In Pursuit of Strength

Seeing his foe just too far out of reach he once more called upon his trusty flintlock pistol, though as it was raised to take aim, the barrel seemed to fatten up into that of a blunderbuss which he quickly fired upon the other navi with. Sadly the distance seemed too far for such an inaccurate weapon and the pellets went wide. "Useless device.." he said coldly as he toss the gun aside, instead bringing up a far more trusted device, his shield.

Which seemed a good idea as once Fictious had dawned his armor once more, he released a barrage of giant balls, each carrying the number 70 upon them as they rained down upon Riggs. The first to tearing apart his newly crafted shield like tinfoil before the third managed to slam into him, bringing the navi inches from death.

Seeing his foe so damaged the honorable navi seemed fit to try and strike Riggs down for good, but as that privateer dropped to one knee and turned to glare at his foe, that cannon blast fired his way. A smirk crossed his lips as he lit aglow before suddenly seeming to fade away for the briefest of moments, which seemed just long enough for the blast to pass right by harmlessly. Still the knight rose from his knee before flashing that same tell tell grin and took a slight bow. "Well then, you seem stronger then I'd have imagined nave, so I shall tip my blade to you this day. Seeing as it was quite the battle, I shall give you the spoils of my previous victim." Speaking such, the navi tugged a small pouch from his hip before tossing it to the ground between them.

"This day is yours, but do not believe our next meeting will be a repeat, her majesty and I will be watching you." Stepping back he glanced at his golden blade before scowling, "You were disappointing, I must improve this weakness." With that Riggs tossed the sword forward, letting it stab into the panel beside his pouch before promptly bowing and disappearing in a beam of light, signaling the end of the battle.

Boss
Riggs.EXE: EJO

Terrain
60% Normal
40% Metal [Road up Middle]

Ally
Fictious.EXE: 70HP [Metal] [Guard1 Equipped] [40HP Casing]

—Battle 5, Victory!—
Fictious: 400z, Elecknife

Quote ()

ElecKnife
Damage: 60 + Slashing
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a sword made of electrical energy, with a blade comparible to a large knife. Hits one target per slash.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 swings.
Element: Elec

Fictious's eyes widened in surprise as his shot passed through Riggs, leaving him untouched. Still, as his opponent spoke his parting words, he offerred a few of his own, "I'll look forward to the next time. Perhaps you will fair better...or perhaps not. Either way, you have proven yourself a worthy adversary.

As the knight vanished, Fictious collected the pouch of Zenny and drew the sword from the ground, "This blade may have failed him, but I believe it will serve me well.

Morin finally spoke up, "Well done, Fictious. Congratulations on your first victory against another navi.

Fictious smirked at the complement, only to frown after a moment, "Thanks. I wonder though, should we really be taking this Zenny? It's stolen, after all.

Morin laughed, much to Fictious's irritation, "Stolen isn't exactly the word I'd use. Netbattles often lead to a transfer of Zenny. It's a contest, with your possessions as the stakes. Besides that, we have no way of finding the original owner anyway.

Fictious still seemed bothered, but shrugged, "I suppose you're right. It's just...uncomfortable."

Outside, Morin nodded, "I suppose that's understandable. For now though, don't worry about it. If we ever find the owner, not that that's likely, we can always repay them out of pocket. For now, let's just move on. He paused, "Do you want to keep going? It's only going to get more dangerous from here."

Fictious didn't hesitate to nod, "I'm not stopping here. There's still plenty to be found here.

Morin, however, did hesitate, "...alright. Don't let your guard down though. Things are going to get dangerous.

"I won't." With that, Fictious proceeded deeper into ACDC Net.


[Awaiting Battle 6]

Deeper and deeper the lone navi traveled into the network, and soon he'd find that the once bright and peaceful network was starting to give way to a more often neglected zone. All over the place cracked or even completely broken terrain and lines of code seemed to have been corrupted or even outright missing. The cause of such mayhem wasn't hard to spot, as a group of viruses seemed hell bent on bring about destruction to the area, and when they spotted the lone navi venturing into their territory, well they just turned their sights on him instead!

