The Divine Quest

"O-oh...okay."

Megami was a bit startled at first from his sudden movement. After all, she can't think of the last person who suddenly was bold enough to touch her without gawking and wondering who she was. It was somewhat new to her, but what was even more breathtaking was the magic trick that Warrior had performed as suddenly he had pulled a hand full of Zenny from behind her ear (or at least it seemed like it). Xenneth eyes rolled as he had seen the spectacle.

"He's such a jerk!" Xenneth thought. "Megami is not a kid. Of course she kn-"

"Ah! That is a useful skill!" Megami gasped in shock, "I felt nothing behind my ear! Yet you found Zenny, yes?!"

Xenneth had dropped into a silent shame.

Of course Megami would fall for that trick! She did not have a mind of an adult, but rather a newly born infant. She shown some thorns of conscious decision and righteousness, but when it came to knowing anything about the world, she was very...well...empty. For goodness sakes, when she was booted up for the first time, Xenneth not only found errors, but a beautiful female face looking at him and asking "What am I?" It was not like she was like a normal NetNavi of some kind. However, looking at her and hearing her say such empowering words, Xenneth would make all that take backseat to her obliviousness, even as he watched her in laughter shake coins of Zenny from her hair as she collected each piece one by one.

"Do it again! Do it again!" Megami clapped in laughter after pocketing her share of the Zenny data. Xenneth, however, found this part very interesting as he smiled, having a haunch about the sudden generosity.

A video screen of Xenneth's pouting lips and furrowed brow appearing as he gazed towards the image of Warrior as if he was seeing right through him. "Yes, Warrior-san. Why not try doing that trick...again?"

All fell silent for the encore of a magic show.

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

---

OOC Notes:
Now Listening To: "Emergency" by the Artist Paramore (Battle Theme)
Current Attire: Default GMO
Chatty Ditz: ---

-
Warrior's ego was no less fervent at Megami's applaud and her request for him to "do it again". Even at Xenneth's remark his narcissism was unwavering and stoic.

"But of course, ladies!"

Warrior turned to Xenneth's screen when he said that last part, giving him an almost cocky smile as if indiscreetly accepting his discreet challenge to impress Megami a second time... and poking at one of his nerves in the process of doing so. It was as if an invisible contest for Megami was going on between the two that she seemed entirely oblivious to.

"After all, I need some Zenny for myself, right? Now watch closely!"

He raised his hand, palm wide opened, to show that it was indeed empty. Slowly, he reached behind Megami's ear - the one opposite from before - and begin tickling that side of Megami's neck as if he was 'searching for something' back there.

"Hmm... wheeeere is iiiit..."

Behind the ear? Underneath the hair? Down the neck? Warrior's hand scrambled everywhere, but it was just the sleight of hand to distract her from the rest of the trick. His hand was like the magician's wand - capturing his victim's attention so that they'd miss the part of the act that was truly most important. And to keep that attention captivated, he changed the deception just before she'd become aware of what was actually happening. She'd feel a soft pinch on her ear lobe as the next step of his act brought itself into play.

"A-ha!"

He brought his closed fist out from behind Megami's ear, no doubt clunching his prize tightly within. He let the suspense of the moment grow as he slowly unravelled his hand before Megami's eyes to reveal... Nothing?!

"Wh-Whaa? B-But... But I thought..."

His plans were foiled! His schemes undone! His hand continued to float there, empty of anything, as his other hand raised to his mouth and clasped it in disbelief and defeat. It was Xenneth's moment to rejoice in his victory over Warrior's failed illusion!

Or was it?

Warrior's face went from shock to serene in a mere moment as his empty hand transformed into a raised index finger, as if non-verbally saying "one moment" to his audience.

"Mmmhhmmmm."

It sounded like he was saying "A-ha" with his mouth full. As he removed the hand that was covering his mouth, it was revealed that his mouth was full!

"Blagh!"

Pouring from his mouth was... could it be? It was! Another handful of Zenny! From thin air! What sorcery!

Warrior wasted no time in holding the reward in his palm to his observer's eye, demonstrating that it was, indeed, real.

"Ta-dah! I suppose my magic was just sliiightly miss-aimed. But that's what I get for not letting it cool down!"

He put the handful of Zenny back into his pocket as he basked in his presumed victory. Yes, he put the Zenny back in his pocket.

His deception was clever; his quick thinking was sharp and effective. The sleight of hand, the magician's wand; when he was fondling with Megami's ear with his one hand, demanding her attention to be there, his other hand was non-chalantly reaching into his own pockets to grab a handful of Zenny. At first, the trick would have appeared to be a fluke - when he pulled the hand out from behind her ear to reveal it to be empty, he'd sealed the perception of his audience's mind. Xenneth's doubt would be confirmed, and Megami's faith would be crushed. But only for a moment!

