The battle of NetCastle D-119.

ToxicMan's face was totally concealed by his hood, and showed no emotion.

Instead, he just stared at SINNBAD and Lucia just long enough to be considered 'uncomfortable'.

Then, his voice gurgled, "Mission? Don't make me laugh. Playing hero, are we?" he snorted a bit. "I've had sneezes more formidable than you."

He paused for another uncomfortable moment. "I guess I'll have to follow you to convince you. Lead on, heroes." he snorted towards himself again amidst a cascade of greasy laughter.

"Oh, and don't blame me for your shit design, kid." he said to Lucia.

"We're not heroes. We just have a goal."

SINNBAD ended as he finished picking himself up and looked to see that Lucia was alright. He saw she was using a Guard1 Battlechip as a shield against the rain. He nodded to her before continuing onward toward the castle in the distance.

[Battle 2: We are almost there. Ready.]

Lucia gave a blink before she turned round on her heel to glare towards the toxic waste site that was Toxicman. "What did you just say?! Look who's talking you snot faced, sludge brained, no good pile of stinky shit! Just who do you think you are talkin-" "Enough Lucia."

Navi gave a start before she turned her gaze skywards towards those dark clouds past her shield. "Did you hear what he called me!? " "Yes, leave it alone, we're moving on. Get going."

Letting out an aggravated huff, Lucia took time to take one last glare at her new partner before she spun back around and started heading towards the castle. "Fine fine.. As you say master..Least I'll be out of this rain once we get there.."

[Ready for Battle 2/what's next]

The crew advanced towards the outer fortress wall surrounding the castle grounds. The environment became more urbane as they did so, however the lack of maintenance on the server became more evident as they approached. The buildings were in a terrible state of decay and disrepair; some lacking roofs, while others had collapsed entirely. There were few buildings left standing that had all four walls, for that matter, one of which stood just off to the right. Perhaps it could provide temporary shelter from the elements?

Or... not.

((Stormy Encounter Theme))

The group was now within hailing distance of the fortress gates, and a small army of curiously well organized viruses stood arrayed against them. Two groups of Swordy viruses, a mix of gold and blue colors, advanced upon the crew in groups of 3. A pair of silver swordies stood guard flanking the gate itself; their armor adorned with a red sash denoting some form of rank. A flash of lightning revealed the top of the walls to be studded with a cannonade of HardHeads; all well out of reach of the Navigators below. Worse, the gate itself appeared to have become corrupted, and had assumed the form of a Dominerd.

This would be a very difficult breach, indeed.

[x4] [x1] [x2] [x2] [x4]

Lucia, SINNBAD, and ToxicMan came upon an impressive sight. At least, for the former two. Who knew if ToxicMan didn't just spit at the whole thing as a waste of his time. It was raining.

Regardless, the sight that they saw was grand in scale, as a literal army stood poised in their way. A half-dozen soldiers advanced on them in two sorties, from either side. The 'door' was guarded by two more, potentially higher rank soldiers, and the 'door' itself. The most dangerous elements however came from the battlements, which were armed with an array of powerful turrets. The terrain stretched away from them in all directions, dotted here and there with trees and mostly useless moss-covered ruins. Two structures looked like they might be shelter from the rain... assuming the turrets didn't destroy them.

"We will handle the skirmishers."

SINNBAD stated to ToxicMan as he turned to Lucia, hefting his rifle.

"I'll take the left."

He said before striking the ground with the butt of his rifle, sweeping it across him in a half circle. The badge on the left side of his chest, his navi symbol, sparked to life once more, glowing a familiar white hot light. The air rippled and the water was thrown back as an invisible force bubbled outward from his body, pushing the elements away, temporarily. His skin and leather jerkin hardened and turned gray, resisting the elements as if he was calcifying right there on the battlefield. His defenses were set within moments of the encounter's start.

He then charged to his left, heading toward the enclosing squad of sword-wielding viruses. His bayonet flared to life as he prepared himself for a close-in combat. The illumination blaring out his position for all to see in the clouded battlefield.

His footfalls splashed across the terrain as he ran, storming towards the lead warrior. He held his rifle held like a spear, the sharp point of his spear directing the minuteman's aim. As he got within striking distance he twisted his lead foot to the side and slid. His skid shifted him just enough so that he should have coasted right through the middle of the group. He was attempting a run-and-cut joust.

His hands flashed as he slid through the horde. Ever so slightly did he change the course of his spear, attempting to land more than one blow as he passed through. The reach given to his blade by his rifle should have allowed him enough reach to strike any one of the three. Though he didn't have a lot of time to strike, before he slid right on through. Only getting off two potentially lethal strikes.

