Harrowing Hunt

((From Bounty Shop))

In a flash of cyan and a muffled boom, MachMan appeared in the likely inhospitable and hostile landscape, with Shrike installed between his engine nacelles.  "Scanning," the ocular SP declared and gimbaled about as Mach tried to stay a healthy distance away from the network floor, if he hadn't linked into a snowbank or mountain side right off the bat.  It didn't take long for him to get his bearings, and looked for a suitable route to take.  A few seconds later, his engines throttled up and sent him cruising through the air, slowly at first, as he continued to get a feel for his surroundings.

((Ready for Battle #1))
((Shrike Chip Preset:  Synapse2Damage: 120 + Piercing + Chain 2
Accuracy: B
Description: Produces a powerful ray through sheer force of thought, which arcs towards nearby enemies when it hits a target.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Special: Chain 2: This attack, upon striking a target, may change directions towards a new target. This may be done up to 2 times in one attack.
Trader Rank: C))
[Bounty:  Megalian-A3]-[0 kills]

As the man of mach began to enter into the very bowels of the Sharo networks, he and his SP would quickly be buffeted by a snowstorm, blinding the two for a few brief moments as they continued on, the navi would soon find himself in a clearing, sheets of ice coating the northern area, he could see other things...moving...in the distance. Soon enough, a walrus with a suntan and a floating grey head with a light bubble aura around it's body would find themselves in the area with Machman towards the north-west, still within a short jogging distance of the duo. But towards the farther areas of the field he found himself in, a multi-armed goliath of black iron on a cannon-ball like sphere would roll in with a Satellite-based virus hovering around it...and with it...the two also brought a mystery data, just being tugged behind the goliath's body on a thin, frayed rope. While the storm raged on around Mach and his companion, the two would feel their processors kick into overdrive and their Battle Routines began to blare, locking them into combat with the quartet of viruses.

-- Viruses --
ShivaultShivault (Ashuraid)

The Ashuraid are a new strain of 6 foot tall semi-humanoid viruses with bodies made of durable metal alloys. Ashuraid viruses lack legs, and instead roll around on a 1 ton solid steel ball 1-foot in diameter that rests in a cupola. Rising from the top of the cupola is an alloy pillar that supports their smooth and curving metal bodies. The key defining feature of Ashuraid viruses are their half dozen free-floating arm segments constructed of an indestructible alloy. Three of these arms feature metallic rights hands, and the other three feature metallic left hands, thus they are differentiated. In combat, the virus will ball these hands up into fists, and launch volleys of rocket punches at their foes. The virus' helmeted head rests upon a short metallic rod-like neck with their faces hidden behind a metallic faceplate. The exception being their mouths, which are generally curved downwards in a permanent frown while in the presence of Navigators. It is speculated that Ashuraid are a hacked derivative of the Bladia viruses spliced together with fragments of other viruses and a healthy dose of battlechip program data. This would account for their size, strength, and malicious nature. Where and how this was possibly accomplished is unknown. Ashuraid viruses move and dodge at better than average speeds, although they rarely choose to dodge at all. Ashuraid viruses are ranged attackers, and prefer to hold the range open against their enemies as melee range attacks with their Impacting abilities generally render Counters useless. Ashuraids attack by launching their six free-floating indestructible alloy arms at one or more enemies in volleys of 3 rocket punches. It takes 3 arms to execute a MeteorKnucke attack, 3 to execute a Counter attack, and all 6 to execute their GiantHook attack. It takes roughly an action of cooldowm time after executing a long distance attack for the arms used in the attack to return to the Ashuraid's side. During this time, they may not execute a Counter Attack if they do not have enough arms available. Ergo if all 6 arms are either being used in an attack, or in cool-down following an attack or counter attack, the Ashuraid cannot use a Counter. The rest of their attacks do not require their arms to return to their side. The return feature is automatic, and does not require actions to perform. Ashuraid can move while attacking or defending, and are allowed to counter while dodging if enough arms are available. Setting a counter requires an action while executing one does not. Ashuraid are extremely heavy viruses that will sink like the lead weights they are in liquid, and they know it. They will avoid liquid terrain entirely, if possible, and will never appear near these types of naturally occurring terrain for this reason. Only an Ashuraid's body is damageable. Striking an Ashuraid's floating arms will not damage the virus or the arms themselves, no matter what you hit them with. The Ashuraids will not intentionally defend themselves with their arms outside of their Counter ability, which is nullified by Impact. Do not abuse this.

Area: Sharo, NAXA

HP: 260
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 25 Null + Impact + Break x 3 Fists
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Launches three rocket fists at distant opponents. Each fist may target individually, meaning multi-hit and/or multi-target both work up to a max of 3 punches.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Counter vs Damage: 25 Null + Impact + Break x 2 Hits
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S (Block) / B (Counter)
Secondary Attack Description: Uses a trio of fists to block a non-Impact attack while executing a double punch counterstrike. Only two Counters may be active at any given time, and the virus must be physically able to execute a counter in order to use one. Counters work at any range. An action is required to set this effect, but no actions are required to execute the Counter when triggered, as it is automatic. Impact attacks nullify this Counter ability.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: 25 Null + Impact + Break + LifeSword Range x 2 Attacks
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Sweeps the field with a salvo of flying fists from the left, and then the right. Does not damage friendlies, and may be executed at any range. The virus cannot use Counters while executing this attack.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): MeteorKnuckle3, Counter3, Zenny
Special: SuperArmor: Immunity to Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and similar effects.
Special: HardCase: Damage is reduced by half until hit with a Break attack, at which time this effect is nullified and they take standard damage. Break does not deal extra damage.: 260 HP (SuperArmor) (HardCase) (Ice) (Far north-eastern area, still within ranged attack distance, 1 movement to melee)
Satellite3Satellite3 (Satellite)

Area: Netopia, Sharo, NAXA

HP: 300
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: Trap(Enemy in Targeting Cursor) + Seeking: Movement (High-Alt) + Dodge + Lock-On + Nullify Invis
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Generates a targeting cursor that sweeps back and forth across the field, looking for a target. The cursor ignores decoys, objects, illusions, and invisibility. If the cursor intersects with an actual enemy, Lock-On is achieved, and the virus launches itself into the sky at High Altitude.
Secondary Attack Attack Damage/Effect: (15 Null + Seeking + Enhanced Accuracy) x 10 Shots
Secondary Attack Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Attack Description: When Lock-On is achieved, this virus fires a barrage of 10 highly accurate shots at its chosen target before landing in its original position. Accuracy debuffs on the Satellite while using this attack are reduced in severity by one rank.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Lock-On3, Zenny
Special: Immobile outside of its primary attack.
Special: This virus will repeat its primary attack until it finds a target, after which it will be able to use its secondary attack once. When it changes targets, either of its own volition or its current target's death, or uses its Secondary Attack and lands in its original position, it must repeat its primary attack until it finds a new target.
Notes: Triggering invisibility or an illusion, or moving the Satellite forcefully after Lock-On is achieved does not allow a target to escape Lock-On. Lock-On is a shift in the Satellite's state, not a status inflicted on its target, and thus cannot be removed.: 300 HP (Snow, to the north near the left of the Shivault)
WaldonWaldon (Walla)

TwinFangs can actually block attacks. This is very useful to the Walla, as they do not move or dodge once battle begins.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 220
Attack Damage/Effect: 100 Null x 2 Targets
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Opens mouth to launch a pair of steel spikes at the enemy. The spikes can block or deflect incoming attacks, and they cannot strike the same target twice.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TwinFang3, Zenny
Special: Can blind one enemy once.: 220 HP (Ice) (Next to Megalian)
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended.: 250 HP (120 HP Aqua Aura) (Less north-west, towards Mach and Shrike and completely within melee distance)

-- Navis --
Machman.EXE: 640 HP (Snow)
Shrike.SP: 80 HP (Snow) (Omni-shoes)

-- Terrain --
65% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

(Everywhere else, Mach and Shrike are in the southern end of the area with all snow)
35% Ice

• +10% Evasion to all. Non-Aqua Elementals get -20% Accuracy.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Sea.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

(Towards the north in patches like a checkerboard)

-- Objects --
PMD: 20 HP (Behind Shivault)

-- Chaos Battle 1 Ready? Start!! --

It was no surprise that the pair were greeted with a blast of frigid air and blowing snow, thankfully the two were protected from or  incapable of feeling the gale's icy bite, and the wind wasn't quite enough to drive the two into the slow-covered ground below. "Tally four Bandits, twelve high," Shrike alerted aloud when the viruses came into view.  A second later, a small green [ORDERS?] message appeared in Mach's vision along with a notification of Shrike's positive connection to the same link the Navi uses with his decoys.  " MeteorKnuckle2Damage: 40 + Impact + Break + Knockback + Variable Targeting x 3 Fists
Accuracy: B
Description: Launches a triple rocket punch. Each fist targets separately.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Variable Targeting: Allows the user to select a target for each individual hit of an attack. This means they may strike the same target multiple times, multiple different targets, or a mix of the two as they wish.
Trader Rank: C, Sunshine80 + Blind + Beam Attack +80 damage to Non-Elemental targets
Accuracy: A
Description: A sphere resembling the sun appears high above the user, then releases a ray of sun light at a target designated by the user. The beam passes through everything in its path, causing great damage and blinding all it hits as it smashes through everything in a straight line. Rare
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C, Magnum1Damage: 120 + Break + Panel Break x 3 Targets
Accuracy: A
Description: A triple barreled gun that blasts through defenses and terrain alike. Rare
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: C," Mach ordered as he mentally picked out targets for the SP.  It seemed as soon as he picked them out, a green square bracketed the virus with a small eye-shaped icon nearby, indicating the SP had acknowledged and began targetting them.  A couple seconds later the first chip came online; his right forearm twisted and swirled with bits of data before reformatting into a trio of identical triplets arranged in a triangular bundle.  He pointed his multiplied arms and fists towards the even more multi-armed Shivault, with the intent of giving the virus a taste of its own medicine.

He heard Shrike begin to charge up its own battlechip while he refined his aim before ripple-firing his three right forearms and fists.  The fists launched forward one after another, propelled by what appeared to be a single rocket motor.  The white smoke trails traced their soft arc-shaped trajectories, each leading towards the Shivault's position.  His goal was to batter the virus and bring down its defenses with punches that, to the Shivault, equal parts familiar and difficult to counter.  The sound of the metal-on-metal clanging or the muffled *flump* of fists hitting slow was the cue for Shrike to unleash a bolt of lightning seemingly from its very eye.  The white-hot bolt crossed the short distance to the Megalian in the blink of an eye; Shrike directed the bolt to impact squarely in the center of the virus's statue-like face and tear through its aura as if it were absent.

If the bolt managed to strike and briefly electrocute the Megalian, it then arced towards the hopefully well-pummeled Shivault to deliver a painful jolt of electricity.  If the metal virus was still rolling on the ice, the terrain would only further increase the
severity of the blast.  The bolt would've still had plenty of energy left if it hit the Shivault as well, more than enough to blitz back across the field to strike the red, white, & blue walrus.  If struck, its metal tusks would've crackled like the prongs of a stun-gun as its body was electrified.

Expecting his kinetic and electrical opening salvo to not go unanswered (and not wanting to give an easy lock to the Satellite3), Mach had summoned his twin holoprojector drones, which floated  in an orderly line behind his back.  The intakes bracketing his knees rotated upwards as his engine vector paddles moved in opposite directions: one engine down, one engine up, then he kicked his throttles up several notches.  The rapid onset of thrust combined with position of his various control surfaces sent him cartwheeling to the right, but also sending himself upwards an additional several feet in the air.  In a flurry of movement, his twin drones, which had rapidly projected their respective holographic disguises, cartwheeled up and away at the same time.  However, while Mach went up and to the right, one decoy rolled up and to the left, while the third did a tight backflip to send itself straight up.

