As DuskWoman and Daiyousei wander along the road, they notice a Virus standing alone up ahead.
Huh? What's that?

...purple Cloudy? But...no purple Cloudy-
Daiyousei leaps back startled as the purple Cloudy violently jerks its body the duo's direction!
That's, um...that's not normal, I don't think...
Very not normal.
Before DuskWoman and Daiyousei can do the next thing that comes to mind (read: run for their lives), the glitchy Cloudy leaps right at them!!

---

As Henchie turns to see who hit him, stepping back in slight panuc, his dread vanishes when he gets a good look at the figure: a Navi, pint-sized everywhere but his two giant bullet-like arms.
What? I'm just offering something to folks who seem interested. You get outta my hair, I'll stay outta yours.
I got news for you, bluey: If you're here, you're already in my hair!
Look, I'm not looking for trouble, so I'm just going to leave and-
But you found me!
DanganMan charges toward Henchie!
Wait, wha-

(Area Theme) ♫ Mega Man Battle Network - Boundless Network ♫
Rumia and DuskWoman are having a quiet visit on the Net, when they notice a familiar face holding some Mystery Data curiously...
*gasp* Daiyousei!
Huh?
Sorry to startle you. We're simply happy to see you again.
DuskWoman and Rumia notice the green Mystery Data in Daiyousei's hands.
...what is this for?
Oh, there's something in there! Like a present!
Like a...?
As Daiyousei looks it over more carefully, she manages to access the GMD, finding a TriLance!
Admittedly, we've heard from Mrs. Mori that green Mystery Data like that can sometimes be a hiding place for Vi-
What's this do?
Daiyousei holds up the TriLance to DuskWoman, flying just a little above the ground to get on eye level.
Oh, uh...we've been told that you would need a folder to use that...
But she can do the things with the mist, can't she? Wouldn't she use something like a Chip for that?
...true. But I have no idea how much someone like her could hold. Certainly not an entire 30...10 to 15, maybe?
Daiyousei listens to Rumia and DuskWoman with great interest, but little understanding.

---

Henchie is talking with a local Navi.
...and not only does this diet provide such health benefits, it can benefit the environment, the economy...
I'll, uh...look into...it...?
As they accept the flyer from Henchie, they step back and warp away.
(Should probably go back to check on mis-I mean, Byakuren soon. I'm running low on flyers any-)
Henchie's thoughts are interrupted by a blunt jab to the head!
Yaugh!
???.EXE: What's with you and your dumb "meat-is-murder" thing?

---

(Battle Network 1) TriLance: (Aqua) Fires 3 60-damage arrows straight forward. A stronger version of TriArrow and TriSpear.

---

*References: Hill Top Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Master System/Game Gear), Hill Top Road (Sonic the Hedgehog, 2020 live-action movie)

Docs:
The Brash Crew & Affiliates (Character sheet for almost every RP I've been in starting with Chaos Zone)
Brash Crew Cyberspace Fables Edition (Character sheet for Chaos Zone IF: Cyberspace Fables, the one RP not covered above)
Navi World Scratchpad (Less organized list of ideas for Cyberspace Fables)
MMRPG Writer's Notes (List of references, inspiration, etc. relating to MMRPG Roleplays I'm in or have been in)
The Sane Person's Guide to Chaos Zone (An attempt at making Chaos Zone easier to understand by explaining some of its most basic concepts; also links to recaps of certain "story arcs", only a few of which are finished)
MMRPG Unseen Stories (Various bits of writing based on moments in Roleplays I've been in - mainly Chaos Zone - that were never shown in-depth on the thread itself, including some writings inspired by the Kingdom Hearts Ansem Reports)

Sheets:
Chaos Zone IF:CF Virus Lists (Collaborative list of ideas for new Viruses for Chaos Zone IF: Cyberspace Fables)
Chaos Zone IF:CF Chip Ideas (Collaborative list of ideas for Battle Chips for Chaos Zone IF: Cyberspace Fables)

GashaAce just barely slips between DisasterOil's rapid oil drops, Counter Hitting a final attempted bolt strike with a RailGun1100!