The blatant action of shock - the raising of his hand to cover his mouth - that was his trick card in this act. Yes, the hand that had reached into his pocket just seconds prior, the one that was now full of Zenny - that was the hand that he had used to cover his mouth with. While their attention was still on his empty hand, he had ample opportunity to secretly slip the Zenny into his already opened mouth as he prepared the prestige of his illusion.

To crush Xenneth's doubt and restore Megami's belief, he allowed them to falter for just a moment, just so that he could catch them off-guard before he would unexpectedly turn the tables on them for one last twist in his performance, showing them that he could, in fact, make Zenny appear out of thin air!

Convincing Xenneth wasn't his concern - he was sure he'd see through it again, most likely. But if it won him any brownie-points with Megami, he was sure he could convince her with his charming act!

" Again? "

Perhaps he was getting a little too cocky now. It would only be because of luck if he managed to fool her twice - his confidence was but a gambit this time. There was certainly no way he could fool her a third!
-

"No thank you," Xenneth replied before Megami could say a word, "Let's keep going."

The violet haired boy remained sharp-eyed, making them like daggers towards the direction of Warrior. However, Megami was as swooned as a little girl fascinated by magic. Xenneth could not bare to even say a word to make her believe otherwise, not because his lips could not part, but he saw her expression. For once, she did not seem confused or discouraged about herself, but more fascinated about by other NetNavis besides the fact of virus busting.

Even if he was a jerk in his book.

"Xen-kun is right!" Megami said, her doughy school girl expression refreshed and her strong aura returning to her determined face, "We must continue on and see how far we shall go! After all, Xen-kun's bedtime may be soon!"

...He did not need her to say that, but Xenneth's frustration was clear. His hand slapped his forehead as the last thing he needed was someone to know a High School Student was told when to go to bed. Turning off the video communication screen, Xenneth had hid his bothered expression. His voice was still clear as a sigh was emitted from his lips and Megami was readily walking past Warrior, aiming to go deeper into ACDC's Network.

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

---

OOC Notes:
Now Listening To: "Emergency" by the Artist Paramore (Battle Theme)
Current Attire: Default GMO
Chatty Ditz: ---
Note to Staff: Now requesting Battle 6/7? Not sure because I never ran from a battle and not sure if the rules mention this.

[+3 FXP]

[Note: You start again at the battle number you ran from. In this case, Battle 6. We would also need everyone on the team to request the next battle before we can give it.]

(Requesting Battle 6)

Continuing onwards, the two Navis find the street blocked by a line of six stone barricades. On top of each barricade sat a dangerous-looking cannon turret. Scuffling behind each barricade, apparently patching the stonework, were a bunch of Shrubby viruses. One of them sees the Navis and sends a warning to the others, who hide behind the stone barricades.

-Viruses-
CannonDumb EXA: 90HP [On Top of BarricadeA]
ShrubbyA: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeA]

CannonDumb EXB: 90HP [On Top of BarricadeB]
ShrubbyB: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeB]

CannonDumb EXC: 90HP [On Top of BarricadeC]
ShrubbyC: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeC]

CannonDumb EXD: 90HP [On Top of BarricadeD]
ShrubbyD: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeD]

CannonDumb EXE: 90HP [On Top of BarricadeE]
ShrubbyE: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeE]

CannonDumb EXF: 90HP [On Top of BarricadeF]
ShrubbyF: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeF]

-Objects-
BarricadeA: 100HP
BarricadeB: 100HP
BarricadeC: 100HP
BarricadeD: 100HP
BarricadeE: 100HP
BarricadeF: 100HP

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Megami: 90HP
Warrior: 100HP

~Battle 6: Start!!~

Megami did not have time to discuss with Warrior why she ran from the last battle, especially since the glistening rims of the cannon barrels in the distance caught her attention.

The barricades and mounting turrets made it all seem like a fortress meant to keep something out. Was that something Megami? Of course not! It was not like she was some powerful threat that could crush it all with one hand! However, for that moment she wafted her right hand before her, swept it downward and brought a glowing brim of light in her palm overhead, she knew she would have to be. With a single glimmer of the light that came from Megami's chestnut brown hair where her hand stopped, there was a shower of aura cascading like the waters of a solitary fountain as it coveted her in a veil. With a sharp eye gazing towards the grounds, she stood ready as the Shurbby virus warned its comrades.

"Warrior-san," Megami began, "I would like you to know I do not approve of bullying. But Xen-kun tells me this when we confront enemies such as these..."

Xenneth's right hand had gone to the open slots of his P.E.T. as he started to press two Battlechips into the slot. He had this little theory that came from seeing the single Shrubby virus, a type of enemy he encountered before. He knew their cowering nature and could sympathize with it. Also, he knew just how they felt sheltered hiding behind things. Either way, he had enough time to explain his logic to Warrior with an open communication to Megami as he simply stated, "They started it."

Protective of Megami, Xenneth was not going to allow for the viruses to block their progression into the Net Area's reaches.

"Megami-chan! I am sending Boomerang and Aqua Needle to you. Try to get rid of those cannons!"