Again in unison, all three MachMen with attached Shrikes their nearly transparent energy shields.  " DashAttack3Damage: 150 + Impact + LineAttack(5) + Movement
Accuracy: C
Description: The user charges forward at a great speed to ram a line of enemies. Hits a maximum of 5 enemies before the momentum is lost.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Direction of travel may be altered with chip, terrain, and sig use.
Trader Rank: B and TankCannon3Damage: 160 / 160 + Blast 2
Accuracy: A / C
Description: An enormous cannon whose ammunition can be altered to either a single high accuracy shot, or a low accuracy shot that can explode to hit several enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Dual Mode: This chip has two separate modes of operation. The user may pick which one they wish to use at the time of activation.
Trader Rank: B next," Mach told his NetOp after determining the course of action after this next salvo.  Suddenly three bright yellow orbs of light appeared a few feet above each MachMan, and the pupils of their respective Shrikes began to glow red.  A red asterix symbol appeared in Mach's vision and was situated between the Waldon's cartoonishly large eyes, while his own cross-hairs were locked on the Satellite.  Suddenly, a trio of white beams accompanied with a slightly thinner trio of red all burst forward at once in a thrumming fusillade of energy.  The beams "fired" from the decoys were as visually impressive as the real thing, but were no more damaging than a flashlight, while the twin beams fired from the pair of programs were strong enough to burn through defenses and temporarily overload their targets' visual senses.

The lasers burned only for a couple seconds as their respective energy sources were rapidly depleted, causing the beams to rapidly thin out until they were nothing more than incomplete trails of rapidly dissolving "embers" of torched data.  Though the assault was intended to blind half of the enemy force, he still had the other half to contend with, and the hopefully blinded viruses might still get a lucky shot.  This time Mach and the decoys moved in different directions, but roughly in the right direction to put even more distance between them; Mach juked down and to the right, the decoy to his far left continued to move horizontally left while the middle decoy continued its climb while veering right.

As Mach slid to the right, his absent right forearm and hand was quickly replaced with a massive triple-barreled cannon, which briefly rippled with white energy along with the rest of his body as his systems went through a tactical refresh.  Each of the cannon's barrels were loaded with a single HEI round, and projected a trio of targeting "pippers" in Mach's internal HUD.  He placed the first on the hopefully heavily-damaged Megalian, then swung the large weapon with mechanical precision to point it in the center of the virus's face.  As soon as the cannon swung into position, it went off with a thundering boom and a flash of fire, causing Mach's body to shudder with recoil from the heavy round that careened towards the virus before exploding in a small fireball whenever it impacted something.

With two more rounds remaining, Mach maneuvered the cannon towards the Waldon virus.  If it still remained, he fired off another round with an equally loud boom and muzzle flash before switching his attention to the Satellite.  The triangle-arranged barrels again rotated to bring the final loaded barrel into the firing position with a metallic *clunk*, leaving the other two to continue oozing wisps of smoke.  Even if the Satellite had gained altitude to fire off its own barrage, it wasn't beyond the Magnum's reach.  Mach briefly factored in the distance and angle to account for the bullet drop, and adjusted as necessary before firing off the last round.  After absorbing the recoil, Mach jettisoned the entire weapon assembly from his body, leaving it to tumble to the icy terrain below.  The sound of the heavy weapon hitting the floor was drowned out by the frenzied roar of Mach's engines at full afterburner, which sent him careening towards the Shivault and Satellite with a rapidly supersonic tackle.  Shrike lowered its body to press against the body panels of Mach's upper torso armor to avoid being shorn off by the rapid onset of horizontal Gs, though its arms and legs still creaked and groaned under the strain.  The shockwave of Mach's body ripping through the air formed a layer of hyperpressurized air like a battering ram, and his purpose-built control surfaces still had plenty of "traction" even in supersonic flight, allowing him to correct his trajectory and even briefly deviate from his path to rapidly maneuver away from incoming fire.  His priority target was the Shivault, but he also intended to obliterate the Satellite if it was in his path.  He'd seen the mystery data that was towed behind the rolling virus, so he kept that in mind; he didn't want to unintentionally shatter the data packet as well.

After passing through one or both of his targets' position(s), he briefly throttled down to allow his thrust vectoring paddles to reposition and his reverser vents to open, then kicked his throttles up again for a couple seconds to rapidly slow his flight.  He then twisted in the air before pointing his left arm towards the Satellite virus, if it wasn't already reduced to a debris field at that point.  He activated the TankCannon chip, prompting his left arm to completely reformat itself into a single-barreled cannon, attached to a blocky turret-esque housing over his left elbow.  While still essentially flying backwards, though albeit at a slow pace, he pointed the large cannon towards the spacecraft-like virus.  Once he got a clear shot, the cannon went off with a loud boom, though with a notably different tone than his previous three-barreled variant.  The cannon blast briefly created a hoop of smoke and the barrel itself recoiled several inches back into its housing at Mach's elbow, then ejected a large, smoking shell casing that clanged to the floor.  If it landed in the snow, the heat of the casing would have caused it to melt through and sink deeper with a hiss.

[ACTIONS:  Passive Haste, Accuracy Enhancement, Status Cure, Dodge x2, Decoy x2]

Though few in number, Mach was well aware that the foes in this dark depth of the Sharo net were dangerous well beyond most run of the mill viruses, and he responded to the threat with speed and efficiency. As Shrike locked into place, he could see the Satellite beginning to scan the area, while the further-off Mechanical construct had raised several of its arms towards him. Whether it was with the intention to attack ,or more cautiously, Mach didn't wait around to find out. Instead, his triple rocket punch lanced across the distance towards the Shivault, beating it to the punch in the most literal way possible. the first fist scattered its defending arms and the next two crashed into its dark iron plating, rending the armour and beginning to do real damage to it... though despite the solid hit, the virus seemed worryingly sturdy.

From his shoulder-mounted position, Shrike also had a target lock and blasted its synaptic pulse towards the nearby Megalian, however the virus was even more nimble in the air than the lower grade versions they'd fought before; the aura-wreathed head angled and twisted, circling about and continuing to face towards Mach as it dodged the beam. The bolt struck down into snow and grounded itself almost immediately, unable to continue on to its hoped-for targets. The pair had only just finished this opening greeting when a spiralling pair of fangs shot up towards them at a speed that Mach was only just barely able to dodge around, one passing across the front of his body and the other just behind, back over his shoulder. The Waldon brayed at him loudly, reforming a fresh pair of tusks.

The next trick was to even the numbers, sort of, and Mach made a deceptive pass, hoping to disguise his exact location between himself and his two decoy images, moving in mirrored formations. The Shivault, backing off slightly more, twisted its upper torso to scan between the three Machs it could now see, and without being able to decipher the true navi it launched a fist at each one. One decoy was struck soundly, shutting off, while Mach dodged the one sent for him and the third didn't connect; his remaining decoy dodged in a similar fashion, sowing a little more uncertainty.

While Mach raised his shields, Shrike took aim and blasted the Waldon with a scorching heat ray, just as it launched a fresh pair of fangs up towards them. the ray struck, burning the virus and melting the ice it was resting on, so that the creature splashed into a suddenly liquid pool of still quite freezing water. Up above, Mach once again made an agile twist between the spiral fangs, coming out unscathed. Just as he passed through them, however, the unsettling sound of rending metal and a tugging sensation made him jerk in the air. This time, as he'd avoided the attack, he hadn't quite accounted for Shrike's mounted position properly, and one fang had torn clean through the attached SP as it went past his shoulder, ripping it from his body and ejecting it back to Mazer's PET almost too fast to react to.

There was no time to curse the error, however, while dangerous viruses remained, and Mach was already occupied controlling his own, far more forceful energy beam as this happened. His sun bolt was aimed at the Satellite, next, though even as he was directing it, his vision would show him the tell-tale refraction to the Satellite's own targeting beam scanning across his form. It narrowed to a locked laser and the whole virus leapt skyward with a very sudden launch cycle, completely evading Mach's attack as it shot up into the sky and turned around, beginning to align its weaponry with him.

Close by, the Megalian had observed, but decided that the real Mach must certainly be the one that wasn't making ineffective attacks; it launched its head at Machs remaining decoy, obliterating it, but only afterwards realising the error of its decision. Mach was finding his initial efforts confounded at several turns, and barely had time to respond to the counter assaults that streaked towards him afterwards; his shields held a trio of resoundingly impactful fists at bay, just barely, though their integrity gave out in the process. The Shivault seemed to be focused solely on Mach now, though this was understandable not that his decoys were gone. A second later, a volley of tracer shots thundered into him from the side as the Satellite's firing sequence completed. Most of the shots struck him, caught between actions as he was, and the virus settled back to ground in the snow afterwards, steaming gently.

Fortunately, in the moment that followed, it seemed that most of the viruses had spent their efforts and Mach had a chance to bring out more of his big artillery. His magnum round stripped the Megalian of its aura, despite its attempts to dodge away from the shot, while the Satellite and the Waldon both took heavy hits, the panels beneath them becoming laced with damaged cracks. the Walrus virus tried to fire a third set of tusks in Mach's direction, but he dashed out of the way swiftly, making an augmented charge through the already damaged Shivault and crashing into the Satellite as well. At the end of the charge he was able to turn back and fire one final tank shell back at the Satellite, destroying it at last and preventing any further target locks. The Waldon and the Shivault both seemed to be barely standing now, but for all the damage they had sustained, neither seemed any less violent or aggressively disposed towards him. The megalian looked as neutral as ever, of course, but having only lost its aura it still seemed fixated on giving Mach some proper face time.

-=Viruses=-
ShivaultShivault (Ashuraid)

The Ashuraid are a new strain of 6 foot tall semi-humanoid viruses with bodies made of durable metal alloys. Ashuraid viruses lack legs, and instead roll around on a 1 ton solid steel ball 1-foot in diameter that rests in a cupola. Rising from the top of the cupola is an alloy pillar that supports their smooth and curving metal bodies. The key defining feature of Ashuraid viruses are their half dozen free-floating arm segments constructed of an indestructible alloy. Three of these arms feature metallic rights hands, and the other three feature metallic left hands, thus they are differentiated. In combat, the virus will ball these hands up into fists, and launch volleys of rocket punches at their foes. The virus' helmeted head rests upon a short metallic rod-like neck with their faces hidden behind a metallic faceplate. The exception being their mouths, which are generally curved downwards in a permanent frown while in the presence of Navigators. It is speculated that Ashuraid are a hacked derivative of the Bladia viruses spliced together with fragments of other viruses and a healthy dose of battlechip program data. This would account for their size, strength, and malicious nature. Where and how this was possibly accomplished is unknown. Ashuraid viruses move and dodge at better than average speeds, although they rarely choose to dodge at all. Ashuraid viruses are ranged attackers, and prefer to hold the range open against their enemies as melee range attacks with their Impacting abilities generally render Counters useless. Ashuraids attack by launching their six free-floating indestructible alloy arms at one or more enemies in volleys of 3 rocket punches. It takes 3 arms to execute a MeteorKnucke attack, 3 to execute a Counter attack, and all 6 to execute their GiantHook attack. It takes roughly an action of cooldowm time after executing a long distance attack for the arms used in the attack to return to the Ashuraid's side. During this time, they may not execute a Counter Attack if they do not have enough arms available. Ergo if all 6 arms are either being used in an attack, or in cool-down following an attack or counter attack, the Ashuraid cannot use a Counter. The rest of their attacks do not require their arms to return to their side. The return feature is automatic, and does not require actions to perform. Ashuraid can move while attacking or defending, and are allowed to counter while dodging if enough arms are available. Setting a counter requires an action while executing one does not. Ashuraid are extremely heavy viruses that will sink like the lead weights they are in liquid, and they know it. They will avoid liquid terrain entirely, if possible, and will never appear near these types of naturally occurring terrain for this reason. Only an Ashuraid's body is damageable. Striking an Ashuraid's floating arms will not damage the virus or the arms themselves, no matter what you hit them with. The Ashuraids will not intentionally defend themselves with their arms outside of their Counter ability, which is nullified by Impact. Do not abuse this.