Lucia watched somewhat in awe as they came upon the outer walls of that castle's courtyard, such a vast amount of viruses had taken to its defense, and even the door was one of them! Still as she watched on from under her shield made umbrella, it seemed at least SINNBAD had plan for an attack, which he set into quickly.

"I don't like this set up Lucia, do something about the path then take to the right."
Lucia responded quickly to the order from beyond the net, giving soft push into the mud to set herself about in quick spin upon heel. It was an effort to keep from flinging arms out but for now they stayed above, Though the intent of the quick spiral was to scatter about thousands of tiny data particles adrift throughout the network. They'd not have to travel to far as they started to fall much like the rain, falling upon mud and grass, setting them a brilliant glow. This shine was harmless to any virii that might be atop the panels, but it's intent would be known soon as mud started to sprout small bits of foliage. Soon every panel that was set alight was sprouting fresh new plant-life, and as the light begun to fade, the fresh new grass panels replaced those that the particles had fallen upon.

With her quick little ballet at an end the navi took to her move, feet splashing across rain soaked grass as she took charge towards the right side of the former path. "Do you have a plan for these things master?" came quiet inquiry from the fiery navi still trying to keep hidden under her shield, though rain did nothing to stop a bright blaze that surrounded her for brief moment, granting her an extra layer of protection.

"First push one of the gate guards into the group ahead, then we'll use twin chips to deal with the pack." Orders were given as navi came to slight sliding stop upon grass, as she did her free arm gave firm sling with the carried momentum, while the action appeared harmless, there was a slight swirl in the rain droplets, shooting forward towards the gate, with luck it may catch one of the guards by surprise, if not the sudden blast of air would no doubt do so as a force tried to send it off the muddy pay into the three guards to its right.

Noisy hissing followed as same arm was drawn up and hand flexed, sparks started to link between fingers before a ball of electrical energy formed in her palm. Dropping down onto one knee Lucia gave deep growl as that same orb of power was slammed into the grass, sparking to life as the charge dispersed itself forward along the ground, outwards towards it's victims.

Without missing a beat same arm rose and slammed fist into the grass once more, this time an eruption burst from the panel, tossing dirt and mud, grass and water all over as a shockwave took off towards the same group behind the lightning wave sent before it.

Summary:
*Set Stage: Grass [NC] Large Terrain Change, Grass
* Blaze Aura [Signature] 20HP Barrier on Self
1. Tactical Movement: Move towards right of mud path to line up with Skirmisher Group R
*Gust [Subtype Ability] One instance of Pull @ Swordy-N EX B
2. Elecreel1 [Battlechip] 80 Elec Damage to ground group @ Swordy-E B, Swordy-A C, D, Swordy-N B
3. Shockwave [Battlechip] 40 Null Damage + Ground Attack + Line Attack @ Swordy-E B, Swordy-A C, D, Swordy-N B

Status:
Lucia.EXE: 108HP[Guard1][20HP Barrier]

((Stormy Encounter Theme))

As SINNBAD and Lucia raised their defenses, which were immediately cut to half strength bu the Toxic Aura, ToxicMan faded back and disappeared into the deluge. Lucia spun about, and seeded the ground with grass seed data. Given the weather, the effect was immediate, and a lush, green field of grass spring right out of the mud. This made SINNBAD's forward charge suddenly much easier, and the added acceleration put him within range of the first Swordy-E before either of them were really ready. The Navi lanced the virus with his bayonet, deleting it as a second sword-wielding virus struck his barrier solidly with a passing sword sweep attack. The third, a Swordy-A, actually took a swing at SINNBAD from outside the Navi's own range; the blade of the virii's sword actually elongating visibly as it executed an overhead swing. The AquaBlade locked up with a parry of SINNBAD's rifle for a moment before the watery blade evaporated, and the Navi rushed forward to stab the second virus.

Meanwhile, Lucia called forth a gust of wind to pry one of the gate guarding Swordy-N's off the wall. The virus wore an expression of surprise, as seen by the wide, circular shape of its white glowing eyes, was pushed forward a ways in the wake of the group of advancing elemental Swordies. Lucia then cast a bolt of chain lightning at the wet ground, which proceeded to skitter, spark, and writhe as it quickly overtook and overwhelmed the advanced guard. The trio of elemental Swordies fried where they stood as the river of lightning advanced upon the Swordy-N EX. The Swordy was just getting back up from the fall it had taken after being pushed down the hill, and it had no time to dodge. It appeared the virus would meet the same fate as the advanced guard as the crackling mass leaped up at it....

