Further Doggy Training

Trent simply nodded in the direction of the twins, not giving anymore of an acknowledgement than that. He turned his focus to Dragonierman, whose arm he was still gripping firmly. They didn't leave on a bad note when they last departed, meaning that was already starting down a road of friendship for Trent. With a fast jerk and a quick discard, his own hand rested at his side again. "We do have a battle. Good to see someone else who is straight to the point." Trent took a few steps backwards, with Sasha following him. Trent order a few simple hand signals, telling Sasha to go wait on the outskirts of the fighting zone. As Sasha exited, Mark executed the Training Barrier.

A large blue bubble wrapped up from the edges of the fighting circle, encompassing the two fighters, but leaving out the support programs. They sat just on the edges of the blue sphere. The bubble merged at a point in the center of the sphere, high above the around, giving ample room in all three directions for the fight to take place. Not likely however that Trent and Dragonierman would be using this extra space in the sky. The blue field lingered a moment before changing to a clear color, allowing for perfect viewing from the outside.

"Alright! Here we are! Here is how this is going to work gentlemen," Mark started clearly very excited about the match up. "While within this training barrier, neither Navi can be jacked out. The training barrier will flash bright red when one of the navi's within drops to 1 HP. While within the barrier, no navi may drop below one HP in health, no matter how many more times you are hit. No navi may be forcefully ejected from the protection of the barrier, and may only leave on their own two feet, and of their own free will. The barrier also changes the terrain within its bubble to normal. Once the fight has started, the barrier will lock, allowing no extra access or exits, unless of free will to flee the fight." Mark stopped his long winded speech to add, "But I don't see that happening from either of you."

Trent was barely listening to Mark, keeping most of his focus on the center of Dragonierman's plated chest. With his eyes here he could watch all the movements of his body much easier, making Trent more able to see the actions of the Dragon. Sasha placed a paw on the edge of the barrier and let out a loud and strong bark in support.

"The fight will start at the ready of both of the Navi's. I am changing Trent over to automatic chip mode, allowing no support from the coaches." Mark was tempted to throw in the added extras, such as the 'in this corner...' but forced himself to save that for the real fights. Mark sat back, prepared to send the barrier into its final mode. "I will change the barrier to locked and ready once both Navi's are ready."

Trent watched Dragonierman, still focused on his center mass. "I'm ready," Trent said, keeping his hands floating over his blades. Each palm ached to feel the bite of the steel, and eagerly waited for the starting signal. Part of Trent, deep down, wanted to do battle mocks before the fight, but he kept them retained. His mind was starting to switch to instinct, to being numb. He couldn't let such things cloud his judgement. "This will be a good fight," He added, feeling his quiet outwards exterior was too simple thus far. If there was one thing Trent didn't have, it was stage presence.

{Ready for the Duel}

DragonierMan watched as the barrier washed over him and pushed his two support programs back behind him. "Hey!" Suzume stated indignantly as she was carried away by the barrier. She pressed herself up against the barrier and gave it a pound with her fist, "Kick his butt!" Aya just leapt back as the barrier came at her, landing gracefully at the outskirts as the barrier came to a stop. She rubbed her hands over her shoulders to keep warm.

DragonierMan reached up to his shoulders as well, and unclasped his heavy cloak. Bunching it in his hands he turned toward the girls and tossed it at them. The warm fabric passed harmlessly through the training barrier and landed in the twins' arms. They wrapped it around the both of them. Nice and warm.

DragonierMan puffed out his chest. Audible cracks sounded from over a dozen places on his body as he stretched himself out. He also rolled his helmeted head around in a circle. Limbered up in a matter of moments, he drew his visor down and brought his left leg forward. Raising his arms and held them with claws open. Left hand in front of right, fingers half-curled. His breath steamed out of the eyes. "I am ready."

{Ready for Duel.}

As the two navis prepared themselves for the battle, a bright red Mr. Prog suddenly appeared from within the barrier. "ARE YOU READY?" said the little program in a monotonous voice. Neither an enemy or a friendly, it seemed like this Mr. Prog was specially designed to over watch battles such as this. As it raised a bright white flag up (With no arms at all!), it brought it down to signal the start!

