Lonely Planet [Part 3]

Before Rhea could properly respond, Eternalis was already pulled into the waters. "Worry about your jello friend later, lassy! Behind you!" Harley noted, already proceeding to tend to Aurora's needs. A quick push and effective tripping, and Aurora found herself on the saddle of one of the most digitally dense horse on the Internet.

... Then he ran about, focusing on avoiding any oncoming attacks.

"Looks like I am on my own again, then," Rhea murmured, before realizing data was flowing in through the communication link with Camillia. "Hey, you're forgetting someone, aren't you?" the redhead noted playfully, tapping on the PET in a quiet rhythm. It occured to Rhea that her own exasperation somehow was amusing her operator. She shrugged, proceeding back to work.

Lifting the swordarm in front of her, there was a high-pitched click before her signature energy blade appeared before her. Using it as an impromptu shield, she dashed forward into the enemy crowd, loading her downloaded chip data at the last minute. A pale-green, crescent-shaped blade materialized, began to spin, and attempted to greet anything that was in it's way. With her right arm, she wielded the Moonblade as if she was doing some sort of a ballet dance among the enemy virii. "Another sword coming up!" Camillia said, slotting in Rhea's favourite chip (thus far).

The moonblade disappeared as soon as it expired from immediate wear and tear, and Rhea wasted no time to conjure the other sword. When she found the chance, she struck at the next Bagworm-class virii in sight.

Elaborate footsteps then lead Rhea in a confusing whirlpool of moves, each action actually an attempt to impede any obstacles or attacks that might be coming at her way.


Summary of actions:
Rhea.EXE
Harley.SP
===========
1) Gives Aurora a lift
2) Dodge

1) Parried Charge - 2-hit shield, 1 movement action (Move to Bagworm group), 2TCD
2) MoonBlade1 - 90DMG + Slashing, Spincut - Bagworms A, B, C, D
3) Sword - 80DMG + Slashing - Any remaining Bagworm
-) Swordplay - Free dodge after 2 consecutive slashes
4) Dodge
Validus racked the slide on his rifle as he engaged the new targets, with Markerlight following suit as she pulled her handgun out once more. "Targets acquiring, Markerlight, get their attention." Validus muttered as he trained the sights on the viruses. The support program immediately set off, understanding the task she had to do now.

She was getting slightly better each time dodging the enemy, she thought to herself, before she banished those thoughts away as she engaged the viruses. Validus loaded up a hi-cannon round sent in by Tsujsa into his rifle, locking the ammo into place, and placed his reticule on the Megalian, before letting loose the shell. As soon as he fired the shot, he slammed the slide on his rifle, ejecting the spent casing as the next ammo, a Zapring, entered the chamber of the rifle and morphed the rifle's shape again. He pulled the trigger once more, and a ring of electricity was discharged from the rifle at the same target.

Let's see how you survive that. thought Valids as he smirked, before signalling to Markerlight to retreat and reload.

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS:
1. Validus: Hi-cannon - 80dmg - Megalian-A (A)
2. Validus: Zapring - 40dmg x 2(weakness) - Megalian-A (A)
a. Markerlight: Dodge
b. Markerlight: Dodge
3. Validus: Dodge
Eternalis, despite being ambushed, began buzzing around underwater like a torpedo and caught the ambushers in a surprise. The first two piranha was easily dealt with while the other two retaliated a little before they were also sliced into pieces. After getting himself out of the water, the Marinas began firing their bubble wrapped anchors at the navi before it was forced out of the water and feel the searing hot laser from Eternalis. Whether it was from the laser or something, one of the bubble anchors bursted open and shot directly at the navi's solid torso.

Harley and Aurora fled away from the battle while Rhea begun to spin around and around the Bagworms with her MoonBlade. However, two of the four viruses lifted themselves off the air and into an unknown portal, leaving only one to be sliced up by the spinning attack. Between the transition of changing her chips, the sole BagWorm seized this chance and unleashed a wood tower. The shield helped Rhea absorb the damage, but to both Harley and Aurora, it wasn't the case.