...And crashed against an invisible wall, sparing the Swordy from deletion. The electricity of the ElecReel flowed upwards, following the monolithic contours of the wall. The invisible wall began to visibly solidify into a free-standing black monolith with two large, glowing white eyes glaring down from several meters above. A flash of lightning revealed the monolith to be the slate-gray form of the Dominerd the two Navis had seen acting as the outer gate earlier. It had quietly and stealthily teleported between Lucia and the Swordy-N, and took the hit for the defenseless virus. It stood silently in her path, staring down at her with a quiet, menacing air for a few moments before the virus faded back into total invisibility....

And that's when the Swordy-N EX, just now visible again with the disappearance of the Dominerd, did something startling. One moment it was standing far up the path, passively staring at the Navi from a distance. A flash of lightning later, and the Swordy was standing on the panel directly in front of Lucia; sword already flashing through a wide sword slice that obliterated her Barrier. She then hit the virus with the Shockwave attack at point blank range; leaving the virus with no time to react before it was hit.

SINNBAD was experiencing similar trouble, as something struck him from behind and sundered the Navi's armor. The stone skin armor shattered, and the pieces littered the ground around the Knight-turned-Pirate. There was no telling what had hit him, though a glance ahead at the castle walls showed the viral gate and both guards were nowhere to be found.

Another crack of lightning and the boom of thunder broke the heavy downbeat of the pouring rain. The flash illuminated the battlefield. Hedged in by two strong opponents, SINNBAD was fighting defensively. He had traded blows with the Swordy groups and had so far been lucky. But who knew how long that would hold.

The water beat relentlessly off his poncho.

His barrier and armor had been eaten away and SINN's strength was being sapped from having to be on guard at all times. His will, however, was not waning. He braced his resolve and posture. His boots dipped into the grass, bending the stems. He tried to slow his breath, raising his rifle once more with a grim look of determination on his face. His bayonet glowed brightly, casting away the shadows around him.

He stepped toward the closest soldier brazenly, closing the distance to the one within reach. His navi symbol flared to life once more, blazing as hot as his saber. The pirate set himself upon the viral swordsman, giving off a fierce war cry. He rushed the virus as his skin began to take on a hue of stone. He crashed into the battle-space as his barrier erupted from him, stunning the water and the air for the briefest of moments. Perhaps it even threw the Swordy for a loop, long enough to slip SINN's blade through the chinks in its armor. SINN thrusted his weapon out and up, attempting to drag the mighty blade through the enemy and cleave it in twain.

Then SINN turned on the one who had struck him in the back. The creature still had incredible vitality. SINN had to charge much further across the battlefield in order to attack this other swordsman. But the navi tried it anyways. The water beat itself between the two adversaries as the pirate tried a bayonet charge. He speared through the water like a javelin thrown through a waterfall by a Herculean athlete, the curtain of rain parting away him as if it retreated from him.

He attempted to strike using the momentum gained from the charge. The navi's illuminated blade cutting through the darkness. Potentially spearing the fish. But it was up to fate, and a little chance, whether the fisherman caught his quarry or not.

Lucia gave a surprised start when she saw that large menacing door floating there taking the electrical current seemingly without harm. Though she didn't have long to look on curiously as it faded away, only for the sword wielder to appear before her instead. Soft squeak of shock was given when it took it's chance to slice away her defense, only to scowl out darkly towards it.

"Lucia, strike it down before it can escape." With orders came the means, as chip was snapped into place and the small orb appeared in Lucia's hand. She'd only take faint peek at it before her fiery spirit burst up about her once more to reenergize the air and create that bubble of protection once more. With it came sparks as the ball in her hand burst to life in brilliant glow. Closing what little gap there was between them she thrust the orb forth. "You're not going anywhere ugly!"

"Lucia, I want you to shoot your bow at the other higher ranked one, Give SINNBAD some cover fire." "Right, oh wait, just a normal arrow?" Came query as navi drew up an arrow and turned her attention towards the other enemy, trusting the orb to at least do its job in temporarily stopping the brunt before her. "Trust me, fire. Then use this to finish yours off."

Still navi did just as ordered, taking aim as faint outline of her bow was drawn to life, fighting and flickering against the rain, it remained just long enough for her arrow to be sent on its way, the sharp, hardened black tip slicing through the droplets with ease on that path towards second guard. No sooner had she sent it off she drew herself back towards her first opponent, sharp twin claws shooting forth above her right hand as she sent a might cleave towards her enemy, hoping it was still stunned and left helpless to her new assault.

