An Experiment In Taunting

Stepping free of her mighty shield the navi let that sudden rush of burning heat begin to overtake her weapon and begin to overheat it. Though thankfully she used that as a powerful blast and sent a burning hook that smacked the Boomer virus into oblivion, while the second shot quickly ended its last remaining twin.

Though her plans to take cover once more behind her stationary shield seemed to backfire as the ground beneath started to give way, and with a shock the navi started to fall, only to suddenly land on her butt as the surprising laser light show quickly mended the panel that she had just seconds before destroyed. And while the navi was left if perhaps a little surprised, the tank wasn't and with a powerful blast, smashed that shield with a truly a destructive blast that knocked that large shield off balance and sent it flying and off, narrowly missing clipping the navi as it rolled and finally shattered into digital data.

Enemies
Catack: 70HP [Normal B]
Boomer A: Deleted
Boomber B: Deleted
Boomer C: Deleted
Boomer D: Deleted

Terrain
95% Normal
5% Cracked

Ally
Mir.EXE: 100HP [1-hit Shield: Destroyed] [Cracked]
"Oh my god, that was too close...!" gasped Mir as the IronShield chunk sailed over her head. When it finally was clear that she wasn't in imminent danger from shrapnel, the space Navi finally relaxed, letting her arms slack and the LTC dangle now that it was finally free of that anchor-like defense.

"All's well that ends well though, right? All the Boomers are deleted!" announced Emily proudly.

"You seem awfully happy considering you haven't gotten even one bit of test data from this battle." noted Mir of her chip selection thus far.

"Oh, you're right... Well, I know one way to fix that. The Catack's still there for a test subject, sooo..." responded Emily, before smoothly slotting a single chip into her PET.

Mir tapped the LTC's input screen once or twice to see what had been uploaded, and the answer did significant good for her mental state. "Finally, something the LTC was designed to do! Sweet, sweet beams..." she exclaimed joyfully, patting her weapon a few times out of relief.

"Since we haven't gotten anything else from these viruses, I'm expect some excellent data from this shot. Don't disappoint me, Mir~" ordered Emily playfully.

"Yes ma'am!" answered Mir, who quickly ran the firing protocol for her Arsenal chip. The LTC's internal parts whirred to life, almost sounding excited themselves for finally getting some proper work, as Lumian particles started generating at incomprehensible speeds. Mir quickly tapped away at the input screen, entering a high value for the particle density and setting the emission type as a continuous stream. Her Lumian supply was filled to capacity as soon as she finished, so with a single trigger pull, Mir fired a large beam of light at the Catack. The sheer power of the beam caused it to quickly unweave into smaller beams, but they all remained on-target for the last remaining virus. With her attack traveling faster than light, Mir waited just a moment to see the results...

Actions:
1) Arsenal1 (40 Elec damage + 10 Elec damage x 4 hits [A+]) @ Catack

--TURN SPLICE--
PEW PEW PEW CATACK DEAD. SO VERY DEAD.

Enemies
Catack: DELETED
Boomer A: Deleted
Boomber B: Deleted
Boomer C: Deleted
Boomer D: Deleted

Terrain
95% Normal
5% Cracked

Ally
Mir.EXE: 100HP [1-hit Shield: Destroyed] [Cracked]

=== BATTLE 4 OVER ===

--- What's a Boomber, anyway? ---

Rewards: 600z, Boomerang1 BattleChip data
"I think... I might not mind getting data for you, as long as the simulations are like that." decided Mir, referencing the Arsenal beam just fired to a successful result.

"Yes, the Arsenal is particularly intriguing from an application standpoint... Or, rather, the peeling of the beam that it does could be catastrophic if we're trying to shoot a beam out of the solar system... Hrmm..." thought Emily aloud.

"Um... Emily? Should I continue?" asked Mir, realizing that she was about to lose her Operator to scientific rigor.

"Ah, yes, please do. Just a little more data should do for now." answered Emily concisely before resuming her mile-a-minute thoughts.

Mir just shrugged her shoulders, gathered up the spoils of battle, and continued on as requested.

(Battle 5 Start)
[Modlocked]
Continuing on, the navi went on about the network, only for a sudden quake to start shaking all around. Soon starting to become far fiercer in nature before the very terrain around began to crumble and fall away. Leaving the navi standing on a small metalic platform, and while perhaps still shaken up by the ordeal, there just ahead lay a second platform, where 'it' suddenly came down for a landing firm enough to send another small quake through the area.

'It' as it turned out, seemed to be a mutant of a virus, standing close to 7'5, looking to weigh close to 300lbs or more, was a hulking beast of a man like virus. Though by the burning nature of it's not fully there face and burning skull with blue bandana flowing in some unfelt wind. It smashed its boxing glove clad fists together before thrusting one arm forth threateningly. Only to start bouncing lightly upon its toes as it took a few more quick jabs and hooks as if preparing itself for a bout. Round its hips rested what could only be called a mock championship belt with gold trim and the picture of a Champu resting upon the face. The name: Champox, engraved beneath while other clothes seemed to be nothing more than sport shorts and bare chest, with matching tight boxer's boots to make sure he'd not slip.