Validus, on the other hand, was trying his best to shave off the Megalian's with the rapid succession of Hi-Cannon and Zaprings. The navi, however, couldn't foresee that it was wrapped in a thin watery aura. The barrier withstood the first cannon fire but the Zapring got through and thoroughly shocked the virus to the core. The other Megalian launched its own head in retaliation, crashing directly against Validus and retracting back to its body.

Despite being injured, Aurora began her attack against the Starfishes with the FireHits. The first attack was a hit and the second looked like it had even better chance of hitting. Knowing that it's his last moment in this world, the two starfishes began to blow up giant bubbles all across the field, managing to trap both Rhea and Markerlight in an near-inescapable bubble! Seeing that its last action was at least useful, but starfish died with dignity as its face was crushed by a flying fire fist.

-Sea (Submerged)-
MarinaA: DELETED
MarinaB: DELETED
PiranhaA: DELETED
PiranhaB: DELETED
PiranhaC: DELETED
PiranhaD: DELETED

-Sand-
BagwormA: DELETED
BagwormB: DELETED
BagwormC: 80 HP [Disappeared]
BagwormD: 80 HP [Disappeared]
StarfishA: DELETED
StarfishB: DELETED
StarfishC: 60 HP
Megalian-A (A): 50 HP [Aura Destroyed] [Stun]
Megalian-A (B): 130 HP [10 Aqua Aura]

Terrain: 35% Sea, 25% Ice, 40% Sand [20 meters above Sea]

Eternalis.EXE: 110 HP [Sea]
Aurora.SP: 50 HP
Rhea.EXE: 140 HP [Trapped] [1-hit Shield]
Harley.SP: 20 HP
Validus.EXE: 95 HP
Markerlight.SP: 30 HP [Trapped]
"Uraaaah!"

Having been pierced straight through her abdomen with a gigantic wooden stake did not seem very pleasant to Aurora. Thanks to the wonders of expendable data, however, the spiked trunk quickly disappeared from view, leaving the Support Program as she was before, except with some lingering pain. "Kuh-" Almost doubling over on Harley's saddle, Aurora kept her composure, and stayed on. Looking at the Bagworms disappear into the sky, she clicked her tongue, annoyed that she wouldn't be able to retaliate properly. She turned her attention to the Megalians, who were being dealt with by Validus.

The communication HUD appeared on her visor, and she requested, "Harke, MagBolt."

"Aurora, you all right? You don't look very good," the operator responded. Aurora was breathing rather heavily, though she didn't notice it much.

"I'll- urk- be fine."

Something mumbling was heard from the other side of the line, then the sound of a chip being slotted in. Aurora felt the familiar course of electricity through of her body, and clenched her trembling fist with a grin. The lines on her bodysuit were lighting up perfectly, signalling her body was charging itself with the chip.

"Thanks for the ride, Harley," she said, patting the mechanical beast on the head lightly before standing up on his saddle. Focusing on her target, she crouched slightly, and launched herself off her ride. As she did so, she released the Magnetic Bolt data towards the Megalian, creating a powerful magnetic field to attract the virus into her reach. Pulling back her fist, which was now covered in electrical arcs, she prepared to give the head a beating that would give it more than a concussion...

--

Having been pierced by the surprise retaliation from the viruses more than once, Eternalis held the place where he was injured. "Heh, it's not that bad. At least I got all of them," he chuckled. Crouching on the newly-formed ice sheet, he looked up at the top of the cliff he had fallen from. Come to think of it, that looked like a really big drop when you see it from the bottom, he thought. Oh well, time to get back to the rest of the guys.

With a small leap, Eternalis leapt up into the air, and disappeared in a puff of steam, shooting for the top of the cliff. Once on solid ground, he solidified to find his allies in a bit of a bind. Nice work, though, he thought, looking at the small amount of viruses left compared to when he was pulled into the water. Now that he was in close proximity to his allies, his automatic restorative processes set to work, prioritizing the weaker SPs, and healing a bit of Validus' wounds as well. Exhausting all of his healing resources, he left his own injuries, and approached Rhea, trapped in her bubble.