Enemies [All enemies on normal unless specified]
CannonDumb A: 50HP
CannonDumb B: 50HP
PulseBat A: 80HP [High Altitude]
PulseBat B: 80HP
Shrubby A: 50HP [Behind CannonDumb A]
Shrubby B: 50HP [Behind CannonDumb B]

Terrain
40% Normal
40% Cracked [Scattered]
30% Missing [Scattered]

Ally
Fictious.EXE: 70HP [Normal]

—Battle 6, Start!—

Carefully navigating the ravaged landscape, Fictious took in the assembly of viruses before him.

"This is getting dangerous, but I think I can take it. Morin, do you have what I need?"

Outside, Morin, nodded, "I'm sending your chips with haste. I believe some mass destruction is in order."

Two pieces of Chip Data quickly bloomed within the navi's mind. The first chip, the Shotgun chip, quickly transmuted his right arm into the familiar viridian cannon.

Lining up his shot quickly, he fired one of Cannondumb's that the Shrubby's had so kindly aligned themselves behind.

As the Shotgun vanished, a black ball adorned with the number 70 appeared in his hand.

Considering his targets quickly, he aimed for the other Cannondumb, the other Shrubby, and the lower flying PulseBat, being careful to lob it high enough to hit the last.

As the ball split into a trio of duplicates, he could only hope for his success.

Summary:

1) Shotgun[Null 50+Spread1]; Accuracy A @ Cannondumb A with intention of hitting Shrubby A

2) Take Aim

3) Numberball1[Null ?? x 3 Targets]; Accuracy C + Take Aim; Damage is equal to last 2 HP Digits

[Please make sure to point out which viruses you target with the Numberball1 in the summary next time.]

The viridian cannon blasted the CannonDumb with the force of a shotgun, deleting it. However, the blast did not penetrate through the hard metal casing of the virus to strike at the Shrubby behind it, leaving it very much alive.

Then the Navi lobbed/rolled a splitting ball of numbers at his enemies. Two of them rolled right past their intended targets, while the third managed to strike the PulseBat in the face as it tried to take off high into the air, severely wounding it before it could move into high altitude.

The viruses then launched their counterattack on the lone Navi. The remaining CannonDumb launched a cannon shell that went right over the Navi's head, dropping off into a hole in the Network. However, the PulseBat that started the battle in the air dropped down and unleashed a high-frequency screech that caused the Navi to grasp his head and feel his body molecules reverberate unhealthily, like he was coming apart at the seams.

Finally, the Shrubbies tossed a few logs around, which did nothing but fall into the holes scattered around the battlefield.

Enemies [All enemies on normal unless specified]
CannonDumb A: DELETED
CannonDumb B: 50HP
PulseBat A: 80HP
PulseBat B: 10HP [High Altitude]
Shrubby A: 50HP
Shrubby B: 50HP

Terrain
40% Normal
40% Cracked [Scattered]
30% Missing [Scattered]

Ally
Fictious.EXE: 40HP [Normal]

Watching as his partner crashed to the ground, clutching his head, Morin's eyes shot open as he scrambled to respond.

Searching his chips and grimacing, he realized that he couldn't help Fictious immediately. 'It looks like the best I can do is give him a better defense, and maybe...yes, I think Marublaster should work." He slotted his chips in, cringing at his partner's pain, "Stand up, Fictious! This is not your time to die!"

Fictious himself was still suffering from the pain of that last, attack. His mind was overwhelmed by pain, and his thoughts almost entirely drowned out by that horrible screeching.

'...I'm...going...to...be...deleted. I'm severely damaged...and immobilized by this pain. All I can do...is hope that EJO...

Suddenly, he heard his partner's words, "Stand up, Fictious! This is not your time to die!"

Gritting his teeth, Fictious tried to pull himself up, 'Morin, this is pointless. My body is to severely damaged too win this. So, why? Why should I bother?'

