While the twins recovered from the solid blow Terra had managed to strike, the terrain-sensitive duo were quick to strengthen and restore some of their defences in the moment they had. Still glowering at Terra, Pronus slid and drifted about the space, turning his head only slightly as he passed behind his sister and murmured something in her ear. She smiled and shivered as his hands stroked down her back and caressed the lengths of her arms when she held them out to him, and the silvery, partially concave shield fan that he had summoned before covered her left arm now instead, then faded from sight. She giggled and pecked him on the cheek as they moved past each other again, though both kept their eyes on Terra through the exchange.
Terra held her silence under the gazes, readying her own strategy without giving any tells while her adversaries circled around them slowly, apart from one another with the mass of electronic parts sliding and shifting between them. The darkening of the male's mood seemed to have dropped some of the flirtation from the atmosphere, and even though Fortuna had started to smile again and was swaying her curves in a vaguely seductive manner, there was no question that the fight had grown more serious for both parties. She leaned in towards Terra, tacitly lifting her hands to cup her breasts and squeeze them softly, an action that made her shudder and gasp for a second before her eyes focused.
"Someone needs to stop you playing with toys you can't handle. The fun toys are for real women..." As she hissed the words softly, the gynoid's eyes flashed and sparked, and Terra felt... something tickle the back of her senses, though it didn't seem to have any actual effect on her. The other woman released her chest, letting he smile turn into a broader, more seductive one, and reached out a hand as though she hoped to embrace Terra, but before she could, the elementalist decided to see how much the twins liked it when the floor was all lava. Not very much, as it turned out.
The two flew back suddenly as the molten terrain spread over the floor and out into the open area beyond, pressing themselves to opposite walls and snarling for a second or two before they both recovered their composure. Pronus, now off to Terra's left made a secondary, aloof sound, though for all of his derisive tone, he seemed to be trying to keep as much of himself as he could out of the liquid rock.
"Yes, of course, that. Well. We'll deal with that in time if necessary. For now, I think you deserve some tit for tat, Terra, dear, and maybe it will convince you to play nice." As he spoke, his eyes looked to the area around Terra's own feet, and there was a flash of disappointment as he realised she'd managed to restore her own protection from the heat before transforming the ground. Once again, with a sudden burst of movement from both of them, the assassins arced about Terra and Carbide in a rapid rush, but though carbide was ready to protect her navi from harm, the little girl might be shocked to find that both twins were focusing the entirety of their fire power on her directly, and ignoring Terra herself.
The attacks came out as a literal barrage of small shots, pouring from each of the twins' outstretched hands as electrical bolts. None of them were particularly strong, but there were so many of them, and the pair seemed to have the valiant support program well and truly locked into their sights. Even if she tried to keep count, Carbide would be hard pressed to track the number of little sparks that hammered against her defences from all sides. Her shield gave out first, black obsidian crumbling under the repeat blows, and the hardened casing underneath was rapidly chipped away as well before the spray of sparks ended. Carbide herself was left to weather a number of the darts, and though each individual one barely did her any real harm, the pain began to mount as at least nine of them made it through all the way to her skin.
Terra, perhaps not expecting the pair to go so fiercely for her support, after their threats a moment before, had been busy reforming some of her own protections while this happened, but she would be able to see, at least, that the nest of mechanical materials burned and smoked as it slid over the lava — Terra's ability in that regard was one the pair seemed to lack.
Despite this, though, they both seemed to shrug off the burning, in favour of ending their blistering rapid assault with a pair of stronger bursts, these ones laced through again with the crackles of red and blue as they found their mark on the battered SP. Still sanding, Carbide felt more corruption working its way through her body; in particular, her feed began to feel sluggish and heavy and movement grew increasingly difficult for her. The other string of damaging code didn't seem to have any effect on Carbide herself, but it was certainly there, worming about inside her.
In the brief pause that followed, before Pronus and Fortuna could re-unite again, Terra took aim and prepared to fire an empowered, damaging magma shot at the taunting woman. As she did, though, A pair of small laser-point probes popped up from different parts of the churning mass of parts, firing two slim bolts of multi-hued electricity into both Carbide and Terra. Carbide staggered from the bolt, but remained on her feet as the rush of further scrambled code made her head swim. More than that, though, there was a feeling of affinity. It was different than the previous time; a different sort of glitch, though similar. As it spread through her body, Carbide would be aware of the sense that water was good for her, and not just in the normal way; it was really good for her. The lightest splashes might even heal her beaten and hurting injuries, perhaps. Her skin started to turn vaguely translucent and any places where bare flesh was showing through, she began to look like she was filled with water instead, complete with tiny aquatic bubbles drifting upwards in various places.