Area: Sharo, NAXA

HP: 260
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 25 Null + Impact + Break x 3 Fists
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Launches three rocket fists at distant opponents. Each fist may target individually, meaning multi-hit and/or multi-target both work up to a max of 3 punches.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Counter vs Damage: 25 Null + Impact + Break x 2 Hits
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S (Block) / B (Counter)
Secondary Attack Description: Uses a trio of fists to block a non-Impact attack while executing a double punch counterstrike. Only two Counters may be active at any given time, and the virus must be physically able to execute a counter in order to use one. Counters work at any range. An action is required to set this effect, but no actions are required to execute the Counter when triggered, as it is automatic. Impact attacks nullify this Counter ability.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: 25 Null + Impact + Break + LifeSword Range x 2 Attacks
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Sweeps the field with a salvo of flying fists from the left, and then the right. Does not damage friendlies, and may be executed at any range. The virus cannot use Counters while executing this attack.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): MeteorKnuckle3, Counter3, Zenny
Special: SuperArmor: Immunity to Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and similar effects.
Special: HardCase: Damage is reduced by half until hit with a Break attack, at which time this effect is nullified and they take standard damage. Break does not deal extra damage.: 30Hp [SuperArmor][Snow][North-east, looking up at Mach]
Satellite3Satellite3 (Satellite)

Area: Netopia, Sharo, NAXA

HP: 300
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: Trap(Enemy in Targeting Cursor) + Seeking: Movement (High-Alt) + Dodge + Lock-On + Nullify Invis
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Generates a targeting cursor that sweeps back and forth across the field, looking for a target. The cursor ignores decoys, objects, illusions, and invisibility. If the cursor intersects with an actual enemy, Lock-On is achieved, and the virus launches itself into the sky at High Altitude.
Secondary Attack Attack Damage/Effect: (15 Null + Seeking + Enhanced Accuracy) x 10 Shots
Secondary Attack Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Attack Description: When Lock-On is achieved, this virus fires a barrage of 10 highly accurate shots at its chosen target before landing in its original position. Accuracy debuffs on the Satellite while using this attack are reduced in severity by one rank.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Lock-On3, Zenny
Special: Immobile outside of its primary attack.
Special: This virus will repeat its primary attack until it finds a target, after which it will be able to use its secondary attack once. When it changes targets, either of its own volition or its current target's death, or uses its Secondary Attack and lands in its original position, it must repeat its primary attack until it finds a new target.
Notes: Triggering invisibility or an illusion, or moving the Satellite forcefully after Lock-On is achieved does not allow a target to escape Lock-On. Lock-On is a shift in the Satellite's state, not a status inflicted on its target, and thus cannot be removed.: DELETED
WaldonWaldon (Walla)

TwinFangs can actually block attacks. This is very useful to the Walla, as they do not move or dodge once battle begins.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 220
Attack Damage/Effect: 100 Null x 2 Targets
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Opens mouth to launch a pair of steel spikes at the enemy. The spikes can block or deflect incoming attacks, and they cannot strike the same target twice.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TwinFang3, Zenny
Special: Can blind one enemy once.: 20Hp [Sea]
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended.: 250Hp [High altitude][Close to Mach]

-=Navis=-
Machman.EXE: 520Hp [High altitude][Shields Down, Decoys Down]
Shrike.SP: EJO

-=Terrain=-
60% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Majority of the area, mostly south]
30% Ice

• +10% Evasion to all. Non-Aqua Elementals get -20% Accuracy.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Sea.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Scattered northern patches]
10% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[Magnum damage, under the Waldon and where the Satellite was]

-=Objects=-
PMD: 20Hp [Ice][Behind Shivault]

 

"Worthless," Mach hissed with displeasure after his SP not only missed its first shot against the primary target, but also got brought down in a single hit.  He deactivated the modified body panels, causing the remaining fragments of Shrike's arms and legs to pop free of the Navi's armor; he didn't need bits of SP rattling around and possibly damaging his engines or flight control surfaces.  Silver lining: he realized he wasn't the least bit "gun-shy" about losing a SP, it could've gone either way due to his previous trauma.

With his shields gone, body damaged, and an insulting number of enemies still remaining on the field, Mach ordered for more chips over his secure comm line, with notable (and now unfortunately common) frustration in his voice.  " StepCrossDamage: 120 + Slashing + X-Range Attack + Teleport
Accuracy: S for primary target, B for additional targets.
Description: The user warps in front of an enemy, then quickly performs two sword slashes to create an X shape. Can hit up to 5 targets with good RP. Rare
Duration: Once.
Element: Null
Special: Teleport: When RP Quality is excellent, this attack also counts as a free dodge.
Trader Rank: B, ElementTrapDamage: Trap(240 Trigger Element): Elemental Damage
Accuracy: S
Description: Upon activation, remains dormant until opponent uses an elemental attack that is capable of dealing damage, at which time it deals them damage of the same element as the attack used. Does not stun nor negate the attack or ability. Rare
Duration: Once
Element: Variable
Special: (Trap(Effect): Trigger): Trap effects are sprung when Trigger conditions are met. Traps do not trigger and cannot be triggered by other Traps. Traps are negated on contact by the Nullify effect, and do not trigger against attacks that include the Nullify effect. Traps do not trigger against Allies. Only one Trap may be set by an individual at a time, and setting a second will overwrite the first regardless of type. Traps remain in place until triggered, overwritten, or destroyed.
- Does not trigger on enemy Passives.
- Cannot trigger on sigs that do not affect you, objects you have created, or your allies.
- Cannot trigger on Null Elemental attacks.
Trader Rank: A, DashAttack2Damage: 120 + Impact + LineAttack(5) + Movement
Accuracy: C
Description: The user charges forward at a great speed to ram a line of enemies. Hits a maximum of 5 enemies before the momentum is lost.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Direction of travel may be altered with chip, terrain, and sig use.
Trader Rank: C."  Mazer was ready to respond with a positive report that Shrike had been recovered by the PET, but the question he anticipated was notably absent.  ["On it,"] the man replied after a half-second pause and started slotting in the requested chips.  Meanwhile, Mach utilized his newest NCP addition to raise a similar-looking, albeit significantly weaker, version of his former energy shield.  As the lightly blue-tinged veil of energy materialized in front of him, the Navi used his still-operational engines to bolt to the left upon seeing fists, tusks, or foreheads being launched his direction as he waited for the chips to be uploaded.

As soon as both of the first two requested chips were successfully uploaded, Mach suddenly disappeared in a flash of cyan, only to re-appear directly in front of the Megalian's face along with two exact copies of himself, the beam-like blade in his reformed right hand was already swinging by the time he arrived.  The Machs' bodies seemed to blur as two cyan crescents flashed over the Megalian's position, tracing an X-like pattern in the blink of an eye.  It was the perfect setup for a furious combo of sword strikes, but Mach chose instead to discard the roughly cylinder-shaped handle of the plasma-emitting "sword," and tried to barrel through the virus as his flame-spewing turbojets sent him and his twin decoys hurtling towards the Shivault below.  The three MachMen spiraled and strafed on their way down in an attempt to present the Megalian another MachMan "shell game."  The move seemingly dared the floating virus to give chase and try to respond with an attack of its own, only to literally charge head-long into the anti-element trap Mach set just prior to his lightning-fast assault.

Beyond maintaining a roughly helical path towards the Shivault, Mach all but ignored the Megalian and focused on the multi-armed virus ahead.  He attempted to blast through the virus's armored body with the battering ram-like veil of pressurized air and shockwave around his body, with the intent of bringing the battlefield down to an *un*evenly-matched 1v1.  Mach's body groaned and shuddered under the strain of him pulling up to avoid a near-supersonic crash into the ground below.  The maneuver combined with the depleted DashAttack caused Mach's airspeed to bleed off very quickly, but not quite enough to render his control surfaces ineffective; he still had one enemy left, and he expected a nail-like tusk to come flying his direction.  With significantly less altitude to work with than before, he'd try to evade upwards or diagonally to either side in an attempt to avoid getting pinned to the ground like an entomologist's trophy specimen.

However, the virus wouldn't be the only one slinging solid projectiles.  As Mach twisted in the air to roughly face the walrus-inspired virus, he swung his right arm to point directly at his target.  His entire hand folded out and away from his wrist, then slid directly back so the bottoms of his fingers laid flat against the top of his forearm to reveal the rectangular barrel of his buster.  An additional block-shaped protrusion slid upwards and projected a slightly-zoomed "scope" in Mach's vision, complete with crosshairs.  He quickly placed said crosshairs over the virus's slightly bulbous frame, then fired.  With a muffled bang and nary a flicker of muzzle flash, a large flechette-like projectile was fired towards the virus, in an attempt to perforate the virus and finally bring it down.

Even if the field was finally quieted, Mach then activated his auto-injectors, causing his armor (helmet included) to be rapidly flooded with regenerative energy.  The faintly green glow permeated through his armor and prosthetics as if they were made of a sponge-like material, giving Mach a refreshing boost in energy while repairing the myriad of dents, scrapes, and holes that had marred his brutally elegant armor.

[ACTIONS: Passive Haste, Accuracy Enhancement, Status Cure, Dodge x2, Decoy x2]

Shrugging of the remnants of his new SP, Mach reacted with a cold efficiency to the remainder of the battle. Below, the Shivault raised more of its arms, ready for him, while the Waldon let out an unexpected flare of light that threatened to blind all of Mach's senses. The Megalian thought it a good opportunity to strike, but Mach was well prepared despite this. He was able to dodge away from the extended head with an easy roll, before blasting it with forceful counter. The head lurched to one side, wobbling badly as it retracted again to its base.

With three arms guarding, the Shivault twisted its torso and launched the other three black iron fists in a salvo of punches up in mach's direction, but he was already warping away. Two of the fists wiffed nothing but air, though the third was far enough behind that it seemed to lock on Mach's new location successfully. It clipped his shield, crashing through the weaker field and striking him directly with a heavy crunch, though on the scale of things it wasn't a lot of damage.

Mach had more important things to do, and he was already in the process of slicing the Megalian apart as his decoys split off and began to duck and weave back down towards toe mechanical virus. the Shivault looked and scanned, once more trying to figure out which Mach was the real one, but it took too long and before it could react any further Mach blasted down and crashed through it, destroying the virus once and for all.

His vision was getting spotty as the blinding effect began to take hold, but even though the remaining virus attempted to launch a pair of fangs at what it guessed was his blind side when he came to a halt, Mach still sensed the attack coming, dodged away from it, then turned his own weapon on the hapless Walrus, deleting it with a final efficient blast. In the moment of partial quiet that followed, Mach ran some restorative functions to bring him very close to full strength again; only the barest scratches and dings remained as he was free to collect the spoils of battle and examine the data crystal that was now his for the taking.

