DragonierMan's 30k Run

DragonierMan and his SPs, Suzume and Aya, swooped down upon the blasted wastelands of Hades Net. The SPs were now wearing full body armour like their Navi and sporting much more robust physiques; though they seemed to have retained their grace even when so fully decked out. They hovered and sped a foot or two off the scorched ground, kicking up clouds of dust in their wake. Sparks struck off the tips of their steel boots every now and then as they moved around rocks and sped up hilltops. Today was a long time coming... After many missions, the group had finally returned to the hunt. Viruses beware!

[Requesting Battle 1]

DragonierMan.EXE: 200/200 [OmniShoes]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [FloatShoes]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [FloatShoes]

DragonierMan and his freshly battle-kitted SPs arrived in a rocky, mountainous are of the Hades Net, and were met immediately by the sweltering, dry heat of the inhospitable landscape. Several of the craggy peaks they passed were broken at the top and spilled torrents of magma down their faces, and distantly their could be heard the sound of harsh shrieking, though whether that was wind that tore between the uneven land, or something more sinister, was hard to tell.

What was less harder to figure out was where the group would find their first blood. In a manner of speaking. As it was, one small valley they passed through was littered with bones, and towards the valley mouth, ahead of them, many of them began slowly to rise off the ground, assembling themselves into a pair of vaguely human-shaped forms, though that only really went as far as the skulls, arms and spine. Between the two they might have had a full set of teeth, but it wasn't likely. One reached down to grab another bone from the many littering the space around them, and hurled it at Drago, though it missed by a mile. Its opposite cackled with an eerie clattering sound at the first's poor aim.

If that had been all, it wouldn't have been much to mention, but as the Skarabs both began grabbing for more projectiles, a pair of loud cries rang out from the spires behind the navi. A pair of brilliantly burning fire birds perched on the highest points above the valley, watching the navi and his SP advance, and now they swooped down at them, flames blazing. It would be incorrect to call this a life or death situation. More accurately, it was probably a life and death scenario.

-= Valley Guards=-

SkarabA: 120Hp [In Front][Normal]
SkarabB: 120Hp [In Front][Normal]
FirePhoenixA : 110Hp [Behind][High Altitude]
FirePhoenixB : 110Hp [Behind][High Altitude]

-=Allies=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 200/200 [Normal]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Normal]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Normal]

-=Terrain=-

Normal: 70%
Lava: 10% [Long patch of it on the left had side of the valley]
Sand: 20% [Much of the right hand side of the valley]

-=Battle 1 Start!=-

[x2] [x2]

DragonierMan and the girls skidded to a stop as a bone whizzed by their heads. A pair of skeletal Skarabs had risen up from the dusty ground, barring their path forward. Behind, a pair of fiery Phoenix set down atop a volcanic vent. The three Navis grinned as they were surrounded. The first catch of the day.

Drago turned towards the pair of FirePhoenix as they went aloft and then swooped down on them. He called over his shoulder at Suzume and Aya, "I will handle the birds, you two deal with the skeletons. He then bent his legs and kicked off the ground, causing his cloak to billow out behind him and the dust to scatter in all directions to the downdraft. The air cracked and boomed beneath him as he rocketed quickly up into the sky on ethereal dragon wings. He spun like a twister, drilling through the sky towards the FirePhoenix, displacing the wind around him like a shield. It was his hope that the cyclone would fend off the flames of the FirePhoenix as he closed into knife-fighting range.

"I got the right."

"I got the left."

The rocks scattered underfoot as Suzume and Aya charged the Skarabs. They weaved and bobbed a foot above the ground, skimming on their own ethereal wings. Suzume's dash was blindingly quick, causing her form to blur and sparkle in the heat, as if she was a mirage. She bolted toward the right side of the battlefield, being mindful of any incoming thrown bones, while her sister headed toward the left flank. Aya slipped between rocks and boulders as if using their own shadows to step quickly about the field, using them as impromptu cover for only an instant before moving on. She cartwheeled acrobatically around and over any obstacles in her path, attempting to also dodge the occasional bone shard thrown by the Skarabs. They both moved gracefully, even while burdened with heavy armour.

Once Drago got within spitting distance of the two birds, he thrust both arms in front of him. He breathed in deeply, cold steam issuing out of his nostrils. Icy tendrils swept down around his arms and collected in his open palms. An instant later the hot air fissured. A cold zephyr gale billowed forth from his hands and swept across the sky, flash freezing the area in front of Drago in a cone-shaped torrent of glacial sleet.