Summary:
1. Thunder1 [Battlechip] 40 Elec Damage + Stun1 @ Swordy-N EX B
2. Arrow Shot [Buster 1*2*2=4 Damage + Break] @ Swordy-N EX A
2. Rageclaw1 [Battlechip] 40 Null Damage + Slashing @ Swordy-N EX B

Status
Lucia.EXE: 108HP [Guard1][20HP Barrier]

The Swordy-N EX fighting Lucia followed through on its previous strike, and lashed out again with its ghostly purple saber as Lucia threw a Thunderball at it. The sword struck with astonishing speed, slashing away the protective Barrier almost before it was completely formed. The virus paid for this tactic, and was instantly deleted by the return thunderball attack. Why or how was anyone's guess.

SINNBAD, meanwhile, had swordies of his own to contend with. The Navi spun around, refreshed his defenses, and took a long ranged sword blow from the Swordy-N EX. The purple blade lashed out at the Navi from 4 meters or more away, the ghostly blade extending outwards to cleave the freshly made barrier in half as SINNBAD stepped forwards to attack the Swordy-A. The Navi traded blows with the aqua knight, their swords sweeping past each other in parallel arcs. The Swordy-A was the loser of the iron man competition, and vanished into deletion in exchange for merely damaging the Navi's armor.

As SINNBAD charged the remaining Swordy, Lucia turned towards it, and fired an arrow into the virus in exchange for exposing herself to the elements briefly. Thi drew the attention of the monolithic Dominerd once more, as it appeared between Lucia and her intended target to take the hit. The arrow struck the virus, and snapped in half before falling to the ground after colliding with the virii's stone skin. The Dominerd disappeared silently into the storm.... And SINNBAD took the opening his ally had just bought for him and slew the remaining virus, who seemed to have been poisoned prior to his arrival.

The cannonade of HardHeads made a metallic clanking sound as their iron domes opened to reveal the mortars hidden within. The four viruses, already subjected to Toxicman's poison, loaded their cannons, and fired. As their cannons spat solid steel cannonballs into the stormy night sky, a rapid series of four high pressure streams of acid jetted out to strike each of them while they were vulnerable. All four viruses were deleted before any of their attacks found their marks...

And find their marks they did. A single cannon ball fell out of the sky like a lead weight, and struck the still-armored SINNBAD from behind. The steel sphere shattered the Navi's armor like porcelain, and slammed into the Navi. It pushed him forward, and dropped him face-down in the wet grass before turning the panel he'd just occupied into a crater.

The second cannonball dropped out of the storm to break through Lucia's Guard1, and strike the Fire Navi. The ground gave way below her as her RageClaw materialized, and she fell partway into the pit before grabbing the grassy ledge out of reflex. To add insult to injury, the rain now poured down right in her face, and there really wasn't a thing she could do about that right this second.

The remaining two cannonballs plowed into the building Toxicman has been using as a sniper's nest, and brought the entire structure down. It was doubtful that was enough to bring the Navi down as well, but it couldn't have done him any favors... Assuming he was still in the building to begin with.

The Dominerd reappeared within the gate's door frame after the two sides had done their best to annihilate each other, and reverted silently into a normal castle gate. The gate then opened of its own accord....

"Uuugh."

SINNBAD groaned as he shifted on his belly in the muddy grass. The rain pelted his form. It took him a moment to lift his head, caked in soil. His eyes opened wide as he looked around, as they were still in a battle, still alert. His rifle was next to him, lying still on the ground. He reached out with one hand, sliding it through the earth, creating the wing of an 'angel' in the mud.

He grasped the stock and pulled it towards him. Using it as a brace he climbed to his feet. He wiped his face with the sleeve of his poncho. It was then he noticed that Lucia was not visible. Neither was the enemy. The rain and the grass created a fog that was hard to see far in.

"LUCIA!"

He called into the mist and loud rain.

There was surprises all around it seemed, as first the opponent before her seemed to die from an attack Lucia didn't think could kill it. Then it was the strangeness of the door as it blocked her attempt to help an ally, only to become dormant and seem to leave the battle.