"...FIGHT!"

Trent.EXE: 190 HP
Vs.
DragonierMan.EXE: 175 HP

Terrain: 100% Normal

-MOCK BATTLE, START!-

(Battle music.)

Golden light bled from his fingertips into the air, solidifying into a circular shield in front of the knight. It sparkled in the icy air like new fallen snow, a cross of emerald sat emblazoned in its center. A gauntleted hand grasped the ethereal buckler and held it before him as the warrior charged.

DragonierMan leaned on his shield as he charged, using it as a battering ram. The ground thundered beneath his tread, and the wind whipped past his rushing form. The golden aura of his shield painted the knight in a dazzling light. Bits of solid color flaked off like autumn leaves and danced around in his wake.

Then suddenly, DragonierMan was back where he started. It was unclear whether he had managed to trample over Trent or not, or even if he had moved at all. But it wasn't a moment later that he was charging again.

He weaved across the ground like a serpent rippling across the sand. Even with all his heavy armor, his feet were a blur. He darted one way, and then the other. And then he was on top of Trent.

He made to punch Trent in the face. The warrior stepped in as his fist curved around to bite at Trent's cheek. But at the last moment the dragon skirted to the side, his fist narrowly missing Trent's shoulder. It was a fake out.

Ducking down DragonierMan planted a closed fist at Trent's side. The muscles bulged up his forearm as he struck, powering through to send Trent flying. Hoping to smash him up against the training barrier.

The dragon shook himself out at the end. A cramp he had been feeling from earlier subsided into a dull ache. He felt alive in battle. But this was just getting started.

Once the little red program waved the flag, Trent started of this battle in a strange way for himself. He had to get his feet moving to make this battle his, but started by keeping his feet still and pulling up the fastgauge chip to really keep himself going. A white light washed over Trent as he made the selection of his first chip. Once the light had cleared from the warrior's body, even his simplest movements were blured. His hands snapped to his sides and withdrew two knives, one in reverse grip and one in forwards, just like classic starting position Trent. He had kept his feet still for Too long, and decided to skip backwards in an evasive fashion, keeping his weight light on his feet and his eyes focused on Dragionerman, should he need to move to one side.

Trent had to gt his feet moving if he wanted to win this fight. From what he could remember Dragionerman had process attacks for protection and healing. If this fight was an extended one, Trent would have the disadvantage. Pushing his weight off his back foot, he propelled himself forwards and too the left. He ran towards Dragionierman at a slight angel, just enough to keep himself off a direct path with his opponent. He led with his right hand as he moved, and once close enough, reached the spine of the blade behind the neck of the Dragon. With a swift jerk Dragonierman should be feeling the cold bite of the spine pulling him forwards and down, to set him up for the next attack.

Once Trent had pulled his right hand towards his side once more, hopefully pulling the opponent with him, he ducked his weight low and too the left, to move under and behind to use one of his combat tactics. For Trent to win this fight, he had to slow him down as well, the best place to start with that was the spine. Once on the backside, he had to find an opening to the spine. The first one he saw was at the base of the helmet, and with a strong left hand slash, he tried to cut open his first wound of the fight.

Trent backed off from his target, dodging and carrying the momentum of his attacks to the rear of the dragon. He rolled off and once his feet were back under him, withdrew a strange blade from his side. The blade was a bright yellow, and cracked and popped with a strange energy. He reared the attack back, holding the weapon by the blade, and threw the balanced throwing knife towards Trent. The attack flew much fast than expected once it was further boosted by the chip. Trent stood back up fully, shifted his weight to lighten his stance, and watched for Dragonierman's return.