Sliding to a stop, Suzume and Aya both raised their own arms toward their respective targets and braced themselves with bent knees. Silvered energy built rapidly within their bodies, and then swiftly traveled down from their cores to their open palms. Amassing a great deal of destructive energy in their fists, and focusing them into concentrated shells, the twins locked their steely gray eyes on their prey. They shifted their feet and adjusted their aim, being careful to line up their targets just right, before releasing their payloads in a pair of explosive blasts. The shells made manifest hurled toward their targets with thunderous roars, shaking the ground underneath as they screamed across the field. Woe be to anyone so struck.

Drago spun as the tendrils of icy mist dissipated from his fingertips, tracing through the air like a painter on canvas. Battlefields were his canvas, his domain. Weapons of war his tools. He painted in a rainbow of colors, all ending in the deletion of his enemies, his prey. Yes, he lived for the battles. The shrieks and the roars. The clash of claw and blade. The pounding rhythm of cannonade.

His eyes darted about the sky as he slowed, searching for any remnants of the fiery birds. If he found any, he would sweep his hands out in front of him, cutting the air with bladed talons. Streams of water burst forth from his fingertips and slashed across the sky like deadly blades. One blast after another flew forth from his hands as he tried to strike down anything that remained flying. Nothing would escape his deadly deluge, his dirge of battle.

The Phoenix aren't the only ones who can take wing, and Drago quickly goes airborne to meet them. He steadies himself for sending a chilling cone of blizzardy ice at the birds, but the moment is long enough for the two to bank either side, and the blast fails to connect with either. As the fire birds turn, they make shots of their own, but one has too much momentum and the blazing phoenix-shaped shot goes very wide. The other is more accurate, and though Drago tries to dodge out of the way, the edge of the shot clips across his side. (-20)

Down below, Aya and Suzume cover the ground to their own targets, each dodging thrown bones with ease as they move in for the kill. Can they kill things that are already skeletons? Apparently they can: once they reach striking range, the pair ready impressive cannons and blast their respective Skarabs with great prejudice. The bony viruses collapse into piles of broken and disarrayed bones. It's an unusual defence mechanism, that lets them.... oh, no, wait... no, that's just them being utterly destroyed. Never mind. The two bones that were turning about mid-air for another pass, immediately fly off in random directions, bereft of their controlling viruses.

Up above, Drago makes up for the earlier miss with a nimble aerial manoeuvre that lets him blitz first one Phoenix, then the other in quick succession. Their thoroughly sodden destruction causes their disintegrating remains to fall to the ground, unable to rise.

What remains on the valley floor, adds to a moderate amount of usable zenny; fortunately, none of it falls into the lava.

-= Valley Guards=-

SkarabA: DELETED
SkarabB: DELETED
FirePhoenixA : DELETED
FirePhoenixB : DELETED

-=Allies=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 180/200 [High Altitude]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Normal]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Normal]

-=Terrain=-

Normal: 70%
Lava: 10% [Long patch of it on the left had side of the valley]
Sand: 20% [Much of the right hand side of the valley]


-=Battle 1 victory=-

Rewards: 880z, 24BugFrags

((And remember: it didn't matter this time, but Take Aim cannot be used to push an attack's accuracy above flat 'A'.))

[Apparently after talking to many people in the Chat I have come to the realization that I have been given false information by accident, and that I have been working off that false knowledge in my modding and busting. But I will go forward with the now corrected current knowledge.]

DragonierMan swoops back down to Suzume and Aya and collects the rewards into a sack. Storing it away, they head off into the wastelands to delete more viruses. Drago was a little ticked that he got winged by some stupid virus, but sometimes one is just not lucky to come out of a scrape completely unharmed.

[Requesting Battle 2]

As the three emerge from the small, bone-littered valley, the rocky and jagged parts of the terrain grow increasingly more prevalent. Before long, it's not possible to find a flat piece of ground to walk on, and it begins feels more like mountaineering than walking. At least, it would, for individuals who couldn't fly or opted not to. Those who could, however, would feel unusually strong thermals rising from the blackest rocks.

A short way ahead and to the left, they cold hear the sounds of digging, drilling and the general breaking of rocks. the sounds are apparently coming from a small cluster of viruses working at the base of one of the crags of black rock. There's a large hole been opened up around where three Drixols are busy drilling away, while two miners chitter and point, directing them. One of the miners shakes its head then ducks below the ground again. There's a quiet beeping, then suddenly a chunk of the rockface near them bursts open from the small explosion of a mine. Unfortunately, magma begins to pour out immediately, and both miners quickly shift around to the other side of the main hole they're working on. A little way to the side, there's a mount of broken chunks of black rock that they've apparently already mined out, and poking out of the pile, a green crystaline object.