Biggest surprise came with the sudden destruction of her 'umbrella' and a large amount of pain, then the feeling of falling. She let out a cry as her arms went out, thankful for the claws that dug into the mud to catch herself from falling away. Low quiet groan followed before she let out a whine at being unprotected from the rain yet again, slowly tugging upwards as left hand rose up and gripped grass and mud. Tugging some free as she pulls herself upwards. Her claws stabbing into the panel while pulling out of that pit slowly.

"Ugh, what was that..this place is so weird, I hate it here." The fiery navi complained the whole way climbing out of that dark pit and slumped heavily upon the ground once more. Her form give a shiver, if such could be said possible of a program before she balled up fists and growled out loudly. Forcing her systems to burn brightly once more, slowly rising to her feet to start looking around slowly. "SINNIE! Hey big guy you alive out there!"

SINNBAD saw Lucia climb out of the hole. He jogged over to her and crouched down. He also set his rifle down.

"Hey. Are you alright?"

He said as he placed his hands on her shoulders and rubbed them to keep her warm. He saw a few scratches. Reaching for his waist pouches he retrieved some bandages and some salve and began treating her wounds. It was only a stopgap measure at the moment, it would take a little while for the healing to kick in. And the rain wasn't helping.

"This should help. Now let's get going before you freeze out here."

SINN then helped her up. Steadying her towards the castle doors.

Lucia gave faint smile and nodded her things as her partner in the tended to the scraps, cuts and bruises she'd taken. Shifting a little as she lets out a sigh and starts heading towards that open castle gateway. Eyeing up the dormant Dominerd gone door with a scowl. But quickly nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Will be easier once I'm inside to fight. Out here it's just raining too hard to last much longer."

Usual smile was gone from the fiery little navi that was quickly realizing just how much she hated dealing with rain. "Honestly, who's heard of rain on the internet anyway..Still, we're here to clean up the system right? So are we supposed to find something inside, or just sweep through room by room and kill them all?"
[Heading towards/through Dominerd gateway]

"I'd say clear it all. But maybe it will be related to our previous mission; perhaps there will be some 'spawn' inside."

SINNBAD spit, adding to the deluge of rain.

"Although we don't have any V-Eliminators."

He muttered as they headed to/through the door.

[Heading towards/through Dominerd gateway.]

As SINNBAD and Lucia approached the gate, it automatically slid upwards and out of their way to let them pass. The sounds of some sort of heavy chain-driven mechanism could be heard as it rose ponderously into the air. The Navigators walked right on past without the dormant Dominerd bothering them at all, and found themselves in a cavernously tall, yet very short hallway with a second gate at the other end. Once they were inside, the gate mechanism cranked to life and lowered the gate behind them.

The structure was unfortunately not the castle itself, but simply the outer fortress wall; And this but a simple passageway through it. The passage featured rows of unlit torches and a couple of normal-sized cast iron doors on each side of the hallway. These features were visible courtesy of he occasional flash of lightning that glared down from a rather large hole in the ceiling off to one side that was dumping a constant waterfall of runoff into the room. The water seemed to be draining off somewhere, at least, rather than the room filling up like so many cliche'd water trap rooms. The cast iron doors would not open if approached, nor would they respond to force either. They were sturdy enough to withstand the worst either of these Navis could currently shell out. It was turn back or continue onward only at this point.

The gate at the far end began to rise a few seconds later as the heavy iron chains bolted to the back of it pulled it up and out of their way to let the two pass. The elements were there beyond the gate to greet them, of course... Visibility was still terrible, but the lightning helped make up for it as the two walked out into what appeared to be the outer courtyard of the castle, which appeared to be completely overgrown by grass....

And viruses.

Arrayed before them in the stormy night were an advancing vanguard of four green Swordys spread out in a line. Following a short distance behind them were the black floating spheres of Raingears, hovering along on blue jets of flame. Beyond the skirmishing lines was the castle itself; a towering edifice of stone that easily matched any of its real world equivalents in sheer dimension. Regardless of size, the structure had seen better days, and worse, the entrance was guarded by a pair of large stone statues, holding large iron hammers.... Gaia. And if this weren't enough, a thunderbolt disassociated with the storm struck the ground nearby to alert the two Navis to the presence of a pair of RemoteBits hovering high overhead.

The odds did not look good, but fortunately the Navis could still take advantage of the shelter the outer wall passageway provi---

((Or not.))

The gate slammed down hard behind SINNBAD and Lucia, trapping them in the courtyard. The gate warped before the Navis' eyes into the glaring visage of a monolithic Dominerd. One that had a very familiar HP reading....

On the plus side, the cannonade of HardHeads atop the castle walls no longer existed to harass them.

x2 x2 x4 x4 x1

Rain...

