New Navi

Anthony checked his PET's monitor and saw that Brawler's health reading was still at full despite being at such close proximity to the Minibomb explosion. He guessed that was why they were called Minibombs. Still, he wanted to check.

"Brawler, are you alright?" Anthony asked.

Brawler coughed from his prone position on the ground before asking, "Are they dead?"

"Yeah, they've been deleted." Anthony replied.

"Then I'm super." Brawler replied. He picked himself up and dusted himself off.

"Keep going?" Anthony asked.

Brawler simply smiled and just started walking straight ahead as if he could sense where the next group of viruses would be.

((Battle 2))
The viruses decided to give Brawler more for his money.

CanodumbA: 50
CanodumbB: 50
ShrubbyA: 50 (behind CanodumbA)
ShrubbyB: 50 (behind CanodumbB)
Bunny: 50

Brawler: 150

Battle 2 Start!
Brawler's instincts paid off as he encountered another group not long after defeating the first. He cracked his knuckles in preparation for the ensuing battle.

"Let's try the Heatshot first." Anthony said.

Brawler shrugged. He didn't care how the battle started off, as long as it started soon. He felt the Heatshot chip load but he felt no change in his arms. He looked over his hands but they were the same as ever. They weren't even heating up. This was a bit of a letdown.

"What the hell!? Your boots are on fire!" Anthony exclaimed.

Brawler looked down to find that his feet were indeed shrouded with light flames. It didn't burn but felt moderately warm only after he noticed. He took a step backwards and noted a burning footprint left in his wake. This was interesting. Brawler started running towards the first Cannon.

"What are you doing? You're on FIRE! Stop, drop and roll!" Anthony yelled.

Brawler continued in his charge at the cannon before jumping up a bit and directing a fiery dropkick at the Cannon's barrel. Flames burst from his heels at the climax of the attack and sprayed past the Cannon and all over the Shrubby hiding behind it.

"Stopped and dropped," Brawler said, "and this is how I roll."

In the midst of an evasive barrel roll to the other Cannon, Anthony picked up on what he was trying to do and quickly slotted in the next chip while saying, "Shotgun!"

"Alllright." Brawler said, prepping his fist for another piercing attack. Ending his roll in a crouch below the second cannon's turret, he pulled back his punch. He could see the green puffy body of the Shrubby hiding behind the Cannon trying to use it as cover.

Brawler smiled and said, "I see you." Before striking the Cannon's base with a strong right hook, enhanced by the Shotgun chip data. The Shrubby unexpectedly found itself in the middle of the collateral burst; another victim of Brawler's overwhelming offence.

"Watch the Bunny." Anthony said, "commandeer the first Cannon with the Rageclaw."

"Nuts, and I wanted to try the Energybomb next..." Brawler sighed.

His gloves quickly changed to the familiar gauntlets he had become so fond of. With the aesthetic change, he could feel a slight boost in his strength. Facing the first cannon he had assaulted with his Heatshot kick, he grabbed onto its stand with one arm and swung around behind it, trying to push the turret away from his face with his other hand and hold it between him and the Bunny. If he was lucky, the Bunny and Cannon would fire at each other and he could finish off whatever was left with his new Rageclaw.

Lost in his thoughts, his palm accidentally crunched down slightly on the Cannon's already weakening frame.

"Don't delete it yet! Wait!" Anthony said.

"Sorry boss," Brawler apologized, "just a little excited."



1 - Heatshot CanodumbA (40 dmg) ShrubbyA (80 dmg)
2 - Shotgun CanodumbB (50 dmg) ShrubbyB (50 dmg)
3 - Rageclaw hold CanodumbA as a shield against Bunny
The heated dropkick took down both of its targets, and Brawler emerged from the flames to hit another group: unfortunately, the Shrubby had already teleported to behind the enemy Bunny. Nontheless, the Navi's strategy was successful in causing the Bunny to hit its ally.

CanodumbA: DELETED!
CanodumbB: DELETED!
ShrubbyA: DELETED!
ShrubbyB: 50 (behind CanodumbB)
Bunny: 50

Brawler: 150
"Time to test out that Energybomb." Anthony said, slotting in that chip.

Brawler smiled but it quickly dropped as soon as the chip data hit him. He grabbed his visor with one hand, struggling to balance himself with the other.

"What's wrong?" Anthony asked. He had never seen Brawler in pain. Even after he had been struck with multiple attacks and on the verge of deletion, Brawler had always maintained a happy demeanor throughout it all. This headache of his was unsettling for both Navi and operator.

"YEEEEEAAAARRRRRGGHHH!!" Brawler howled. His frenzied call shook the untold reaches of ACDC Net. Anthony's PET nearly vibrated out of his hand.