They don't seem interested in the mystery Data, though, since it's in their refuse pile... which is now being slowly encroached upon by the released magma. the other miner sighs as their digging operation continues, then glances about. This lets him lay eyes on Drago and his SPs, however, and with a shout the whole digging crew jump to battle-stations.


-=The Hades Expedition=-

Miner A: 100Hp [Coal]
Miner B: 100Hp [Coal]
Drixol A: 90Hp [Coal]
Drixol B: 90Hp [Coal]
Drixol C: 90Hp [Coal]


-=Virus Hunters=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 180/200 [Coal]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Coal]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Coal]


-=Terrain=-

70% Coal [Uneven terrain, comprised of rocky spires, with very little flat ground]
10% Lava [Pouring out of the spire nearest the viruses]
10% Broken [Large hole made by the digging viruses]

-=Objects=-

GMD: 25Hp [Coal][Partially Buried]

-=Notes=-

Coal terrain is solid, but still soft enough if attacked or damaged.
The lava will creep a little each turn, and is spreading towards the miner's refuse pile, and the GMD within.

-=Battle 2 Start!=-

[x2] [x3]

Aya's eyes scanned the battlefield. Currently they were outnumbered by some very tricky foes. If they didn't execute an efficient tactical plan, they would be blown up and drilled to deletion. Also the lava flow might destroy the precious mystery data. She went over what options she had at her disposal quickly and then began calling out commands. "Drago grab the GMD and then get well clear. Suzume, stay close to me until you see me attack, then use the MoonBlade. Those drills will probably come straight at us. I'll dodge out of the way just before your attack, hopefully you will catch all three of them."

Suzume gave a mock salute, "Aye, Aye, Aya."

"I'll handle the clean up, DragonierMan said as he rushed forward to open up the GMD. His feet beat at the coal'd hard ground as he ran, kicking up clouds of embers and coal dust. As he sped across the battlefield, Suzume came to stand at Aya's side. She kept her eyes glued on the Drixols, daring them to attack her and her sister. Her hand came to a sheath on her right side and pulled out a small black kunai. It thrummed with restrained power and vibrated steadily in her hand as she brought it up in front of her. Her feet shifted in the coal, taking up a defensive stance.

Suzume closed her eyes and felt for the flow of the River of Fate. Its coursing waters displacing all outcomes to those that could see it. She looked for it, looked deep within it, trying to find the time and place to release the stored energy of her weapon, to make a mighty tempest that would cut down all her foes in one grand spin. She had a younger sister to protect. She would have to be certain.

Meanwhile, Aya had shifted into a defensive stance like her sister, with one arm raised towards the Miners. She braced it with her other arm as once more energy collected in her core and traveled down into her open palm, condensing into a shell of dark light. However, instead of a solid form, this shell was more fluid. As if the destructive energies could barely be contained within.

Drago slapped his hand down upon the half-submerged GMD. After activating it and taking the data, or summoning a lot of monsters, he flapped ethereal wings and rocketed straight up into the stratosphere. The air quivered and boomed at the sudden sonic acceleration. That probably sent the Miners underground, so Aya waited... and waited... waiting for the Miners to reappear.

When they had both resurfaced Aya's eyes locked upon them like a hunter stalking her prey. "Now!" Aya called out as the dark light blast from her hand and was sent careening towards the two Miners. The shell screamed across the rocky planes until it detonated in a brilliant explosion between the Miners. But Aya didn't check to see whether the blast destroyed both viruses, as she was already running away from Suzume, who had launched herself at the Drixols (whether or not they actually went after the sisters).

Suzume streaked like lightning into the highest concentration of Drixols and lashed out with her blade. The force of the Moon's energy had released in a concentrated radiation of slashing power. The girl spun like a top as waves upon waves of destructive energy poured out of her dagger. Landing gracefully like a ballerina, Suzume spun to a stop on the coal.

Meanwhile meanwhile, Drago swooped overhead. He let out a billowing roar and pumped himself up with healing energies as he swerved this way and that way. Then he started punching the air with his fists, raining down blasts of bluish bird-shaped fire upon the viruses from above, assuming that any of them were left. The blasts swept down upon the battlefield and scorched it even more than it was before.

Drago dashes for the treasure as the Miners duck underground to place their mines. Fortunately, he has already reached his goal before the ominous beeping of primed explosives begins to sound across the hostile terrain. Digging up the Mystery Data, he opens it quickly and as the crystal unpacks itself, it deposits a packet of chip data in his hand. It seems to be a chip designed for defensive digging... ironic given the circumstances. Maybe that was why the miners threw it away?