It was always raining.

The two navis looked upon the battlefield before them with hardened hearts. They had never before encountered such resistance. At every turn, enemies assailed them. They had never known a moments rest. And even though they hid it well behind bubbly words and actions, their nerves were taut and ready to break. Even Lucia, the bubbliest of the two, would not be able to keep up her optimism for much longer; constantly pelted by the elements. Elements that hurt her to her core.

The rain poured.

The garrison was strong. Very strong. Another wave of sword-wielding viruses stepped forward to challenge them, clad in thick, green armor. Their blades caught the light when the lightning flashed overhead, gleaming sickly. They marched on the party line abreast, silent, floating.

The water rushed off and about their armor like liquid cloaks.

The roar of jets followed behind. Blue streaks blazing from the bottoms of circular creatures. Their bodies were dark, only highlighted by their blaze. They were unknown to the pair. Uncharted. Who knew what secrets they held.

The rain sizzled off their forms, turning to steam as they hit the flames.

Behind SINN and Lucia stood a monolithic evil. No matter what happened in the last battle, it was there. It never uttered a word. It never attacked. No sound was made when it was struck. It was just there, staring. Always staring. Would it follow them to the ends of the earth? Was it the manifestation of the castle itself?

The rain pounded the virus with little effect.

And the threats kept coming. From above, adding to the storm itself, were two satellites. Their masters were safe, stationed high above the war zone in a mammoth edifice of stone and masonry. The periphery of the inner keep. They would be untouchable until the navis assaulted the castle itself, climbing to the highest room of the tallest tower.

The storm found no purchase in their home.

But before they could do that, the two navis would have to get through the guardians of the inner gates, far off on the other side of the battlefield. The twin soldiers each hefted aloft a monstrous maul and stood ready to rebuff any advance made. Their huge, heavy hammers more than a match for the sturdiest of defenses.

A flash of lightning and a boom of thunder illuminated static grins.

The weather was bleak. The rain was heavy. The battlefield clouded. SINN's weapon was useless. The tough battle ahead would strain the fighting capabilities of the two navis to their limits.

They would need help.

SINNBAD planted his rifle, butt first, into the ground. He bowed his head and closed his eyes. The loud rain washed over his covered form in sheets, drowning his words. Soaking his body cold. He shivered.

"I have weighed my spirit and found lacking. My strength as it stands will not see me or my ally through. Grant me the strength of iron and a heart of fire."

The battlefield erupted in light. But this light was not due to a random lightning strike. This light, hot and bright, came from the warrior navi. His form was consumed in a conflagration, a silvery flame. He shone like a small sun as his silhouette transmogrified.

His leathers caught the shimmer and glowed as they took on a metallic sheen. His form became bulkier, more stolid, more angular. His skin became concealed. His head took on the frightening appearance of a raging drake. As the darkness drew up around the navi, his form became truly visible again.

SINN was clad from head to toe in heavy armor. A silvery-white cloak flowed from his shoulders and billowed behind his back like the outstretched wings of a great, majestic bird. He drew across his front, from his left side, a great shield. A massive bulwark that displayed a prominent Ankh, a symbol of life, of the sun shining through the darkness. Though usually never drawn in silver, it took on a similar meaning here. SINNBAD drew his mighty sword and cried to the heavens. His voice bellowed over the rain. The noise of a thunder clap feeble against his voice.

"The Net shall hear my voice and tremble. For I, SINNBAD, Knight of Netopia, lay claim to this castle. All villains that would plague the weak, all vile creatures that would hunt the innocent, I will cast you all down into the darkness that spawned you. Prepare yourself... For judgment befalls you tonight!"

His sword erupted spectacularly in flames as he finished his decree, for the end of all that is evil. The rain cowered before the knightly navi as he challenged everything in a boastful manner.

He stepped forward and swung his blade, clad in a raging inferno. A scorching, searing, holocaustic sea of flames shot forth from his saber. The incandescence wave burned the landscape, devouring the grasslands as it spread toward the virus horde. It took on the form of a great, majestic bird, wreathed in flames. The phoenix leapt against the Skirmishers front-line as a raptor hunting for prey. As it descended, its talons outstretched, it opened its massive, sharp beak wide. Fire spewed forth to add to the devastation before the creature swept over the enemy and set the line ablaze. It was utter mayhem.