-=Viruses=-
ShivaultShivault (Ashuraid)

The Ashuraid are a new strain of 6 foot tall semi-humanoid viruses with bodies made of durable metal alloys. Ashuraid viruses lack legs, and instead roll around on a 1 ton solid steel ball 1-foot in diameter that rests in a cupola. Rising from the top of the cupola is an alloy pillar that supports their smooth and curving metal bodies. The key defining feature of Ashuraid viruses are their half dozen free-floating arm segments constructed of an indestructible alloy. Three of these arms feature metallic rights hands, and the other three feature metallic left hands, thus they are differentiated. In combat, the virus will ball these hands up into fists, and launch volleys of rocket punches at their foes. The virus' helmeted head rests upon a short metallic rod-like neck with their faces hidden behind a metallic faceplate. The exception being their mouths, which are generally curved downwards in a permanent frown while in the presence of Navigators. It is speculated that Ashuraid are a hacked derivative of the Bladia viruses spliced together with fragments of other viruses and a healthy dose of battlechip program data. This would account for their size, strength, and malicious nature. Where and how this was possibly accomplished is unknown. Ashuraid viruses move and dodge at better than average speeds, although they rarely choose to dodge at all. Ashuraid viruses are ranged attackers, and prefer to hold the range open against their enemies as melee range attacks with their Impacting abilities generally render Counters useless. Ashuraids attack by launching their six free-floating indestructible alloy arms at one or more enemies in volleys of 3 rocket punches. It takes 3 arms to execute a MeteorKnucke attack, 3 to execute a Counter attack, and all 6 to execute their GiantHook attack. It takes roughly an action of cooldowm time after executing a long distance attack for the arms used in the attack to return to the Ashuraid's side. During this time, they may not execute a Counter Attack if they do not have enough arms available. Ergo if all 6 arms are either being used in an attack, or in cool-down following an attack or counter attack, the Ashuraid cannot use a Counter. The rest of their attacks do not require their arms to return to their side. The return feature is automatic, and does not require actions to perform. Ashuraid can move while attacking or defending, and are allowed to counter while dodging if enough arms are available. Setting a counter requires an action while executing one does not. Ashuraid are extremely heavy viruses that will sink like the lead weights they are in liquid, and they know it. They will avoid liquid terrain entirely, if possible, and will never appear near these types of naturally occurring terrain for this reason. Only an Ashuraid's body is damageable. Striking an Ashuraid's floating arms will not damage the virus or the arms themselves, no matter what you hit them with. The Ashuraids will not intentionally defend themselves with their arms outside of their Counter ability, which is nullified by Impact. Do not abuse this.

Area: Sharo, NAXA

HP: 260
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 25 Null + Impact + Break x 3 Fists
Primary Attack Accuracy: B
Primary Attack Description: Launches three rocket fists at distant opponents. Each fist may target individually, meaning multi-hit and/or multi-target both work up to a max of 3 punches.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Counter vs Damage: 25 Null + Impact + Break x 2 Hits
Secondary Attack Accuracy: S (Block) / B (Counter)
Secondary Attack Description: Uses a trio of fists to block a non-Impact attack while executing a double punch counterstrike. Only two Counters may be active at any given time, and the virus must be physically able to execute a counter in order to use one. Counters work at any range. An action is required to set this effect, but no actions are required to execute the Counter when triggered, as it is automatic. Impact attacks nullify this Counter ability.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: 25 Null + Impact + Break + LifeSword Range x 2 Attacks
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: B
Tertiary Attack Description: Sweeps the field with a salvo of flying fists from the left, and then the right. Does not damage friendlies, and may be executed at any range. The virus cannot use Counters while executing this attack.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): MeteorKnuckle3, Counter3, Zenny
Special: SuperArmor: Immunity to Knockback, Microburst, Pull, Gravity, and similar effects.
Special: HardCase: Damage is reduced by half until hit with a Break attack, at which time this effect is nullified and they take standard damage. Break does not deal extra damage.: DELETED
Satellite3Satellite3 (Satellite)

Area: Netopia, Sharo, NAXA

HP: 300
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: Trap(Enemy in Targeting Cursor) + Seeking: Movement (High-Alt) + Dodge + Lock-On + Nullify Invis
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Generates a targeting cursor that sweeps back and forth across the field, looking for a target. The cursor ignores decoys, objects, illusions, and invisibility. If the cursor intersects with an actual enemy, Lock-On is achieved, and the virus launches itself into the sky at High Altitude.
Secondary Attack Attack Damage/Effect: (15 Null + Seeking + Enhanced Accuracy) x 10 Shots
Secondary Attack Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Attack Description: When Lock-On is achieved, this virus fires a barrage of 10 highly accurate shots at its chosen target before landing in its original position. Accuracy debuffs on the Satellite while using this attack are reduced in severity by one rank.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Lock-On3, Zenny
Special: Immobile outside of its primary attack.
Special: This virus will repeat its primary attack until it finds a target, after which it will be able to use its secondary attack once. When it changes targets, either of its own volition or its current target's death, or uses its Secondary Attack and lands in its original position, it must repeat its primary attack until it finds a new target.
Notes: Triggering invisibility or an illusion, or moving the Satellite forcefully after Lock-On is achieved does not allow a target to escape Lock-On. Lock-On is a shift in the Satellite's state, not a status inflicted on its target, and thus cannot be removed.: DELETED
WaldonWaldon (Walla)

TwinFangs can actually block attacks. This is very useful to the Walla, as they do not move or dodge once battle begins.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 220
Attack Damage/Effect: 100 Null x 2 Targets
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Opens mouth to launch a pair of steel spikes at the enemy. The spikes can block or deflect incoming attacks, and they cannot strike the same target twice.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TwinFang3, Zenny
Special: Can blind one enemy once.: DELETED
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended.: DELETED

-=Navis=-
Machman.EXE: 630Hp [High altitude]
Shrike.SP: EJO

-=Terrain=-
60% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Majority of the area, mostly south]
30% Ice

• +10% Evasion to all. Non-Aqua Elementals get -20% Accuracy.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Sea.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Scattered northern patches]
10% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[Magnum damage, under the Waldon and where the Satellite was]

-=Objects=-
PMD: 20Hp [Ice][Behind Shivault]

-=Battle 1, Victory!=-
Spoils: 4320z, Lock-On3HP: 80
Properties: Omnishoes, Mobile
Object Damage: Not Applicable
Damage Method: Not Applicable
Attack Damage: 20 Null + Lock-On x 6 shots
Accuracy: A
Description: Summons an auto-targeting satellite cannon that fires a volley of 6 shots.
Duration: Until destroyed.
Element: Null
Special: RP quality does not boost or reduce this chip's accuracy. - This chip's accuracy cannot be boosted or reduced by any means.
Trader Rank: B, 52 BugFrags, Megalian Bounty +1

Open PMD?

 

After all was said and done, Mach was left intact and alone on the battlefield, save for the glowing crystal that was still tethered to the remains of the Shivault.  Mach circled back and came to a sliding stop nearby, then trudged over to the floating jewel, his mechanical feet made muffled thumping noises in the snow and left behind some interesting-looking footprints.  As the angular Navi approached, he opened his right hand palm-up, and prompted a small, swirling ball of green data to materialize a few inches above his hand.  The data packet then floated to the mystery data, and seemed to integrate with it.  Mach wasn't sure exactly how the subchip worked, but it was advertised as capable of removing any traps from the object; he'd gotten his fill of Mimics the last time he went busting, and was honestly not in the mood for another.

After waiting several seconds for the subchip to "do its thing," he then reached out and attempted to open the purple crystal.

((Use 1x Untrap Subchip, then open PMD))

The glowing crystal revolved rapidly as it integrated with the Untrap data, filling its surface with a checkerboard grid of reflective black coloring, before receding into nothingness. The crystal then split open with a hiss, revealing the data it had been keeping safe...

[PMD: ElementalRage3Damage: 120 + LineAttack3
Accuracy: A
Description: Fires a ray of energy in front of the player. If the user is standing on an elemental terrain, the blast gains that power. Can target up to three enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Depends on Terrain
Trader Rank: B Battlechip]

Although the chip produced by the mystery data wasn't especially powerful, it was better than another mimic...  Mach briefly held the battlechip data in his fingers before it disappeared as it was downloaded to the PET.

A few moments later, Mach took off again to resume his cruise deeper into the net, alone this time.

((Ready for Battle#2))
((SP regen: 3 battles remaining))
[Bounty:  Megalian-A3]-[1 kill]

Mach's attitude to his outing was a good match for the cold and unforgiving chill of the deep Sharo chaos, and he moved on in science seeking more viruses to hunt. On the horizon, dark ice storms and wild, uncontrolled weather spiked its way across the frozen tundra and jagged rises made for snow-covered shapes that looked unnatural. They might have been broken remains of ancient or disregarded constructions, vehicles or other things, or they might just as easily have been the result of the damaged network structure itself, this far down. Lightning cracked amidst a blizzard off to the west.

A short way ahead of Mach's flight path, a scattered taiga sprawled between irregular hills and rises, much of it seemingly shattered or broken in different ways. On top of one particularly tall tree ahead of him, the large shape of an octon-family virus seemed to be clinging to the frozen branches, looking around; what it was doing up there in the middle of a howling gale was anyone's guess. A brief flicker of movement in the woods below revealed two more virus signatures, though none of them were the ones Mach was hunting. The octovian had spotted him, at least, but before he could decide whether to blast it or simply move on, the gliding shapes of two Megalians drifted through the snow storm towards him, coming from the other direction. They seemed at home in the gale, smooth expressions calm as the altered course slightly to better circle and engage with Mach. once they spotted him.

-=Viruses=-
OctovianOctovian (Octon)

Octon are fairly large viruses, but instead of using that bulk for direct attacks, they contain a huge amount of elemental energy. They utilize this by forming balloons from their mouth capable of absorbing their chosen element. This does use up a lot of energy, so no more than one balloon per virus can be active at any one time. The balloon itself has an odd homing property, in that as long as it's within sight, it will always try to remain between its creator and the target.

Area: Sharo

HP: 320
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 150 Fire + (Damage Absorbed) + Blast 3
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Creates a large balloon with angry eyes that floats toward an opponent. When it hits something, it explodes. It will reach its target the turn after it is created.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Wind Type + Knockback
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: If its own balloon is blown back at it, the virus can blow on it to move it back towards its originally intended target.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatBalloon, Zenny
- Special: Immobile.
- Special: The balloon is treated as a Fire element object with infinite HP, and the Light, OmniShoes, and HeatBody properties. If hit by an Aqua elemental attack, it is instantly destroyed regardless of damage with no explosion. If hit by a non-Fire attack with Impact or Slashing, the balloon instantly explodes, but the triggering attack's damage is not added.
- Special: Damage Absorbed: All damage the balloon takes is added to its attack damage.
- Special: While active, the balloon has a 50% chance of blocking any long ranged attack directed at the Octovian that created it, regardless of whether it would have hit or not. Melee attacks are unaffected.
- Special: This virus will ONLY use its secondary attack on a balloon that has been redirected back at it.: 320Hp [Normal][Ahead of mach, just under a movement away, on top of a tree below him]
Poofy-APoofy-A (Puffy-A)

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 300
Attack Damage/Effect: 50 Aqua + Spread(8) + Homing + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires a 50 HP bouncing bubble which explodes after hitting an object or enemy or being destroyed.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Spreader3, BubbleSpreader3 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Immobile.: 300Hp [Snow][In amongst the trees, ground level, to Mach's two]
Shrimpy3Shrimpy3 (Shrimpy)

Shrimpy viruses are able to move between attacks as a free action, however dodging still costs them an action. They must pause movement to attack. Shrimpy viruses may move over fragile panel types without damaging them, such as moving over Cracked panels without breaking them. Shrimpy viruses cannot be forcibly submerged or smashed through fragile panels, even if thrown. They can submerge of their own free will, however.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 280
Attack Damage/Effect: 75 Aqua + Spread 2
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: BublSide
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleSide, Zenny
Special: ShadowShoes: 280Hp [Ice][In amongst the trees, ground level, to Mach's eight]
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. A: 250Hp [High Altitude][Ahead of Mach, flying towards him]
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. B: 250Hp [High Altitude][Ahead of Mach, flying towards him]

-=Navis=-
Machman.Exe: 630Hp [High Altitude]

-=Terrain=-
40% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Most of the ground level]
30% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[scattered across the western side of the woodland]
20% Ice

• +10% Evasion to all. Non-Aqua Elementals get -20% Accuracy.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Sea.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Scattered through the southern section of the woodland]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[Occasional broken gaps]

-=Objects=-
Many, comprising a dense wood forest. Most individual trees won't stand up to direct damage, but taking cover behind one is never more than an action away for anything in the forest area.