He didn't need Morin to know the answer he would have recieved, 'Because this is not how you should be defeated. Drama dictates that you can only fall while achieving your destiny, not while fighting a common virus.'

'How ridiculous. That kind of logic...is not logic at all. Despite that though...'

Fictious stood up, "This is your win, Morin. I'll win this, in defiance of reason.

Suddenly, the word NECESSARIUM appeared over his heart. The protection of the plot enfolded him, and he knew that his foes would have little success in harming him.

Sensing the Chip Data that Morin had sent, he called it forth. A bright yellow shield appeared in his left hand, offering protection. His right hand came alight with the golden radiance of his Marublaster's lightning.

Bringing his shield up, he thrust his arm out at the PulseBat which had cause him such suffering.

Summary:

1) Plot Armor: [HP Casing 40]; 1 TCD; Cost 40

2) Guard1: [(1 Hit Shield) + (Reflect(Up to 60 + Piercing + Line Attack): On Hit); Accuracy S; Negated by Break; Ignores Impact; Blocks Debuffs

3) Marublaster: [Elec 65+Glitch]; Accuracy B @ PulseBat A

Signatures:

Plot Armor: 1TCD

Climactic Finish: Ready!

Fictious armored up and tasered the PulseBat before it could ascend into High Altitude. The electricity not only caused a lot of pain to the virus, it also messed up the bat's navigation. It began fluttering randomly about high up in the air.

A small red light lit up on the CannonDumb's turret and focused on Fictious as the virus took the time to aim at the Navi. It would not miss a second time... That is, unless the Navi took cover quickly.

The Shrubbies tossed some more logs out as the previous PulseBat dropped back down to shriek at the Navi. The screech smashed into the Guard and reflected back upon the PulseBat, deleting it, before the Guard shattered under the vibrations. Without the shield to protect him, Fictious was assaulted by logs. Thankfully, his Plot Armor held back the worst of it, leaving him unharmed.

Enemies [All enemies on normal unless specified]
CannonDumb A: DELETED
CannonDumb B: 50HP [Marked Target: Fictious.EXE]
PulseBat A: 15HP [High Altitude] [Glitch: Weaving Randomly]
PulseBat B: DELETED
Shrubby A: 50HP
Shrubby B: 50HP

Terrain
40% Normal
40% Cracked [Scattered]
30% Missing [Scattered]

Ally
Fictious.EXE: 40HP [Normal] [20HP Casing] [Guard1: Broken!] [Marked]

[Weaving Randomly Glitch: +10% Dodge bonus for one turn and the virus can only make Dodge actions while glitched.]

Watching as the logs fell to pieces moments before hitting him, Fictious quickly swung his eyes over across the field. He caught sight of the glowing light on the Cannondumb's cannon, and quickly called to Morin, "Give me a hand here! That things got a lock on me!"

Morin's mind raced as he reviewed his chips, 'I already sent him the shield, so that's out. I don't have another...but maybe...'

He slotted in a chip, "This should serve your purpose. Don't hesitate."

Fictious held his hand out as he unleashed the chip data. A sparking current of golden electricity shot up his arm, only to ripple out from his palm and take form. In his grip, lightning turned to crystal in a flash of light.

Where once there had been empty air, there was now a sword of golden crystal. Within its intricate matrices, flashes of golden static still leaped about furiously and gave the sword a golden inner light.

Taking Morin's advice, he didn't hesitate as he brought the sword up as quickly as possible to block the cannon's incoming shot.

As soon as the cannon blast resolved itself, he lunged for the nearest Shrubby and sliced towards it with his newly forged blade in hopes of ending the menacing flora.

Summary:

1) Block Cannondumb Shot with ElecKnife: [Elec 65 + Slashing]; Accuracy B; Sword Type

2) Movement: Lunge towards Shrubby

3) ElecKnife: [Elec 65 + Slashing]; Accuracy B; Sword Type @ Shrubby A


Signatures:

Plot Armor: Ready!
Climatic Finish: Ready!