When all was finally said and done, another quick thrust of its glove towards the navi standing across from him showed he was finally ready, as off echoing in the distance, the sound of a bell sounded off, signaling the start of the match!

Champion Corner
Champox: 300HP [Metal B]

Terrain
15% Metal A [Platform large enough to dodge left or right on]
15% Metal B [Platform large enough to dodge left or right on]
70% Broken [All around platforms]

Challenger Corner
Mir.EXE: 100HP

—Boxing Bout, Round 1, Start!—
"W-whoa...! Why is the ground breaking apart?!" shouted Mir over the rumbling. She immediately dropped to her knees to stabilize her position on the metal platform, being a smart girl for it as the rest of the surrounding area completely collapsed save for one other platform. The LTC clattering against the metallic floor was almost as loud as the quakes, leaving Mir unable to hear just about anything else until the shaking finally stopped. "Oh god... What on earth is SciLab trying to-"

*WHAM*

"Okay, seriously, what is SciLab doing with this network?!" screamed Mir in exasperation as the Champox made his sudden entrance. Just... Just... Oh nevermind. Mir took a deep breath, and regained her composure. "So, Emily. Who is this guy? And why does he not have a shirt, for that matter?"

"My PET's saying that's a virus..." mumbled Emily uncertainly. "Champox...? I can't really speak for his sense of fashion, though."

"Wha...? That's a VIRUS?!" gasped Mir. "Did SciLab make this? They're wasting resources on such strange things!"

"Haha... Mir, I'm pretty sure he can understand you... It looks like he already wants to fight, so you probably shouldn't say anything to make him angry." warned Emily nervously.

"Oh... Oops. I hadn't thought about that, after fighting just normal viruses all this time..." realized Mir after some thought. "Well, if nothing else he's a willing test subject. Give me some good chips to try?"

"Hmm... So far it's been just the guns that emit Lumian beams... Let's go with these two, then. They should have an interesting reaction with these metal platforms." explained Emily as she slotted in a pair of Battlechips for her Navi.

The LTC quickly recognized the incoming chip data and displayed the preset calibrations for the ZapRing and Thunder on the input screen. "Finally back in my own element..." sighed Mir contently as she loaded up the ZapRing's firing protocols. The interior of the barrel began glowing with light as the particle chamber gathered up the necessary supply of Lumians... Actually, Mir just went ahead and pulled the trigger. Her ammo generated as speeds faster than light, so not a whole lot of lag time in between her shots. That sent the ZapRing charged with molecule-piercing flying across the gap between platforms and towards Champox's overly large bare chest.

With all the focus on the quantum ZapRing darting towards her opponent, it was easy to miss Mir firing her second chip in almost direct succession. The LTC's Lumian tank never stopped gathering the magic little particles, so just behind the ZapRing Mir launched the Thunder sphere. The electrically-charged Lumian cluster was strangely slow moving for something made of light, but it made its trek across the gap all the same en route to Champox. He was pretty clearly a melee fighter, which Mir was wholly and entirely... not. As a result, she was entirely at peace with gunning him down before a punch was thrown. Figuring that he wouldn't just be waiting over there the whole time, though, Mir lowered the LTC from its firing position and got ready to try and dodge whatever crazy thing the man-virus was about to pull.

Actions:
1) ZapRing1 (45 Elec damage [A+], Stun 1, 100% Metal Bonus) @ Champox
2) Thunder1 (45 Elec damage , Stun 1, Homing, 100% Metal Bonus) @ Champox
3) Dodge
Bringing a gun to a fist fight, while something one might consider unfair, in this case seemed to be a great asset, and truly the brute didn't seem to care about it as the weapon was raised, though probably for good reason.

As Mir drew the weapon's trigger, the champion before her seemed to grin and almost entirely phase from view as that blast of electrical charge was discharged and sent its way. Only to perhaps surprisingly connect with nothing but a ghostly image of where the virus had previously been.

Their size difference easily confirmed as she had merely a split second time to react and ducked off to one side of her platform. As the hindering effects vanished shortly after, and his strike continued. Sending out a sudden blast of almost deep crimson flame, pillaring out from his fist and far into the network beyond as the burning strike obviously meant for her missed. The second strike in the Champs one-two combo however saw through the duck and weave strategy, and left the navi wide open for a second blazing fist that slammed home, pushing the navi back to the edge of her ring as that burning pillar of fire overtook her and left her in a real hot situation.(-20) No sooner had he made the strike did the virus warp back to its own platform with an almost sinister grin across its face as it seemed pleased to have found a challenger that survived his first strike. Or at least, it would be grinning, if not for that slow moving orb that seemed to strike it from behind, giving it a nasty shock and leaving him blinking in shock and perhaps a little stunned from the hit!


Champion Corner
Champox: 210HP [Metal B] (Stunned! -1 Action)

Terrain
15% Metal A [Platform large enough to dodge left or right on]
15% Metal B [Platform large enough to dodge left or right on]
70% Broken [All around platforms]

Challenger Corner
Mir.EXE: 80HP
"Oof...!" wheezed Mir as the Champox's punch knocked the wind out of her. The burning fist and pillar left her suit scorched, but that handy-dandy spacesuit spared her any real bodily harm. "It... it... warps?!" she gasped, both in surprise and need for air. "Okay, this really is some SciLab experiment gone wrong, isn't it?!"