-=Chaos Battle 2, Start!=-

It didn't take long for the treacherous terrain and ominous weather to produce another set of viruses for the Navi to engage.  This time he faced a "two-ship" of Megalians, along with a lone shrimpy and two bulbous and unfamiliar viruses.  Mach quickly determined his plan of attack, then called out to his NetOp for the chips needed to execute said plan.  " Synapse2Damage: 120 + Piercing + Chain 2
Accuracy: B
Description: Produces a powerful ray through sheer force of thought, which arcs towards nearby enemies when it hits a target.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Special: Chain 2: This attack, upon striking a target, may change directions towards a new target. This may be done up to 2 times in one attack.
Trader Rank: C, Invis2Effect: Invisibility
Accuracy: S
Description: Grants the user invisibility. This reduces the chance of being hit by non-Seeking attacks by 50%, but the user will also be susceptible to Area of Effect attacks.
Duration: 2 turns
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C, ElecPulse1Damage: 100 + Seeking + Glitch + Cone Attack
Accuracy: C
Description: Blast up to 4 enemies with a cone of electromagnetic waves that disrupts invisibility and causes glitches.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Special: Close range only.
Trader Rank: D, and ElementTrapDamage: Trap(240 Trigger Element): Elemental Damage
Accuracy: S
Description: Upon activation, remains dormant until opponent uses an elemental attack that is capable of dealing damage, at which time it deals them damage of the same element as the attack used. Does not stun nor negate the attack or ability. Rare
Duration: Once
Element: Variable
Special: (Trap(Effect): Trigger): Trap effects are sprung when Trigger conditions are met. Traps do not trigger and cannot be triggered by other Traps. Traps are negated on contact by the Nullify effect, and do not trigger against attacks that include the Nullify effect. Traps do not trigger against Allies. Only one Trap may be set by an individual at a time, and setting a second will overwrite the first regardless of type. Traps remain in place until triggered, overwritten, or destroyed.
- Does not trigger on enemy Passives.
- Cannot trigger on sigs that do not affect you, objects you have created, or your allies.
- Cannot trigger on Null Elemental attacks.
Trader Rank: A," he said with slightly less bite in his voice than before.  Mazer had expected the first chip; it was honestly the most useful one in their arsenal to deal with their bounty target(s), so he already had it in-hand.

A second later, Mach received the internal notification of the chip's successful upload, prompting him to target the Octopus-looking virus first.  Suddenly a white-hot bolt of electricity leapt from the pointed tip of his fuselage-shaped armor, causing a bright flash to briefly illuminate the slightly dim environment.  The bolt made more-or-less a bee-line towards the Octovian with a muffled thunderclap, though if one looked closely one would see tiny offshoots of electricity branched from the main "bolt" and arced to the some of the larger clumps of snow that whipped around in the air.  It made an interesting visual effect, but did little to siphon the bolt's power.  If it managed to hit and proceed to electrocute (and possibly cook) the large virus, a second or so later the bolt would arc from its first target up towards the first of the incoming Megalians.  

The sight of a lightning bolt travelling upwards would've appeared odd to most, it certainly would for Mazer.  The bolt traced a jagged path upwards to the Megalian and attempted to punch through its aura to strike the virus from below.  If its compatriot remained close by, it would hopefully prove to be an opportune target for the bolt to arc one last time with the intent of delivering an equally damaging jolt to both flying viruses.  Mach knew the bolt wasn't quite strong enough to bring the viruses down in a single hit, but stripping them of their Auras would be more than enough for him.

The time it took for the bolt to travel from to Mach to its final grounding point would've taken only a second or two at most, so Mach would only have just started his evasive maneuvers by the time the attack finished.  He started a large, descending barrel roll to his right and down towards the treeline, and activated his twin holoprojector drones followed by the Invis chip a half-second later.  His body began to bleed into the background as if he was turning into a perfectly clear crystalline figure, leaving his two decoys to take his place.  He kept his focus primarily on the Megalians throughout his transition to complete invisibility.

The decoys briefly flew along side one another to draw the enemy's attention, but Mach didn't want them to split off just yet; he wanted the Megalians to remain grouped up for a little while longer.  The reason became clear when Mach instantly repositioned himself at a point behind the two Megalians.  His arrival was unseen but definitely heard; the resulting sonic boom caused a shockwave to burst outward from his position with the intent to briefly stagger or stun the twin viruses.  The shockwave was immediately followed up with a powerful torrent of electricity that erupted from Mach's invisible right hand.  Instead of producing a myriad of electrical discharge "branches" like a tesla coil, the scrambling waves of electricity manifested in a continous flow of rapidly-expanding halos, which traced the wide conical spread of the attack.  The burst of electricity was short-lived and fizzled out a short distance away, but anything caught in the wide blast would find its programming heavily scrambled, causing damage and unpredictable errors.

It wouldn't have taken a tactician to figure out the Navi's position at that moment, so Mach tumbled backwards in an attempt to fall away from the inevitable counter-attacks that would've been hurled his way, and to quietly fade away into the background.  To further draw attention away and sow confusion, any remaining decoys would've split off in opposite directions to buzz the treetops.  He kept his throttles down to a minimum to reduce noise, and quietly activated the last of his uploaded chips.  Neither he nor Mazer could explain how the chip worked, but if any of the viruses continued to attack him or his decoys, one of them was going to be punished by the omnipresent trap he'd activated.

It wouldn't stop the enemy attack(s) however, so Mach kept his eye open for anything that managed to head his way despite his visual transparency.  He'd use his engine thrust combined with his control surfaces to juke to the side to hopefully side-step the errant blast of water or hurtling headbutt, while attempting to avoid manuevering himself into the myriad of trees or into another attack.


[ACTIONS: Passive Haste, Accuracy Enhancement, Status Cure, Dodge x2, Decoy x2]

As hard as it was getting to make out all of his targets clearly, as Mach looked down towards the strangely elevated octopus virus, it seemed to inhale and blow out something towards him. The sight was clear through the growing blizzard; it looked like a large red balloon, with furiously angry eyes painted on the front of it. The eyebrows in particular were comical in a very unfitting way, given the scenery. The balloon drifted towards him bobbing upwards, but as Mach tried to aim around it to blast the many-legged virus off its perch, the balloon drifted into the way, intercepting his synaptic bolt. It struck and energy crackled across the balloon. the eyes grew angrier.

The bolt leapt up from the balloon, towards the Megalians just above, but the one it made for first swerved out of the way, leaving the bolt to arc into the sky in futility. The other Megalian worked in sync with the first, launching its head to attack mach while the first dodged away, but its aim was fairly bad, and Mach didn't even need to take any evasive action to avoid its attack.

He did, however, need to dodge the sudden stream of water and bubbles that lanced up from the forest below as the Shrimpy took a pot-shot at him. Dodge it he did, before fading from sight completely.

While all of this was going on, the Poofy virus down below looked up at the aerial battle and bounced in place a little, unable to participate. Instead, it blew a bubble at a nearby tree, knocking it, and several of the surrounding ones down all around it in a rough square. It seemed somewhat mollified by this outcome.

Elsewhere, Mach warped after activate his cloak, and the burst of his reappearance definitely seemed to catch one of the Megalians in its shock-wave. It tried to attack him back, but couldn't really tell where Mach was exactly and the head flew wide. The outpouring of electrical energy that followed Mach's warp washed over and badly damaged one of the Megalian viruses, though the other slid back and away from the attack. Another line of bubbles shot up from the forest floor, though this one only punched through one of Mach's decoys, rather than the mostly hidden navi himself.

While the second decoy split off, down below the Poofy virus was doing something with the trees it had knocked down, though the snow was making it hard to see. It wasn't attacking Mach, however, so that was probably all that mattered.

The Shrimpy shot at, and destroyed, his second clone, still unable to find the real Mach under his invisibility, but the unharmed Megalian still seemed to know that he was close; it attacked again, hoping to catch him, but without being able to see Mach clearly, it failed to connect. It was enough, however, for Mach to unleash the trap he'd prepared for it, and his counter attack hammered into its exposed head while it was out of its protective aura.

Satisfying as that was, Mach wasn't caught off-guard by another stream of bubbles from below; the Shrimpy could see that the other viruses were fighting something and made its best shot. It would even have been clean enough to hit hi, despite his cloaked state, but Mach dodged away before it could.

Down below, it looked as though the Poofy had, somehow, begun to construct a little log cabin for itself, since it had nothing better to do. It had even managed to get the roof on, now, though it was a puzzling question how it had managed that.

-=Viruses=-
OctovianOctovian (Octon)

Octon are fairly large viruses, but instead of using that bulk for direct attacks, they contain a huge amount of elemental energy. They utilize this by forming balloons from their mouth capable of absorbing their chosen element. This does use up a lot of energy, so no more than one balloon per virus can be active at any one time. The balloon itself has an odd homing property, in that as long as it's within sight, it will always try to remain between its creator and the target.

Area: Sharo

HP: 320
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 150 Fire + (Damage Absorbed) + Blast 3
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Creates a large balloon with angry eyes that floats toward an opponent. When it hits something, it explodes. It will reach its target the turn after it is created.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Wind Type + Knockback
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: If its own balloon is blown back at it, the virus can blow on it to move it back towards its originally intended target.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatBalloon, Zenny
- Special: Immobile.
- Special: The balloon is treated as a Fire element object with infinite HP, and the Light, OmniShoes, and HeatBody properties. If hit by an Aqua elemental attack, it is instantly destroyed regardless of damage with no explosion. If hit by a non-Fire attack with Impact or Slashing, the balloon instantly explodes, but the triggering attack's damage is not added.
- Special: Damage Absorbed: All damage the balloon takes is added to its attack damage.
- Special: While active, the balloon has a 50% chance of blocking any long ranged attack directed at the Octovian that created it, regardless of whether it would have hit or not. Melee attacks are unaffected.
- Special: This virus will ONLY use its secondary attack on a balloon that has been redirected back at it.: 320Hp [Normal][Ahead of mach, on top of a tree below him]
Poofy-APoofy-A (Puffy-A)

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 300
Attack Damage/Effect: 50 Aqua + Spread(8) + Homing + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires a 50 HP bouncing bubble which explodes after hitting an object or enemy or being destroyed.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Spreader3, BubbleSpreader3 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Immobile.: 300Hp [Snow][Cover inside a quaint little log cabin]
Shrimpy3Shrimpy3 (Shrimpy)

Shrimpy viruses are able to move between attacks as a free action, however dodging still costs them an action. They must pause movement to attack. Shrimpy viruses may move over fragile panel types without damaging them, such as moving over Cracked panels without breaking them. Shrimpy viruses cannot be forcibly submerged or smashed through fragile panels, even if thrown. They can submerge of their own free will, however.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 280
Attack Damage/Effect: 75 Aqua + Spread 2
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: BublSide
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleSide, Zenny
Special: ShadowShoes: 280Hp [Ice][In amongst the trees, ground level, to Mach's eight]
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. A: 50Hp [High Altitude][Beside Mach][Odd Alacrity: virus is moving and dodging more quickly, and will probably act ahead of other viruses]
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. B: 10Hp [High Altitude][Ahead of Mach][120 Aqua Aura]

-=Navis=-
Machman.Exe: 630Hp [High Altitude][Invis: 1 Turn remaining][Scramble: 2 Free Feints]

-=Terrain=-
40% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Most of the ground level]
30% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[scattered across the western side of the woodland]
20% Ice

• +10% Evasion to all. Non-Aqua Elementals get -20% Accuracy.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Sea.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Scattered through the southern section of the woodland]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[Occasional broken gaps]

-=Objects=-
Many, comprising a dense wood forest. Most individual trees won't stand up to direct damage, but taking cover behind one is never more than an action away for anything in the forest area.