Spoils collected, he immediately boosted skywards to get clear both of the danger of the mines, and the wide blast setting on the TankCannon that Aya was preparing. As the two miners pop up again, next to each other, as though to confer on where they each placed their bombs, the little SP lets loose with a big blast. The coal spire behind the two miners gets demolished, raining chunks of freshly fragmented coal chunks over the field, and leaving behind a second small puddle of exposed lava. Of the miners, one is simply gone, but the other is left cowering from the blast, rained on by rock chunks, but miraculously unharmed.

Unperturbed, the two sisters take their chances with the planted mine field, and split up. Their footwork is light and the beeping continues without an explosion. The Drixols that Suzume was making for seemed intent on defending their freshly dug hole in the ground, and two managed to make a sudden dash at her before she reached the trio. Their aim was poor, though, and each managed only to plough into more of the uneven black formations, toppling them and spreading more rocky lumps of fresh coal everywhere. They shake themselves off, and blink, suddenly facing back the way they had come, in order to drive back again towards the attacking SP.

Their aim is better this time, but it doesn't avail either of them. As they race back towards the girl, she masterfully ducks to the side of the first, then brings the full force of her MoonBlade to bear in a vicious spinning attack that connects first with the Drixol that just missed her, then totals the second one as it races in, just before it can reach her, and finishes up the spin by slicing the last remaining Drixol in two before it can get its act together and attack.

From on High, DragonierMan lets his SPs do most of the work, healing his minor scrape from before, then raining down phoenix-fire at the last Miner, toasting him thoroughly. The flame catches to the coal, causing licks of flame to linger and remain, though it's not quite enough to surrender any more of their field to lava.

Silence falls at last, and the beeping of the mines fades to nothing. The area is much reduced, with notably more flat area, after the destructive battle. Of note, the large hole that the viruses had been digging remains, and seems, upon closer inspection to have breached into an underground cave of some sort. Looks a bit too cramped for proper flying though... there are plenty of other places to explore.

Amongst the zenny spoils on the field, one of the unfortunate miners seems to have left behind their iconic chip data instead. Oh well, between that and the chip from the Mystery Data, Drago seems to have acquired everything he needs to play at Miner himself....

-=The Hades Expedition=-

Miner A: DELETED
Miner B: DELETED
Drixol A: DELETED
Drixol B: DELETED
Drixol C: DELETED


-=Virus Hunters=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 200/200 [Coal]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Coal]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Coal]


-=Terrain=-

65% Coal [Uneven terrain, comprised of rocky spires, with notably more flat ground than there was]
25% Lava [Various patches]
10% Broken [Large hole made by the digging viruses]

Battle 2 Victory!

Spoils: 1050z, Mine1, 25 BugFrags
GMD: Mole1

Quote (Mine1)

Damage: 180 + Ground Attack
Accuracy: S
Description: Lays a field of small chain mines in a location, unknown to everyone, on the battlefield. The minefield covers 10% of the battlefield, giving anyone who takes a move action a 10% chance of detonating it with every move and dodge they make. The individual who set the mines cannot set them off just by walking on them. Mines cannot be placed on Broken, Trap, or Missing terrain. Up to 90% of the field may be covered in mines.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: +10% Mined Terrain

Quote (Mole1)

Effect: Conditional Burrow / Submerge
Accuracy: S
Description: Allows the user to hide underground or under a liquid surface when not executing an attack. User may heal, though. User may choose to attack as they exit the burrowed or submerged state if the situation allows.
Duration: 1 turn
Element: Null

DragonierMan landed again next to Suzume and Aya as they gathered the data fragments before the lava flow got to them, legging it before they were burnt to a crisp. Then they continued across the blasted terrain, where they could maneuver freely. They had just gotten started. When they were through people would wonder what happened to all the viruses in Hades Net.

[Requesting Battle 3]

As DragonierMan and his SPs moved on, they searched the hostile landscape for viruses to hunt, but aside from a scorching wind, the occasional magma vent, and a whole lot of very hot rocks, they didn't come across much of anything that might be thought of as a challenge worth their time.

At least, not until they encountered a slightly unusual slight a little to the west; a tall metal bulwark stood like some sort of defending wall, built tall between the sides of two very obviously volcanic mountains. A thick moat of lava ran across the base of the fortification, and continued around the feet of each mountain, with only a single road bridging it, in the very centre, leading to a large set of riveted iron doors.

The plating on the wall seemed a bit ramshackle, but sturdy nonetheless; the many holes in it were in fact evenly spaced arrow-slits and gunnery ports, several of which were, in fact, occupied by HotHead viruses, standing sentinel. Their ports were slightly recessed into the wall, leaving very little of the viruses actually exposed. In front of the main gates, a pair of rocky Craggers stood, not so much 'guarding' as 'taking up the entire entryway'.

