The Karate Kid, Part III

Time to jam!
The team looks around wildly, trying to take in the situation. Unbridled chaos and destruction burn around them. There's no time for talk, diplomacy or hesitation. This is why Musou trains, because sometimes action is the only solution.

That navi burning things down had to be taken out and the net denizens had to be helped, including the group he bumped into earlier. First thing was first though, a bunch of viruses split off to engage him and that would keep them from from doing more harm to innocents, he hoped.

Arteru hunkers down and watches for incoming fire. It was pretty lame, he thought, that he couldn't do much to help Musou out but he would get stronger eventually. He just had to stay alive now.

"Sensei, I don't have time to waste, give me the best chips right now!", Musou said as he clenched his fists. The navi locked his senses onto the group of enemies even as he felt the chip data enter his mind. Golden energy swirled around him and took form into a pair of metallic green wings. The navi hovered a few inches off the ground as the wings rose and when they thrust down with a powerful beat, the martial artist was off across the battlefield in a blur.

He spins and turns as he flies, the wings extending as he nears the viruses into razor-sharp blades. As his forward momentum stops, the navi spins in the air and pulls back to line up his next blow. Instead of vanishing like one would expect, the first pair of green wings becomes less distinct, more phantasmal as a second pair of wings sprouts from above the first set on his back. The lower wings adjust down into a lower, inverted position and both sets of wings spread as he pulls off the ground once again.. And flies in another deadly green blur towards the viruses!

Arteru - Dodge!
Passive Sig "Attunement" (take aim) To line up viruses, or at least avoid allies!
1 - Use Battlechip: DashAttack1 (90+Impact+LineAttack5) @ SpikeyA

2 - Move to line up any more viruses! (Feint)

3 - DashAttack1 (90+Impact+LineAttack5) @ KabutankB

[Passive Sig "Attunement" USED (pre-action 1)]
[Battlechips Used: DashAttack1, DashAttack1]
The first charge takes out a Spikey and Kabutank. They both explode in flames and junk data as Musou plows through them.

Spinning around to line up the viruses, the Champu teleports in and lands one burning punch out of two into Musou's gut.

Two bombs launch from the surviving Kabutank and explode harmlessly off away from the Navi and his SP. But as Musou charges again, the Spikey dodges out of the way and launches a fireball at Arteru. Arteru tries to dodge out of the way but isn't fast enough. An emergency ejection beam sends him back to the PET moments before he was almost deleted by the searing heat.

"Hahahaha! YES! YESS!! Burn that Navi and his pup to the ground!" the pyro-Navi gleefully shouted from his perch as the fireball consumed the SP. "Show them the power of your flames!"

Musou's counterattack takes out the last Kabutank. Leaving the Champu that punched him and the Spikey that fried his friend very much alive.

-Viruses-
ChampuA: 60HP
SpikeyA: 90HP
SpikeyB: DELETED
KabutankA: DELETED
KabutankB: DELETED

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Musou.EXE: 200HP
Arteru.SP: EJO
Musou clenches his teeth through the blow while his wings fade completely into ambient data and the navi comes back to the ground. He growls "Arteru, no", and tightens his fists.

Kenji interjects before the navi becomes enraged however, "Musou! I got him, h-he jacked back into the PET at the last second. It says data recovering but it will take time.. Just fight don't worry about him"

The navi nods and looks to the Champu that had struck him earlier. Faster then a person could blink, Musou was gone and behind the virus, with a flying kick incoming to the thing's head. the navi spun in the air, golden energy gathering into one of his hands, leaping like electricity as it jumped around him. Finishing the spin, he sent the blow the Champu's way, hoping to stun it.

Following the stun (which Musou hadn't used in a long time), he reached out to grab the virus and (if it was stunned), use it as a 'human' shield against any incoming blows from the Spikey.

1 - Activate Sig "Flash Kick": [ Teleport + 20 (Melee); 3 TCD ] @ ChampuA

2 - Activate Sig "Stunning Blow": [10 Stun1, (Melee); 1 TCD ] @ ChampuA

3 - Grab ChampuA, use as body shield.

[Passive Sig "Attunement" UNUSED]
[Battlechips Used: DashAttack1, DashAttack1]
[Sig Flash Kick cooldown: 3]
[Sig Stunning Blow cooldown 1]
Musou "Flash Kicked" the Champu in the head and then struck it again in the back with a "Stunning Blow" paralyzing the virus. Then the Navi grabbed it and used it as a shield as the Spikey shot a fireball at him. The Champu took the blow, but the fire spread around the virus and struck Musou as well.