Quaint Log Cabin: 150Hp [Has four walls and a sloped roof, directly below Mach. Poofy is inside]

Angry Balloon!: ???Hp [Drifting towards Mach, between him and the Octovian][Light, Omnishoes, Heatbody]

((Turn Splice))

Another disappointing performance by the Synapse chip later, Mach still hadn't yet brought down the twin Megalians.  " StepCrossDamage: 120 + Slashing + X-Range Attack + Teleport
Accuracy: S for primary target, B for additional targets.
Description: The user warps in front of an enemy, then quickly performs two sword slashes to create an X shape. Can hit up to 5 targets with good RP. Rare
Duration: Once.
Element: Null
Special: Teleport: When RP Quality is excellent, this attack also counts as a free dodge.
Trader Rank: B, DashAttack2Damage: 120 + Impact + LineAttack(5) + Movement
Accuracy: C
Description: The user charges forward at a great speed to ram a line of enemies. Hits a maximum of 5 enemies before the momentum is lost.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Direction of travel may be altered with chip, terrain, and sig use.
Trader Rank: C, and AirShot3Damage: 120 + Microburst
Accuracy: A
Description: A buster-like gun that shoots a bullet of compressed air, sending whatever it hits flying.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Wind Type: This chip counts as Wind Type for the purposes of Wind triggered effects, such as traps and terrain.
Trader Rank: B!" the Navi ordered over their secure line, not wanting his aggravated voice to clue the viruses in to his location while he was still cloaked.  He briefly paused and brought his right arm around the front of his abdomen, as if reaching for a hidden sword on his left hip.  A second or two later, Mach instantly relocated to suddenly be upon the suped-up Megalian.  It seemed the glitch in its program somehow overclocked its system, but Mach felt he had just the thing to deal with an especially elusive opponent.

If Mach's limbs were visible, his right arm would've seemingly flickered and blurred out for a half-second, having delivered two intersecting diagonal slashes and returned to its original position in the blink of an eye.  The blade's cyan path in the air briefly left two cyan trails of light crossed in an X shape when viewed head-on, hopefully figuratively *and* literally cutting the Megalian's head into four pizza slice-shaped pieces.  With one of the two hopefully cut down, he focused on the second, which was still protected by its pesky aura.

He didn't go to full throttle yet, but he jetted a short distance back and to his left to line himself up with the Megalian while also keeping the glaring balloon a healthy distance away and out of his path.  Once he felt his vector was clear, he slammed his throttles forward.  With a howling roar, the still-transparent Navi rocketed towards the Megalian, with intent to punch through its protective aura to deliver a transonic full-body tackle.  He zoomed through the Megalian's position with his battering ram-like shockwave leading the way, which shortly dissipated after he brought his throttles back and firmly pulled himself back to a subsonic velocity.

His invisible right hand began to reconfigure after he activated the third chip, and finished its transformation into a compressor tank-ringed buster a couple seconds later.  He raised the weapon and pointed it towards the slowly drifting balloon.  Seemingly not satisfied with simply pushing the oddly resilient balloon further away from his position, he briefly continued to maneuver to line himself up so the balloon was directly ahead of his path to the Octavian virus.  It briefly reminded him of one time where he watched Mazer play pool at a bar.  All the balloon needed was a big number painted to its surface to make it into a convincing billiard ball, but Mach was planning to do something a bit more extreme than stab at it with a stick.  After the Navi checked his aim and braced his arm by placing his free hand just ahead of his right elbow, he fired the weapon.  It didn't make so much as a flicker of fire or puff of smoke, but it made up for it with a sharp, percussive *POW!*.

The weapon somehow fired a projectile of highly pressurized data, which would "detonate" on impact, creating a powerful explosion of kinetic force.  Mach's plan was to utilize that concussion shell to not only push the balloon a significant distance away, but also to possibly knock it into its own creator to give it a taste of its own medicine.  He wasn't sure if it would somehow absorb the virus like it did with his attack, but considering it was a balloon (an angry one at that) he assumed it could pop, and wouldn't want to be within range if it did.

[ACTIONS: Passive Haste, Accuracy Enhancement, Status Cure, Dodge x2, Decoy x2]

The viruses down here were proving to be far more evasive than someone who prided themselves in precision and efficiency, like Mach, could ever be satisfied with. Even so, he renewed his offence while the cloak of his invisibility lasted, warping a short distance to make a bisecting cut as his tow bounty targets. His main focus tried to attack the space where he had been, guessing as best it could, to no avail, while the second tried to slide away from the last moment sounds of Mach striking, with equally little success. The result was the first virus thoroughly destroyed while the second clung on by a thread, its aura shattered.

Mach turned in time to see another stream of bubbles fly harmlessly past his vague vicinity, though far more pressing was the massive, angry-eyed balloon that was uncomfortably close to his face; for all its gentle bobbing it had caught him before he could deal with it, and with what looked, in a brief moment, like the shaggy eyebrows drawing down further, the entire object detonated in a massive firestorm. Mach had just powered up his dash to blast through the remaining megalian, and only managed to stay ahead of the rolling fire wave by the barest fraction of a moment; close enough to know that being caught in that would have been a severely punishing amount of damage.

He came out of the dashed avoidance steaming and smoking in the otherwise frigid cold of the Sharo snowstorm, but the moment of slow-down seemed to be enough – between the trials of smoke and the impression his otherwise concealed form left in the surrounding air pollution – for the Shrimpy down below to finally nail him once with one of its bubble streams. Perhaps he'd ignored the irksome thing long enough?

That decision would need to wait for a moment longer, however, as Mach turned back to where the Octovian virus was still swinging on its tree-top, only to see it exhaling a fresh balloon already, sending it drifting towards him with renewed menace and even angrier eyes. On the bright side, it didn't seem like Mach had to do much to line up for blowing the projectile back at the virus; it seemed to be tracking with him in an odd way that kept it between himself and the Octovian anyway, no matter where he moved. The balloon had drifted part way across the distance between them before Mach sent it back towards the virus with a compressed blast of air that seemed to make the balloon swell up, just as his earlier synapse attack had. Worrisome.

Far below, amidst the trees, the small log cabin seemed to have developed a chimney, and now a cute little curl of merry smoke was rising from it, and the one window revealed the warm glow of a crackling fire within.

-=Viruses=-
OctovianOctovian (Octon)

Octon are fairly large viruses, but instead of using that bulk for direct attacks, they contain a huge amount of elemental energy. They utilize this by forming balloons from their mouth capable of absorbing their chosen element. This does use up a lot of energy, so no more than one balloon per virus can be active at any one time. The balloon itself has an odd homing property, in that as long as it's within sight, it will always try to remain between its creator and the target.

Area: Sharo

HP: 320
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 150 Fire + (Damage Absorbed) + Blast 3
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Creates a large balloon with angry eyes that floats toward an opponent. When it hits something, it explodes. It will reach its target the turn after it is created.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Wind Type + Knockback
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: If its own balloon is blown back at it, the virus can blow on it to move it back towards its originally intended target.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatBalloon, Zenny
- Special: Immobile.
- Special: The balloon is treated as a Fire element object with infinite HP, and the Light, OmniShoes, and HeatBody properties. If hit by an Aqua elemental attack, it is instantly destroyed regardless of damage with no explosion. If hit by a non-Fire attack with Impact or Slashing, the balloon instantly explodes, but the triggering attack's damage is not added.
- Special: Damage Absorbed: All damage the balloon takes is added to its attack damage.
- Special: While active, the balloon has a 50% chance of blocking any long ranged attack directed at the Octovian that created it, regardless of whether it would have hit or not. Melee attacks are unaffected.
- Special: This virus will ONLY use its secondary attack on a balloon that has been redirected back at it.: 320Hp [Normal][Ahead of mach, on top of a tree below him]
Poofy-APoofy-A (Puffy-A)

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 300
Attack Damage/Effect: 50 Aqua + Spread(8) + Homing + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires a 50 HP bouncing bubble which explodes after hitting an object or enemy or being destroyed.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Spreader3, BubbleSpreader3 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Immobile.: 300Hp [Snow][Cover inside a quaint little log cabin][Making hot chocolate]
Shrimpy3Shrimpy3 (Shrimpy)

Shrimpy viruses are able to move between attacks as a free action, however dodging still costs them an action. They must pause movement to attack. Shrimpy viruses may move over fragile panel types without damaging them, such as moving over Cracked panels without breaking them. Shrimpy viruses cannot be forcibly submerged or smashed through fragile panels, even if thrown. They can submerge of their own free will, however.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 280
Attack Damage/Effect: 75 Aqua + Spread 2
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: BublSide
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleSide, Zenny
Special: ShadowShoes: 280Hp [Ice][In amongst the trees, ground level, to Mach's eight]
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. A: DELETED
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. B: DELETED

-=Navis=-
Machman.Exe: 555Hp [High Altitude][Invis: 1 Turn remaining]

-=Terrain=-
40% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Most of the ground level]
30% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[scattered across the western side of the woodland]
20% Ice

• +10% Evasion to all. Non-Aqua Elementals get -20% Accuracy.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Sea.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Scattered through the southern section of the woodland]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[Occasional broken gaps]

-=Objects=-
Many, comprising a dense wood forest. Most individual trees won't stand up to direct damage, but taking cover behind one is never more than an action away for anything in the forest area.

Quaint Log Cabin: 150Hp [Has four walls and a sloped roof, a chimney and one window. Directly below Mach. Poofy is inside]

Angry Balloon!: ???Hp [Drifting towards Octovian, between him and the Octovian][Light, Omnishoes, Heatbody]

-=Mach has 3 Actions Remaining=-

The force of his concussive blast wasn't quite enough to send the new balloon back to its maker, so Mach decided to approach the problem from a different direction.  " RageClaw3Damage: 100 + Slashing (Attack) OR 50 + Impacting (Throw)
Accuracy: B / B then B
Description: Creates an impressive bear claw. Can be used to slash or throw enemies or objects.
Duration: Until Overridden/Broken. Breaks automatically after 6 uses.
Element: Null
Special: Throw: The wielder must first grab the target to be thrown, then the target is thrown in the direction/area indicated. A second check is made if against another object/enemy. Throw deals damage to both thrown object/enemy and the second object/enemy. Damage occurs at point of collision with the ground/wall/ceiling/etc. or an object/enemy, not during initial grab attempt. Objects deal their max HP in damage (instead of the chip's damage) if they hit an object/enemy, then break. If they miss, the object just takes the chip's damage. This chip has a variety of uses.
Trader Rank: B," he said bluntly before a transparent energy shield materialized about a half-foot in front of him; if it worked, he saw just how violently those balloons "popped."  He didn't want to waste time; he didn't have much invisibility time left, and the Shrimpy had started to know what to look for.

A couple seconds later, the chip was successfully uploaded and prompted the Navi to more-or-less instantly reposition himself above the large octopus-styled virus.  In that split second for him to teleport, the fingers of his right hand stretched and curved inwards slightly to form a set of blade-like metal claws.  He was perched in the air with his body facing towards the ground, perpendicular to the path between the balloon and its tentacled creator.  Mach then punched his clawed arm forward in an attempt to clamp down upon and seize the virus in his grasp.  Grabbing the virus would likely be the easy part, the next step would require some creativity.

If he managed to dig his claws in, he closed the vectoring paddles and opened the reverser vents on his left engine nacelle, then kicked both throttles up.  The reverse thrust from the left and normal on the right caused his body to rapidly twist to his left, with the hope of giving him enough torque to tear the large virus from its treetop perch, then fling the virus up and over MachMan like a large ball being launched from a spindle.  His arm likely would've undergone significant strain from the maneuver, possibly hyper-extending his elbow, but hopefully it wasn't anything a field-repair couldn't fix.  He attempted to release the virus in the modified "hammer throw" to send it tumbling end-over-end towards the balloon.