Summary
1) Fastgauge to self (+10% Dodge rate for three turns)
2) Dodge
*Free Action: Fast Warrior: Passive Tactical movement Towards Dragonierman
*Free Action: Get Back here: Passive Pull Dragionerman Closer setting up for next attack
3) Combat Tactic: Spinal Cut to Dragonierman (80 + Slashing + Stun1)
4) Dodge Backwards from Dragonierman
5) Zapring1 to Dragonierman (40 + Elec + Stun1)

After the two navis prepared themselves at the start of the battle, it was DragonierMan who made the first move with his DashAttack. Though the attack was faster than the naked eye could see, Trent's enhanced evasion was enough to dodge the attack as the knight zipped passed him and back to where he started. Now it was Trent's turn, moving towards his target's back with his knife ready at hand.

Even when Dragonier tried to evade or outwit the military navi, luck was on Trent's side when he was just barely able to position himself for the spinal cut. The knife dug into the knight's armor easily as it reached his vital spot, sending a paralyzing surge throughout his body.

The two navis moved away from one another in evasion and continued their attack immediately. Dragonier prepared his GutsPunch, while Trent readied his Zapring to be thrown, going at one another without a pause. Trent threw his empowered knife forward, but at his miscalculation, hit Dragonier's Guard and received a taste of his own medicine...

Dragonier's punch, however, had a better luck when it landed on Trent and sent the military navi flying away from him. If Trent didn't have things bad already, Dragonier was able to recover from the paralysis he inflicted, returning back to normal...

Trent.EXE: 70 HP [FastGauge: 2/3]

Vs. [Note: Both navis are out of melee range]

DragonierMan.EXE: 95 HP [GutsPunch: 5/6] [Guard Broken] [[s]Stun![/s]]

Terrain: 100% Normal

The dragon screeched into the dawn air as Trent's blade bit deep through the armor protecting his neck. Trent disengaged quickly afterward as DragonierMan shook himself. He instinctively placed a hand over the wound on his neck, drawing away a hand smeared in silver datum. "A sound blow," he stated before gritting his teeth and closing his bloodied hand into a fist. And as his golden shield shattered into a million sharp arrows, he planted that fist into Trent's side. Sending him sailing into the training barrier.

As Trent slumped down from the barrier, energy collected in front of the dragon's mouth-plate. A swirling white vortex formed out of the ether. It fluctuated and condensed in upon itself, molding into a tennis ball-sized sphere. The dragon spat forth the destructive bolt of white flame, causing it to sail across the battlefield. Whistling through the air.

Having reacted so quickly after such a blow was unnatural. It seemed as if the dragon was not slowed even by a heavy laceration inflicted on his spine. What could stop such a monster?

"You have made my blood boil!" the dragon roared as white flames erupted from the ground around him. As the flames drew higher they began alternating from white to red, and then to orange. As they consumed his form, even blue colored the flames. Within moments he was fully wreathed in a mantle of dancing corona.

The wound on his neck bubbled and sizzled as it cauterized. A light steam rose into the cool air behind his head. He shifted his feet and stretched out his arms. They bobbed lazily in the air before him, reaching out of the flames, like the heads of some fiery serpents seeking prey. Ready to snap at the unwary attacker. "It's going to get hot in there," Suzume giggled as the fire danced playfully before her eyes. Aya just stood there and watched in silence, wrapped in the white cloak with her sister.

The mantle of flames roared and crackled around the dragon. Heat powerful enough to incinerate rock and melt steel. The hydra readied himself for his opponent's attack. Bobbing and weaving his three heads, and striking out to deflect away.

Then the three "mouths" opened. A blaze of fiery missiles erupted forth to bathe the land in fire. They came on in a great stream, a flurry of bolts. They scattered haphazardly around, spreading flames everywhere. Tiny explosions furrowing the ground.

DragonierMan then moved to bat away Trent's next attack with his heavy fist. Or Trent himself if he was close enough and moved to escape him. The fires had died down around him since he had breathed out his fury. But the song of battle still rang loudly in his heart, empowering him forward. The fires of his flesh burning away any restricting force holding him down from completing a gruesome conquest.