Terra was less fortunate as the second bolt struck her. Her best efforts to duck out of the way of the sudden blindside amounted to naught, but even so, the shot itself barely scratched her defences. More worrying was the sudden feeling of antsy haste that rapidly suffused her body and made her want to tap her feet and run on the spot, eager to be moving and running, somewhere, anywhere, it didn't matter, she just had to move! A subtler aspect of the corrupting sent an odd certainty filtering through her mind. As she found herself needing to run around and move, the pressing idea entered her mind that the need would stop if she took off all her undergarments. Of course, more rational aspects of Terra's mind would probably recognise the thought as nonsense, but the odd, disembodied certainty that doing so would help, refused to go away.
Despite this new malady, Terra still managed to steady her aim and fire her cannon directly towards Fortuna, but the other woman just grinned, her smile curling up as she ducked slightly and blew Terra a kiss. As she did, her other hand reached up and she spun around. the cannon shot curved with her hand, looped around her body and, like a sling-shot, rocketed back towards not her, but Carbide. The blast, empowered far beyond the small girl's ability to handle, crashed into her chest and threw her roughly backwards to the ground, where smoke rose from her scorched body.
"Thank you dear!" Fortuna practically purred at Terra. It would be understandable if Terra was incensed by the teasing, but if she was paying careful attention with her eyes, or if anyone else was for that matter, she might be able to notice the small glowing mark on the back of Fortuna's left wrist; whatever she had done to turn the shot like that, she still had the defence Pronus had passed her, so it wasn't that. More likely it seemed like she had once again hijacked the chip data from Terra directly. She turned a casual glance down to Carbide's form, still stable and holding on, if only barely, then back towards Terra.
"Don't worry dear, we don't want to kill her, or you... We want to eat you both! You'll be ever so delicious. Hmm..." Her eyes returned to Carbide, then up to her brother, who had watched the exchange with a smirk. "I think we should let her keep that one for now, don't you, brother dear?"
"Yes, my dear, indeed. Give the poor thing a chance to recover now. I do so love it when you're merciful!" There was an unmissable tone of warm desire in his words as the pair regrouped towards the back of the side passage now, embracing as the mass of parts swirled up more tightly around them and scattered flecks of lava about the walls. Fortuna turned her gaze away from Terra and Carbide both for a moment, to lace her fingers behind her partner's neck and rub herself against him. As she did, though, her hands moved and her fingers rose up, before raking down to dig in and rend open the metallic flesh on his back, where Terra's earlier attack had struck through. Pronus groaned, his eyes closing briefly while she delved in the wound, then sighed when she withdrew and smoothed it over with her fingers, leaving fresh, undamaged skin behind.
He was panting as they drew apart looking into her eyes as he lifted one hand, palm towards her. Then pressed it against her middle, low down below the nest of machinery. A brief, bright blast of electricity followed and her body spasmed, falling back in his supporting arm while her head rolled and she gasped. He withdrew the hand shaking it off, but then leaned in to bite her neck while it was exposed, seeming to draw something from her as he did. The pair seemed at least partially distracted by whatever they were doing to one another, but if Terra or Scarlet were keeping a read on them, they would see that the overdone foreplay was also a cover for the twins repairing each other on the fly... At least one part of which looked honestly like an attack.
Fortuna's head lolled across to focus eyes on Terra again, and they sparked brighter. She felt a small jolt hit her, sapping her strength as the woman spoke, looking at her, but clearly directing the words to her twin.
"Hahh... Let's finish this quickly and eat, my love... I just can't wait much longer!" Terra might find herself caught between difficult choices; it looked like a careful battle of attrition against the twins would be hard to win, at the rate they could repair themselves... but equally, a more aggressive assault seemed to risk the dangers of their ability to counter other navigator's efforts and return them. Carbide was in a bad way, too, and the twins looked as though they had decided that her defences were a problem to be dealt with... though Fortuna had implied being unwilling to simply send her back to her PET... if that statement could be trusted.
-=Pronus-Fortuna, Assassin Twins=-
Pronus-Fortuna: 385Hp [Back of the cul-de-sac][Lava][Glitch: Cover-Fire (1 Turn)][Just a Little Closer][Glitch: Hyper-Sensitivity][Floating Point: 2][Strengthen: 50][???]