He briefly inverted the thrust reverser configurations of both engines to stop him from spinning in the air like a rocket-propelled pinwheel, then tried to put some distance or cover between himself and the large, fiery explosion he hoped would come next.  If the explosion proved too close to avoid, he tried to lean his energy shield into it to take the hit, and focused down to the ground.  So far the Shrimpy had been able to fire off volley after volley without any reply, and he didn't plan on giving it another "free" hit.



[ACTIONS: Passive Haste, Accuracy Enhancement, Status Cure, Dodge x2, Decoy x2]

As Mach raised a fresh shield, he caught sight of the Octovian behind the balloon; its eyes went wide fora moment, and it exhaled another gust of wind that seemed to re-direct the balloon again, in a precarious game of dead-man's volley. Mach was less interested in playing this game and warped away from the balloon just as another stream of water and bubbles blasted up through the space he had just been in. As he reappeared above the Octovian, the virus itself didn't seem to notice, but oddly, the Balloon curved about, again tracking towards Mach. It hadn't had a chance to move very far from the first set of buffeting, but that only meant that Mach didn't have too far to throw the source of the destructive elemental packages.

The Octovian seemed startled that its balloon had turned around again, not realising that it was still tracking Mach, but its shock only grew worse as the navi in question grabbed hold of it and tore it from its perch, an invisible agent of efficient destruction himself. The virus in his grip had time for a panicked squeak as it was subjected to the eye-watering g-force of Mach's wind-up before being hurled bodily into the on-coming balloon at pace. there was no getting away from the blast that engulfed Mach's vision above the snowy tree-tops, but fortunately his shielding weathered the blast. Of the Octovian, no sign was left; it had not been so lucky.

That only left the foes below, and as Mach dropped down, scanning, he caught sight of the Shrimpy not far off, scuttling between the trees and looking upwards. His invisibility faltered away shortly after, but t had served its purpose well this time. From his new position, Mach could also see inside the one window of the small log cabin that had been constructed in a freshly made clearing. Inside, the Poofy virus seemed to be holding a stick with some small white and pink objects jammed on the end, over the cosy-looking fireplace inside.

-=Viruses=-
OctovianOctovian (Octon)

Octon are fairly large viruses, but instead of using that bulk for direct attacks, they contain a huge amount of elemental energy. They utilize this by forming balloons from their mouth capable of absorbing their chosen element. This does use up a lot of energy, so no more than one balloon per virus can be active at any one time. The balloon itself has an odd homing property, in that as long as it's within sight, it will always try to remain between its creator and the target.

Area: Sharo

HP: 320
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 150 Fire + (Damage Absorbed) + Blast 3
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Creates a large balloon with angry eyes that floats toward an opponent. When it hits something, it explodes. It will reach its target the turn after it is created.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Wind Type + Knockback
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: If its own balloon is blown back at it, the virus can blow on it to move it back towards its originally intended target.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatBalloon, Zenny
- Special: Immobile.
- Special: The balloon is treated as a Fire element object with infinite HP, and the Light, OmniShoes, and HeatBody properties. If hit by an Aqua elemental attack, it is instantly destroyed regardless of damage with no explosion. If hit by a non-Fire attack with Impact or Slashing, the balloon instantly explodes, but the triggering attack's damage is not added.
- Special: Damage Absorbed: All damage the balloon takes is added to its attack damage.
- Special: While active, the balloon has a 50% chance of blocking any long ranged attack directed at the Octovian that created it, regardless of whether it would have hit or not. Melee attacks are unaffected.
- Special: This virus will ONLY use its secondary attack on a balloon that has been redirected back at it.: DELETED
Poofy-APoofy-A (Puffy-A)

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 300
Attack Damage/Effect: 50 Aqua + Spread(8) + Homing + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires a 50 HP bouncing bubble which explodes after hitting an object or enemy or being destroyed.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Spreader3, BubbleSpreader3 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Immobile.: 300Hp [Normal][Cover inside a quaint little log cabin][Roasting Marshmallows]
Shrimpy3Shrimpy3 (Shrimpy)

Shrimpy viruses are able to move between attacks as a free action, however dodging still costs them an action. They must pause movement to attack. Shrimpy viruses may move over fragile panel types without damaging them, such as moving over Cracked panels without breaking them. Shrimpy viruses cannot be forcibly submerged or smashed through fragile panels, even if thrown. They can submerge of their own free will, however.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 280
Attack Damage/Effect: 75 Aqua + Spread 2
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: BublSide
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleSide, Zenny
Special: ShadowShoes: 280Hp [Ice][In amongst the trees, ground level, to Mach's eight]
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. A: DELETED
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. B: DELETED

-=Navis=-
Machman.Exe: 555Hp [High Altitude]

-=Terrain=-
35% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Most of the ground level]
30% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[scattered across the western side of the woodland]
15% Ice

• +10% Evasion to all. Non-Aqua Elementals get -20% Accuracy.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Sea.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Scattered through the southern section of the woodland]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[Occasional broken gaps]
10% Normal

• No effects.

[Inside the little log cabin]

-=Objects=-
Many, comprising a dense wood forest. Most individual trees won't stand up to direct damage, but taking cover behind one is never more than an action away for anything in the forest area.

Quaint Log Cabin: 150Hp [Has four walls and a sloped roof, a chimney and one window. Directly below Mach. Poofy is inside]

The shield did its job admirably, though being engulfed in flames albeit briefly still caused his mostly metallic frame to heat up to a significant degree.  The snowflakes that fell upon him melted almost instantly on contact, instead of simply bouncing and sliding off his armor.  He was also much more opaque than before, and therefore vulnerable.  It seemed Mazer had been preparing for that development, a chip upload notification appeared in Mach's mind mere moments after the invisibility wore off.

Still perched in the air above the tree-tops, the activation of the uploaded chip caused his body to alight and thrum with energy, though the electrical field looked more akin to a yellow veil of flame than a web of jagged lightning bolts.  From a distance, he almost looked like a shooting star that "got stuck" in the sky.

He glared down to the forested terrain then flooded his armor with restorative data.  His body briefly glowed green, though it wasn't nearly bright enough to stand out from the glowing aura that surrounded him.  " MagBomb3Damage: 90 + Blast 2 + Stun
Accuracy: C
Description: Magnetic bomb pins target
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Trader Rank: B, FlameLine3Damage: 170 + Ground Attack + Wide Attack
Accuracy: B
Description: A wall of fire erupts from the ground, burning up to 3 targets.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: B, Magnum1Damage: 120 + Break + Panel Break x 3 Targets
Accuracy: A
Description: A triple barreled gun that blasts through defenses and terrain alike. Rare
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: C, CrossGunDamage: 140 + Spread 4
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot penetrates enemies to hit up to four enemies diagonally from it, as if forming a X shape.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: A," he grumbled aloud with his head bowed.  Thanks to the camera-laden "blister" mounted to the underside of the fuselage-shaped front of his upper torso armor, he could look "through" his own armor to pick out his remaining targets.  Mazer's brow furrowed, initially thinking all of the requested chips for just two viruses seemed like a tad overkill, but the thought of "better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it" convinced him to follow through with the Navi's request.

He pointed his right arm down towards the Shrimpy and remained stationary; the virus was too weak to pierce his shields, and its lone ally looked more focused on making a snack than fighting back.  A flurry of data later, his right forwarm was outfitted with a simplistic launch tube slung underneath.  He took the projectile's lower muzzle velocity thus more significant "bullet drop" into account to further refine his aim towards the Shrimpy, then fired the weapon with a loud *THOOMP* sound and nary a flicker of muzzle flash.  The large shell wasn't aglow from the heat of being fired, though it was flying slow enough to at least briefly follow its path as it made a shallow arc towards the ground.  Upon contact, the shell exploded in a splash of odd blue gel, which was covering a wire-like mesh. A massive current then pulsed through the mesh, giving everything in the immediate area a powerful, briefly debilitating shock while throwing a rather large shower of sparks.

Even if it hit, it likely wouldn't have been enough to bring the virus down, but Mach was far from finished.  He extended his left arm down as well before it made a mechanically jolting stop in place to mirror his right arm.  That was the apparent cue for both arms to quickly swell and reformat into a pair of vastly different, though equally heavy-looking, weapons.  His right had transformed into a triple-barreled heavy cannon, while the left had only a single barrel, though instead of a rotating barrel housing near the back, it instead had a quartet of glowing cylindrical structures splayed out in an X-formation diagonally out from the barrel, which was lined with vents and heat sinks.  He pointed the weapon towards the Shrimpy, though his aim was more accurately directed towards a point on the ground that was more-or-less between the Shrimpy and the cabin in which the Poofy resided.

After refining his aim, the glow appeared to rapidly drain from the tanks to somewhere inside the barrel, then something rocketed out from the end at an alarming speed and a howl akin to a rocket motor, with a trail of fire to match.  The rocket streaked down into the ground, but its was so muted it seemed as if the weapon malfunctioned.  However, a second or so later, Mach could see glowing root-like shapes appear and spread outwards through the ground, as if he injected the ground with magma.  The glow continued to rapidly intensify before finally exploding up in a wide geyser of flames and heat like a small, brief volcanic eruption.

He angled the now glowing rocket launcher away from the target, only so he could point his three-barreled magnum down at the immolated terrain below.  His first target was the Shrimpy, if it still managed to survive and attempted to keep itself from getting barbequed by the very ground.  With the relative short distance away and near-nadir position of the target in relation to himself, he didn't have to factor much bullet drop for this one.  He simply lined up the crosshairs that appeared in his vision over the likely panicking or shooting virus, and fired.  The weapon went off with a thunderous boom and a bright orange flash of light as it sent the first of its three high-explosive incendiary shells towards his target.  The boom was echoed with a slightly smaller counterpart once the shell exploded on contact and created a small fireball.  If it impacted any still-burning terrain, it would've likely caused quite the fiery splash.

The barrel assembly rotated clockwise to swing the next loaded barrel into the 12 O'clock position with a metal-on-metal *clunk,* which prompted Mach to point to the weapon to the small cabin in which his final target resided.  While Mazer thought it seemed a bit cruel as the virus didn't even fire a shot, and seemed like wouldn't harm him, to Mach, the sight brought back memories.  It wasn't the first time he'd seen oddly "civil" behavior by viruses in Sharo.  He once had a playful snowball fight against some Metools... with Aera and Vector.  The memories flooded back, causing his cycloptic glare to intensify.  The memory spurred him to fire the second shot, and almost immediately followed up with another shot on the same spot, with the intent to destroy the roof with the first shot, then obliterate anything inside with the second.

Mach didn't seem satisfied as he pointed the smoke-oozing barrels away, since he just maneuvered his left arm back down towards the likely flame-scarred terrain below.  It didn't look like the launcher had changed much, it still had the quad cylinders like before, but they had remained dark.  After aiming squarely down at the cabin, he fired off another rocket.  This one didn't leave the large streak of flame behind as it screamed towards the ground, instead it seemed to have four smaller rocket motors that sent small tongues of flame out in all four cardinal directions.  That trait would prove to be indicative of the warhead's specialty, since once it hit the ground, the rocket exploded outwards in four directions like a quartet of shaped-charges, and traced an "X" of destruction across the snowy terrain.


[ACTIONS: Passive Haste, Accuracy Enhancement, Status Cure, Dodge x2, Decoy x2]

As Mach steadied himself and raised a more or less impenetrable defence, the Shrimpy below took a clean shot; this time its attack slipped harmlessly off Mach's aura and the last hostile virus realised that its number was probably up. The sight of Mach turning his attention in its direction was intimidating, to say the least.