That doesn't look very comfortable... he thought. How does that thing keep her inside anyway? She's practically covered everywhere with those stabby bits.

A quick turn to his side revealed still another pressing problem: that there were still a few viruses left. The Starfish looked like it was the culprit for the bubble attacks, as the Megalians didn't look like the type to use weak little bubbles for attacks. "WideShot, Harke." A response turned his arm-output into a three-barreled cannon, glowing blue at the three exits. Eh, probably overkill, but okay, he thought, as he pointed it at the starfish and let off a shot.

Turning back to his comrade, he looked kind of strangely at the bubble encasing Rhea. Looking around, he made sure to look out for any opportunistic attacks, and ventured a finger forward, poking the apparently fragile sphere. "Uhhh... okay, what happens if I poke this here?"

[| [color=cornflowerblue]Eternalis.EXE[/color] || Aurora.SP |]
[1] Leap off from Harley towards Megalian-A [Movement/RP]
[2] MagBolt1 @ Megalian-A (B) [Elec 90+15 + Stun1 + Magnetic Pull] [x2 Element] {B}
======
[1] Vapor Reassimilation @ Top of Cove [Teleport + Dodge + Take Aim] {S}
[*] Influx Aegis @ Allies [Heal 15 x5] {S}
-- Harley: Heal 15
-- Markerlight: Heal 15
-- Aurora: Heal 15
-- Validus: Heal 30
======
[2] WideShot1 @ StarfishC [Aqua 60+15 + Wide Attack] [+Teleport Aim] {A}
[3] Attempt to burst Rhea's bubble [Poke/RP]
[4] Prepare to sidestep attack(s) [Dodge]
======

-- PRECAUTIONARY TURN SPLICE --
"Tch!" Harley snorted as the wooden spears pierced parts of his frame. By the time he recomposed himself, he found his master and Markerlight stuck in floating spherical objects--- Ah heck, gigantic bubbles. Harley absently wondered what kind of a bubble was able to handle Rhea's weight, and chuckled mentally at the thought of the impossibility. Clearing it's non-existent throat and waving off the last of the sense of pain from the previous attack, Harley did a quick systems check before trotting headfirst at Markerlight's bubble, ready to land the trap with a quick slash from the blade secured at the front of Harley's head.

On the other hand, Rhea wasn't entirely happy at the new arrangement. While it might have been entertaining at some point of time, Rhea knew that she didn't have the time to just sit around and do nothing. Then, thinking much like her .SP did moments ago, she attempted to stretch the bubble with all her might. Just when she thought she could've burst it, however, she spun in circles like a hamster on a wheel as she lost the sense of balance.

Next, Rhea opted for the kicking manuveur. Given enough pressure, anything can burst, right? So she gave the casing a hard kick. ... Apparently, the kick just drove the weight of her own to move forwards, once again ready to roll like a hamster. Harley saw Rhea's predicament, but... opted not to help as he saw someone else approaching Rhea's bubble. On the other hand, the exasperated petite Navi thunked her head against the same dimension of the bubble where she was hitting.

Those outside would clearly see her forehead as she connected with the bubble. Giving up, she just laid there, forehead wide open for everyone to see.

Turn Summary:
Rhea.EXE
Harley.SP
========================
1) Burst Markerlight's bubble
1) Stretch bubble
2) Kick bubble

2) Dodge
3) Headbutt bubble
4) Sulk
"Uh captain, it looks like we didn't down the targets..." Markerlight responded as she moved side by side with the navi. "It looks like they've got a barrier of some sort around them..." she added as she turned to ascertain the situation faced by the others for now.