"What are you doing? Don't attack each other, attack him!" The unknown Navi on the rooftop bellowed.

-Viruses-
ChampuA: 15HP [Stunned!]
SpikeyA: 90HP
SpikeyB: DELETED
KabutankA: DELETED
KabutankB: DELETED

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Musou.EXE: 185HP
Arteru.SP: EJO
As flames billow around the Champu he is holding and singe him, Musou winces and frowns. Yeah that didn't exactly work how it was supposed to. His pride asside, he was made of pretty tough stuff so he would get over it. In fact -- the navi released the virus in his grip as he took a moment to focus and attune himself to his surroundings. Feel out his energy, the viruses energy, the flow of data. It would be hard, if not impossible, for him to describe to someone else really. Not just because it was a strange, almost unnatural experience for a navi (or anyone really) to have. Also, just because he had worked on focus and strived towards discipline didn't mean the melee brute was a wise master yet.

Kenji shuffled a couple battle chips in his hand, wondering what, if anything his navi needed. He had trained him though, and they had been busting for a decent amount of time. He felt it better not to second-guess Musou in combat situations by now. Still though, surely it would be more efficient to use a chip here? Maybe his navi didn't want efficient anymore, since he clearly held the fire navi's attention. Could be he was stalling a little to give the survivors more time to flee? Maybe he was just hiding his further power from the guy? Both?

Without further adieu, Musou threw a kick towards the Champu -- while he was tracking data, the navi not only had a good sense of how strong his attacks were, but also of his enemy's strength -- but he wasn't done. He had fought plenty of Champus before and knew how much they liked to teleport around, so he felt out with his senses and threw a hastily-charged ball of energy towards where he assumed the virus was heading.

1 - Activate Sig "Absorb Data": [Opponent(Deleted): 30 Healing; 1 TCD]

2 - Normal Attack (melee) [(2+1)x5]=10+Break @ ChampuA

Passive Sig "Attunement" (Take Aim) @ ChampuA
3 - Normal Attack (Shot) [(2+1)x5]=10+Break @ ChampuA

[Passive Sig "Attunement" USED (Pre-action 3)]
[Battlechips Used: DashAttack1, DashAttack1]
[Sig Flash Kick cooldown: 2]
[Sig Stunning Blow cooldown: 0 READY]
[Sig Absorb Data cooldown: 1]
Musou activated his signature data absorption signature and laid a kick to the Champu, but the Champu disappeared... to return right where it started and laid one of its two punches into the Navi.

Musou shrugs off the attack and blasts the Champu with a ball of energy. The Spikey then blasts Musou with its own fireball. The blast penetrates through the Champu to get to Musou, deleting it and infusing its essence in Musou, healing him. The Navi was only marginally healthier than when he started this round.

"One on one now huh? Give a good show kid, my dog is going to eat you for lunch!" The unknown Navi on the rooftop remarked.

-Viruses-
ChampuA: DELETED
SpikeyA: 90HP
SpikeyB: DELETED
KabutankA: DELETED
KabutankB: DELETED

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Musou.EXE: 190HP
Arteru.SP: EJO
(( Apparently I can't do simple math. My basic buster doesn't do 10 dmg a shot. (2+1)x5 is 15 ))

Musou doesn't say anything. Oh sure, he wants to. He wants to be smug, and superior; ask this guy how this one 'pet' is expected to be any different than the others that are deleted. But not only would Kenji yell at him but Mr-confidant navi might go back to shooting innocents if he did that so he holds his tongue.

Instead, Musou wastes no time closing distance with the virus, charging and locking on with his sixth sense while he moves. He sent a stunning blow the Spikey's way, aiming to not only immobilize the virus but to also send the message to the navi watching that Musou hasn't got any other tricks to speak of. To send to message home, he has an idea.

"Hey boss, pass me that one chip. The cannon" Since Musou is a good ways away from the fire navi, he assumes the guy can't hear any return conversation and just waits a moment to add "What do you mean you lost it? We don't have a lot of chips man! What else we got?" Another pause "What do you mean what do I mean, I mean what else came in the navi starter kit?? Claws or something? Give me that!"