Equipment:
ElecKnife [4/6]

(bump)

(bump)

Fictious probably had a good 60% chance of slicing a highly-accurate bullet speeding toward him in half.

Unfortunately by some dumb luck, he missed completely and took the shot in the shoulder, shattering the rest of his armor. The energy he might've used to block the shot, remained in the knife, however.

Though somewhat defenseless, this story's protagonist took the chance to shred the first Shrubby in sight, possibly making it into a nice hedge sculpture of a dove before it completely disintegrated into nothing.

The final Shrubby rolled another log toward Fictious, tripping him up a little, but nothing major.

It looked like that bat was finally coming down.

Enemies [All enemies on normal unless specified]
CannonDumb A: DELETED
CannonDumb B: 50HP
PulseBat A: 15HP [High Altitude]
PulseBat B: DELETED
Shrubby A: DELETED
Shrubby B: 50HP

Terrain
40% Normal
40% Cracked [Scattered]
30% Missing [Scattered]

Ally
Fictious.EXE: 30HP [Normal][ElecKnife 5/6]

Calling his armor back to his defense, Fictious contemplated his options. The CannonDumb was more accurate, clearly, but the Shrubby's Wood element represented a greater threat if it made contact.

'The Cannondumb probably can't pierce my armor, but the Shrubby almost certainly would. Once that PulseBat gets back into range, I'm going to need whatever protection I can get, so...

Fictious leapt towards the Shrubby, hoping to avoid the gravity-bound logs of his target. As the Shrubby grew large in his sight, he lashed out with a violent slash of his blade, hoping to end the virus swiftly.

Summary:

1) Plot Armor: [HP Casing 40]; 1 TCD

2) Movement: Leap through the air, aiming to land next to Shrubby B.

3) ElecKnife: [Elec 65 + Slashing]; Accuracy B; Sword Type @ Shrubby B


Signatures:

Plot Armor: 1TCD
Climatic Finish: Ready!

Equipment:
ElecKnife [4/6]

Making a deft defying leap after shielding himself up in armor, Fictious closed the gap between himself and the Shrubby virus. Much to the creatures surprise as it could hardly react before his electric blade slashed the virus in half, deleting it painfully. And while his circus act caused the cannon to miss him completely, the PulseBat seemed far more used to moving targets, and blasted him with its sonic blast(-30).

Enemies [All enemies on normal unless specified]
CannonDumb A: Deleted
CannonDumb B: 50HP
PulseBat A: 15HP
PulseBat B: Deleted
Shrubby A: Deleted
Shrubby B: Deleted

Terrain
40% Normal
40% Cracked [Scattered]
30% Missing [Scattered]

Ally
Fictious.EXE: 30HP [Normal] [10HP Casing] [ElecKnife 5/6]

Wincing at his near-reunion with the Pulse Bat's sonic attack, Fictious decided that now was not the time for introspection, regardless of the nature of his abilities.

Instead, he called out to Morin, "Send me the Cannon, Morin. I hate to rush you, but..."

Offline, Morin quickly drew the chip and slotted into the side of his book-like PET and responded to his Navi, "The chip is on its way. Don't waste a second, Fictious.

The Navi nodded, and rushed the remaining Cannondumb while the Cannon was loading. The moment it came within his reach, he lashed out towards it with a vicious thrust of the golden blade.

In the next instant, the Cannon battlechip's data made itself manifest as he called it forth. Turning rapidly towards the Pulsebat, he unleashed his new weapon upon the virus and hoped for a hit.

Summary:

1) Movement: Charge towards Cannondumb B

2) ElecKnife: [Elec 65 + Slashing]; Accuracy B; Sword Type @ Cannondumb B

3) Cannon: [Null 40+Knockback]; Accuracy A @ PulseBat A

Signatures:

Plot Armor: Ready!
Climactic Finish: Ready!

(bump)

(bump)

(bump)

Rushing the final viruses in a bid to end the battle, Fictious buried his short blade into the immobile CannonDumb with a vicious crackling result. The virus instantly burst into junk data, but Fictious was more concerned with drawing a bead on his next target. The weakened PulseBat was unable to avoid the Navi's shot, the Cannon blast deleting it cleanly and leaving the battlefield devoid of foes.