-=Returned Battlers=-
Terra.Exe: 170Hp [Middle of cul-de-sac][10Hp Planar Barrier: (Fire)][20Hp Sturdy Planar Casing: (Fire)][Glitch: Piercing Eyes (1 Turn)][Lingering Gaze][Glitch: Ants in the Pants (3 Turns)][Debuff: -30][Lava]
Carbide.SP: 1Hp[By Terra][Glitch: Charge Limiter (2 Turns)(Passive Carrier)][Glitch: Lead-Foot][Glitch: Ocean-Drinker][Glitch: Power Swell (1 Turn)][Lava]
-=Dark tunnels=-
50% Lava [The cul-de-sac, and some of the open area beyond]
30% Soil [Most of ground beyond the cul-de-sac]
15% Moss [Evenly mixed with the earthy ground]
5% Metal [Scattered single panels in the open area]
Moss: Acts in all ways like Grass terrain, but does not amplify fire damage (though it is still consumed in the same manner)
Area is an array of columns made of stone and hard earth, supporting a large, gradually sloping area. Terra and Carbide are close to one more solid wall, with a properly formed tunnel leading off it, into a well lit area beyond, out of sight.
-=Know Effects=-
[???]: Target may have unknown attributes or effects that can be discerned through experimentation, or by actions taken to deliberately observe/scan or otherwise learn.
- Twins exhibit aspects of both Glitch and Variable subtypes.
- Appear capable of both stealing their opponents' chip data directly, and also turning attacks back on their enemies.
- Seem to generally attack in tandem, favouring Pincer attacks.
- Seem to be able to convert electrical energy into repair power at a greatly reduced conversion.
- Targets have separate bodies and could, in theory, be damaged independently, despite appearing to share a single Hp value.
- Targets appear to have full knowledge and sensory sharing with each other at all times.
- Targets can move apart from one another, but will always remain at least partially connected by the mass of technological cast-offs that swarm about their lower portions.
- Targets seem to be more anatomically correct than is strictly necessary for androids/gynoids. This likely has no combat relevance.
- Targets were interested in learning a lot about Terra, Carbide, and how they fight - and seem to be satisfied that they have done so.
- Targets can be presumed to be very intelligent, and may try to deliberately mislead and misdirect.
The Glitches
Charge Limiter (Negative Glitch): The victim cannot charge their buster at all, and cannot use any signature abilities or chips that require buster charges. This also blocks signatures with the Charge Burner nerf. This Glitch has no effect on victims who do not possess a normal Buster. Lasts two turns, or until removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Lead-Foot (Negative Glitch): The victim's movements grow heavy; they cannot dodge or move effectively and dodges confer only the evasion bonus of a feint. Feints, in turn, confer only the evasion bonus of movement, and the victim cannot use the full Movement action at all. Lasts until combat ends, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Ocean-Drinker (Positive Glitch): The victim gains the Aqua-Eater effect, absorbing any aqua damage dealt to them and gaining 50% of the Final damage as healing. Their actual element does not change, so they may still take damage from other seemingly aqua sources, such as being submerged if their element is not Aqua already. Lasts until combat ends, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Ants in the Pants (Negative Glitch): The victim feels compelled to keep moving and running around, unable to keep their feet still. They must spend at least one action each turn using a Movement, and travelling as far as they can with it. This Glitch will not force a victim to flee from a battle, and they retain full control of where, when and how they move. The victim is also struck with the unshakable belief that removing all of their undergarments will placate the urge to move and run; this may or may not be true. Lasts three turns, or until removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Jelly Shakes (Negative glitch): The victim's fingers (or other appendages) feel like they've turned to quivering jelly. For every turn after the first that they hold a piece of wielded gear, there is a chance they will drop it, losing the item. Lasts until combat ends, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Viscous Film (Cosmetic Effect): The victim's skin looks and feels like it is covered in a very thin film of some warm, slippery, viscous fluid that defies being removed. Lasts until the parent glitch is removed.
Power Swell (Positive Glitch): The victim feels a surge of wild elemental energy. Elemental damage dealt by the victim is increased by and additional 50% of Base to Source. Lasts two turns, or until removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Piercing Eyes (Balance Glitch): The victim temporarily gains preternatural targeting ability, gaining the benefit of a take aim action on all attacks, which stacks with any other accuracy modifiers. After two turns of this, however, the glitch burns out, leaving their vision impaired for an additional two turns, and decreasing the accuracy of all attacks by one rank. Glitch can be removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect during its active turns, but is treated like a nerfing effect after it burns out, and cannot be removed until it expires.
Lingering Gaze (Cosmetic Effect): The victim finds their gaze lingering on the features of their opponents that they would normally find most appealing, and may have a hard time shaking this disposition. Lasts until the parent glitch is removed, plus one additional turn thereafter.
