its long ears the leafy wings of a Seedbat, its neck the electrical plug of a Bunny, and its headgear the helmet of a Metool. The huge multivirus stepped forward out of its cage, lifting a lip to snarl darkly at Runeknight. The NetPolice Navi turned to protest to the strange Navi that had started all of this, but the six-armed creature was climbing up the cable it had pulled, cackling darkly.

The amalgamated virus tossed back its head and let out a long, howling bray that started low and finished high. It turned its eyes back down onto Runeknight, taking a threatening step toward him, and growling tinnishly in its throat.

Runeknight was in some serious trouble.

RootVirus: 800 HP

Runeknight.EXE: 140 HP

--BOSS SIGHTED! HERE WE GO!--
"The hell?" Zan was overawed by the strange creature that emerged from the cage. "That lunatic has no morals."

"His evil knows no bounds." Runeknight agreed. "And once more we must delete an innocent creature doomed by its very creature to be a monster and a blight upon the Net."

The armored Navi turned his attention toward the spider-like, deranged scientist that lurked above him. Once more he held aloft his spear, the tip pointing unerringly toward the sinister Navi's heart. Behind his visor, Runeknight's eyes narrowed and his mouth pressed into a grim line. The spider Navi would pay for his crimes against the Net, Runeknight would see to it, but first he had other things to worry about.

"Sire," Runeknight whispered to his NetOp. "This viral monstrosity seems quite voracious. I shall need all of our strength to overcome this foe."

"I'm with you Runeknight."

"Thank you Sire," Runeknight lowered his spear until it pointed straight for what he assumed was the heart of the virus. "I do not wish to harm you, but I cannot allow you to exist and bring harm to the Net. By your very creation, you have been destined to be deleted. For that I am sorry, but I swear to you that your creator shall pay for his crimes."

Runeknight could feel his energy peak as Zan slotted in a multitude of BattleChips. The surge of energy flowed through his body, the majority of it centering in the palm of his hand. A crystalline form materialized in his hand, cool to the touch and light blue in color. Runeknight hefted the crystal, taking aim at the virus. He would have to make a decisive blow to show his power. He hurled the icy sphere toward the virus, the crystal exploding into a wave of ice and snow seconds after leaving his hand.

Runeknight didn't wait to see if the attack would have any affect, more BattleChip data already surging through his body. His spear twisted in his grasp, morphing into a large sword with a massive blade. He charged behind the wave of ice, his body glowing with a blue light. He took three steps before vanishing in a flash of cobalt energy. The Navi rematerialized behind the virus, swinging the massive blade in a wide arc in the hopes of smashing the creature beneath the heavy sword.

The sword shattered as it made contact, though Runeknight was unsure of what he had hit. A cloud of digital dust obscured his vision, and would hopefully hide him from the virus as well. Cobalt flames erupted along his armored left arm, the magical fires dancing across the black armor like ghostly wisps. The flames gathered into the palm of his hand and Runeknight raised his arm, pointing toward where the virus had been seconds before the dust had gathered. He shouted a word of command, the flames erupting in a fiery blast that would hopefully consume the virus.

Summary:
1. IceWave1(80) to Root Virus
2. AreaGrab used as a dodge and to get behind the virus
3. BigHammer1(160) to Root Virus
4. Rune Blast(90) to Root Virus