All of it might well be enough to make one wonder what exactly was out here in the middle of inhospitable Hades? Of course, none of those viruses seemed to be going anywhere, guarding their wall as they were, and they'd probably only attack if anyone decided to get too close.

-=Viruses=-

HotHeadA: 60Hp [Closed; IronBody] [Metal]
HotHeadB: 60Hp [Closed; IronBody] [Metal]
HotHeadC: 60Hp [Closed; IronBody] [Metal]
HotHeadD: 60Hp [Closed; IronBody] [Metal]
CraggerA: 120Hp [HardBody] [Metal]
CraggerB: 120Hp [HardBody] [Metal]

-=Allies=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 200/200 [Normal]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Normal]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Normal]

-=Terrain=-

20% Lava [Moat in front of the wall-fort]
40% Metal [Walled fortifications, and the bridge crossing the moat.]
40% Normal

-=Battle 3 Start!=-

[x4] [x2]

DragonierMan, Suzume, and Aya all stood looking at the wall for a moment, then at the guardians of the wall. It looked like an ant hive of viruses that needed water dumped on them. Or fire dumped on them... Really anything that would cause them to be deleted. Although since it was mostly made out of metal, the three would just dump electricity on them. Several thousand volts.

All three warriors raised their hands up towards the two Craggers in unspoken agreement. They sparked and crackled as lightning danced off their body before collecting at their fingertips. With a crack and a roar, the lightning belched forth in a great wave. Twin bolts launched from the sisters danced along a much larger, scarier electric dragon serpent. The serpent flew across the terrain, leaving behind magnetized rock in its wake before finally smashing into the defenders' line. The strength of the electric attacks were enhanced by all the metal, but those Craggers looked really strong and durable.

"Scatter," Drago commanded with a wave of his hand. As Suzume and Aya swiftly moved away from the battleline of Craggers, Drago stepped forward as an I-Field formed around him. He raised his glowing hands toward the two Craggers and gave them a 'come hither' motion. "Come at me!"

He waited until they came at him, then shifted his feet and tried to dodge their attacks. If one managed to get through, the I-Field would deflect it. Drago would then disappear from view and reappear right above the target. And with a glowing fist of vengeance, smash right down on top of the Cragger in a brilliant display of martial might. Most likely if it hit, the Cragger would be reduced to rubble.

However, Drago wasn't done yet. As Suzume and Aya got to a safe distance, a solid metal ball and chain appeared in Drago's hands. Letting it unravel, Drago rushed to within melee range of any Craggers left, focusing his aim on taking them out once and for all. When in position, he began spinning like a top. Twirling through the Cragger lines in a 360 degree spin of heavy metal, Drago would release it at its apex, aiming for one of the closed turrets on the wall.

The sphere of silver metal, dragging a chain behind, flew from the Navi's hand and sailed through the air at the metallic wall. If it struck true, it would crash right through the hard shell of the turret and shatter its innards. Otherwise, the ball and chain would just bounce off or imbed itself into the wall.

Making his challenge to the fortification clear, DragonierMan throws the first stone. Or rather, the first Dragon. His SPs pitch in their own electrical reels simultaneously, barely letting them race along just ahead of the swiftly changing terrain. It's a good thing they reach the Craggers before the panels under them change, as the two direct hits flare and cross-spread with each other, reducing the craggy guards to so much rubble. It's also a good thing that the twins were so accurate, because, for whatever reason, Drago's dragon, while gleefully altering the terrain as it raced forward, manages to completely miss both Craggers itself. Maybe it thought they were obstacles and not enemies? A forgivable mistake. Either way, the rocky guards are destroyed, and the whole bridge and a chunk of the fortification itself has become distinctly more magnetic than it was.

Drago's counter is ready for the first one to dare attack him, but, in the face of this impressive display of sudden destruction, no-one seems game to try. The four HotHeads blink, then, as one, squeeze their eyes shut in their best defensive stance.

Drago isn't satisfied with such apparent capitulation, however, and brings on his next weapon. Though there's nothing for him to hit on the bridge as he swings it around, gaining momentum, his release is both powerful, and accurate. It doesn't simply crush the HotHead on the far left; the large metal ball obliterates it, its alcove, and punches a hole clean through the hastily put-together wall of the fort. It seemed that the defence wasn't as thick or sturdy as it needed to be to withstand DragonierMan's force.

One of the HotHeads in an alcove near the bridge gives off a dull 'clunk', the magnet panel next to its perch pulling on the hard metal virus until it tips, ever so slightly, to stick to the wall.