Megami had looked towards Warrior with a straight face after hearing Xenneth. Her head simply nodding as if she was telling him "Do away with the rest" while she received her own orders, or even "I will cover you!" Regardless, it was obvious she was going to follow Xenneth's orders and turn the terrain into a battleground by drawing fire to herself as she would stay sitting in the open. She planted her feet firmly, signifying her will to stand firm and afterwards generated in her right hand the massive form of the curved wooden blunt weapon and her hand acting as a launcher.

"Launch!" her breath let out a cry with a twist of her hips and a leap that could have made its own artificial twister with the way the female NetNavi danced. The boomerang launched, coming from the right intending to sweep the cannon viruses straight off their perch, and with the small jump, she was hoping it would create a correction in how high the weapon would whirl hoping it would not smash into the barricades and send it ricocheting.

With Megami's sudden pre-emptive strike, it was up to Warrior to use the chance to get in close while she drew attention to herself.

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

Action 1: Divinity Aura (40-HP Barrier) {Megami}
Action 2: Jump![Increase altitude/aim of next attack] {Megami}
Action 3: Boomerang3 [120 [color=green]Wood[/color] DMG + Group Attack(Arc){B}] {CanoDumbEX C|D|E|F}

---

OOC Notes:
Now Listening To: "Emergency" by the Artist Paramore (Battle Theme)
Current Attire: Default GMO
Chatty Ditz: ---

-
"Xen-kun is right! We must continue on and see how far we shall go! After all, Xen-kun's bedtime may be soon!"

"Speaking of bed times... JAKE!!"

That slob had fallen asleep! He knew that kid was being too quiet.

"What?"

"..."

So it turns out he wasn't asleep after all. But that was okay, because Warrior didn't have to live in the shame for long before a barricade of viruses threatened their progress in the area.

"Warrior-san, I would like you to know I do not approve of bullying. But Xen-kun tells me this when we confront enemies such as these..."

"They started it."

Warrior would have complained like a little child had Megami not sprung into action after his moment of silence. "The Metools started it too!" he would have argued. After all, they were waving pickaxes in his face... that was kind of threatening, right?

"That's a wall of pain staring you in the face right now, Warrior."

It was difficult to determine which he was more concerned about: the giant cannons or the wood-type enemies from before.

"Here's the aqua-sword-thing. Take cover and slice up what you can."

Jake sounded... really tired right now. But it was kind of understandable, considering how late it was. There was no enthusiasm left in his voice at all.

As the data came to Warrior, he sprinted over to the side of the viruses that Megami had thrown her Boomerang in. Trusting her attack to delete the Cannon atop the far right pillar, he ran beside it to use it as a means of cover from the rest of the viruses. His arm reached around the back of the barricade as he made a stab at the virus that was already using this obstacle to hide behind.

"Peek-a-boo!"

Well he certainly showed more enthusiasm than his Operator as he taunted the Shrubby after making his lunge at it.

He made the cut as quickly as he could before moving back behind the barricade to use as cover. He crouched down ever so slightly, ready to drop and hide if Megami's distraction failed to merit the entire hoard's attention.

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

Action 1: Movement (Run to the outside face of Barricade F)

Free Action: Precision (Take Aim: +1 ACC to One Attack)

Action 2: Aqua Knife (DMG: 60 Aqua ~ ACC: A+ ~ Slashing ~ 6 Uses) @ShrubbyF

Action 3: Take Cover! (Hide behind the BarricadeF -- on the side opposite the rest of the viruses)


(Rushed post. Sooorrryy.)
-

The Cannons took aim at the Navis as Megami jumped into the air and launched her signature Boomerang-O'-Doom at the viruses, while Warrior rushed one of the barricades. The Cannons open fire on her and Warrior as the giant wooden arc flies from Megami's fingertips. Megami gets struck once by the shells whizzing by her head, shattering her barrier by its raw power, but leaving her unharmed. Warrior manages to get behind one of the barricades, which takes two direct hits for him. The barricade shakes, and parts blow off from the impacts, and scatter dust and masonry everywhere. But miraculously, Warrior is unharmed.

The Boomeran-O'-Doom strikes all four of its intended targets, cleaving through their monstrously armored forms like butter. They explode spectacularly atop their pedestals as the Shrubbys cower from the raining rubble. Warrior reaches around his crumbling barricade to strike at the Shrubby on the other side. He stabs the little guy and deletes him.

The other five Shrubbys emerge for a moment to toss logs at the duo, then duck back into hiding. Megami is struck by one of the logs, the other two rolling past her, and Warrior manages to blend in with his stone buddy; the two logs instead striking the barricade. The barricade crumbles to dust after the abuse it suffered at the hands of the viruses, but the two logs that struck it remained. They could be used as cover also.