Trent was sent flying backwards out of close combat, something he wasn't really accounting for. The warrior stood up, his side bruised and smashed from the heavy hit. After a moment of holding the wound, he began his assault again. With his health so low, one solid hit, from nearly any chip in Dragonierman's collection, could bring this fight to an end. He must get his feet moving, and he must break the defenses of the enemy. One chip stood out, it was something gained in a recent trade, which would be perfect for the former role. Trent started to upload the aurahead chip, the powerful might of the attack resting in the blade of a knife. Sasha was barking and scratching at the barrier, his growls very audible in the bubble.

Mark was taking notes of how the battle was going thus far. He was learning a lot himself about how he should invest the next bits of zenny gained for upgrades on his fighter. The low health was the first priory at this point, before never noticing exactly how powerful chip are when compared to viral damage amounts.

Trent stood up and pulled his right arm back as he started to gain momentum with his feet, the boots crashing down on the ground with heavy strides like the treads of a tank. His whole arm and shoulder was involved in the over hand throw of the blade, the weapon slicing forwards in the air with a defense breaking might. The attack flew straight and true, the properties of the chip taking over the blade as it flew forwards. If Dragonierman was going back on the defense like Trent thought he would, this would break his guard quickly, dispatching it from being a factor. Trent also thought that Dragonierman would start his healing, something which Trent would honestly not mind, it only left him in one place.

His feet were already started, and he withdrew another blade from his side, the brass knuckles of the handle wrapping around his fingers snugly, the blade being held in reverse grip. Trent moved inwards on Dragonerman with great speed, even greater than he was demonstrating before. The warrior bounced on the balls of his feet, keeping his stance light and easy he changed to a fast and more aggressive tactic for the next attacks. Once again to the position of Dragonierman, his knives leading the charge, Trent ran. If any attacks came his way, he would be able to avoid them quickly and effectively. A simple slashing attack, guided by a punching motion towards the dragons exposed areas of armor, was the opening attack. Not meant to do more than set everything up for the following.

Trent summoned a familiar chip to his aid, one of great power in the proper hands. The sword chip modified the blade in his left hand, extending the length and giving the weapon a bright blue glow. Trent Held the weapon across his chest, pulling the attack back for a downwards horizontal attack. It would be hard to find a weak spot in the heavy armor of Dragonierman, so he directed his attack at the exposed joints in the armor and the joints on the warrior. Using his superior speed, Trent ducked into a roll, dodging under any returning attacks, and raised his knives again to keep the attacks going.

Sensing that a return punch would be heading his way, which would end this fight, Trent chose to exit close combat with Dragonierman for now. He would need to get himself as far from the Dragon as possible to set up his only defense he could, which might save his neck if it all came down to it. Trent ducked low and raised his left hand in vicious path towards the underarmor of the breastplate. Trent wasted no time to see if the attack would connect through the under armor, and pulled his left hand upwards punching the target harshly to knock him backwards, followed by a heavy kick to ensure he was far enough away. The bashing damage dealt from the brass knuckles would leave a nice dent and ring throughout the metal casket that Dragonierman wore. Trent dodged backwards, keeping his feet light and his weight shifting, making him a tough target to hit.

Trent back peddled away from the Dragon, getting some distance between them, hoping the punch and the movement would give him enough room to set up his defense. Once at the right spot, Trent started the feel on pain mode. The defense wouldn't take effect now, but Trent was starting the mental process to ready his body for the attack.

1) Aurahead1 to Dragonierman (90 + Break + Line Attack3 + Aura Boost)
2) Combat Tactic: Quick Slashes to Dragonierman (30 Slashing, Then Dodge + Movement + Haste, then 30 Slashing Damage...The first slashing will clearly miss)
3) Sword to Dragonierman (80 + Slashing)
*Free Action: Swordplay: Dodge
4) Combat Tactic: Disengage (70 + Slashing + Knockback + Dodge)
*Passive Action: Fast Warrior: Tactical Movement away from Dragonierman
5) Feel No Pain (Shadow + Time Delay (Top of next turn)

((Yes, I know, there isn't a FXP reward with this post.))