Kenji, for a moment at least, is at a loss. Did Musou just call him 'boss'? But he catches on quick what the navi hopes to do and just sends him the rageclaw. As chip data fills his mind, Musou extends the claws in a showy and exaggerated manor that pretty much just wastes time and looks like he is a poser. He has been around his friend, AwesomeMan for awhile and knows just how to act like a poser.

1 - Movement (Next to SpikeyA)

Passive Sig "Attunement" (Take Aim) @ SpikeyA
2 - Activate Sig "Stunning Blow": [10 Stun1, (Melee); 1 TCD ] @ SpikeyA

3 - Taunt/Act useless to navi watching

[Rageclaw: 6 uses left]
[Passive Sig "Attunement" USED (Pre-action 2)]
[Battlechips Used: DashAttack1, DashAttack1, Rageclaw1]
[Sig Flash Kick cooldown: 1]
[Sig Stunning Blow cooldown: 1]
[Sig Absorb Data cooldown: 0 READY]
The Spikey and the Navi charged each other. The Spikey opened its mouth to shoot a fireball, but Musou decked it in the jaw. The Spikey was stunned, and a little sore in the jaw region. "Ooo!" The unknown Navi on the rooftop grimaced. "I felt that one."

Then Musou equipped a RageClaw1 and continued his act of being AWESOME!! The pyro-Navi watched with a smirk. "What's wrong? Losing steam? Did losing your doggie cripple your ability to put up a fight?"

-Viruses-
ChampuA: DELETED
SpikeyA: 80HP [Stunned!]
SpikeyB: DELETED
KabutankA: DELETED
KabutankB: DELETED

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Musou.EXE: 190HP [RageClaw1: 6/6]
Arteru.SP: EJO
Good, the virus was buying into the act. Might as well milk it for all it's worth.

"D-don't talk about my doggie! I'll finish this with these sweet claws! Yeah" The navi cringed inwardly. This pretty much went against everything he trained for but psychological warfare was an important part of combat too.

Without further adieu, and with very little grace, Musou tries to give the remaining virus the old chop chop chop.

1 - Rageclaw1 (40+Slashing) @ SpikeyA

2 - Rageclaw1 (40+Slashing) @ SpikeyA

3 - Rageclaw1 (40+Slashing) @ SpikeyA

[Rageclaw: 3 uses left]
[Passive Sig "Attunement" Unused
[Battlechips Used: DashAttack1, DashAttack1, Rageclaw1]
[Sig Flash Kick cooldown: 0 READY]
[Sig Stunning Blow cooldown: 0 READY]
As the Spikey recovered, Musou sliced the virus up with a RageClaw1, deleting it. "Hmmph." the Navi on the rooftop grumbled. "I guess you have some moves huh? Well you're too late playing hero. This entire town is burning to the ground."

Looking around, the other viruses that were fighting earlier nearby were all scattered around, looking dead. The Miner from before was laying out flat on its back, one of its legs missing. Its canine comrades were laid out around it, some clearly in worse shape than others. But they gave as good as they got, as their opponents were all dead or dying around them. All the buildings around were on fire or collapsing. The ground was pockmarked with rubble and craters. Clearly the damage had been done.

It would be a while before a repair crew came to fix this place up. And it was unclear if there was anything alive enough to save here. Though it was possible that there might be elsewhere that could use some damage control. Perhaps there were others that Musou could save from the other burning and unstable areas in town.

The Navi stood up. "You'd better run while you can, before I burn you down too."

Choice: Leave or Fight?

-Viruses-
ChampuA: DELETED
SpikeyA: DELETED
SpikeyB: DELETED
KabutankA: DELETED
KabutankB: DELETED

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Musou.EXE: 190HP [RageClaw1: 3/6]
Arteru.SP: EJO

~Battle 4: Victory!!~
Rewards: Heatshot, 360z
Musou frowns as he surveys the damage. Yeah that didn't work out as he had planned.. He mentally kicks himself as he is apparently punished for the one time he didn't psychotically dive in.

The navi heads to the miner and it's canine companions and holds out one of his hands, even as the claws retract back into his fingerless gloves. It looks like Musou wants to offer them a chance to be saved and sent back to his homepage via an emergence jack out, even if it's not exactly advisable to allow viruses in. Everyone deserved a chance to live.