-Viruses-
CannonDumb EXA: 90HP [On Top of BarricadeA]
ShrubbyA: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeA]

CannonDumb EXB: 90HP [On Top of BarricadeB]
ShrubbyB: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeB]

CannonDumb EXC: DELETED
ShrubbyC: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeC]

CannonDumb EXD: DELETED
ShrubbyD: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeD]

CannonDumb EXE: DELETED
ShrubbyE: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeE]

CannonDumb EXF: DELETED
ShrubbyF: DELETED

-Objects-
BarricadeA: 100HP
BarricadeB: 100HP
BarricadeC: 100HP
BarricadeD: 100HP
BarricadeE: 100HP
BarricadeF: DELETED
StationaryLogA: 10HP
StationaryLogB: 10HP

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Megami: 80HP [Barrier Broken!]
Warrior: 100HP [AquaKnife: 5/6] [BarricadeF Broken!]

"Megami-chan!"

Megami was struck by the wood and body was adorned by splinters as it burst upon impact. She still held her ground showing resilience in spite of the damage sustained. Her eyes going to the viruses that still remained, especially the cannons that had sat upon the remaining barricades that seemed to have troubled her.

"I am fine, Xen-kun." Megami assured, "However, it is those viruses. They are...more powerful than I thought."

Xenneth and Megami were so focused on going into battle that they did not give the viruses a good look. The cannon viruses were indeed similar to the ones before, but there was something off about their hue and color. They seemed certainly more sleek and differing in their design that Megami did not consider them to be a different enemy altogether. The female NetNavi did not expect such a design in a deeper region of ACDC's inner reaches. With her expression changing slightly, her eyes sharpening to a narrow, Megami had regained her battle stance and prepared for action.

"We have something for this, surely, yes?"

"Yes!" Xenneth had said happily in response as he had spotted one chip in particular. The one battlechip he had not used often seeing it had its perks for certain situations. For the barricades, this was maybe that chance he needed. "Pulsar, ZapRing, and Guard! Battlechips in and downloaded!"

"Right!" Megami agreed, nodding, "Warrior-kun is in position! We shall take care of the cannons while he gets rid of the viruses in hiding! Surely, we can keep drawing their attention to us!"

Megami had risen up her right hand as she spoke out her plan and aimed the antenna like appendage that had formed as an array of blue light. The bulb on the tip of the weapon had begun to glow brightly as Megami aimed it towards the second barricade (Barricade B) that had cannon atop of it, and if anything like the others, there was also a little green bushy virus taking refuge behind it as well. With the array pointed and the bulb of light glowing at its brightest, Megami had let out a blast of small spherical energy that distorted the very air it passed through. If her aiming was at its finest, the bulb would explode upon contact of the barricade and send out one very annoying sound wave that would do damage around it.

The female NetNavi however knew she still had one problem and it was perched upon another barricade. Aiming carefully, Megami had presented her left hand that was forming another array, but unlike other shapes, this one was none she had formed before. A solid double hooped electrical outlet shaped weapon appeared crackling with coursing strands of electricity. Megami had formed a ring that raced in circles with green, pink, and yellow hues. With its charge completed, Megami fired the electrical ring at the other cannon virus atop the other Barricade.

"Be careful!" Xenneth cried. "Take cover!"

The violet haired boy not even needed to say that much.

Before he could even begin his next statement, Megami's sharp blue eagle eyes had gone to the previous cannon virus whom barricade she attempted to decimate. Her right form was already changing its numerous arrays and forming into a circular solid yellow shield with a green cross upon its bulging front form. Megami had tilted the trajectory of the weapon towards the direction of the virus all the way on the left end hiding behind its perch (Barricade A) as she kneeled down to completely hide her body from view.

If she was going to draw their attention, she was making sure she was staying out in the open...sort of.

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

Passive Action: Buff (+10 DMG (+Navi Level) to one Battlechip attack.)
Action 1: Pulsar1 83 Null DMG + Object Triggered Blast 2] {A Primary/B Blast) {Barricade B)
Action 2: ZapRing1[40 [color=gold]Elec[/color] DMG +Stun1] {A} {CanoDumbEX A}
Action 3: Guard1 [Reflect(up to 60 + Piercing + Line Attack] {S} {CanoDumbEX C|D|E|F}

---

OOC Notes:
Now Listening To: "Emergency" by the Artist Paramore (Battle Theme)
Current Attire: Default GMO
Chatty Ditz: ---

-
"Download!"

Amidst the deafening sound of the explosion, Warrior couldn't hear Jake's Slot-In dialogue except for the last part - but as the Chip Data sent to him began to wrap around his arm, he knew what to do with it.

"..."

Bursting from the cloud of dust and debris left behind by the shattered barricade was Warrior's body - dashing forward into action. His front arm resembled the barrel of a buster, but no one present would have time to notice this before it let off its shot toward the two cannons. Thanks to his positioning, his targets were lined up for the spread of the blast to hit both of them, granted his aim stayed true.

Jake seemed wide awake now. He, too, was surprised by the power of these cannons. He expected them to hit hard, but not that hard.

"Those things bursted Megami's Barrier with a single shot. In two shots, they shattered the barricade you were hiding behind."

Two shots, plus two logs... but it was safe to say that the logs didn't do much to the barricades compared to the cannon blasts.