After being knocked away from one another, Dragonier and Trent sought to end the battle quickly with one more attack. The two lashed out their attacks the exact same moment as the energy bullet and the cutting wind nearly crossed one another with inches away. Dragonier's TankCannon exploded upon impact while Trent's Aurahead was also a direct hit onto its target, causing smokes to rise up and hide the two navis from plain sight.

"STOP!"

The red Mr. Prog who stood at the center of the arena raised his flag up, signaling the end of the mock battle. "The winner of the battle is...DragonierMan.EXE!" As he pointed the flag towards Dragonier's general direction, a small flurry of confetti suddenly appeared from the sky and gently dropped down. The arena barrier was lifted, and both navis were instantly recovered from their battles.

"Till next time." And as fast as he appeared, the red Mr. Prog disappeared in a blink of an eye...

Trent.EXE: 1 HP / 190 HP

Vs. [Note: Both navis are out of melee range]

DragonierMan.EXE: 5 HP / 175 HP

Terrain: 100% Normal

-VICTOR: DRAGONIERMAN.EXE!-

(Fanfare Of Friendship.)

And as quickly as it started, it was over. "Yatta!" exclaimed Suzume with a hand pump. "I saw that coming," noted Aya as the barrier disengaged and dropped away. Suzume rushed out from the blanket and jumped onto DragonierMan, causing him to spin before regaining his balance, Suzume hanging off him. She gave him a quick peck on the mouth-plate before raising his visor. "You were amazing, taking those hits like you did. But nothing slowed you down. You are the best Mas-!"

But before she could finish her sentence, she was pulled off DragonierMan by Aya, who coughed into one hand. "You did well, Master."

"Aya!"

DragonierMan straightened himself up with his hands and turned to Trent, who was probably staggered by the last blow. He walked up to Trent and extended his arm to grasp at Trent's, pulling him to his feet with his forearm. "What a grand battle! You almost had me." DragonierMan clutched his chest with the other hand and wheezed slightly in punctuation. "*cough* I will be feeling that last one for a while."

Trent gripped his hands tightly around his knife blades as the final blows hit in the match. His chip selection wasn't exactly strong enough to finish the fight on his partner. He had made a few poor chip selections, and also learned which defenses he was lacking and which upgrades would come next. Sasha pressed up against the barrier waiting for it to disappear. The moment it did so the dog was inside the ring, running to Trent's side. He started to lick the wounds on Trent's side, where he was punched, and whimpered sadly.

Mark was silent during these interactions. He hadn't thought Trent would lose, even if it was a close fight, simply losing was a problem. Once he gets back into the rings, that could have easily meant deletion. There was a small list before Mark, with some scribbles on it. 'HP, defense, chips' where on the paper. Those were the upgrades Mark was going to go after. He would have to be careful with these though, seeing as to many hp upgrades, or navi custom upgrades would soar the level of his navi. He leaned back and thought and left Trent to do all the interactions.

Trent rubbed his dogs head roughly, trying to cheer the sad companion back up. The fight was very close, that would have to be something they would both need to remember. For a duel, it was a great duel. Trent shook the thought of deletion from the rings out of his head, and watched as Dragonierman came to help him to his feet. Trent accepted the aid and stood up, Sasha holding close. Sasha's eyes kept darting around the three targets, looking from each one carefully.

"It was a great battle," Trent responded, even letting a small smile slide over his face. "Think if that last hit would have missed, you would have some new cuts all over you. I'm hard to catch once I'm moving if you remember." Trent chuckled at the thought. He pulled his arm back to his own side. "I thought you would go more defensive after the punch," Trent admitted. "Which I ill be feeling for a while that was a solid hit."

"And I thought you were going to run," DragonierMan chuckled. He also retracted his hand. "Seems we were both wrong."

"So what now, Master?" Aya asked as she stood behind DragonierMan wrapped in his white cloak. Suzume had joined her sister under the warmth and stared out questioningly. DragonierMan shrugged. "I guess that determines on whether Trent wants to go busting together or something, otherwise we'll head back to White Tower and learn of our next mission from Our Lord."