"I guess so...? Teleporting is certainly a rare ability for viruses... Not that this one isn't a rare virus already..." mumbled Emily, feeling rather uncertain about this situation. It wasn't her field, after all. "Oh, but you did hit it with that Thunder particle cluster! I think it's paralyzed, even!"

"Doesn't Thunder always do that...?" asked Mir quietly to herself, before shaking that question off. "Well, then let's strike again while it's down! I don't want to get punched again..." That would've sounded a lot more motivational if she had spared that honest admission at the end, probably. "Just give me the Arsenal and whatever else, and I'll make sure to not miss again. That warping thing won't trick me twice." Okay, that sounded a bit more resolute. Good job, Mir.

"On it, Mir! I'll give you an extra gun, since you probably shouldn't fight this guy up close on his terms..." announced Emily as she slotted the chips into her PET, adding in a very good point as bonus.

"No kidding..." sighed Mir as the Arsenal and Cannon data loaded into the LTC. Mir quickly charged up the cannon's Lumian tank, and with all the speed of her beyond-lightspeed projectiles, Mir triggered the Arsenal's firing routine and blasted a mammoth laser out of the LTC's barrel. As it usually did, the intense beam of dense Lumians peeled apart into a cluster of smaller lasers, spiraling around the central beam as the quantum particles tried to rejoin with each other. Mir really enjoyed firing the Arsenal, and perhaps she would've considered taunting the Champox with her greatest attack, save for the facts that she couldn't really raise her voice over the searing sound of lasers and how the Champox was not the best choice to piss off in any given situation. Mir was just too practical, and self-preserving, to bother much with witty combat banter.

Instead, Mir's attention went back to her precious LTC, as her fingers nimbly danced across the input screen as she loaded the Cannon's firing routine while the Arsenal beam was still surging out from the barrel. The Lumian collection chamber in the back of the hi-tech cannon churned up some extra quantum particles despite them already being drained out for the large beam shot, allowing Mir to punctuate her main attack. As the Arsenal finally began to taper off, Mir jettisoned the remaining Lumian stock from the tank all at once, creating a single cluster of Lumians that followed the last wake of the laser beam towards the Champox. Mir then stepped out of her shooting stance and quickly shifted her attention to defense, knowing that this danged virus-guy could pop up anywhere...

Actions:
1) Arsenal1 (45 Elec damage + 15 Elec damage x 4 hits [A+]) @ Champox
2) Cannon (40 damage [A+], Knockback) @ Champox
3) Dodge
[Modlock Removed]

Stunned, trapped, easily targeted, Mir made quick to abuse the momentarily helpless Champ by loading up her strongest asset and let loose a blast of laser lights that went spiraling towards him at a blinding speed. With ease, the first strike connected, as did two of those spiraling lasers that seemed to follow it. Though perhaps by design, or just outright bad luck, two of the lesser beams twisted just enough to miss him entirely.

And once free the Champ stumbled slightly, which was just enough of a mishap to get slammed again by the second blast which pushed him to the edge of his ring. Slumping down, grunting and finally seeming to yield, the Champ rose back to his feet, offered an if surprising grin before tossing one of its gloves onto Mir's platform. Waving the now bare hand before it quickly faded away just shortly before the ground below began to quake and mend itself as the network finally noticed the deformation and fixed it. Leaving the navi once more standing on good solid ground, with a glowing glove of data and even some spoils for winning, if you can call the Champ's taking off a win, which she totally can.

Champion Corner
Champox: Escaped

Terrain
15% Metal A [Platform large enough to dodge left or right on]
15% Metal B [Platform large enough to dodge left or right on]
70% Broken [All around platforms]

Challenger Corner
Mir.EXE: 80HP

—Boxing Bout, Round 1, Victory?—
Mir.EXE: 700z, FireBurn1

Quote ()

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.
"... That was odd." proclaimed Mir as the battle was suddenly over.

"Self-preservation instincts, sensing its defeat? Though it did seem awfully pleased about something..." wondered Emily over the Champox's exit.

"What made it think I wanted its glove...?" queried Mir as she placed the LTC on the now stable ground and picked up the boxing glove in one hand. Later Mir would realize she lacked caution in this situation, as she was immediately assaulted by the rancid stench of man-virus emanating from the sweaty leather. "Ack...! Oh my god, that's awful! Its sweat smells like bad rocket fuel!"

"Well, the glove was on fire just a moment ago..." noted Emily as the possible cause for the toxic vapors.

"Whatever, just jack me out please! You've got your data, and if this is what SciLab's going to throw at me from here out, I'll give them the win!" begged Mir as she snatched the data out from inside the glove as quickly as possible before she threw it on the ground. And loaded the LTC. And pummeled the glove with Lumian beams until it was quantum mashed potatoes.

"Maybe you should just reset your olfactory emulators when you get back to the PET." suggested Emily as she rescued the distraught Navi from her plight.

(Jack Out)