Moving on.

Trenn's light, snickering laughter through the private line did nothing to assuage Soundman's bruised ego. Not funny, Trenn...

"Oh sure it is." came Trenn's reply over the line. "You just can't see it from my point of view! Ha ha!"

Soundman grumbled something unintelligible.

"Hmmm... Hey Soundman, remember that one time you went flying like a rocket?"

Yeah. That was kind of fun, now that I think about it. What about it? Soundman pulled himself into a kneeling position, then stood.

"Well, how would you like to try being a round of artillery next?"

Soundman paused, bewildered. What do you suggest?

Trenn grinned. Well, for starters...

------------

Trenn grabbed a couple of chips off of his desk and continued as he slotted them in, "we're going to harness the power of an explosion, like most guns do."

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Trenn started, "first off, slap down the Lilbomb I just sent you..."

------------

Soundman was liking this plan less and less the more Trenn told him about it.

But... he had to admit, it would be pretty great if it worked. Avoidance, offense, and a great position all in one.

Alright, I'll do it.

Soundman formed a yellow, partially-transparent shield over his left arm, held by a grip on the 'back' side, then formed the bomb from the Lilbomb chip in his right hand.

Soundman then placed the bomb on the ground, and slapped the shield over it- then stepped onto the shield.

Hope this works...

--TURN SPLICE--

1: Get up
2: Lilbomb on the ground
3: Guard1 over Lilbomb

Hoped-for result: Lilbomb explodes, shield takes brunt of the blast, Soundman gets catapulted through the air towards the Metools.
Soundman's strategy did not go entirely according to plan. The bomb hits the ground, and detonates... But his jump over it with the Guard results in doing little more than breaking his guard chip. The result: Soundman is now standing amid a large cloud of smoke, unharmed, but still nowhere near the Metools.

Twice, Soundman gets the sensation of extreme heat sources passing him by.

-----------
Summary <Split Turn: 1 Action Remaining>
-----------

---Allies---
Soundman: 90 [On Normal Terrain] (You can't see anything.)

---Enemies---
(Including them.)
Kaff kaff! Soundman coughed, waving a little smoke away from his face. He couldn't see a thing in this smoke...

Soundman turned around, then began to walk outside of the smoke. It made good cover, but it did put him at a disadvantage...

---End of turn Split---

4: Walk out of Smoke, away from the viruses

Cooldowns

Restez: 1 TCD
Healing Serenade: 1 TCD
All others: Ready!
Soundman can hear the sounds of approaching Spikeys, but he can't see them as the wall of smoke stands between him and the remaining viruses. Dim glows begin to appear amid the smoke...

-----------
Summary
-----------

---Allies---
Soundman: 90

---Enemies---
-Group 1-
MushyA: Deleted
MushyB: Deleted
MushyC: Deleted
ChampuA: Deleted
ChampuB: Deleted

-Group 2- [Far behind you, on the other side of the grass patch]
CanodumbA: Deleted
CanodumbB: Deleted
CanodumbC: Deleted
Shrubby: Deleted

-Group 3- (You can't see them.)

-Group 4-
Spikey: 90 [? moves ahead]
Spikey: 90 [? moves ahead]
Spikey: 90 [? moves ahead]
Spikey: 90 [? moves ahead]

Terrain: 100% Normal
Soundman didn't bother taking the time to think. He simply pushed himself straight down, and flattened himself on the ground as much as he possibly could.

----Turn Splice----

1: HIT ZEE DECK (Dodge)
Soundman hits the deck, a fireball scorching over him. The dim glows are getting brighter, and the smoke is starting to clear...

-----------
Summary <Split Turn: 3 Actions Remaining>
-----------

---Allies---
Soundman: 90

---Enemies---
-Group 1-
MushyA: Deleted
MushyB: Deleted
MushyC: Deleted
ChampuA: Deleted
ChampuB: Deleted

-Group 2- [Far behind you, on the other side of the grass patch]
CanodumbA: Deleted
CanodumbB: Deleted
CanodumbC: Deleted
Shrubby: Deleted

-Group 3- (You can't see them.)

-Group 4-
Spikey: 90 [3 moves ahead, and to the left]
Spikey: 90 [4 moves ahead, and to the left]
Spikey: 90 [3 moves ahead, and to the right]
Spikey: 90 [4 moves ahead, and to the right]

Terrain: 100% Normal
Soundman rolled quickly to the right, then used the momentum to draw himself to his feet. Trenn!