"If you weren't hiding behind that barricade, you'd have been forced to jack out from that barrage."

"..."

Warrior didn't like to hear that, but it was true. Those logs would have hit him a lot harder since he was an electric-based navi -- after taking two cannon shots and two rolling logs, even his undershirt wouldn't have kept him standing.

"Gotta secure as many kills as possible..."

That was why he targeted the same enemies as Megami. His shots didn't quite have the power to delete them, and neither did hers, presumably, but they'd at least increased their chances of damaging the targets if either of their shots happened to miss.

"... aiming for the stronger ones first. The less of them there are, the less power they have. And the less power they have, the longer we'll be able to stand."

"Right. But don't get too anxious. We don't have a whole lot of options in this situation. Let Megami and Xenkun burst them down with their wider arsenal of abilities, and you just clean up whatever she leaves behind."

"... That's boring."

"That's tactical. They've got more cards to bring to the table than we do at the moment, and you need to respect that. You've got distinct weaknesses right now - you need to realize them and cover them as best you can with your ally's strengths or you're going to ending up having to pay a heavy price for it. Guard 1, Battle Chip In."

"..."

Well, there wasn't any arguing with that, then.

"Roger."

Warrior's eyes were on the next barricade before him, and without hesitation he dove for cover behind that one just as he had done before. The Guard1 was just a failsafe if the Barricade shattered like the last one, but he planned on using its wide ranged counter attack later on when his targets were lined up for him.

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

Free Action: Precision (Take Aim: +1 ACC to One Attack)

Action 1: Shotgun (DMG: 50 ~ ACC: A+ ~ Spread 1) @ CannonDumb EXB & CannonDumb EXA

Action 2: Guard1 (Uploaded for free use next turn)

Action 3: Dodge to Take Cover (Evasive movement toward BarricadeE to hide behind it)

-

Megami launched a pulsing wave at BarricadeB. The barricade buckled under the explosion of sound, which heavily damaged its turret, but missed effecting the Shrubby. The two cannons launched their counterattack, the large bullets leaving their muzzles just as a Shotgun blast slammed into the heavily damaged turret, busting through it to strike the other one solidly. Both cannon shots hit the non-dodging Megami squarely and deplete the rest of her health. Thankfully she is not ejected from the battle due to her Undershirt, remaining in poor shape.

Her Zapring1 flies from her bloodied hands and strikes the last CannonDumb EX into deletion as Warrior loads a shield chip and runs to cover. Megami also covers her weakened body by her own shield chip.

The Shrubbies appear from the rubble-strewn barricades to throw logs at the two Navis, before hiding again. Two logs struck Megami while three struck the barricade that Warrior hiding against (lucky Navi!). The first log that struck Megami reflected the damage back to the Shrubby, damaging its barricade also [BarricadeB]. The second smashed into her and caused her to activate her emergency Jack-Out.

Now Warrior was all alone vs. five Shrubbys.

-Viruses-
CannonDumb EXA: DELETED
ShrubbyA: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeA]

CannonDumb EXB: DELETED
ShrubbyB: 40HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeB]

CannonDumb EXC: DELETED
ShrubbyC: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeC]

CannonDumb EXD: DELETED
ShrubbyD: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeD]

CannonDumb EXE: DELETED
ShrubbyE: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeE]

CannonDumb EXF: DELETED
ShrubbyF: DELETED

-Objects-
BarricadeA: 100HP
BarricadeB: 7HP
BarricadeC: 100HP
BarricadeD: 100HP
BarricadeE: 70HP
BarricadeF: DELETED
StationaryLogA: 10HP [Next to BarricadeF]
StationaryLogB: 10HP [Next to BarricadeF]
StationaryLogC: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogD: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogE: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Megami: EJO
Warrior: 100HP [AquaKnife: 5/6] [Guard1 Loaded!] [Hiding Against BarricadeE]

[Note: I am soo sorry. The RNG had it out for Megami today. This is my first instance of EJO as a Mod. You do not lose anything for the EJO this time. You will be able to return after this battle at full health if you want, or move on to another location. Megami will not earn any rewards for this battle though. Warrior will still gain his share if he wins.

Also Undershirts continue to function when you have 2 or more HP, for as long as you keep remaining in the 2 or more HP range. So make sure to heal regularly to keep having uses of Undershirt.]

-
(( Sadness, man. Much sadness D= ))

"Megami!"

"[sub]Rgh![/sub]"

Jake swore at himself under his breathe. That was a bad call... This situation just got real.

"Jake! What the hell?! There's your tacti-- Focus! Warrior!"

"..."

Warrior growled lowly. He needed to work with Jake to make it through this now; unfortunately he was the only ally he had left. But he would be sure to let his Net Op hear it when they were done for his "tactical" command that Warrior foolishly obeyed.

"Xenkun, are you still there? Is Megami okay? Did she jack out in time?"