-=Viruses=-

HotHeadA: WHAT HOTHEAD?
HotHeadB: 60Hp [Closed; IronBody] [Metal]
HotHeadC: 60Hp [Closed; IronBody] [Metal] [Tilted]
HotHeadD: 60Hp [Closed; IronBody] [Metal]
CraggerA: DELETED
CraggerB: DELETED

-=Allies=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 200/200 [Magnet][Counter Ready]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Normal]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Normal]

-=Terrain=-

20% Lava [Moat in front of the wall-fort]
25% Magnet [A small amount of the walled fortifications, and the bridge crossing the moat.]
15% Metal [Most of the walled fortifications]
40% Normal

DragonierMan flew up to the one of the closed turrets. He brought back his arm as if he was about to punch it and took aim at where he thought its core was. The bracer on his arm elongated and enclosed his hand, producing a diamond-tipped drill. It revved up into a deadly spinning blade, before he threw his DrillArm(tm)-enhanced punch straight at the immobile virus. Afterwards Drago just floated there in a defensive position, trying to make sure not to be blown up by any of the turrets... Assuming they were going to attack at all.

Meanwhile, Suzume and Aya continue to make sure they weren't shelled into deletion by the viruses. Although they didn't really have anything to fear from a bunch of cowardly viruses, better safe than sorry. Unfortunately, the trio did not have much in the way of Break damage, so all they could do was wait for them to open up.

Since the HotHead turrets didn't seem willing to bring the fight to Drago and his girls, the Dragonier opted to take the fight to them, boosting up to one of the turrets by the doors and socking it into next week. the punch destroys the virus, and launches its remains back through the newly ventilated wall, leaving a second gaping hole in the forts defences, where once a guard had stood.

The two remaining viruses hum for a moment, before their mouths crank open and they launch attacks of their own, finally, but the tipped one was apparently targeting as though it were still straight; the shot splatters into the lava moat, nowhere near anyone. The other one has a go at Aya, but primed to avoid, she dodges its predictable shot with ease. This leaves both remaining defences smoking, with their mouths hanging open as they cool off from firing.

-=Viruses=-

HotHeadA: HAMMERED
HotHeadB: DRILLED
HotHeadC: 60Hp [Open; [s]IronBody[/s]] [Metal] [Tilted]
HotHeadD: 60Hp [Open; [s]IronBody[/s]] [Metal]
CraggerA: DELETED
CraggerB: DELETED

-=Allies=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 200/200 [Magnet][Counter Ready]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Normal]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Normal]

-=Terrain=-

20% Lava [Moat in front of the wall-fort]
25% Magnet [A small amount of the walled fortifications, and the bridge crossing the moat.]
15% Metal [Most of the walled fortifications]
40% Normal

It was strange. Previous fights with viruses that opened and closed protective shells usually gave some sort of warning before they launched their attacks. After the HotHeads reopened, they got a potshot at Aya before she could even react, not even telegraphing its attacks like normal. Perhaps this fortress had more intelligent and deadlier strains of virus code than normally associated with this area of the Net. Thankfully Aya was quick on her feet and was able to dodge out of the way.

Aya and Suzume launched a counterattack after the turrets stopped firing, shooting screaming energy blasts back at them. They split their fire between the turrets, trying to take them out with TankCannon-grade power. DragonierMan stayed well out of the way and threw waves of water at the HotHeads. Washing the outside of the metal wall with cold water.

They were fire-aligned viruses right?

Well anyways, the twins then went into defensive positions, dodging the potential counterattack. Drago took the initiative though, flying right up to the remaining turrets and aiming well an icy breath attack, hoping to freeze the two remaining viruses into deletion. Then he also took a defensive position in the air, right in front of the viruses. Daring them to attack him.

The two HotHeads leave themselves exposed after their shots, and the twins immediately capitalise on the opening by returning fire with identical TankCannons, blasting two more gaping holes into the wall where their targets had been. Drago adds insult to injury, sending his wide, watery waves crashing over the fortification as well, just in case.

There's quiet for a moment, then a slow creaking sound. Cracks lace out from the many large, rough-hewn holes in the wall and the fortification groans, then, all at once, there's a crash as the whole wall collapses, cracked metal plating tumbling down in an uneven heap. The only thing left standing is, in fact, the pair of imposing double doors, but with noting to support them, they fall inward with a thump a few moments later.

The inside of the fort, though still open air, looks like it's fitted our as a training ground of some sort, though for now it's empty, save for a group of four Metools sitting lazily in the middle of the area, apparently playing cards. Three have set their pickaxes aside in a neat pile tot he side, while the fourth still holds its. One of them puts down five cards, and its eyes turn into clichéd little happy carets. Across from it, another Metool looks down at its own cards, sighs, and stands up. For a moment it looks as though it might be about to remove its helmet, to the jeers and cheers of the others, but at that moment they all notice the front door of their fort collapsing, grab their picks, and immediately flee in all directions, disappearing into different rooms and doorways of the open-topped complex.