"Well, that just means we'll have hit a little harder now, don't we?" The blue navi said with a wry grin as he raised his rifle once more. "We'll try a more area approach. Use the shotgun for this." Tsujsa added in, as he slotted in the chip which contained the shotgun data. Immediately the rifle in his hand shifted into a shotgun, which the navi lifted and fired with gusto, aimed to hit the two megalian viruses. "More shots, Validus. We've got to take them out ASAP!" Tsujsa added as he monitored the status of his allies as well. They were doing well... for the moment. "Markerlight, provide Validus the necessary distraction to draw fire away."

The SP nodded before speeding off, attempting to get the attention of the two Megalian viruses, hoping to line them up in a line. Tsujsa slotted in the next chip, a magnum. The chip data entered the rifle, changing it into a three barreled cannon in the navi's hand. The weight had dramatically increased as well, but the navi presevered. With his free hand, he placed in another shell into the weapon's revolver barrel-like loader, and locked it into the weapon's chamber. He took aim, and fired the weapon, a shot each at the viruses.

Summary of actions:
1. Validus - Shotgun - 50dmg - Megalian-A (A), possible splash to the other Megalian.
a. Markerlight - Provide distraction
2. Validus - Charge
b. Markerlight - Dodge
3. Validus - Magnum, 2 shots - Megalian-A (A) and Megalian-A (B)
Taking advantage of the Megalian's paralyzed state, Aurora leaped at the relic head and punched it out of existence. Eternalis made a fuming dash toward the top of the cove while Validus blasted off the other Megalian's barrier with a Shotgun. Harley tackled Markerlight free in this instant, the other SP waving at the Megalian to get its attention.

All too well, the head lined itself up with Validus and prepared to launch itself at him while Eternalis washed his powers over his party.

The Megalian slammed its head cruelly into Validus before getting a face-full of Magnum. The Bagworms took this chance to drop down and launch woodtowers at people while Eternalis blasted a Starfish to death with a Wideshot and freed Rhea from her bubble.

The Woodtowers missed be a wide margin. The BagWorms are down! It's now your chance for an All-Out Attack!

-Sea (Submerged)-
MarinaA: DELETED
MarinaB: DELETED
PiranhaA: DELETED
PiranhaB: DELETED
PiranhaC: DELETED
PiranhaD: DELETED

-Sand-
BagwormA: DELETED
BagwormB: DELETED
BagwormC: 80 HP
BagwormD: 80 HP
StarfishA: DELETED
StarfishB: DELETED
StarfishC: DELETED
Megalian-A (A): DELETED
Megalian-A (B): 10 HP [Aura Destroyed]

Terrain: 35% Sea, 25% Ice, 40% Sand [20 meters above Sea]

Eternalis.EXE: 110 HP [1 Action left]
Aurora.SP: 65 HP
Rhea.EXE: 140 HP [1-hit Shield][2 actions left]
Harley.SP: 35 HP
Validus.EXE: 85 HP
Markerlight.SP: 40 HP
[Chardes didn't turnsplice, so I guess I'll just post this last action.]

"Okay, that worked," said Eternalis, standing back from the bubble as it was popped easily. Weird. It must have some sort of special protection from the inside or something. Made sense if you wanted things to go in, but not out. He watched the WoodTowers go past his position by a wide margin, and chuckled. Oh, wait, those things were down now. He probably had something worth burning them down with... "Harke? Anything we can use to kindle those skits?" he asked, referring to the Bagworms.

"FlameLine should take care of the both of them," said Harke, slotting in the chip.

"Alright," replied Eternalis. Activating the FlameLine, Eternalis' hand started steaming up, and a blob of it fell to the ground. It changed its color to a gleaming red, and the Navi picked it up gingerly. Then, looking at the Bagworms, Eternalis wound up, and threw the tiny pellet of blue towards them. The pellet landed on the ground in front of them, and rolled up to the viruses for a bit. Suddenly, without warning, the pellet exploded into a wall of fire, possibly burning the faces off the Bagworms permanently.

----

[5] FlameLine1 @ BagwormC/D [Fire 60 + Wide Attack + Ground] [x2 Element] {B}

[end turnsplice]
The Flameline streaked across the terrain, rolling across the wood-type Bagworms. The two viruses succumbed to a fiery deletion but as the flames continued to sear a wide path, the wild movements of the Megalian brought it into the worst possible place for it and it too was deleted swiftly by the single attack. The Flameline extinguished itself upon the third deletion, fully expended.