There was no time to wait for a response... the situation was getting more dangerous by the minute. Jake almost went into making his apology, but he wasn't certain that Xenneth could even hear him right now. For all he knew, he was just talking to the air.

"Warrior... let's fall back."

"No."

"Warrior, fall back!"

"No."

"..."

For just being a bunch of 0's and 1's, he sure was stubborn. Wasn't Warrior just a complex computer file? How did he even have the power to 'disobey'? When a computer is given a command, it is executed. When a program is given a function, it is carried out without decision or delay. But this artificial intelligence could actually refuse a command... how was that possible? It would have boggled Jake's mind if he thought about it, but more pressing matters were at hand that demanded his attention.

"They just shot down Megami, and thanks to your tactical decision, I just sat back and watched. There's nothing to say that the outcome would have been any different if I'd interfered, but it would have damn well cleared my conscience! And there's nothing I can do to change what just happened, but I can do something now to determine what's going to happen!"

"..."

"These things are gonna pay for what they did. If it kills me, they'll face retribution by my blade. I won't run away and give them the satisfaction of success; I won't retreat and entitle them victor over us. I don't care where the advantage lies, and I don't care if you back me up or not. I'll fight alone if that's what it takes, but rest assured, they'll get what they deserve."

"[sub]Dammit, Warrior.[/sub]"

Despite their disagreement, he couldn't abandon his navi. Jake had already seen this battle as a loss, but if he couldn't stop Warrior from continuing the fight then he had to give him his support -- it was the only chance the navi had, if any at all.


Warrior's shield had fully formed on his arm as he leaped over the Barricade to reach the Shrubby behind it. As if complimenting its name, the Aqua Knife led Warrior's arm like a wave of water -- gracefully it swam through the air, but it brought the force of a tsunami behind it as it plunged toward the virus before him.

And like a wave, the arm carrying the blade receded, coming back for a second slash with the same finesse and power as the initial cut. There was no time to second guess himself; there was only the next target, and nothing else. If both strikes failed to eliminate the shrubby, then a blind sided attack awaited him as he dove toward the next barricade in his path to use as cover. He was careful not to trip over any of the logs that were left lying around in his path.

His shield was still intact, held closely to his body for any attack that managed to overcome his environmental protection. If he could assassinate each target one at a time while using the terrain to his favor, then there was a chance he could come out of this alive.

Despite the anger rushing through his mind, Warrior knew he had to move carefully. This was a situation that recklessness and blind rage would not benefit him. At this point, he was forced to play 'tactical', as Jake would have called it. The odds were too highly stacked against him now.

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

Free Action: Guard1 (1 Hit Shield ~ ACC: S ~ Reflect (up to 60 + Piercing + Line Attack) On Hit ~ Negated by Break. Ignores Impact ~ Blocks Debuffs)

Action 1: Feint (Used to go over Barricade E to reach Shrubby E)

Free Action: Precision (Take Aim: +1 ACC to One Attack)

Action 2: Aqua Knife (DMG: 60 Aqua ~ ACC: A+ ~ Slashing ~ 4/6 Uses Left) @ ShrubbyE

Action 3: Aqua Knife (DMG: 60 Aqua ~ ACC: A ~ Slashing ~ 3/6 Uses Left) @ ShrubbyE

Free Action: Swordplay (Dodge) to Take Cover (Evasive movement toward BarricadeD to hide behind it)

-

"Don't worry about it!" Xenneth cried out suddenly, "J-just...go!"

Leave or fight? It was not known what Xenneth meant at that time.

However, he was not giving clarification. After all, his only friend, not to mention his newest, had seemed to be in danger and he could care less about what the Net Operator and his careless NetNavi was doing at the time. Megami had reappeared upon the screen of the P.E.T, floating and suspended in space. His hands worked as quickly as ever as his left had gone opening up the page of his "NetNavi Basics" study book and going through his P.E.T's recovery manual for another. He never saw Megami taken so much damage before, but it was all because of his carelessness.

He was becoming a hypocrite!

Because of some careless calls and Megami's nature, she had been tossed head first into the critical threshold of life and death. Her body floating atop of an array seeming like an ordinary grid as square like pixels poured from a should, a leg, an ankle and below her chest. Xenneth, sighing in relief, held his head over the book as he prayed to some digital God!

"Good," he said lowly, "Her core is still intact and her frame is not too badly damaged. I can do this!"

He said this with some great courage and some shaky fear shown in his finger tip's movements. Whether he could or not, Xenneth started to put all his efforts into repairing Megami.

---

OOC Notes:
Now Listening To: "Emergency" by the Artist Paramore (Battle Theme)
Current Attire: Default GMO
Chatty Ditz: No need for apology; it's just a RPG and I was pushing my luck. >_>

Warrior equipped his shield and leapt over the barricade... and down onto the frightened Shrubby virus. He plunged his dagger deep into the foliage, drawing a bubbling of silver blood. It only took one strike. Warrior had enough durability in his knife for the rest of them. So with the virus deleted, Warrior rushed over to the next barricade in the line to start again. His revenge for his partner coming along swimmingly.