All that remains are some varied piles of zenny scattered about the courtyard, where the poor HotHeads had been flung, and something that looked like chip data, around where one of the Craggers had been crushed.


-=Viruses=-

HotHeadA: HAMMERED
HotHeadB: DRILLED
HotHeadC: DELETED
HotHeadD: DELETED
CraggerA: DELETED
CraggerB: DELETED

-=Allies=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 200/200 [Magnet][Counter Ready]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Normal]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Normal]

-=Terrain=-

20% Lava [Moat in front of the Ex-fortification]
25% Magnet [A small amount of the walled fortifications that still stands, and the bridge crossing the moat.]
15% Cracked [The remains of the fort wall]
40% Normal

-=Battle 3 Victory!=-

Rewards: 1380z, Golemhit1, 24 BugFrags

Quote (GolemHit1)

Damage: 140 + Break + Panel Crack + Wide Attack
Accuracy: C
Description: A fist of stone falls from the sky to smash an enemy, and create a shock wave that hits two nearby enemies. The area affected by the fist becomes Cracked terrain.
Duration: Once
Element: Null

Aya and Suzume scoop up the Zenny from the poker game while DragonierMan takes the Battlechip data. He gave a final kick to the area where the Cragger had been crushed beneath the wall before moving on. Aya, on the other side of the field, moped a bit. She had been disappointed that she didn't get to see what was under the Met hat. No one, as far as she knew, had seen such a rare sight. Also knowing more about the creatures she destroyed on a normal basis would making their deletion more efficient in the future.

Well, no matter. Now, the three of them had a bunch of entrance ways into the compound to sort through. Picking one seemingly at random, the three entered into the complex.

[Requesting Battle 4]

Even though the partitions in the training ground were open-topped, a dark shadow seemed to fall over the area as Drago and his SPs entered one of the larger chambers. the soft sand of the central area continued for a short patch past the entry way, before solid metal panelling began. In the sudden gloom, small lights began to flicker into sight, first one, then another, then even more. In the middle of each wall, other than the entry way, it was possible to make out three melty, bubbly candles with tormented faces, each reaching out towards the navi and his girls with deformed, dripping arms. They moaned as the reached, but didn't seem able to actually move.

In the far corners, tow more little candle lights shone, but though they were smaller, the flames of these ones jumped up and flowed outward, forming themselves into a pair of ghastly-looking spectres, covered in the candle's fire. these seemed much more mobile, but for now, they hung back, keeping between DragonierMan and the little candles that had spawned them.

It was hard to tell, but that wasn't everything in the room. The shadows themselves crept and moved in the flickering light, and some of those shadows seemed to take shape in a slightly more solid form than the rest. It was hard to tell, in the gloom, but they were definitely thee, and didn't sound at all friendly.

Even if the space itself proved too small or confining for a brawl, given the hastily-put together state of the front wall, it seemed likely that the 'walls' of the chamber here would be no sturdier.

-=Dark-Room Denizens=-

HauntedCandleA: 100Hp [Centre of Back Wall][Metal]
HauntedCandleB: 100Hp [Centre of Left Wall][Metal]
HauntedCandleC: 100Hp [Centre of Right Wall][Metal]

CanDevilA: 120Hp [Back Left][Metal]
CanDevilB: 120Hp [Back Right][Metal]

ShadowA: 80hp [Near Left][Sand][Shadow]
ShadowB: 80hp [Near Right][Sand][Shadow]

-=Virus Hunters=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 200/200 [Sand]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Sand]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Sand]

-=Terrain=-

60% Metal
40% Sand [In a semi-circular arc, centred on the entrance of the room, fanning out.]

-=Objects=-

CanDevilA's candle: 60Hp [Back left corner of the room]
CanDevilB's Candle: 60Hp [Back right corner of the room]

-=Battle 4, Start!=-

[x2] [x2] [x2]

DragonierMan took stock of the situation while everyone assumed a defensive stance. He came to the conclusion that there were many candles, and that they would most likely be throwing candlewick fire at them. He also noted that some of the viruses seemed to be directly attached to the candles, and others were not. He pointed out the corner CanDevils' Candles to the twins, since they were separate from the viruses that seemed to have an attachment to them. "Those look important, take them out first. Suzume left, Aya right," he directed. He then faced the three HauntedCandles, "I got the center."