"On it!" came the reply. Three chips found themselves slotted in; an Icewave1, a Thunder2, and a...

The Bambooknife, Trenn?

Yes, the Bambooknife. You can swing it quicker in close quarters than a sword.

Soundman shook his head. This wasn't the time to talk... He held his right arm forward, fingers curled almost claw-like, and waited as his hand began to freeze over... small slivers of ice, at first, then large sections froze until his whole hand was encased completely in a thick sheet: Only then did a large chunk of the ice break away with the loud, booming 'THUM' of a bass note being played through Soundman's palm-speaker.

Soundman launched the chunk of ice with a second blast of sound, this one loud enough to break the rest of the ice off of his arm as well.

The chunk of ice that Soundman sent flying seemed to compress itself after it had launched, quickly settling into the form of a small ball of ice, shining with an inner light as it flew forward.

The Icewave-ball careened through the dataspace between Soundman and the smoke, momentum carrying it toward the glow, but seemed to shudder as it neared the smoke; just as it had nearly reached the glow, it exploded outward, the ice seeming to grasp for whatever it was it had been fired at...

----Turn Splice----

2: Roll to the right and get up
3: Untapped Power Icewave1 (80 Aqua + 10 Null @ one of the 'glows')
4: Autododge

----Cooldowns----

All Signatures Ready!
Soundman's roll carries him out of the path of a shockwave. His return IceWave attack deletes a Spikey that was charging in to pounce on the Navi. Unfortunately for Soundman, the other three were doing the exact same thing. One from the left, one from the right....

Then a Spikey leaped from the smoke, straight at Soundman; it's fiery maw opened wide, fangs ready...

-----------
Summary
-----------

---Allies---
Soundman: 90 [DANGER]

---Enemies---

-Group 1-
MushyA: Deleted
MushyB: Deleted
MushyC: Deleted
ChampuA: Deleted
ChampuB: Deleted

-Group 2-
CanodumbA: Deleted
CanodumbB: Deleted
CanodumbC: Deleted
Shrubby: Deleted

-Group 3- [In a line, 5 Moves Ahead]
MetoolEXA: 70 (Attacking)
MetoolEXB: 70 (Defending)
MetoolEXC: 70 (Defending)

-Group 4-
Spikey: Deleted
Spikey: 90 [Leaping at you]
Spikey: 90 [Charging in from the left]
Spikey: 90 [Charging in from the right]

Terrain: 100% Normal
Soundman didn't run. He didn't move at all, for that matter. He simply stood still, seemingly in shock...

Trenn would later remark, talking to his mother, that he hadn't noticed the Bambooknife in Soundman's hand; if he had, he probably would've told him not to try what he tried.

Oh well.

Soundman deliberately stood there, eyes watching the Spikeys as they closed in. That one that was leaping at him. That would be the one he'd attack. Soundman waited until it neared the end of its' leap, then sidestepped abruptly, flipping the dagger around in his hand. He stabbed forward with the Bambooknife, aiming for the Spikey's flank...

----Turn Splice----

1: Prepped Dodge: Sidestep Spikey B (The one that's leaping at me)
2: Untapped Power Bambooknife (60 Wood + 10 Null @ Spikey B)
Soundman side-steps the attacking Spikey and stabs it with a bambooknife.

-----------
Summary
-----------

---Allies---
Soundman: 90 [DANGER] <-- Yes still.

---Enemies---

-Group 1-
MushyA: Deleted
MushyB: Deleted
MushyC: Deleted
ChampuA: Deleted
ChampuB: Deleted

-Group 2-
CanodumbA: Deleted
CanodumbB: Deleted
CanodumbC: Deleted
Shrubby: Deleted

-Group 3- [In a line, 5 Moves Ahead]
MetoolEXA: 70 (Attacking)
MetoolEXB: 70 (Defending)
MetoolEXC: 70 (Defending)

-Group 4-
Spikey: Deleted
Spikey: 20 [Breaking away]
Spikey: 90 [Behind you]
Spikey: 90 [Ahead of you]

Terrain: 100% Normal
...and let go as it slid smoothly between the Spikey's ribs with a wet sound, prompting the wounded Spikey to break away.

"Trenn!" Soundman cried, turning to face behind him. Trenn slotted in their Widesword as Soundman turned, prompting the latter of the two to form the glimmering broadsword on his left arm as it neared the end of its' swing. The momentum of the turn carried the Widesword forward, straight toward one of the Spikeys that was currently about to lunge, and also pulled Soundman into a spin.