He glances back up to the fire navi and keeps a calm exterior. Yeah, too many innocents had been burnt by this navi. Enough was enough, he would take the jerk down or die trying.

Following the results with the miner and his companions--which by the way a nervous Kenji would be trying to adapt their homepage to accept the viruses and work on repairing them, if possible--Musou activates his flash kick, something the navi may or may not have seen already, and zooms in a blink up to the rooftop with him.

Suddenly, his demeanor is very different "You maniac, this isn't your playground to hurt others. I'm gonna end you!"

[Fight!]
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" the Navi laughed as he became visible. He was wearing bright red armor with black highlights. His head was completely concealed in a hooded-helmet that seemed to fuse with the chestplate. Most of the suit seemed to be one piece, like a radiation suit. A canister on the Navi's back connected to hoses that ran over his arms and ended connected to his gloves. He had large armored gauntlets over his hands and each palm had an opening nozzle. His feet had similar armored boots and greaves.

He opened his hands to the sky and sprayed several jets of fire out of them. The area was getting uncomfortably hot. Heated steam was seeping through the cracks in the roof boards. "I will burn you to the ground!"

-Boss-
Red Heel-Navi: 300HP

-Terrain-
100% Normal [For Now]

-Challenger-
Musou.EXE: 190HP

~Battle 5: Start!!~
The time for talk is over, and hopefully he has misled his opponent enough to give him a window of opportunity.

He clenches his teeth and runs towards the flaming navi, as Kenji slides in a pair of battle chips for him to use. Barely giving the green wings time to appear on his back, the martial arts navi flies in a blur at him, both seeking to close distance and stop him as quickly as possible. To that end, Musou aims to deliver his old one-two combo of stunning fist and machine gun at point blank range, as soon as he lands. If that doesn't wrap things up, well.. Hopefully he survives the retaliation.

Golden energy coursing down one hand, going for a stun, while he opens his palm flat with the other, energy buildings for a barrage of shots, Musou unleashes.. Er.. Himself?

1 - Use Battlechip DashAttack1 (90+Impact+LineAttack5) @ Boss

Passive Sig "Attunement" (Take Aim) @ Boss
2 - Activate Sig "Stunning Blow" [10 Stun1, (Melee)1TCD]

3 - Use Battlechip MachineGun1 (30 x 9 Shots + Spray Fire)

[Passive Sig "Attunement" USED]
[Battlechips Used: DashAttack1, MachineGun1]
[Sig Stunning Blow cooldown: 1]
Musou charges the Red Heel-Navi who gleefully cackles as he turns his nozzles to face Musou. "Burn!" he yells as the nozzles belch fire at Musou as he charges. The stream of fire from a FireBurn1 burns Musou (-50HP to Musou), but Musou collides full-tilt into the Red Heel-Navi and bowls him over (-90HP to Red Heel-Navi). "Ooof!"

As the Red Heel-Navi rights himself, Musou takes aim and delivers his patented Stunning Blow (tm). Unfortunately, though right on target, the Red Heel-Navi manages to dodge the attack at the last moment.

Musou lays a storm of MachineGun1 blows upon the Red Heel-Navi, managing an astonishing four hits. The Red Heel-Navi shoots a fiery HeatShot in retaliation, but misses from disorientation. "Lucky hits. But you won't get lucky again."

As the two fight, smoke begins rising through the shingles of the roof in various places. The temperature seems to be rising all around the two. Who knows how long they could stand the heat.

-Boss-
Red Heel-Navi: 90HP [Normal]

-Terrain-
90% Normal
10% Furnace [Scattered]

-Challenger-
Musou.EXE: 140HP [Normal]
Musou grits his teeth, trying to endure the pain of being torched, not to mention the rising heat. He had to end this asap, since he assumed his opponent was going to have no trouble with intense flames.

Was being a serious fighter, who tried to remain calm, worth passing over a witty one-liner before he launched himself into a series of attacks? Not on your life, Musou was a HERO, after all.

"Time to snuff you out, pyro boy", Musou said as he clenched a fist, raised a chest-level, while pointing at the bad navi with his other hand. Back at home, Kenji blinked and cleared his throat, just letting a moment of awkward silence pass. He had told his navi not to talk smack before, but if he was going to not listen, he could at least try to make it actually clever. He.. Just passes Musou a sword chip, hoping that would bring this all to an end fast.