Then as if snapping out of it altogether, Brawler stared at the Bunny. More than anything else he was locking-on because as soon as he laid his eyes on the virus, he shot towards it in a full-out dash.

Anthony was having trouble tracking his navi. It was as if Brawler had been pulled from his position rather than running of his own free will. Brawler was running at incredible speed, besting his personal records. Not even stopping to attack, the huge navi started unleashing a wild flurry of blind punches well before he had reached the Bunny. Anthony wasn't able to gauge Brawler's strength until one of the missed punches struck the ground and cracked a panel before he ran over it.

Brawler still hadn't regained control over himself but he had reached his target. He wailed on the Bunny with an amalgam of punches, open-palmed swipes and karate chops. Anthony couldn't tell if Brawler was hitting or not but he couldn't stand by and watch his navi suffer like this.

"Cannon!" Anthony said.

Brawler's uncontrolled rage disipated as quickly as it overcame him and he found himself in control again, partially wondering what was going on.

"What are you doing? Don't just stand there! Attack!" Anthony yelled.

"Huh?" Brawler said, looking around before staring at his own glowing green hand and then at the viruses, "oh right."

A small grin crept back onto his face reassuring Anthony of his Navi's restoration. Brawler aimed a Cannon-hammer punch straight down at the Bunny at point-blank range.

Anthony weighed the options and reluctantly called out, "Minibomb!"

The blue and green boxing glove appeared on Brawler's other hand, widening his smile.

"Time to finish this." Brawler said before he launched his explosive punch at the Shrubby.



1 - Energybomb Bunny (40x3 dmg)
2 - Cannon Bunny (40 dmg)
3 - Minibomb Shrubby (60 dmg)
The Bunny was quickly turned into scrap and data as Brawler pummeled it with gestures, mostly involving his massive fists. The Shrubby, meanwhile, chucked a log, which broke fairly harmlessly over Brawler's shoulders. The Navi finished off his opponent with an explosive punch, sending shrubbery flying in every direction.

CanodumbA: DELETED!
CanodumbB: DELETED!
ShrubbyA: DELETED!
ShrubbyB: DELETED!
Bunny: DELETED!

Brawler: 140

VICTORY!
Rewards: 400 zenny.
With the threats gone, Brawler could relax and think about what happened to him. And as if on cue, Anthony asked, "What happened to you?"

Brawler rubbed his visor, trying to reach the remnants of a fading migraine. He fell back and sat on the battle-ravaged ground.

"I dunno," Brawler replied, "I just felt so... Filled with this power and it felt like if I didn't use it, I was gonna explode."

Anthony stared at the expended Energybomb chip. Apparently his navi was unique in that it couldn't manifest some chips properly. The Rageclaw chip seemed to work out fine but ranged chips were simply harnessed for their destructive energy and their effects were mostly abandonned. This Energybomb in particular was extremely powerful but a major gamble for Brawler's well-being. How would this play out later? Was this a curse or a blessing? Anthony didn't want to put Brawler in that situation again and placed the Energybomb chip on a raised shelf, just out of his sight.

"Anyways, I'm good to go, boss." Brawler said.

"Okay," noted Anthony, "Then let's keep going."

Brawler smiled and got up.

((Battle 3))
A NEW CHALLENGER APPROACHES!

SpikeyA: 90
SpikeyB: 90
SeedbatA: 50
SeedbatB: 50
SeedbatC: 50

Brawler: 140

Battle 3 Start!
((What are the seedbats doing? Hanging from a tree, hovering or other?))

A pair of Spikeys and a cluster of Seedbats soon came up on the horizon. Before Brawler engaged them, Anthony asked, "Why are you so excited about fighting?"

"I live to fight, fight to win, and win to live." Brawler replied with a smile, "That's my kind of vicious cycle."

Anthony laughed, "Did you rehearse that or what?"

Brawler shrugged and started a sprint to close the distance between himself and his opponents.

Anthony didn't want to put too much strain on Brawler knowing full well that he put enough strain on himself. The thought of using the Energybomb again crossed his mind but was quickly ignored and dismissed. It was time to go back to the basics.

Anthony called out to Brawler, "Cannon for the first Spikey, Shotgun to finish it and Rageclaw the other."

Brawler nodded and complied with a short, "You got it, boss."

Before Brawler was in range, his left hand already began to glow with the green aura of the Cannon chip data. The straightforward approach would be too easily dodged by the Spikey. Brawler faked right before pushing off the ground hard and actually attacking from the left. He swung his large fist at the Spikey's head in a half-clothesline swat. The maneuver was followed up by a second slap from the other side with his very blue and very Shotgun-enhanced right palm. His attack came so fast, a wave of compacted air blew towards the second Spikey with the same strength as an actual punch.