Auto-Custom (Balance Glitch): The victim's navi customiser automatically re-purposes itself; they lose 40 points worth of NC space, but each turn may reduce one of their active signatures on cooldown by one turn, as per the Custom+1 NCP. Lost NC space may result in the deactivation of other NC parts — the victim may choose which ones if so. This glitch has no effect on viruses or Support Programs, who simply act as carriers. Glitch lasts two turns, or until removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Cover-Fire (Positive Glitch): The victim gains access to two passive buster shots per turn, which they may use at any time. Glitch lasts two turns, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Just A Little Closer (Cosmetic Effect): The victim feels the strong urge to touch or caress any target they attack, and may have trouble shaking this disposition. Lasts until the parent glitch is removed.
Hyper Sensitivity (Balance Glitch): The Victim's skin becomes extremely sensitive to the touch. they take an additional 15 points of null damage that cannot be reduced any time they take damage from an attack, however they also gain an innate 10% evasion chance against any attack, which functions on its own, or adds onto any existing evasion attempts. Lasts until combat ends, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Lead-Foot (Negative Glitch): The victim's movements grow heavy; they cannot dodge or move effectively and dodges confer only the evasion bonus of a feint. Feints, in turn, confer only the evasion bonus of movement, and the victim cannot use the full Movement action at all. Lasts until combat ends, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Ocean-Drinker (Positive Glitch): The victim gains the Aqua-Eater effect, absorbing any aqua damage dealt to them and gaining 50% of the Final damage as healing. Their actual element does not change, so they may still take damage from other seemingly aqua sources, such as being submerged if their element is not Aqua already. Lasts until combat ends, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Ants in the Pants (Negative Glitch): The victim feels compelled to keep moving and running around, unable to keep their feet still. They must spend at least one action each turn using a Movement, and travelling as far as they can with it. This Glitch will not force a victim to flee from a battle, and they retain full control of where, when and how they move. The victim is also struck with the unshakable belief that removing all of their undergarments will placate the urge to move and run; this may or may not be true. Lasts three turns, or until removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Jelly Shakes (Negative glitch): The victim's fingers (or other appendages) feel like they've turned to quivering jelly. For every turn after the first that they hold a piece of wielded gear, there is a chance they will drop it, losing the item. Lasts until combat ends, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Viscous Film (Cosmetic Effect): The victim's skin looks and feels like it is covered in a very thin film of some warm, slippery, viscous fluid that defies being removed. Lasts until the parent glitch is removed.
Power Swell (Positive Glitch): The victim feels a surge of wild elemental energy. Elemental damage dealt by the victim is increased by and additional 50% of Base to Source. Lasts two turns, or until removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Piercing Eyes (Balance Glitch): The victim temporarily gains preternatural targeting ability, gaining the benefit of a take aim action on all attacks, which stacks with any other accuracy modifiers. After two turns of this, however, the glitch burns out, leaving their vision impaired for an additional two turns, and decreasing the accuracy of all attacks by one rank. Glitch can be removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect during its active turns, but is treated like a nerfing effect after it burns out, and cannot be removed until it expires.
Lingering Gaze (Cosmetic Effect): The victim finds their gaze lingering on the features of their opponents that they would normally find most appealing, and may have a hard time shaking this disposition. Lasts until the parent glitch is removed, plus one additional turn thereafter.
Auto-Custom (Balance Glitch): The victim's navi customiser automatically re-purposes itself; they lose 40 points worth of NC space, but each turn may reduce one of their active signatures on cooldown by one turn, as per the Custom+1 NCP. Lost NC space may result in the deactivation of other NC parts — the victim may choose which ones if so. This glitch has no effect on viruses or Support Programs, who simply act as carriers. Glitch lasts two turns, or until removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Cover-Fire (Positive Glitch): The victim gains access to two passive buster shots per turn, which they may use at any time. Glitch lasts two turns, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
Just A Little Closer (Cosmetic Effect): The victim feels the strong urge to touch or caress any target they attack, and may have trouble shaking this disposition. Lasts until the parent glitch is removed.
Hyper Sensitivity (Balance Glitch): The Victim's skin becomes extremely sensitive to the touch. they take an additional 15 points of null damage that cannot be reduced any time they take damage from an attack, however they also gain an innate 10% evasion chance against any attack, which functions on its own, or adds onto any existing evasion attempts. Lasts until combat ends, or removed with Status Cure, Glitch Eater or other similar effect.