Chip data entering his mind, the martial artist holds out his hand and data materializes in his hand to form a Chinese martial arts' sword, a jian. He considers for a moment.. He was a melee type, and a karate fighter. What the heck was he going to do with a Chinese sword? Put the pointy end into the other guy, as the saying goes. Well, he hoped anyway. But he was sure as hell not about to do any of that fancy kung fu twirling and swaying with it.

The navi vanishes in a blur as his energy signature leaps to a point behind the blazing bad guy! Oh, and the explosive kick! That would hopefully shut the guy up, yeah. The melee navi then gracelessly begins hacking at his opponent mercilessly. Kenji wanted him to use a freakin' sword? He would use a sword.

Passive Sig "Attunement" (Take Aim)
1 - Activate Sig "Flash Kick" (Teleport + 20 (Melee); 3 TCD) @ Boss
2 - Sword (80+Slashing, up to 6 uses) @ Boss
3 - Sword (80+Slashing) @ Boss

[Sword Uses Left: 4]
[Passive Sig "Attunement" USED (pre-action1)]
[Battlechips Used: DashAttack1, MachineGun1,Sword]
[Sig Stunning Blow cooldown: 0 READY]
[Sig Flash Kick cooldown: 3]
Musou teleports behind the Red Heel-Navi and delivers a kick to his backside. The Red Heel-Navi tries to turn to the side, but fails to dodge out of the way before he is struck by the kick (-20HP to Red Heel-Navi). "Ooof!"

The Red Heel-Navi spins around and pulls a rod off from a holster on his side. He presses a button on the handle and out springs a blade of solid flame. "I got you now ninja boy!" he shouts as he swings his FireKnife at Musou. Musou swings his own Sword at the Red Heel-Navi also and manages to land a killing blow as the Red Heel-Navi misses (-80HP to Red Heel-Navi). "Ahhhh! Noooo!" the Red Heel-Navi screams as he is ejected from the NET.

The roof continues to heat up as the building beneath Musou is being consumed by flame. He would have to move on if he planned to stay in this section of the NET. But first, he could scoop up some rewards.

-Boss-
Red Heel-Navi: EJO

-Terrain-
80% Normal
20% Furnace [Scattered]

-Challenger-
Musou.EXE: 140HP [Normal]

~Battle 5: Victory!!~
Rewards: FireBurn1, 900z

Quote (Battlechip)

FireBurn1
Damage: 50 + Line Attack(3)
Accuracy: A
Description: Looses a stream of fire that can penetrate enemies and keep going.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Special: Line Attack(3): Attacks up to 3 targets in a straight line.
Musou grits his teeth as he looks around and braces himself against the building heat. Despite the blaze going, he hesitates, looking around wildly.

"Get out of there Musou", Kenji says through the link.

His navi looks frustrated, on top of the general discomfort (soon to be roasting) of the heat "B-But Sensei, look! I didn't really do anything at all. What was the point to me even trying to help out-"

Apparently he is really bothered by this, but a burnt cinder doesn't make for a good fighter, unless your a fire type and that's your thing anyway. His operator repeats "Get out of there. Get clear. We can talk when your away" The martial arts navi growls under his breath and waits only a moment longer, enough to scoop up the last battle's zenni and chip data, then flees to get clear of the blazing hell that this once-town is becoming. Kenji slides a blank chip into his PET, to let the new chip data copy over as he waits calmly. Or at least as calmly as he can while his student/friend is fleeing from a burning town.

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

Resuming his march through ACDC, the martial arts navi is none too pleased with the situation in general...

"What the hell, Sensei? What was the point to that fight at all? Not only did Arteru get fried--and his training was the whole point of this run of busting--but I wasn't able to save anyone or stop anything from happening" He is almost screaming, as angry as he has become. "What's the point of it all? Some sick bad guy got to have his fun, got knocked around a little and got to jack out to do it all again, when nobody is around to stop him?!" Musou growled again and stomped the ground with a step as he walked, a breaking force cracking the panel he was traveling across.