Even if not the castle itself, Lucia found the small pathway they'd entered to be a much needed reprieve from the harsh weather that was acting as her bane and plight. Still that energetic nature was calmed, diluted by the water that still left her frame a misty glow of faint vapors rising where droplets had fallen. Navi only bothered to try one of the iron doors that lined the walls, long enough to learn further entry attempts were pointless and fall back in line with her partner.

Though the mood did not improve as they passed through doorway and once more emerged out into the elements, hissing and steam started to array her once more as the heavy rainfall resumed its punishment upon the fiery spirit, and for a moment she looked ready to give in as those pink eyes fell upon their newest challenge. The forces for this castle were great, far more so then she could have expected or imagined. The task looked more and more impossible the closer they came to their goal, and who knew what horrors awaited beyond that door. "This is impossible, who charges two navi's to take on such odds.."

Beyond the rainfall and systems, beyond the network itself Lucia's operator sat on and watched the battle lines be drawn, while navi let out tired sigh, to drained to even bother giving surprise as the doorway behind them closed, thanks to the beast of the previous encounter. Vincent shook his head. "Should have finished it off before to be safe. Lucia, don't grow so dishearten, are you really so easily broken my pet?"

"Yeah, why don't we trade places, you be the soaked computer program and I'll be the one relaxing in the sunlight!"

"Need I remind you what lays beyond those statues, freedom from the rain. Enough pity, your fine, now go and strike them down. Leave the swordsmen to the.. ah, the knight."

Lucia gave a faint start as the sudden light faded and her noble knight once more returned to his armor clad form. "No more rain? Hell yeah, lets blaze these bastards and go inside then!" The renewed hope of her ally, and his rallying speech brought new vigor to the young navi. letting out a soft growl the faint fires that lined her systems one more erupted in brilliant glow, extending outwards, sealing her in an orange bubble that soon became translucent. "The swordsmen are yours!" came the cry as navi took faint step back and braced against the doorway.

Drawing ever near the droplets soon found their paths disrupted as small funnel of wind started to surround the navi, biding her time as the fiery blast of her partner signaled their assault. Giving only faint step she soon lifted legs and braced against the blockade behind her, stay was brief as she launched herself forward in a sudden tunnel of blasting air that sent the navi spiraling after the great phoenix blaze. Pulling herself into tight quarters, those glowing pink eyes glaring onwards as she spun like burning top, slicing through the rain in her airborne charge.

"Lucia, you need a distraction, take a shot at the statues."

No response was given, or perhaps heard but still the order was received. Breaking her spin the navi's left arm draw out, bursting forth twin arches from either side as the burning bow took shape. The soft draw of arrow was made as she curled herself in and came to her landing. Bare toes and feet touched down and slid to a halt upon soaked grass beneath as arrow was drawn fully. The dark iron tip posed at the ready, giving faint twinkle in the fading light before the bolt was loosed. Sent past the floating iron cans towards its goal, a guardian of the gate. Soon after navi dropped low and gave out a cry as right hand started to sing in squealing cry of the heavens above. Much like the crack of lightning her hand struck down, sending the wrath of the sky coursing through the network floor, charging forth to strike down her enemies.

Summary:
* Blaze Aura [Passive] 20HP Barrier @ Self
1. Tactical Movement + Airstep [Ability]: Jet forward through front skirmish line.
2. Arrow Shot [Buster] 1*2*2=4 Null Damage + Break @ Gaia B
3. Elecreel1 [Battlechip] 80 Elec Damage to Large Area + Ground Attack @ Raingears + ???

Status:
Lucia.EXE: 96HP[20HP Barrier]

((Encounter Theme))

SINNBAD's declaration of war, punctuated by a HeatShot, was met with an answering charge by the Swordies. The battle devolved into chaos from there.

The fireball struck one of them, and reduced the virus to ashes as a comrade rushed forward to slash at the Navi. The longsword lashed out and connected with the knight even as the spread fire burned a RainGear like it had the Swordy before it. A second Swordy teleported before SINNBAD and slashed the Navi, only to be rewarded with a lethal dose of fireball-to-the-face for its efforts. The Swordy behind it decided the better part of valor was in order and sideslipped out of the way of the oncoming spread fire. The fire blast was snuffed when a desperate Raingear summoned a wall of water before itself, saving its own life for the moment.

SINNBAD's next attack blazed forth and slew the dodging Swordy anyway while its partner dashed forward out of the line of attack towards Lucia. It was about to lash out at the small Navi when she ran forward and leaped over its head with a tornado for lift. The bewildered Swordy was scooped up and flung upwards into the air as the Navi made a bee-line for the other side of the Raingear's scattering line before shooting one of the Gaia with an arrow. A second later and a thunderbolt lanced out of the sky, courtesy of a RemoteBit, to vaporize her protective barrier.