However, the Shrubbys would not go without a fight. They threw logs at him as he moved. But Warrior leapt and dodged and rolled and juked, and nothing hit him. Two of them struck BarricadeE where Warrior moved away from, and the other two struck BarricadeD where Warrior was now.

-Viruses-
CannonDumb EXA: DELETED
ShrubbyA: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeA]

CannonDumb EXB: DELETED
ShrubbyB: 40HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeB]

CannonDumb EXC: DELETED
ShrubbyC: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeC]

CannonDumb EXD: DELETED
ShrubbyD: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeD]

CannonDumb EXE: DELETED
ShrubbyE: DELETED

CannonDumb EXF: DELETED
ShrubbyF: DELETED

-Objects-
BarricadeA: 100HP

BarricadeB: 7HP

BarricadeC: 100HP

BarricadeD: 80HP
StationaryLogH: 10HP [Next to BarricadeD]
StationaryLogI: 10HP [Next to BarricadeD]

BarricadeE: 50HP
StationaryLogC: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogD: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogE: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogF: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogG: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]

BarricadeF: DELETED
StationaryLogA: 10HP [Next to BarricadeF]
StationaryLogB: 10HP [Next to BarricadeF]

-Terrain-
100% Normal

-Allies-
Megami: EJO
Warrior: 100HP [AquaKnife: 4/6] [Guard1] [Hiding Against BarricadeD]

-
One down, four to go. The brunt of the task was still ahead of him, but progress was being made and that was all that mattered.

"Alright, War, not bad. Try doing that again on the next virus."

"I don't know... I mean, they're not rocket scientists, but I'm sure they're not dumb enough to fall victim to the same thing twice."

Well, he had a point. And quite frankly, Jake wasn't willing to take the chance of finding out whether Warrior's statement held true or not. There was too much on the line right now.

"We'll have to part with that sword for a while then. Quake1, incoming."

"Roger. We have a back up anyway."

The AquaKnife dispersed into blue pixels, but before those blue pixels vanished, they swirled around his hand and reunited to form a ball-like object. Aiming for the farthest Shrubby from him, and taking the distance and height of the throw into account, Warrior hurled the ball across the battlefield without breaking his cover from behind the barricade.

Mid-flight, the ball change its shape to take on the form of a Powie virus before falling straight down out of its regular trajectory. The shadow of the anvil was cast upon its impending destination only moments before crashing down below. Warrior heard the deafening collision of the metal and the ground - it had rocked the area with its force - but the point of impact was too far away for him to see whether or not his target was as crushed as he wanted it to be right now.

"Prep up some defense, Warrior. Hide and seek is over - we might be able to take them all out if we approach them from a different angle rather than weaving through their barricades. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best."

"..."

Warrior's silent confirmation was affirmed by the glowing barrier that encompassed him seconds later. But he wasn't quite ready to just jump out into the open... he'd have to catch the enemy offguard. If he waited for them to step out and attack, he'd have his chance to strike, but until that opportunity arose, he remained behind the barricade and prepared to evade whatever came next.

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

Free Action: Precision (Take Aim: +1 ACC to One Attack)

Action 1: Quake1 (DMG: 100 ~ ACC: B ~ Impact + Medium Area Cracked Terrain) @ShrubbyA (AquaKnife Discarded)

Action 2: Valor (20 HP Barrier ~ 1 CD) @Warrior

Action 3: Dodge (Prepared to Evade - Continuing to hide behind Barricade D)

-

Warrior dispelled his knife and summoned a Powie. Then he hurled it waaay over to the other side of the battlefield, to the last barricade in the list. It sailed high above the enemy, then quickly transformed into a huge weight, and came crashing down upon the virus. The Shrubby was crushed under the weight of the virus and the massive THUD cracked the pavement beneath the barricade, which wobbled a little under the impact.

The Shrubbys from Barricades B and D, noticing their precarious position, broke cover and ran over to BarricadeC. They threw logs at Warrior as they retreated to cluster behind BarricadeC. Warrior put up a barrier and set himself in a defensive position as the logs rolled towards him. One managed to strike him as the other two rolled passed, but his barrier protected him from taking damage.

-Viruses-
CannonDumb EXA: DELETED
ShrubbyA: DELETED

CannonDumb EXB: DELETED

CannonDumb EXC: DELETED
ShrubbyB: 40HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeC]
ShrubbyC: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeC]
ShrubbyD: 50HP [Hiding Behind BarricadeC]

CannonDumb EXD: DELETED

CannonDumb EXE: DELETED
ShrubbyE: DELETED

CannonDumb EXF: DELETED
ShrubbyF: DELETED

-Objects-
BarricadeA: 100HP

BarricadeB: 7HP

BarricadeC: 100HP

BarricadeD: 80HP
StationaryLogH: 10HP [Next to BarricadeD]
StationaryLogI: 10HP [Next to BarricadeD]

BarricadeE: 50HP
StationaryLogC: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogD: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogE: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogF: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogG: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]

BarricadeF: DELETED
StationaryLogA: 10HP [Next to BarricadeF]
StationaryLogB: 10HP [Next to BarricadeF]

-Terrain-
80% Normal
20% Cracked

-Allies-
Megami: EJO
Warrior: 100HP [10HP Barrier] [Guard1] [Hiding Against BarricadeD]

-
"Now's your chance, War! They're all huddled together! RollingLog1! Battle Chip, In!"