-Sea (Submerged)-
MarinaA: DELETED
MarinaB: DELETED
PiranhaA: DELETED
PiranhaB: DELETED
PiranhaC: DELETED
PiranhaD: DELETED

-Sand-
BagwormA: DELETED
BagwormB: DELETED
BagwormC: DELETED
BagwormD: DELETED
StarfishA: DELETED
StarfishB: DELETED
StarfishC: DELETED
Megalian-A (A): DELETED
Megalian-A (B): DELETED

Terrain: 35% Sea, 25% Ice, 40% Sand [20 meters above Sea]

Eternalis.EXE: 110 HP
Aurora.SP: 65 HP
Rhea.EXE: 140 HP [1-hit Shield]
Harley.SP: 35 HP
Validus.EXE: 85 HP
Markerlight.SP: 40 HP

[Battle 2 - Victory!]

Eternalis get: 750z + 63 Bugfrags + 5 FXP
Rhea get: 750z + 63 Bugfrags + 5 FXP
Validus get: 750z + 63 Bugfrags + 5 FXP
"... What did that thing just do," said Eternalis, absolutely dumbstruck at the way the Megalian basically ran straight into his attack. Oh well, couldn't fight fate. It felt like he had been stuck in limbo for ages, as he stretched after the battle. Aurora ran back over to him, and jumped around. "Did you see what I did? Did you, Elly?" she said excitedly, smiling for all she was worth. Eternalis put out a hand, and ruffled his Support Program's white hair around a bit, chuckling.

"Hey, don't do that!" complained Aurora, straightening the hair back again.

Eternalis laughed, and opened up the comlink to Harke. "Harke, we're going to continue," he reported.

"Yeah, okay, I'll-" replied Harke, before being interrupted by an insistent tone from his PET. Picking it up, he saw that it was the phone, and the call was from one Reverus Ezarith, or in simpler terms, his father. That was weird. Usually his father would just send an e-mail or something to communicate with him. Rarely did he ever call him up. "One sec, Et," he said, picking up the call. "Hello, Dad."

"Hello, Harke. Listen, where are you right now?" his father said.

"Mm? Beach Street. Not really doing much of anything. Why?" asked Harke.

"I need you to come back home. Karen's coming to visit," replied Reverus, matter-of-factly.

"Kari's coming?! When?" questioned Harke. Karen? All the way from Sharo?

"She'll be coming in by taxi at around 1.30 or so. I've got a really big meeting I can't afford to miss then, so I'm counting on you to see that she doesn't find an empty house."

"Ah, all right."

"Thanks, Har. I'll be back around four or so. Bye."

"Bye," said Harke, putting down the PET. He then faced the other two in the group, and put his hands together. "Sorry, guys, I have to go. That was my dad. My sister Karen's coming to visit all the way from Sharo, and he can't pick her up."

Overhearing the conversation, Aurora said, "That means we'll have to jack out?"

"Yeah, sorry."

"That's okay," replied Eternalis. He turned to his comrades, and waved at them. "Sorry, guys. Harke's gotta get, and that means us, too."

"It was fun, though! I hope we'll get to do this kind of thing again!" said Aurora, smiling and putting her hands behind her back.

Both of them then produced a thumbs up in unison as they disappeared into the jack-out sequence. "Later, guys."

[Jack Out]
Rhea, now free of the bubble, landed unceremoniously to the ground and looked at Eternalis's hasty leave. "..." she stared at the last point where they jacked out for a while, then to the other remaining Navigator and his SP.

"Well, look at them go. Actually!" Camillia announced suddenly, bringing Rhea to an obedient sitting position. "We're off to grab some upgrades as well. I think I'm finally getting used to this busting business," the redhead applauded to herself, jacking Rhea out of the network.


[[Jack out]]