Shop Stop

- It looks like the goddess of luck is in a rather whimsical mood today, doesn't it...
- We'll talk about that later. - Said Tim in a calm tone. From his voice it was clear that he was really concentrating and thinking about the his best possible options. After Enchanter moved out of the last attack his operator slotted in the most powerful chip which they've got. - Enchanter, activate close combat mode.

The symbols on Enchanter's gloves started to glow with a red light and a beam of the same color raised from it. As the navi got a grip on it as it took the form of a sword.

- I really missed this feeling... - The words left his mouth as he took two swift steps and attacked his enemy's legs.

The fire navi never liked straightforward methods, and even behind this small slash there was a lot of thought. First is that attacks aiming at the lower body in close combat are rare so it should be quite unexpected. Second, the enemy has a shorter weapon so even if he noticed it in time it should be difficult to parry it. And third, even if he can parry it it makes his upper body vulnerable. All in all it wasn't a single slash so much as a it was the start of a combination. After the first strike Enchanter took a spin and stroke down with his sword from above. He felt that the timing was right but he didn't want to take reckless risks, so he stopped the chain of attacks at the slim number of two. He hold out his weapon in front of him as he jumped back trying to make the best use of his weapon's length.

-Summary-

1. Sword(80 + Slashing): ShadyMerchant.EXE
2. Sword(80 + Slashing): ShadyMerchant.EXE
3. Dodge
"A sword, huh? Two can play at that."

Enchanter's opponent rushed to meet him. The dagger in his hand lengthened, and he ran close to the ground.

He managed to get too close. A lucky break. The sword in Enchanter's stomach threw off his aim, and his slicing arm landed the sword harmlessly beside the ShadeyMerchant.

"Nothin' but skill. Maybe you shoulda tried pickin' on someone you could handle." his opponent sneered. Enchanter struck at him again, but the man took a leap backwards and managed to avoid the attack. The fact that he had just been roughed up pretty hard could have accounted for Enchanter's failure, but all the same he'd missed, again.

LadyLuck was out to get him.

He was about to get a fair chance, though. The Merchant rushed him once more, this time lofting the sack containign all his wares over his head. He swung it with a great deal of force, aiming for Enchanter's head. With the power and weight, that swing would have put him down for the count for sure.

However, Enchanter had anticipated an attack, and jumped back in time to avoid taking a nasty blow to the head, keeping him conscious for another round, and leaving his target in range and in view.


MISSION BATTLE SUMMARY:

Allies:
Enchanter.EXE: 60 HP

Opponents:
ShadyMerchant.EXE: 140 HP

Terrain:
100% Normal [Everywhere]
(( Sorry for the, khm "little" delay... ))

Enchanter set his teeth as the burning pain spread over his whole buddy. Ha wanted to take a few steps backwards and catch his breath, but he couldn't. He knew very well that if he stops even for a moment it would give an advantage to his enemy. He didn't know that his opponent would make use of that chance or not, but he was sure that it would be only a useless risk.

- Enchanter, it caused a hell lot of damage, you can take only two of these hits at most, so be careful.

-I know that dammit. - replied the navi in an angry tone. He was really irritated for letting in that thrust hit.

Timothy didn't know what should he say. They were already using their best chip and he didn't see any hints that could be used against the purple navi.
Enchanter dashed towards the merchant and when he stepped to the range of the enemy's attack, he broke his dash and with a fast direction change, he tried to avoid the attack which was was almost certain, that the enemy would do. After that he stroke down with his sword hoping that the purple navi can't avoid the counter. After the first cut he added a slash to it too, not letting the enemy taking back his stance.

-Summary-

1. Dodge
2. Sword(80 + Slashing): ShadyMerchant.EXE
3. Sword(80 + Slashing): ShadyMerchant.EXE
Magneto rushed in as the Shady character pulled a gun out of his bag. His sudden dodge, though, was too much for the villain. He had been just about ready to pull the trigger, when Magneto had dashed sideways.

ShadyMerchant tried to turn quickly to fix his shot, but fumbled with his gun, and could only begin to curse as he dropped the thing wrong and shot himself in the foot.

Howling in pain, he wasn't able to move out of to the position he'd planned to put himself in, but did manage to barely avoid being sliced in half by Magneto's sword.

Now clearly on the defensive, he tried to recover form. He pulled out his knife, and tried to get back up, to place it against Magneto's neck, but the crook was too slow, and could only fall glare angrily as the blade was knocked harmlessly aside by a swift blow from Magneto's sword.

ShadyMerchant didn't look happy at all. He was a couple steps away from Magneto now, having stumbled back a bit when his attack was parried.

Of course, Magneto hadn't really succeeded in dealing much damage. The opponent was still technically doing better than he was.

He had, on the other hand, entirely changed the momentum of the battle. This was starting to look worse for the Merchant.


MISSION BATTLE SUMMARY:

Allies:
Enchanter.EXE: 60 HP [Equip: Sword - 2 swings left]

Opponents:
ShadyMerchant.EXE: 100 HP

Terrain:
100% Normal [Everywhere]
These events were more than enough to blow away all of Enchanters doubts. Till now he wasn't sure, that the enemy is only lucky or he got some really amazing skills. Now he felt that he's stronger than the purple navi and his movements started to be sharper thanks to his confidence. Although he was still well aware that the enemy could use any kind of dirty tricks.