And spin Soundman did, with a deft pirouette and an almost calculated arc he swung his Widesword, the result making him look like some sort of quarter-arsed top as he whirled about in a tight circle.

--End of Turn Splice--

3: Spin!
4: Widesword (80 @ Spikey C and D)

--Cooldowns--

All Signatures Ready!
Soundman is struck by a fireball as he begins to spin. His spin-cut, however, does manage to connect with both Spikeys. They all regroup and turn upon the Navi...

-----------
Summary
-----------

---Allies---
Soundman: 60

---Enemies---

-Group 1-
MushyA: Deleted
MushyB: Deleted
MushyC: Deleted
ChampuA: Deleted
ChampuB: Deleted

-Group 2-
CanodumbA: Deleted
CanodumbB: Deleted
CanodumbC: Deleted
Shrubby: Deleted

-Group 3- [In a line, 5 Moves Behind]
MetoolEXA: 70 (Defending)
MetoolEXB: 70 (Defending)
MetoolEXC: 70 (Defending)

-Group 4-
Spikey: Deleted
Spikey: 20 [Ahead of you]
Spikey: 10 [Ahead of you]
Spikey: 10 [Ahead of you]

Terrain: 100% Normal
Soundman flipped backward, the residual energy of the spin turning him slightly in midair, and landed on his heels, skidding to a stop.

He paused as a set of four symbols rotated around him. What were these things in the air...?

Trenn, look at this. There's- what look like runes floating around me.

"Runes?" came Trenn's voice, confused. He rotated the PET's view a bit, then scratched the top his head. "I don't see any runes."

Maybe if I touch one... Soundman reached his hand forward. They seemed... familiar, somehow. Like he had seen them before.

Inch by inch, Soundman's hand crept toward the dimly-glowing rune. A shiver ran down his spine. Something in him was calling. Telling him to touch...

...so he did.

----

Blue light flooded outward from an invisible source in the air. Trenn squinted as the PET mimicked the action perfectly-- meaning it was blinding him with much the same effect in the real world. The light dimmed as Trenn's hand went instinctively to adjust the settings, allowing him to get his first look at what had happened.

...Runeknight?, Trenn thought, curious.

----

Yea, though I walk through fire and flame, my soul merely comes alight. Came Soundman's voice through the private line. But... he sounded... different.

Come to think of it, he looked different, too.

Soundman raised a blue-clad arm to his head, and grasped his visored helm, whispering as he pulled it off, freeing his ruffled, transparent hair. He held the helm in front of his face, and gazed upon it for a moment. "Ah, Runeknight..." Soundman closed his hand, and the helmet disappeared.

"Sire." Soundman spoke, eying the three Spikeys.

"Soundman...?"

"I believe this wouldst be known as a cross. Might I have accrued a link to the fair knight when last our talents met?" Soundman asked, words leaving his lips with a dignified, albeit medieval quality.

"I... guess? I have to admit, this isn't something I've encountered personally before." Trenn said, laughing nervously.

"Shall I dispatch this rabble then, sire?"

"Oh, yeah. We should probably end this as soon as we can, I guess."

"Very well." Soundman's arm raised, holding the broadsword he had held before he crossed in his grasp. He traced lines in the air with the deadly blade, carving a glowing rune into the air-- a rune in the shape of a musical note, producing the reverberating hum of a low note. The rune itself disappeared, yet the echoes remained.

Soundman's foot tapped against the ground. A step. Then another step. And another, as Soundman picked up a slight bit of speed, arm curled and tense, ready to lash out with the Widesword at a moment's notice. Runes etched themselves into existence on the Widesword, imbuing it with further power as Soundman neared the Spikeys.

Now.

Soundman swung his Widesword with conviction, cutting a voracious arc through the air. The digital wind itself bent around his blade as it streaked through, the force placed behind the slash nearly doubling the sword around to strike Soundman in the back; but he tightened his simulated muscles, and the sword stopped at the end of the stroke.

The question now was simply whether or not he had actually hit his targets...


1: Dodge (Flip away from the Spikeys.)
2: Runecross (+10 to Fire Chips; Element change to Fire; Subtype changes to Break.)
3: Restez (80 HP Barrier @ Soundman)
Free Action: Imbue Widesword with Break.
4: Widesword (80+Break @ Spikey Group)
((BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO SPROUT SHIELDS, RIGHT?))
Soundman leaps backwards, evading a pair of fireballs. He then assumes RuneCross and throws up a Barrier for defense. His wisesword attack deletes all 3 Spikeys. one of which was in mid-leap in a failed attempt to pounce upon him.

