In Pursuit of Strength

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!!~

Fictious stared in bemusement as the trio of Fishy viruses performed their stunts, and, to his embarassment, succeeded in walking into a RockCube. He braced himself a comment from Morin, but was pleased to hear only silence.

Offline, Morin's eye was twitching at his navi's clumsiness, 'He could at least maintain some awareness of his surroundings. His dignity aside, that could have been a virus he walked into.' Despite his annoyance, Morin decided to spare Fictious any humiliation: he didn't approve of such cruelty.

Meanwhile, Fictious had come to his senses. Resting his back against the RockCube, he contemplated his course of action, 'I don't have any way to take them out quickly...unless I...

Reaching inwards, Fictious activated the SetSolar program that was installed in him.

'That should give me what I need. For now, though, I need to bide my time. I can't let them hit me, not until I pull this off.

As he focused on his need for safety, his signature Plot Armor activated. In a small flash of light, the word NECESSARIUM once again encircled his heart.

"Morin, I need you to send me the Numberball."

Trusting Fictious, Morin quickly slotted in the Battlechip.

Quickly summoning the chip data, Fictious focused in on his targets, 'They're roughly the same distance from me, and they've even been kind enough to land in formation. I'd guess that they're about 20 feet away. They're floating, so I'll need to hit directly: I can't count on a bounce or roll to hit them...I think that's basically all the issues. The ground's flat, so that won't be a problem...Yeah, I'm ready.

Carefully controlling his throw strength and angle, Fictious hurled the Numberball towards the trio of Fishys. As it flies towards the virus, splitting in three on its way, Fictious watches in anticipation.

'All I can do now, is hope.'

Summary:

*SetSolar NaviCustomizer Program

Action 1: Plot Armor: [HP Casing 40]; 1 TCD; Cost 40
(+5 HP from Solar Terrain)

Action 2: Take Aim @ FishyA, FishyB, and FishyC
(+5 HP from Solar Terrain)

Action 3: Numberball[Null 90 x 3 Targets]; Accuracy C + Take Aim @ FishyA, FishyB, and Fishy C
(+5 HP from Solar Terrain)


Signatures:
Climactic Finish: Ready!
Plot Armor: 1 Turn Cool Down

Fictious armored up, laid down some Solar Terrain, and took Aim at the Fishies as they drew into a line and accelerated to ramming speed.

Then came the NumberBalls! However only one NumberBall manages to strike the lead Fishy before the others behind him veer off. This causes one of the Fishies to miss completely, veering over the head of the Teddy virus; while the second crashes right through the RockCube right next to Fictious and then smashes through another RockCube on the other side of the battlefield, damaging both, though not itself because of the cone of energy Fishies project around them when they ram things.

The Kabutanks fired blindly from behind their cover to Fictious' position, and only managed to damage the RockCube he was using as cover some more.

Finally the Teddy dug its claws into the RockCube next to it and hurled it at Fictious. Destroying both the RockCube he hurled, as well as the damaged RockCube Fictious was using as cover. Leaving Fictious out in the open.

-Enemies-
FishyA: DELETED
FishyB: 90HP [South]
FishyC: 90HP [Currently behind RockCubeE]
Teddy: 100HP [South]
KabutankB: 90HP [Hiding behind RockCubeD]
KabutankC: 90HP [Hiding behind RockCubeD]

-Terrain-
80% Normal
20% Solar

-Objects-
RockCubeA: DELETED
RockCubeB: 200HP [East] [KabutankB and KabutankC]
RockCubeC: 200HP [West]
RockCubeD: DELETED
RockCubeE: 185HP [South] [FishyC]
RockCubeF: 200HP [South]

-Allies-
Fictious.EXE: 95HP [Solar] [25HP Casing]

Growling in frustration, Fictious could only watch in horror as his plans fell apart. Taking in the situation, he quickly called out to Morin, "Send the Shotgun, Morin."

"It's on its way. I sent some other help, as well."

Frowning at Morin's briefness, Fictious didn't have time to worry. The instant the Shotgun arrived, he activated it and took aim at the RockCube that was sheltering the pair of tanks. 'If I line this up right, I should be able to hit both tanks, as well.' Deciding to give it everything he has, Fictious infuses the chip with some additional power. '...That should help deal with the RockCube. Now, next...