Brawler's one-two combo was over but the battle had just begun. Both his hands returned to normal only to change form again into a pair of Rageclaw gauntlets. Brawler took advantage of the element of surprise from his Shotgun's splash to assault the second Spikey. He had a plan. He had done it before and decided to try it again.

Anthony was confused at first but recognized his Navi's movements and immediately figued out what he was trying to do.

Brawler grappled with the monstrous virus and tried to direct its jagged mouth at the Seedbats. If he could provoke it to attack, it would save him the trouble of having to bring them down later. As much as he liked to finish off opponents himself, he hated having to hunt down cowardly opponents. However the theory of directing a Spikey's attack manually and the actual practice itself were two completely different things. The virus's unwillingness to cooperate and wild thrashing severely hindered the plan.

"C'mon!" Brawler growled at the resistant Spikey, "Cough it out!"

"Maybe you should just punch it." Anthony suggested.

"We'll call that--" Brawler said between jerking movements, "Plan B."



1 - Cannon SpikeyA (40 dmg)
2 - Shotgun SpikeyA, SpikeyB (50 dmg)
3 - Rageclaw subdue SpikeyB, aim muzzle at Seedbats
((They're flying, similar to the bat enemies in Command Mission.))

Brawler beats the Spikey. He then latches onto another one. A bat attacks, hitting both the dog and Brawler.

SpikeyA: DELETED!
SpikeyB: 50
SeedbatA: 50
SeedbatB: 50
SeedbatC: 50

Brawler: 120
This Spikey seemed smarter than the last one he had tangled with and wasn't willing to fire off stray shots at its allies. Brawler wasn't happy about that but wasn't counting on his plan to succeed.

"Bad dog!" yelled Brawler, smashing his forehead right between the Spikey's beady little eyes, "Let's try another trick..."

Brawler temporarily released the virus from his clutches in order to get under it and heave it up above his shoulders. It was heavy but nothing that he couldn't handle.

"Play... DEAD!" Brawler yelled out as he hurled the helpless Spikey into the group of Seedbats. Using that as a distraction, he chased after his chucked quarry to where the Seedbats were gathered. He arbitrarily picked one and lunged for it with his Rageclaw. The best defence was a good offence and he hoped to cause enough chaos within their ranks to prevent them from launching a counterattack.



1 - Headbutt SpikeyB (40 dmg + stun)
2 - Rageclaw Throw SpikeyB, SeedbatA (20 dmg)
3 - Rageclaw Throw SeedbatB, SeedbatC (20 dmg)
The spikey dies but disappears before it can hit the bat. Another is thrown, but misses its ally. The one it was chucked at strikes back with its wings.

SpikeyA: DELETED!
SpikeyB: DELETED!
SeedbatA: 50
SeedbatB: 30
SeedbatC: 50

Brawler: 100
"Dodgy bastards..." Brawler mumbled, winding his arm in preparation for his next assault. He was so focussed on the battle, he didn't seem to mind the various cuts inflicted on him by the bats although his grin was somewhat less bright than usual.

"Hey boss, mind if I call the shots for this round?" Brawler asked.

Anthony blurted out a confused, "Huh?"

"Gimme a Heatshot, a Minibomb and a Cannon." Brawler continued.

"Oh. Yeah, sure." replied Anthony, shaking his head slightly.

Brawler charged the closest Seedbat and could already feel the soles of his feet heating up. The Heatshot chip fully activated a moment later, wrapping his boots with short licking flames. Brawler thought it would be tough to nail the Seedbat with a flying kick but if it was easy, he probably wouldn't enjoy it as much. He continued to run straight for the bat and only stopped just short of grappling range before crouching.

"Yo." Brawler called to the virus before kicking off the ground and leaping up backwards in a magnificent flipkick trailing an arc of cinders behind it. At the apex of his flip, one of his hands puffed up into a blue ball. The Minibomb had activated and any contact with set it off. Careful not to let it touch the ground, Brawler extended his other hand to break his fall and complete the flip. He landed gracefully on his feet, his heels still smoking from the freshly extinguished fire.

He wasted no time in targetting the second Seedbat, the one he had missed earlier with his throwing attempt. It was fairly close allowing him to simply make another short lunge. He made a quick straightforward punch with his explosive boxing glove.

There was an explosion and a small cloud of smoke. Neither Brawler nor the Seedbats could be seen but there was a muffled green flash and the sound of another punch being made.

Brawler stepped out of the cloud and exhaled a thin wisp of the smoke between his teeth.



1 - Heatshot SeedbatA (80 dmg)
2 - Minibomb SeedbatC (60 dmg)
3 - Cannon SeedbatB (40 dmg)
The HEatshot hits but the wide arc of the mini-bomb enfused punch is evaded. The cannon also lands. The last bat strikes back.