"Seriously! What's the point? A while net town is gone, and still burning I might add, just because one psycho thought he would have fun. Nobody was around to stop him but me and I was way too late. Even those viruses, that just wanted to be left alone got deleted. Not safely jacked out, deleted"

The navi seems to be repeating himself, but he is mostly venting his frustration anyway "Chuckle-head got to have some fun and net denizens are dead, only for him to just hop back in somewhere when he's bored and do it again"

Kenji waited a moment, trying to see if his navi was done screaming before speaking. "Musou.. You did all you could. You rushed in and put an end to that guy's rampage"

His navi seemed quite unconvinced "So what? I just said it doesn't matter. Am I wrong? Do you really think that guy is going to just change his whole outlook on life and be nice and good and helpful now? Repent and be a fine upstanding hero, just because--what did he call me? Ninja boy?--beat him to a pulp? It's a waste of time. He murdered people and got away with it"

Kenji swallowed, trying to think of something good to say. It was a pretty messed up situation "Musou. You know I run this all through my PC. I got some screen shots of the guy. Maybe we can put some info out on him, to the Net Police and make his life more difficult. Maybe they can apprehend him? Stop him from shopping? I don't know , buddy"

Musou scowled in disgust "Oh ho hum. Mass murderer burns down another town, guess we better see if we can inconvenience him. Maybe revoke his 'preferred customer' card at the chip shop?" He sputters and almost spits as he yells "And don't get me started on the Net Police. Where were they? Why is it always up to random navis, literally walking through the net minding their own business, to stop crime?"

Kenji pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers as he fought back the headache that was threatening to over take him. He and his navi had had talks like this in the past and usually Musou just came around, perked up and all was fine. This time though, he seemed outraged and the boy felt that he wasn't entirely wrong.

"Musou.. Unfortunately.. This is just the way things are in our world. Some people go into the net and bust, thinking they are upholding justice, protecting people in the net or real world from hard.. Some people just want cash and chips.. Some jerks just want to see things hurt" The boy leaned back in his chair, releasing a sigh as he rested his hands behind his head and closed his eyes to try and contemplate while he spoke.

"I'm right here with you, and I am seeing what you see. I agree with you that it's messed up and things just aren't working as they are now. It's like everyone is just maintaining some kind of sick status quo. But let's be realistic, alright? Even if we go around the net, trying to bring peace to things and punish criminals.. Even if we work the hardest we can to preserve life, be it biological or digital.. We are just one team. One navi, one operator. In the real world here, I would say it's like having just one person recycle. Or just one person not wasting water"

Musou shook his head and slumped his shoulders forward "So are you saying it doesn't even matter? This is all pointless? I mean, I couldn't even protect Arteru, and he was right next to me the whole time. What's the point of trying to protect the whole net?"

Kenji frowned, considering even as he spoke "We.. We have to keep going. We have to fight against injustice and evil no matter how long it takes. No matter how little we achieve. If we loose hope and stop trying, stop fighting, it's not going to make anything better. That's for sure. Just one person recycling or saving water seems like a tiny bit, but it's our duty to do it. And if enough people come around to our way of thinking and do it too, enough of us make a real difference"

The boy gave a bittersweet smile as he spoke, more to himself than his navi "I know I keep telling you how important it is to see yourself as alive. As a real person, just the same as any creature. That you have a soul.. And that everyone on the net, navi or virus is the same.. But sometimes I think your better off. Luckier"

Musou blinked, taken aback as he worked to formulate something to say from his earlier frustration, but he was instead curious "H-how so?"

The boy shrugged lightly "In my world, Musou.. If I get hurt, I'm crippled" He has a haunted tone to his voice, as he remembers that just a short time ago he was stuck in a cast. How useless and helpless he felt for months. "If I get hurt enough, buddy.. I'm d-dead. In our fight against all the hate and war on the net, I'm our weak link. Even your brand-new support program got blasted apart but he has systems set up to jack him out, save his data, repair him and put him back to fighting shape pretty quickly. He will miss out on a few fights, I'm sure, and he might have been in pain, he might be pissed, but he will be back eventually"

Musou is at a loss for words apparently, as he starts, then stops whatever he was about to say. Sure, Kenji has been training him to be serious, disciplined and a contemplative warrior but at his roots he is a teenaged brawler, and despite his operator being younger than him, his maturity level surprised the navi. Did this kid ever have time for fun? This couldn't be healthy.