He called up the second of the three chips Morin had sent him: A simple Cannon chip. As the cannon manifested over his arm, he fired it at the same RockCube, hopefully it would be knocked into one of the tanks.

With his assault complete, he immediately activated the final chip. In an instant, a familiar yellow shield appeared in his grasp. Bringing it up in his defense, he prepared for the onslaught.

Summary:
*Smash (Subtype Active Ability): Add Break
1)Shotgun(Null 50 + Spread 2(Subtype Passive Ability) + Break) @ RockCubeD, aiming for Kabutank B and Kabutank C as well

2)Cannon(Null 40 + Knockback) @ RockCubeD, aiming to cause a collision with Kabutank B

3)Guard1:[(1 Hit Shield) + (Reflect(Up to 60 + Piercing + Line Attack): On Hit)]; Accuracy S;

Signatures:
Climactic Finish: Ready!
Plot Armor: Ready!

[Sorry, I made a mistake in the notes of the previous mod post, RockCubeD was destroyed and was not the RockCube the Kabutanks were hiding behind. RockCubeB was the one they were hiding behind. I have made that correction and retargeted the Shotgun attack to RockCubeB.]

Fictious blasted the RockCube hiding the Kabutanks with a empowered Shotgun blast that penetrated through the block to hit one of the Kabutanks on the other side.

His Cannon then strikes the RockCube, which causes it to jolt, and it smashes into both of the Kabutanks hiding right behind it, deleting both.

The Navi then summons a Guard1 as the Fishies begin their attack run. The first one hits Fictious and smashes into his Guard1. The damage is reflected in a beam of energy that tags all three viruses and several of the RockCubes. The one by RockCubeE pierces through the RockCube for some damage and then misses Fictious. Finally the Teddy picks up one of the two remaining southern RockCubes and throws it at Fictious. It smashes into Fictious and shatters on his Casing.

Oh, and did I mention that Fictious was healing this whole time do to Solar recharge? No? Well he did.

-Enemies-
FishyA: DELETED
FishyB: 75HP [North]
FishyC: 75HP [North]
Teddy: 85HP [South]
KabutankB: DELETED
KabutankC: DELETED

-Terrain-
80% Normal
20% Solar

-Objects-
RockCubeA: DELETED
RockCubeB: 150HP [East]
RockCubeC: 200HP [West]
RockCubeD: DELETED
RockCubeE: DELETED
RockCubeF: 185HP [South]

-Allies-
Fictious.EXE: 100HP [Solar] [Casing Broken!!]

Not sparing a moment, Fictious quickly re-invoked his Plot Armor. As his causality-derived protection took form around him, he turned his attention to the biggest threat: the Teddy virus.

Outside, Morin's thoughts followed a similar track, and he sent Fictious a pair of chips, "Eliminate that bear virus. These RockCubes are doing it far to many favors."

Fictious nodded, but not before throwing back his response, "I will. You just send me the chip data." The retort fell a little flat, however, as the chips reached him mid sentence. He didn't let it distract him for long though, and quickly launched his assault.

First, a Cannon chip manifested by forming the familiar green cannon on his arm. Not hesitating, he quickly fired the shot off at the Teddy. Moments later, it was followed by the golden lightning of his Marublaster chip.

"Let's just hope this works, Morin. That Marublaster isn't the most accurate weapon we have..."

"Indeed. It was our best option, however. Getting close would have left us vulnerable to their attacks."

Barking a laugh, Fictious responded, "So serious, Morin. Have you finally decided to listen to reason?"

Offline, Morin glared down at his PET in irritation, "As if I would do such a thing! I am simply being expedient: This particular battle lacks the import to justify any great drama."

Fictious didn't dignify that with a response.

Summary:

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

Action 2: Cannon[Null 60 + Knockback] @ Teddy

Action 3: MaruBlaster1[Elec 60+Glitch]; Accuracy B (A after Sword or Melee) @ Teddy



Signatures:

Climactic Finish: Ready!
Plot Armor: 1 TCD