SpikeyA: DELETED!
SpikeyB: DELETED!
SeedbatA: DELETED!
SeedbatB: DELETED!
SeedbatC: 50

Brawler: 80
"Rrrrgghh, damnit!" Barked Bralwer while turning around, "I thought I took care of you!" By now his smile was totally gone and his grin had become a scornful sneer.

"Here," Anthony said, "One more Minibomb should be enough."

Brawler took up a boxing pose, keeping his arms in front of his chest and trying to stay light on his feet. He made a few quick practice punches. He was tired of missing so often and needed to get his bearings straight to track that bat. On the plus side, it was the only one left and he could focus on it and it alone.

"Slotting in." Anthony said.

The thick Minibomb glove enveloped his hand again. He kept that arm on the inside while he made a few more practice punches with his other fist. He felt confident he could nail the bat with the punch but he needed to be sure.

"What are you waiting for?" Added his operator.

Brawler stopped practicing and made a quick dash towards the virus before unleashing a torrent of jabs on it. He thought he felt one of the hits connect and finished off the combo with a fierce right hook.

"DIE!" growled Brawler, in mid-swing of his attack.



1 - Normal buster SeedbatC (4 dmg)
2 - Normal buster SeedbatC (4 dmg)
2 - Minibomb SeedbatC (60 dmg)
The remaining Seedbat is exploderated. The winnah....It's j00!

SpikeyA: DELETED!
SpikeyB: DELETED!
SeedbatA: DELETED!
SeedbatB: DELETED!
SeedbatC: DELETED!

Brawler: 80

Rewards: 250z, Heatshot
Brawler was brushing off the ashes from the back of his hand when he noticed the cuts on his arm. His bloodlust and the rush of battle was wearing off and he was starting to feel slightly enfeebled by the enemy blows.

"GodDAMN. I hate Seedbats." He said.

"You want to leave and check out someplace else?" Anthony asked.

"Maybe later," Brawler replied, "Don't feel like jacking out yet."

((Battle 4))
Virus Attack!

BUnnyA: 50
BunnyB: 50
BunnyC: 50
CanodumbA: 50
CanodumbB: 50
MetoolA: 40
MetoolB: 40

Brawler: 100

Battle 4 Start!
((I should actually have 80 hp... ;__;))

"Viruses!" noted Anthony.

Brawler looked them over and shrugged his shoulders slightly. He didn't look his usual enthusiastic self but he wasn't exactly depressed either. He casually made his way towards the viruses, looking over to his right occasionally.

"What's going on? Why aren't you... You know... Crazy about this fight?" Anthony said.

"This is pathetic," Brawler said, "I'm fighting hardhats and bunnies. Where the Spikeys at?" He struck a grappling pose, arms to his sides and fingers grabbing at nothing, as he mentioned the stronger viruses. Anthony knew Brawler needed more of a challenge to satisfy him. He couldn't share in his navi's appreciation for being so brutal all the time even if he was only one degree away from actually fighting the viruses himself.

"Fine, after this we'll find some bigger viruses," Anthony said "after this."

Brawler's face lit up, at least the part that was showing. "Then let's get rolling!" He said.

"Heatshot the Metool and then Shotgun the Cannons." Anthony commanded.

His resolve renewed, Brawler charged the Metools, his boots heating up with each step he took. They glowed white until the heat culminated in a thin shroud of fire. He showed no sign of slowing down and sped up as much as possible until he sudenly shifted his leg's positions in mid-stride and slid the remainder of the distance with a flaming kick and sweep, trying to take both Metools with one swift movement.

"Shotgun!" Anthony said. There wasn't enough time to start relaying strategies with the chips he was sending. There was barely enough time to say the names of the chips he was slotting in.

Brawler reacted fast, but not faster than the chip's data. He had slid perfectly into position, the two viruses lined up in his sights. He made a diving punch at the Cannon while still half-kneeling on the ground. He cleverly used the momentum of his powered-up attack to roll forward.

"Rage--" Anthony said before he had already slotted in the chip,

Vicious talon-like covers appeared on his hands as he rolled towards the Bunnies. He wasn't sure of where he was headed but he had his Rageclaw and he lashed out with it. Clamping down on the first thing his sharpened fingers came into contact with.

"Claw!" Anthony finished.

"Gotcha." Brawler said, pulling whatever he had caught in close to use as a shield.



1 - Heatshot MetoolA, MetoolB (40 dmg)
2 - Shotgun CannonA, CannonB (50 dmg)
3 - Rageclaw grab closest enemy as shield and throw (? dmg)
Both attacks strike a single virus. Brawler then picks up a MEt, holding it in front of him. As a bunny attacks, the met is destroyed. A canodumb also strikes Brawler.

BunnyA: 50
BunnyB: 50
BunnyC: 50
CanodumbA: DELETED!
CanodumbB: 50
MetoolA: DELETED!
MetoolB: DELETED!

Brawler: 60