"Here I am, passing you chips, giving you what tips and support I can. Maybe I spot something you miss. Maybe I find a tip written on a forum or database to help you out.. But really? What am I doing. I'm sitting here watching while you put your life on the line every day, every fight, for what seems like an impossible goal. If you think your struggle is in vain, trying to bring peace to the net, how do you think I feel? I'm a damned cheerleader that hands you weapons and spits out fortune-cookie advice"

"Your a brave knight, and I'm just your lowly squire"

The boy bites his lip, tears forming at the edges of his eyes, but Musou can't see his face and he tries to hide them, only betraying his mood with a quiet sniffle from time to time. "Your so much better than me, Musou. Your strong. You can fight. You live in a world where your fighting can make a difference. It seems never ending. Something else is always in your way, some moron always causing trouble. But at least you can fight back. If you get hurt, you just grit your teeth, fight the pain and go on to fight the good fight.. I'm worthless, compared to you"

Musou sputters again, starting to object but Kenji doesn't seem done and he doesn't want to interrupt him. The boy shakes his head and adds "If I were to go right now, tried to find some shady criminals and beat them up, to drop them off at the police station.. Well, assuming I could find them in the first place, I might get a few punches in before I'm killed Musou. Even without all the training or determination, adults are adults. Their bodies are bigger, their muscles stronger, all without even trying. Not to mention they wouldn't fight fair. I might just get shot or stabbed. And even if I avoid being killed outright, every punch that lands, every cut I get, every scrape and nick I take slows me down. And I will loose. And I don't have an emergency jack out feature. I'd be dead"

The boy snorts as he muses "Oh, and even if I did, somehow, beat everyone up and drag them back to the police station, or just call them to come pick up the bad guys.. I would be arrested for fighting, assaulting them.. Being a vigilante and stuff. That's all illegal. Not to mention, if the bad guys feel like it, they could turn around and sue my family. Take away the dojo.. Ruin our lives.. All because I got tired of sitting here and tried to go do good in the world"

Musou bites his lip, not really sure what to say or what kind of advice to give. Was there any he could give in this situation? Kenji didn't seem in the mood to be cheered up. "S-Sensei.. If we keep going down this road.. Where we are trying to bring the war to an end, even if it's the Net Police that stand in our way.. We are.. We are going to make a lot of enemies. Even now, you said you saved some screenshots of that fire navi? What if he saved some of me too? What if he posts them up on some board that low-lifes visit and puts a hit out on me or something? What if a hacker picks all this up and decides, just for money or the fun of it, to trace me back to you.. And then put your address all over the net? A shout out to come and kill the kid living here?"

The navi sighs loudly and shakes his head "Look, we can't worry about this alright? It's not that it doesn't matter, it's that there's nothing we can do about it. Personally? If I'm going down, I'm going down fighting. Fighting for what I believe. Fighting to protect those I care about. Fighting to protect the peace and help anyone or anything that needs it. I don't care how history remembers me, if it does at all, as long as I do my best, up till the moment I'm deleted forever, I know my soul can rest in peace"

Kenji looked up at his PC screen, at Musou who was giving him a thumbs-up as he continued to walk through ACDC net. The boy wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve and cracked a smile. He was proud of Musou. Not to mention, this was the first time his navi seemed to agree that he had a soul. Kenji had been telling him that from the day they met, but the navi always seemed unsure.

"Your right Musou.. I'm sorry. I-I promise to do all I can for you. To not give up hope, no matter what happens. We can see this dream out together, and if we die trying to bring peace, then it will have been a good life. Every little tiny victory we make, every friend we make, our actions will echo into history, like ripples in a pond" The boy nods to himself and sits up in his chair, looking over the chip data they just got.

"FireBurn1. Kind of like a flame-thrower. The thing the red navi did that you flew strait into" The boy nodded, continuing on as if nothing had happened, though both of them knew that the pair was wiser and more determined than ever now. At the very least, their discussion had bolstered the team and they were ready for the next fight.

[Requesting Battle 6]

((Also, not to nitpick, since I'm super happy your modding me so much and so awesomely, AzureInk, but I didn't get a crack at a GMD the last 5 fights))
Suddenly, before Musou could move too far away from the burning town, a beeping sound came to his ears right above him. He looked up to see a pulsing green crystal floating down to him attached to a little parachute. It landed in his hands and opened like a chest, revealing a Battlechip and a little note: HO, HO, HO! MERRY NETMAS! - SM.

GET: AquaUpper1

Quote (Battlechip)

AquaUpper1
Damage: 110 + To-All (Sea)
Accuracy: A
Description: Causes geysers to erupt from Sea panels, drowning grounded enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Aqua
Special: Hits any enemies in Submerged status, so long as it's within a Sea panel.