The only remaining enemies were a trio of Metools, all hiding under their helmets a good distance away.

-----------
Summary
-----------

---Allies---
Soundman: 60 (80 HP Barrier)

---Enemies---

-Group 1-
MushyA: Deleted
MushyB: Deleted
MushyC: Deleted
ChampuA: Deleted
ChampuB: Deleted

-Group 2-
CanodumbA: Deleted
CanodumbB: Deleted
CanodumbC: Deleted
Shrubby: Deleted

-Group 3- [In a line, 5 Moves Behind]
MetoolEXA: 70 (Defending)
MetoolEXB: 70 (Defending)
MetoolEXC: 70 (Defending)

-Group 4-
Spikey: Deleted
Spikey: Deleted
Spikey: Deleted
Spikey: Deleted

Terrain: 100% Normal
"Then there remained but three." Soundman said more to himself than to Trenn, voice neutral. He turned to face the Metools. "Pray that I shall end them in one strike, Sire, that this cursed battle might be over all the sooner!"

Runes flashed in the air around Soundman's blade for just an instant, twirling about its' width. Not a moment later they seared themselves onto the blade itself, causing dark trails of smoke to swirl feveredly upward, as though caught in a particularly strong updraft.

Then Soundman charged, footfalls ringing out with an echoing clank as he sprinted, sword-first, toward the Metools.

Free action: Imbue Widesword with Break
1-3: Move toward Metools
4: Dodge (If attacked)
((Modlock Removed))

Soundman makes his way across the battlefield unhindered. The trio of Mets stay under their helmets.

-----------
Summary
-----------

---Allies---
RuneCross-Soundman: 60 (80 HP Barrier)

---Enemies---

-Group 1-
MushyA: Deleted
MushyB: Deleted
MushyC: Deleted
ChampuA: Deleted
ChampuB: Deleted

-Group 2-
CanodumbA: Deleted
CanodumbB: Deleted
CanodumbC: Deleted
Shrubby: Deleted

-Group 3- [In a line, 2 Moves Ahead]
MetoolEXA: 70 (Defending)
MetoolEXB: 70 (Defending)
MetoolEXC: 70 (Defending)

-Group 4-
Spikey: Deleted
Spikey: Deleted
Spikey: Deleted
Spikey: Deleted

Terrain: 100% Normal
Soundknight- Soundman, rather- continued his sprint, artificial muscles in his arm tensed as they prepared to swing. The bells on Soundman's body produced a cacophony of sound as he neared the line of Metools, and his widesword began to vibrate a bassy hum as it absorbed the waves of sound.

And then he struck.

Soundman's arm lashed outward with an almost practiced ease, blade trailing behind it. The sword carved a brilliant blue arc through the air at the forefront of Soundman's perception, wrapped invisibly with a wave of sound that created a warbling echo as it swung.

The sword stopped-- through no small effort on Soundman's part, might I add-- before it whipped around enough to clip him in the shoulder.

Soundman stood, breathing heavily, waiting for a sign, any sign, that the battle was not yet over.

1-2: Move to Metools
3: Widesword (80 + BREAK @ All MetoolEX's)
4: Whine (80 @ Anything left)
The break imbued widesword attack smashes through the guards of the line of defending mettools. The mets are deleted as their helmets shatter, the whole lot of them disintegrating into fragmented data, then into oblivion.

SoundKnight stood victorious after a hard fought battle.

-----------
Summary
-----------

VICTORY!!

---Allies---
RuneCross-Soundman: 60
GET: 1,400Z, Shockwave

---The Defeated---
MushyA: Deleted
MushyB: Deleted
MushyC: Deleted
ChampuA: Deleted
ChampuB: Deleted
CanodumbA: Deleted
CanodumbB: Deleted
CanodumbC: Deleted
Shrubby: Deleted
MetoolEXA: Deleted
MetoolEXB: Deleted
MetoolEXC: Deleted
SpikeyA: Deleted
SpikeyB: Deleted
SpikeyC: Deleted
SpikeyD: Deleted

Terrain: 100% Normal
"Thus, I doth away." Soundknight moved as though to sheath his sword-

-And disappeared from the network.

((JACK OUT))