It attempted to scuttle behind one of the many trees, to put something between itself and Mach's line of sight, but the mag bomb that blasted to the ground next to it shredded a number of trees and stunned the Shrimpy anyway. Its last moments were in a mercifully dazed state as the roaring volcano of fire burst up from the ground, engulfing it, as well as the small cabin on the other side. Within, the Poofy felt the rumble and looked sadly at its lightly browned marshmallow and half drunk cup of chocolate. It looked across to the other three mugs on the table nearby, steaming lightly, and the open bag of confectioneries. Oh well. A moment later flames from below roared upwards and consumed everything.

From up above, Mach witness the small building being incinerated by his attack, wooden beams and charred structure cast about in a brief pyre amidst the snow. It looked like something was still moving down there, barely, and he swiftly put a stop to it with two more heavy rounds, thoroughly scorching that particular patch of ground until nothing was left.

-=Viruses=-
OctovianOctovian (Octon)

Octon are fairly large viruses, but instead of using that bulk for direct attacks, they contain a huge amount of elemental energy. They utilize this by forming balloons from their mouth capable of absorbing their chosen element. This does use up a lot of energy, so no more than one balloon per virus can be active at any one time. The balloon itself has an odd homing property, in that as long as it's within sight, it will always try to remain between its creator and the target.

Area: Sharo

HP: 320
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 150 Fire + (Damage Absorbed) + Blast 3
Primary Attack Accuracy: A
Primary Attack Description: Creates a large balloon with angry eyes that floats toward an opponent. When it hits something, it explodes. It will reach its target the turn after it is created.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: Wind Type + Knockback
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: If its own balloon is blown back at it, the virus can blow on it to move it back towards its originally intended target.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatBalloon, Zenny
- Special: Immobile.
- Special: The balloon is treated as a Fire element object with infinite HP, and the Light, OmniShoes, and HeatBody properties. If hit by an Aqua elemental attack, it is instantly destroyed regardless of damage with no explosion. If hit by a non-Fire attack with Impact or Slashing, the balloon instantly explodes, but the triggering attack's damage is not added.
- Special: Damage Absorbed: All damage the balloon takes is added to its attack damage.
- Special: While active, the balloon has a 50% chance of blocking any long ranged attack directed at the Octovian that created it, regardless of whether it would have hit or not. Melee attacks are unaffected.
- Special: This virus will ONLY use its secondary attack on a balloon that has been redirected back at it.: DELETED
Poofy-APoofy-A (Puffy-A)

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 300
Attack Damage/Effect: 50 Aqua + Spread(8) + Homing + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires a 50 HP bouncing bubble which explodes after hitting an object or enemy or being destroyed.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Spreader3, BubbleSpreader3 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Immobile.: DELETED
Shrimpy3Shrimpy3 (Shrimpy)

Shrimpy viruses are able to move between attacks as a free action, however dodging still costs them an action. They must pause movement to attack. Shrimpy viruses may move over fragile panel types without damaging them, such as moving over Cracked panels without breaking them. Shrimpy viruses cannot be forcibly submerged or smashed through fragile panels, even if thrown. They can submerge of their own free will, however.

Area: Yoka, Beach, Sharo

HP: 280
Attack Damage/Effect: 75 Aqua + Spread 2
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: BublSide
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): BubbleSide, Zenny
Special: ShadowShoes: DELETED
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. A: DELETED
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended. B: DELETED

-=Navis=-
Machman.Exe: 640Hp [High Altitude]

-=Terrain=-
35% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Most of the ground level]
30% Cracked

• Changes to Broken when stepped on, chance to fall in when triggered.
• Burrow: Change terrain to Broken, Null 50 to burrower.
• Panel Crack attacks, >100 Damage Break/Impact/Drop attacks: Change terrain hit to Broken.
• PanelShot: Splash1.

[scattered across the western side of the woodland]
15% Ice

• +10% Evasion to all. Non-Aqua Elementals get -20% Accuracy.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Sea.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

[Scattered through the southern section of the woodland]
10% Missing

• Permanent bottomless hole.
• Doubles dodge penalties for bad RP.
• EJO if you fall in.

[Occasional broken gaps]
10% Normal

• No effects.

[Inside the little log cabin]

-=Objects=-
Many, comprising a dense wood forest. Most individual trees won't stand up to direct damage, but taking cover behind one is never more than an action away for anything in the forest area.

Quaint Log Cabin: RAZED

-=Battle 2, Victory!=-
Spoils: 5800z, Barrier200Protection: Combined Damage of 200 HP
Accuracy: S
Description: Defensive field that prevents damage up to 200HP.
Duration: Until Destroyed
Element: Null
Special: Status Guard: This chip blocks debuffs.
Trader Rank: B, 70 BugFrags, Megalian Bounty +2

Mach deactivated his weapons when it appeared the battlefield was finally swept clear of enemies, and his aura dissipated while he made his gradual descent.  He didn't entirely touch down, instead he combed the field a few inches above the ground, and occasionally picked up the data packets that remained.  The produced zenny and bugfrags were nothing to sneeze at, and he picked up a fairly strong chip to boot.

While Mach finished up his loot gathering, Mazer decided to take the downtime to make a quick substitution in his chip folder; he swapped out one of their now seldom-used wood chips for their newest elec chip, to further bolster the Navi's capability to exploit the elemental weaknesses of some of the terrain and viruses they've seen thus far.  With their respective "chores" complete, Mach took off again and made a gentle bank to angle himself away from the brewing thunderstorm in the distance while still continuing further into the net.


((Ready for Battle #3))
((SP regen: 2 battles remaining))
[Bounty:  Megalian-A3]-[3 kills]

As Mach moved on, he veered away from the growing thunderhead over the distant Sharo hills and found himself flying further eastward, over a flat expanse of rough, featureless tundra. The snow was still falling amidst gale force winds, but visibility wasn't poor enough to obscure the ground below for at least a useful distance in all directions.

Several cold, silent minutes passed through the bleakness, before a small flash of light below caught Mach's attention. The small point of light turned out to be the crackling shape of an advanced Sparky virus, skittering across the ice and snow, avoiding the larger mounds as it roved across the tundra. It turned slightly tot he west, moving around an ice sheet that, as Mach flew closer, bore a lone hokey-puck virus, sliding back and forth across the frozen stretch with the winds. A break in one corner of the ice let Mach detect something else moving just below the surface as well, and the closer he drew, the more sluggish the world seemed to move.

A shriek from his three o'clock revealed a pulsebat winging through the snow and wind towards him with a distinctly aggressive posture; Mach didn't exactly look like easy pickings, but this far out anyone at all was probably rare enough already. Coming towards him from directly ahead, another megalian drifting on the snowy wind buffets; if it hadn't noticed him yet, it would in a moment or two.

-=Viruses=-
DogmaDogma (Dharma)

Dharma move and dodge at average speed. Their puck attacks rebound off of the edges of the battlefield as if there were an invisible wall there. They can rebound up to 3 times before finally passing off of the field or dissipating into thin air. The pucks pass through anything they hit except boundary walls, terrain, and friendly viruses. The pucks can not damage other Dharmas. This virus cannot attack while moving.

Area: Yoka, Netopia, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 75 Null + Break + Piercing + Rebound(3) + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: E
Attack Description: Throws a Hockey puck at the enemy. Break.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per virus): AirHockey3, Zenny
Special: Can use Mine1 once.: 250Hp [Ice][Twelve o'clock, ground level]
SparknoidSparknoid (Sparky)

Area: Netopia, Sharo, NAXA, SciLab

HP: 220
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Elec to close group, break, impact
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Zips in rotation around the battlefield, attempting to slam its electrically-charged body into enemies.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Satellite3, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes. One free dodge against each opponent. If this virus makes contact with an object on the battlefield, it will begin to slowly orbit the object and loses its ability to dodge.: 220Hp [Snow][Ten o'clock, ground level]
SlimestSlimest (Slimey)

Slimey viruses were produced to be sources of major traffic lag. While a Slimey virus is on the battlefield, all Navis and SPs suffer from a passive Slow-like effect that imposes a -10% Evasion AND Movement Speed penalty. This effect is not a status ailment, and cannot be cured. This effect does not stack with itself if more than one Slimey is on the field at once. As this does not count as a true Slow effect, up to two instances of Slow may stack on top of this effect for a total penalty of -30% Evasion/Movement Speed. This effect expires when all Slimey viruses on the field are deleted or flee. Slimey viruses are very slow to move and dodge, but every move they make that is not a dodge counts as an attack. Slimeys deal damage by touching an opponent, thus touching a Slimey directly results in damage to any non-Slimey the virus considers hostile.

Area: Sharo, NetVegas, Beach

HP: 220
Attack Damage/Effect: 75 Aqua + Slow
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Body slams its foes. Any foes hit are slowed the following turn. Must be within melee range to attack a foe.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): MetaGel3, Zenny
Special: While this enemy is on the field, dodge effectiveness is reduced by 1 Rank.
Special: May use AreaGrab once per battle to drop-attack an enemy from above.: 220Hp [Sea][A short way in front of the Dogma, submerged]
PulseBat3PulseBat3 (PulseBat)

Area: ACDC, Okuden Valley, Kotobuki Town, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 240
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 + Seeking
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: Uses a sonic screech to damage its opponents.
Secondary Attack Effect: EchoLocation
Secondary Attack Description: Launches a sonic pulse to reveal hidden or illusory targets.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Pulsar3, EchoLocation, Zenny.
Special: Airshoes. If PulseBat hits an object, its attack spreads to up to 8 other targets at half damage while dealing full damage to that object. Every other turn, this virus enters High Altitude (dropdown) status and does not attack. Can use Rockcube chip once per battle.: 240Hp [High Altitude][Three o'clock]
Megalian-A3Megalian-A3 (Megalian-A)

All Megalian-A viruses are equipped with Omnishoes, and fight from the air. This virus type will spend an Action Dodging, and then Attack the following Action. If there are more than one Megalian (family does not matter) the viruses will work together, alternating their attack Actions or attacking as a group (mod's discretion). When attacking, both the head and the base can be damaged separately (if the Aura protecting the base has been destroyed).

Area: Beach, Sharo

HP: 250
Attack Damage/Effect: 120 Aqua + Break + Piercing + Group attack.
Attack Accuracy: B (special)
Attack Description: Lines up with a target and launches its head at the enemy. Accuracy decreases with each hit.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): AuraHead3, Barrier200, Zenny
Special: Omnishoes: capable of free flight.
- Dodges every other Action. Attacks when not dodging.
- Has a 120HP Aqua Aura (Pierced and destroyed by Elec attacks).
- Can be attacked while head is extended.: 250Hp [High Altitude][120Hp Aqua Aura][Twelve o'clock]

-=Navis=-
Machman.Exe: 640Hp [High Altitude]

-=Terrain=-
40% Ice

• +10% Evasion to all. Non-Aqua Elementals get -20% Accuracy.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Sea.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

35% Snow

• Non-Aqua Elementals get -10% Evasion and reduced movement speed.
• Wind attacks: +100% Source Damage. Imbue Aqua if Null. Change terrain hit to Ice for 1 turn after turn hit, then back to Snow.
• Aqua attacks: 25% Freeze chance, change terrain hit to Normal if triggered. Boost chance to 100% if Ice-type.
• Fire attacks: Change terrain hit to Ice, generate Frosty Mist: -10% Accuracy for Non-Aqua Elementals, +10% evasion against Non-Aqua Elementals, Freeze1 effect for any Aqua or Wind attacks.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua + Freeze1.

20% Normal

• No effects.

5% Sea

• Fire Elementals lose 10 HP/action standing, 20 HP/action submerged. Other Non-Aqua Elementals lose 5 HP/action submerged. Nullified for Aqua Elementals.
• Ice attacks: 50% Freeze1 chance, Changes terrain hit to Ice.
• Terrain changes between Sea and Onsen do not inflict damage upon submerged entities, nor do they eject submerged entities to the surface.
• Elec attacks: +100% Source Damage.
• PanelShot: Imbue Aqua.

-=Battle 3, Start!=-