[Question: It has been ONE battle since Arteru was EJO. Do you wish to activate Arteru as a free action and bring him in at half-health or wait to bring him back after Battle 6 at full-health?]

Then some sounds of drums and horns caught Musou's attention. He looked up from his green mystery chest to see a procession of knight-like viruses moving along a road on the outskirts of town, where Musou would have went if he didn't return to the town to help out. The lead virus had ornate plumage and was probably leading the group. Several had drums and horns and were playing an interesting marching song.

It wasn't long before the leader noticed the Navi and alerted his group. Their instruments disappeared as they drew swords and fanned out into ranks, two rows of three viruses standing abreast, with the leader standing proudly in the front-center.

Musou also noted waaaaaaay off to the side, in some bushes just outside the battlefield, the twinkling of another Green Mystery Data.

-Enemies-
Swordy-NA: 60HP [Front: Center]
Swordy-NB: 60HP [Front: Left]
Swordy-NC: 60HP [Front: Right]
Swordy-ND: 60HP [Back: Center]
Swordy-NE: 60HP [Back: Left]
Swordy-NF: 60HP [Back: Right]

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Objects-
GMD: 30HP

-Allies-
Musou.EXE: 140HP

~Battle 6: Start!!~
(( I'll wait till next fight on my SP ))

Merely blinking, at a loss for words while the green present is delivered to him, Musou eventually sputters "T-Thank you" There didn't seem anyone around to thank, really but it seemed somehow appropriate. He passed the chip data back to Kenji, who got to loading it in a blank chip.

"Wow Musou, we are building quite a collection. Up to 21 chips now", the boy exclaimed.

The navi nodded and grumbled "I still think a 30 chip limit is dumb. Why can't you take more?" Kenji shrugged and commented "You already have a lot of chips, you know. It's getting pretty hard to keep them all in order and deliver them in a fight. I usually keep them in alphabetical order or in the order your most likely to use them.. You know, DashAttacks on top, heh"

Still annoyed, Musou just shrugged and shook his head as he continued to march on. Speaking of march, was he hearing drums from somewhere? "There is supposed to be some kind of program somewhere to assist me with keeping all these chips in order but it takes up NaviCust points and it's pretty expensive-" Eventually, Kenji trails off too as he hears the music.

Musou sighs and glances back to his operator's viewpoint as he sees the knights. "Oh joy, look, another organized fighting force of viruses that I won't have any choice but to fight. Man, why can't I just make some friends? Is it really such an alien concept? It would be cool to have organized and disciplined knights in the militia too.."

Kenji shrugged lightly, ready to load up chips and said "Never know unless you try, Musou".

The navi nodded and looked to the swordys.. He gave them a bow and raised his hands in the air in a submissive pose. "My name is Musou. I'm looking to recruit warriors to defend the net, like you. Do you guys need help with any problems?"

Yeah, he was risking it as usual, and nobody had ever actually agreed yet but he considered not being attacked a positive response. They wouldn't be aware of this, but he wasn't exactly sticking his neck on the chopping block. He was ready to dodge or teleport back if he had to.

1 - Try and make friends!

2 - Try and make friends!

3 - Try and make friends!
The commander Swordy looked at the lonesome Navi and his raised hands, sizing the Navi up. Several minutes passed. A long stare. Another several minutes. Its eyes never broke from Musou. The other viruses began fidgeting and looking toward their leader for some semblance of an order. Do they fight? Do they not fight? Several more minutes crept by.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour, but was more like ten minutes, the commander Swordy sheathed its sword. It gave a signal to the others and they also sheathed their swords. Another signal and they began to march away. The commander Swordy turned back to Musou and beckoned him to follow. Would Musou follow?

The glint of the GMD disappeared into the bushes a moment later. Something must have taken it. Would Musou go after it?

Choose: Follow Swordies or Chase after GMD thief?

-Enemies??-
Swordy-NA: 60HP [Front: Center]
Swordy-NB: 60HP [Front: Left]
Swordy-NC: 60HP [Front: Right]
Swordy-ND: 60HP [Back: Center]
Swordy-NE: 60HP [Back: Left]
Swordy-NF: 60HP [Back: Right]

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Objects-
GMD: 30HP [TAKEN!]

-Allies-
Musou.EXE: 140HP

~Battle 6: Suspended!!~