Enemies [All enemies on normal unless specified]
CannonDumb A: Deleted
CannonDumb B: Deleted
PulseBat A: Deleted
PulseBat B: Deleted
Shrubby A: Deleted
Shrubby B: Deleted

Terrain
40% Normal
40% Cracked [Scattered]
30% Missing [Scattered]

Battle 6 Complete!

Ally
Fictious.EXE: 30HP

Rewards:
Cannon battlechip data
450z

Relief hits Fictious hard as he watches the infuriating chiropteran vanish from existence. The data from the fallen viruses coalesces around him, and he gatheres it unto himself.

Locating the Zenny, he quickly loads them into Morin's PET. As he takes in the Cannon chip, he smiles.

'These things may not be the strongest, but they're definitely reliable. My first served me well, and I'm sure this one will too.'

"Morin, I don't think I can keep going like this. I'd like to keep going, but in this condition..."

Morin nods, "You're correct. It was reckless of us to go into that battle, considering your injuries. If we're going to proceed, I'll need to use our remaining MiniEnergy chip. As much as it pains me to say it, I believe it might be best for us to depart. We may return later."

Fictious pauses to consider the decision, 'If we leave, I can come back with better upgrades. On the other hand, I still won't know my limit. I want to see how strong I am, not give up. That's not exactly unreasonable, so proceeding won't be a win for Morin. I guess, yeah, I know my decision.'

"Use the chip, Morin."

Outside, Morin had been contemplating the situation himself.

'Proceeding deeper is highly dangerous. As much as I dislike giving up, I need to give Fictious this victory. We have to do the reasonable thing this time...that's all there is to it.

As he heard Fictious's command, however, his eyes widened, 'Wait...really? He wants to keep going? Isn't that what I should be saying?'

"If you're sure, then...alright. Don't waste your strength though, okay? This is our last chance to heal."

Fictious nods in understanding as Morin inserts the chip. The bright light that Fictious is coming to recognize as the effect of the MiniEnergy subchip envelops him, and he exhales in relief as much of the pain from the battle fades away.

As the light vanishes, Fictious inspects his body. His findings are confirmed by Morin, "That repaired almost all of the damage, Fictious. You should be find for the next battle. Like I said though, don't be reckless. This is all the energy you have left."

Fictious nods, "I'll put it to good use.

With that, Fictious proceeds deeper into network.


Summary:

MiniEnergy Subchip (Heal 50)


[Awaiting Next Battle]

Three Fishy viruses soared over Fictious' head as he traveled, doing an Aileron roll, with smoke trailing behind them. The smoke weaved together in an impressive tail. But Fictious was snapped back from his craning head when he accidentally bumped into a RockCube sitting in his path. The large stone block was just sitting there... and there were more.

To each side there was another large stone block, and across the field there were three more stone blocks. He noticed two tank barrels poking over the side of one block to his east, and a hairy bear-like form behind one of the southern blocks.

The Fishy viruses completed a Split-S some distance away and began rapidly approaching from behind.

-Enemies-
FishyA: 90HP [Behind Fictious] [1 Move Away]
FishyB: 90HP [Behind Fictious] [1 Move Away]
FishyC: 90HP [Behind Fictious] [1 Move Away]
Teddy: 100HP [In-front of Fictious] [Behind RockCubeB]
KabutankB: 90HP [In-front of Fictious] [Hiding behind RockCubeD]
KabutankC: 90HP [In-front of Fictious] [Hiding behind RockCubeD]

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Objects-
RockCubeA: 200HP [North] [Fictious]
RockCubeB: 200HP [East] [KabutankB and KabutankC]
RockCubeC: 200HP [West]
RockCubeD: 200HP [South] [Teddy]
RockCubeE: 200HP [South]
RockCubeF: 200HP [South]

-Allies-
Fictious.EXE: 80HP [Next to RockCubeA]

~Battle 7: Start!!~