The three of them sprung into action, racing off in three different directions. They glided over the sand as if it wasn't there, since they were a foot or two above it. So they weren't slowed down as they converged on their selected prey in a flash, crossing the small room in mere moments. Weaving in serpentine patterns as they came on, they ended up drawing wavy lines in their wakes in the sand. Future historians would read the waves in the sand and think that the virus fortress was attacked by large snakes.

Suzume and Aya raised their arms up as they converged on the opposite corners of the room, taking aim at the unoccupied Candevil Candles. Electricity welled in their bodies and sparked down the length of their arms, forming spheres of deadly electromagnetic energy. The lightning bolts lit up the dark corners as they lanced out of the girls' hands and soared at the candles. The girls didn't care if the Candevil viruses got in the way of their candles. For you see, the ElecReels explode in directed blasts to the sides, and behind. Even if the Candevils managed to get in the way, the blast would travel through them to hit their precious candles as well. And the fact that all of them were on metallic terrain, just amplified the destructive potential of these powerful electric attacks.

Draco had reached the far wall just as the twins began unleashing their attacks. He roared at the HauntedCandles as sparks danced in his fanged maw, trying to draw their attention to him while he charged his attack and took aim at them. "Ghostly viruses!" he bellowed. "Know now that it is DragonierMan who sends you to the next Beyooond."

He drew out the last word for emphasis as he exhaled forth a shocking discharge of energy, blasting the wall of metal with a surge of power. The air crackled and popped as everything in front of him was engulfed in a tumultuous storm of jagged lightning. The scorching on the walls would show future historians that the serpents were lightning breathers as well.

Having most likely burnt everything to a crisp except the Shadows, Drago watched them carefully. "You, Shadows!" he called out to them, while trying to subtly draw a dagger from one of the many sheathes on his belt. He beckoned them over with his other hand. "Come and get me."

Then he waited for a moment, hoping they would take the bait, while energy welled in his dagger. He stepped forward and swung his dagger in a wide arc. He spun in a circle ad the energy flowed out in a deadly slashing wave, trying to encompass the two Shadows in the cutting energy (as well as any HauntedCandles still remaining, assuming any survived his lightning breath).

Drago and his subordinates reacted to the scene both quickly, and decisively, and if was good they did: the occupants of the dark and shadowy space weren't happy about their presence, and the two candles on the side walls immediately fit a fire under the virus-hunting trio. Fortunately, they were all moving out of the way, and the burning columns succeeded only in turning a large chunk of the sand they had passed over, into shiny, smooth glass.

At the same time, as Drago moved forward, the two shadows teleported out of the darkness, close to him on either side. On jabbed in fiercely, its body taking on the form of a sharp dagger, while the other lanced at him, as, well, a lance. Alas for the viruses, the dragonier was more than ready for the pair, and though they were spot on with their aim, he easily dodged and wove out of their way.

Aya and Suzume had taken up their attack positions, and let loose in tandem with a pair of piercing electric reels, bowling through their respective CanDevil's, and snuffing the candles behind as well for good measure. The possessed flames didn't even get a chance to retaliate before they were shocked into scrap.

Centre stage, Drago very impressive looking electrical attack of his own, breathing a thick, inescapable torrent of electricity that rolled forward it an expanding cone, to splash against the back wall. There was no way the cone of lightning could reach the two candles against the side walls, but the one in the middle certainly got electrocuted beyond all question. As the attack dissipated and the candle was no more, the glowing light remained, though now it was softer, and more stable; the area where the lightning had coursed had been converted into warmly glowing solar panels, the wonders of electrical lighting brightening the dark space far more effectively than any candle-light had. Perhaps these viruses needed to move with the times.

Not done with his display, Drago whips around in a mighty spin with his Moonblade. Even having teleported back to their shadows, the... uh, Shadows, were still close enough to feel the bite of his slashing weapon. The arc of it was enough to reach the two remaining candles as well, but by unlucky fate, the energy wave passed clean over both of them without connecting.

-=Dark-Room Denizens=-

HauntedCandleA: 100Hp [Centre of Back Wall][Metal]
HauntedCandleB: OUTDATED
HauntedCandleC: 100Hp [Centre of Right Wall][Metal]

CanDevilA: DELETED
CanDevilB: DELETED

ShadowA: SLICED
ShadowB: DICED

-=Virus Hunters=-

DragonierMan.EXE: 200/200 [Solar]
Suzume.SP: 80/80 [Metal]
Aya.SP: 80/80 [Metal]

-=Terrain=-

60% Metal
20% Glass [Most of the area that was previously sand]
10% Solar [Small area, in a cone from Drago's feet, to the back wall]
10% Sand [A much smaller area centred on the entrance of the room, fanning out.]

-=Objects=-

CanDevilA's candle: DELETED
CanDevilB's Candle: DELETED