He turned to Trent. "What say you?"

A small laugh emerged from Trent as he realized that they both had made a tactical error in the final stages of the fight. It was a good close bout indeed. Trent looked down to Sasha, who was now not hugging as close to his leg, and keeping his ear perked to look and listen at the others around him. Trent looked back to Dragonierman and thought for a second about if it would be ok according to the plans they had for a quick busting run, even just a few battles.

Mark stepped in with the answer. "We could do a few quick battles, but we really need to hop back to training Sasha and getting those upgrades. A few friendly virus batches wouldn't be a terrible idea though. Not here however. With both of you as weak as you are, it would make more sense to jack into another network after some quick rest, or if you would prefer we can also burn through some subchips."

Trent looked back to Dragonierman. "A few battles would just fine."

The dog at his side shot a look of worry and concern up at the fighter. He wasn't sure how to feel about fighting along side others just yet.

"Leaving the network is a good idea. Unless you'd rather stay here."

DragonierMan was about to respond when his eyes flashed a solid white. They glowed in his skull like two lanterns. His body paralyzed. When he spoke, his voice reverberated with two distinct sounds. One his own, one not his own. "Greetings Navi Trent. My Lord Obscura requests you move your group to the SciLabs' Network. He wishes to dig up any information you can regarding a recent upsurge in data mining activity in the ACDC Network. Will you assist?"

Aya and Suzume huddled closer at the sudden change of their Master. They whispered in hush voices, but some words were audible. Someone named Magistrate was speaking through DragonierMan. Apparently created by Destin. And the twins were visibly disturbed at the whole thing.

DragonierMan stood there as if frozen into a statue, but his eyes followed Trent with his question.

Trent clenched his fists tightly as the sudden change in Dragonierman happened. Why is it every time that Trent is around this Navi, something unusual happens to him? Even the Support units were unsure of how to react to this change in events. Sasha lowered his chest to the ground, raised his haunches, and showed his teeth to the new Dragonierman.

Trent took a far simpler approach. He figured that this was something else within the programing of the navi. Might as go with the flow on this one.

"I will assist. I give no promise that I'll stick around for long." Trent relaxed his fists.


"What he means is," Mark cut in, "That we will help, but our stay and length of assisting isn't set in stone. We might have to leave of our own to pursue other objectives all our own. But while we are around in Scilabs, we will gladly help."

Trent and Sasha waited for the response from the new glowing Dragonierman.

"Good. I shall open the way," the glowing eyed DragonierMan said as he raised his right hand off to his side. A crackle of electricity sparked from the air a few meters away before there was an explosion of light. A portal was opened to SciLabs Net.

DragonierMan's eyes returned to normal afterwards. The influence gone. His SPs relaxed slightly and came to stand at his sides. They lifted the cloak upon his shoulders and clasped it to his armor.

DragonierMan then turned to Trent and lowered his visor again. He gave him a thumbs up. Then he and his SPs headed into the portal and disappeared.

[DRAGONIERMAN LOGGED OUT!]

Trent gave a simple for now farewell as Dragonierman walked through the portal. He took a moment to turn to Sasha, who was now fa more relaxed that Dragonierman wasn't possessed and glowing anymore, and rubbed his head. "Weird things happen around this guy, you learn to get used to them pretty fast buddy. I'm jut as curious abut that last one, but we'll find out in time." Trent mushed Sasha's face together with his hands and laughed as the dog playfully bounded backwards and barked. "Let's go."

Trent started to walk towards the portal as Mark's voice chimed in. "We don't want to spend too much time here if we can help it. We need to gather more zenny, and this should help with that goal undoubtedly. We should figure ut what our next few purchases are going to be, then head over too the recruitment. We may have to do some missions to get everything. Then again, I don't think we will ever fully be ready for the recruitment maybe we should just go sooner rather than waiting. Either way, lets follow for now, we will play by ear how long we stay."

"Understood."

Trent and Sasha walked through the portal.

{Logged out}

[+4 FXP I guess okay whatever]