It was at about this time that one of the two Raingears jet jumped across the field while the other one opened its steam-filled maw. A marching line of geysers erupted from the ground, proving that water could indeed fall down AND up as SINNBAD was caught between the AquaTower and the downpour. A RemoteBit lined up above the battered knight to make matters worse when the Twisty it was slaved to came flying into view, struck the Bit, and they both exploded into deletion.

Lucia turned away from the Gaia, and cast a blast of chain lightning at the now scattered remnants of of the viruses. The stream of electricity shot forward a few feet before impacting upon something solid, and fizzling out as it spiraled upwards. The Dominerd faded into view silently, electricity still arcing across its body. to stare down at the fire Navi. It quietly disappeared again shortly after as the Gaia Lucia had shot previously retaliated. It slammed its hammer down, and causes a massive quake as its GaiaWave swept across the field and damaged both of the Navigators.

After the GaiaWave had passed, the previously airborne Swordy fell out of the sky and landed on its ornamental head-spike right in front of SINNBAD. It didn't look like the virus-turned-lawn-dart had the means to extricate itself from its predicament, and was too dizzy to try besides.

Complete slaughter was a good way to put the start of this battle, sure a few things worked out, and other surprises came along that seemed to help them in the end. But to miscalculate so drastically was not going to help the two navi's win this overwhelming battle.

As Lucia slowly drew herself up from the earth shattering quake that tossed her from her feet like a ragdoll, she let out a low swear as once more that giant 'door' had stared her down, mocking her with its expressionless features. "Those damn eyes! I hate it!" Though navi wasn't one to stay down for too long, if only because doing so might just cost her greatly.

As form rose up, her systems erupted in a glorious blaze that enveloped her within a scorching inferno despite the heavy maelstrom beating down upon them. For that brief instant as her defenses reformed and that soothing fire took hold of her, life seemed to calm and slow in peace within that raging fire. Though silence was far from what one could expect as navi took signal from her operator showing a linked call.

"Lucia, a quick word, this battle is not going well for the two of you, the main reason for that is definitely that living gate and the statues. We need to create an exit strategy, meaning that Dominerd must be taken out."

"How, I can barely put a scratch on the thing! Just how can we get rid of it quickly and not get torn apart in the process."

"It's a risk, one that could cause you to suffer, but if it works we may just gain a slight upper hand in this battle. Do you remember what took down your barrier a moment ago."

"Ah, a bolt of lightning?"

"No, there is a satellite in the sky, just like before it's raining down bolts and causing an unneeded annoyance. However, we may be able to turn its sights upon the viruses instead."

"Ah.. ok, so what am I supposed to do then?"

"It won't be easy, but you need to grab hold and point it at something aside from you and SINNBAD, I know you can reach it if you tried. It's just a matter of grabbing on, it's a one shot deal Lucia, take it or we can make a new plan."

Lucia's form once more appeared as the flames that encompassed her soon died away, navi's sights were set upon the sky as voice called out in the storm. "Yes Master!" Without hesitation the navi started to drop into a low kneel, only slight pause was taken to turn gaze upon her white knight fighting for his own life. "SINNIE!!... Err.. Don't die ok!! I'll hate you if you do!" With slight mock came little pink tongue peeking between lips before the navi quickly burst into the heavens leaving the rain to scatter violently from the sudden shockwaves of her departure.

There was no elegant spiral, no turning corkscrew of fire as she sailed upwards, higher and higher, her pink eyes locked upon her target as she began to close in. Quick flick of left arm was given as twin claws shot forth and sliced through the water droplets as they took their place atop her hand. Timing needed to be perfect, and as flames turned the rain to steaming vapors at last her goal was upon her. Lithe body started to turn and twist in slow arc as claw was thrust forward to try and stab into her foe. Attempting to latch onto this floating enemy in the sky and bring herself down to land squarely atop the satellite that'd been targeting them from the heavens above.

Summary:
* Blaze Aura [Passive] 20HP Barrier around Self
1. Fire's Embrace [Signature] 30HP Healing @ Self
2. Leap for the heavens + Airstep [Ability]: Towards RemoteBit B
3. Rageclaw1 [Battlechip] 20 Null Damage + Impact @ RemoteBit B [Attempt to grab and land atop of]

Status:
Lucia.EXE: 67HP [+30HP heal][20HP Barrier]
Fire's Embrace: 1TCD