- The sword's energy is only enough for about two more slashes, after that we're switching to long range combat. - Tim informed his navi and put the remaining chips on the table before him, in a line, so he can chose as fast as he can, well not that there would be a too much to choose from.

- Fine by me. For now I'm concentrating on the enemy, so coming up with the plans is your job. - Replied Enchanter and with two fast steps he closed the distance between his enemy.

He knew that the merchant will take out a new weapon, but he already had his so he anticipated that he will be faster. The first strike was a horizontal cut, aiming at the torso of the purple navi. After that numerous cracks appeared on the glowing sword showing that it's "lifetime" is nearing its end shortly. Not knowing how much more it can endure, the second attack was aimed at the hands of the enemy, trying to knock out anything that he got in his hands, and if he's lucky he can even cut him while doing so. After that the blade shattered into countless little pieces and as the fragments were slowly dancing in the wind, becoming one with the net, it looked magnificent. Unfortunately Enchanter didn't have time to enjoy the view. After noticing that his weapon really broke he jumped back and tried to dodge his enemy's attack. He could feel that the outcome of the battle will be decided by the next few seconds...

-Summary-

1. Sword(80 + Slashing): ShadyMerchant.EXE
2. Sword(80 + Slashing): ShadyMerchant.EXE
3. Dodge
Enchanter took his blade and slash at the torso of his opponent. He'd meant to slice him up quite badly, but the Merchant had other plans, and he managed to roll quickly out of the range of the blade.

Enchanter turned to attempt another slash, and ShadyMerchant leapt forward, his own blade in hand, going for blood. Enchanter didn't have enough time to stop the attack, but by swinging his own sword up, he managed to cut his opponent.

With the force of his blade, he was able to narrowly avoid death, moving the knife from its intended target, his neck, down to his shoulder.

Both combatants stumbled a couple steps backwards, away from each other after the blows. After his opponent opened up his bag again, Enchanter had the good sense to sidestep a watery blow that harmlessly dampened the ground where he'd just been standing.

"Dang," the ShadyMerchant said, glaring at Enchanter with eyes full of anger, and a hint of what might have been concealed fear, "You ain't lookin' so good. This shouldn't take long." He sounded cocky, but based off his shortness of breath and the state he was in, it was probably a show.



MISSION BATTLE SUMMARY:

Allies:
Enchanter.EXE: 10 HP

Opponents:
ShadyMerchant.EXE: 20 HP

Terrain:
100% Normal [Everywhere]
Enhcanter came here to accomplish the mission which was given to him by the net police. It was his first time working for someone else and the reward was especially good too, so he wanted to leave a good impression. At the beginning everything was going smoothly, he easily found the only one who fitted the given description. At first he tried to talk with him politely, but it looked like a fight was unavoidable. He just tried to show off his strength and hoped that it would stop the meaningless fight and the merchant scram off, but nothing went as he expected...

Shortly he understood that his skills are still not even close to show off with. He got a serious wound from the merchant, right before he could cut the enemy, it was a real unfortunate, but thanks to that he found the true meaning of this battle. Now he didn't fight to fulfill his promise towards the netpolice nor for sentimental things like justice. There was one reason which easily overwhelmed the others. He was fighting for his life...

Enchanter didn't say a single word, he just reached out his right hand and waited a few moments. Flames started to pour out from his fingers and they formed a flaming ball as the Heatshot chip data arrived thanks to Tim. It looked like it was the most natural thing that an operator and a navi understand each other without words. When the download completed and all of the flames became part of the red sphere Enchanter shot it out towards the shady merchant. After that he jumped backwards trying to open more space between them. He concentrated on his defense because he know... no, he felt that it will be over soon.

-Summary-

1. Heatshot(45 Fire): ShadyMerchant.EXE
2. Dodge
3. Dodge
The battle was drawing to an exciting end. As Enchanter fired his ball of fire at the enemy, the ShadyMerchant pulled out a fireball of his own.

He was slow on the draw.

Before he could fire, he was engulfed in flames, dropping him to a critical level of health. It through off his aim; he threw the ball of fire off into the distance, screaming in frustration and pain.

He went off. He quickly hurled a ball of water at Enchanter, followed very quickly by a ring of electricity. Sadly for him, but luckily for all the others involved, Enchanter had focused on defense and dodged both these shots with ease.

The enemy looked on shocked. he couldn't believe how bad this was looking for him. he also didn't plan on taking any more risks.

"Fine, ya win this time, punk. . . But ya betta watch yourself. I. . .I won't go easy on you next time." He panted out angrily. And then he disappeared.

It was obvious that he'd decided escaping was his best bet.

However, while Enchanter may have been robbed of his finishing blow, he hadn't been robbed of his victory. He had vanquished his foe, and that was all the mission required. The vendor was unlikely to show up here again.

BATTLE VICTORY!
MISSION COMPLETE. REPORT TO BBS TO RECEIVE REWARD!
It was a wise decision for the merchant to escape and he did it just in time. The lights of the runes on Enchanters gloves started to fade away as he changed back from his battle mode. He took a deep breath and looked around carefully.

- It looks like everything is okay. - Said the navi at ease. - I'm ready to leave this place anytime.
- If there's nothing more to do then we should restore your data to it's original form and report back to the Netpolice. - Replied his operator, while putting away the battlechips.
- Tim, I need to get stronger...

And so the fire navi left the ACDC Net, with the blazing resolve to get stronger, after realizing that he's even weaker than he thought.