"Right!"

Was his attrition finally going to pay off? Would his perseverance soon be rewarded?

As the Chip Data was installed and began to find its way to Warrior, he leap-frogged over the Barricade he was hiding behind and closed in on the next one immediately. When the RollingLog had began to materialize above him, he jumped atop the barricade that the group of Shrubbies was hiding behind, planning to catch them by surprise before they'd have the chance to scatter.

"Checkmate!"

*CRUNCH!*

The log sounded like it had done more damage to itself than anything else as Warrior briskly threw it down toward the left side of the group the moment it had fully materialized. Without missing a beat, Jake reactivated the RollingLog Chip to send a second log to Warrior that he threw toward the right side of the trio.

*CRUNCH!*

The tree-trunk-sized object made the same sickening sound as it made contact with the ground, but it continued to roll forward to its destination and, hopefully, over the top of the viruses that used similar methods of attacking.

If all had gone well, he had just turned a "sure loss" into a victory in Jake's mind. But if the swift, cowardly viruses had a better reaction time that he'd predicted, then hopefully standing on top of the barricade would keep Warrior out of range of their ground-rolling logs.

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

Action 1: Movement (Go over Barricade D and get to the top of Barricade C)

Free Action: Precision (Take Aim: +1 ACC to One Attack)

Action 2: RollingLog1 (DMG: 50 ~ ACC: B ~ Ground Attack + Wide Attack (2) + Double Attack) @ShrubbyB and Shrubby C

Action 3: RollingLog1 (DMG: 50 ~ ACC: C ~ Ground Attack + Wide Attack (2) + Double Attack) @ShrubbyC and Shrubby D

-

Quote (The Remnant)

"Checkmate!"

Thud, thud, thud. Logs rolled down upon the Shrubbys, squashing them like grapes.

Warrior stood triumphantly upon one of the undamaged barricades as he surveyed the ruined battlefield. Cracked and broken barricades, blasted and cratered concrete, a metric ton of scrap metal spread over a hundred meters, logs strewn among the rubble, and the shattered bodies of a dozen viruses lay beneath the Navi's feet. It was an epic battle.

But at what cost?

Megami was not around to celebrate, having become one of the conflict's victims. Hopefully she was fine elsewhere. Meanwhile, there were some rewards to gather.

-Viruses-
CannonDumb EXA: DELETED
ShrubbyA: DELETED
CannonDumb EXB: DELETED
CannonDumb EXC: DELETED
ShrubbyB: DELETED
ShrubbyC: DELETED
ShrubbyD: DELETED
CannonDumb EXD: DELETED
CannonDumb EXE: DELETED
ShrubbyE: DELETED
CannonDumb EXF: DELETED
ShrubbyF: DELETED

-Objects-
BarricadeA: 100HP
BarricadeB: 7HP
BarricadeC: 100HP
BarricadeD: 80HP
StationaryLogH: 10HP [Next to BarricadeD]
StationaryLogI: 10HP [Next to BarricadeD]
BarricadeE: 50HP
StationaryLogC: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogD: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogE: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogF: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
StationaryLogG: 10HP [Next to BarricadeE]
BarricadeF: DELETED
StationaryLogA: 10HP [Next to BarricadeF]
StationaryLogB: 10HP [Next to BarricadeF]

-Terrain-
80% Normal
20% Cracked

-Allies-
Megami: EJO
Warrior: 100HP [10HP Barrier] [Guard1] [Standing atop BarricadeC]

~Battle 6: Victory!!~
Rewards
Megami: 1 FXP
Warrior: 720z + 1 FXP


[Note: Megami may re-enter now at full health. And as long as Warrior doesn't log out, the battle count is not reset.]

-
"..."

"You... won."

But how? He was faced with certain defeat - Jake had thought of every possible outcome, but none of them included Warrior surviving. Yet here he was... standing there unharmed.

Physically unharmed, at least.

"Yeah..."

Well, the viruses got what they deserved, but that didn't change the fact that Megami was still gone. Warrior's barrier and shield disappeared as he stepped off of the pedestal amongst the chaotic aftermath of the event. His mind raced with questions, analyzing what he could have done differently that would have saved Megami, but it all boiled down to the simple fact that he was powerless in that moment that it happened. Be it physically or mentally, he lacked the sufficient strength in whatever department it needed to be in to have altered what fate decided to happen.

So he'd get stronger.


"You still there, Xenkun?"

Xenneth had answered Jake before. If he was still out there, Warrior was eager to find out whether or not Megami was okay.

-