---

Still somewhat on edge, Sese jacks GashaAce out, runs up again to the washroom - still messy from the initial burst of petrol-like sludge - and immediately begins calling their parents.

---

(Shanghai.EXE) RailGun(1 = 100, 2 = 140, 3 = 200): (Elec, Terrain) The user fires an electric bolt straight forward, cracking all panels in front (and even the panel the user's standing on) until it makes contact with an opponent.

---

(OOC: Just wondering: Where does the Afton family live?)

With DisasterOil at half-health, Sese gives GashaAce a GrvBall2, MagCoil, and RibCtch2 for a Program Advance!
Necropotnt
Though DisasterOil is battered by the bone barrage, he fights right back, striking random panels with bolts of shadowy energy, tripping up GashaAce!

---

(Shanghai.EXE) GrvBall (1 = 40, 2 = 80, 3 = 120: (Ground, Terrain/Cursor) Summons a gravity ball that very slowly moves forward, homing in on the nearest opponent to the best of its abilities. Inflicts Heavy on contact (causing the target to crack any panels they step over, and be immobilized if they step on a Sand panel).
(Battle Network 6) MagCoil: (Null) Instantly pulls opponents on the same row to the front of their field. Deals no damage.
Necropotnt40: (Ground) A Program Advance that summons GashaAce to summon 10-hit spinning bones on two panels (one diagonally up and in front of the user, the other diagonally up and below), and attack enemies from behind their field with 15 smaller bone projectiles. Normally requires the GashAceV2* Battle Chip, but GashaAce themselves can substitute it with a RibCtch2.

---

*The Chip name does technically exceed the 8-character limit of Battle Chip names when formatted normally; I'm going with the idea that Navi Chip versions (V2, SP, etc.) are stored in a single character like Shanghai.EXE.

(Common Battle Theme 7 - Speedy Struggle) ♫ Megaman Battle Network 5 Double Team DS - Powerful Enemy ♫
As DisasterOil opens the fight firing blobs of oil at GashaAce's field from above, GashaAce takes the opportunity to strike with a RibCtch180 while DisasterOil's distracted!
DisasterOil then begins warping around, firing 3-panel-long streams of oil every few warps. Just as he's about to fire a stream point-blank at GashaAce, he's Counter Hit by a charged bone, leaving him open to an EekTrl130!

---

GashaAce.EXE's Customizations:
-SPECIAL: Charged buster shots are now bones that behave like the TomaHawk Chips (if in the middle, will simply bounce back at the end of the field; if at the top or bottom, will move to the opposite row at the end, then travel back)
-Under Shirt: If the user takes otherwise-lethal damage when they have at least 2 HP, they will have 1 HP remaining.

RibCatch(1 = 80): (Ground) One of GashaAce.EXE's own Battle Chips. Summons a rib bone on each of the panels at the back of the opponent's field, dealing damage on contact.
EekTrail(1 = 30): (Null) A Chip that summons a 3-segment trail (each segment shaped like an Eerie) that flies forward. Each segment can interrupt the invincibility frames the last dealt to the opponent, for a total of 3 hits from one EekTrail.

Eerie: (None) A Virus with the appearance of a stubby-armed reptilian ghost. Attacks by flying forward at a moderate speed, with two afterimages that also deal damage trailing behind it. Each afterimage can interrupt a target's invincibility frames if it's part of the same trail that inflicted i-frames. Can give the EekTrail Chip.

After finding the paths to each valve, the oil has near-completely disappeared from the system, and no sounds of it running upstairs can be heard.
GashaAce then proceeds on a final path, finding themselves face-to-face with a skinny, caped figure...
(Event Theme) ♫ Shanghai.EXE - Encounter ♫
DisasterOil.EXE: *sigh* I just made a mess of the place, and you two had to clean it up...
You...what even was that stuff?!
DisasterOil.EXE: Hard to explain to a child's toy like you. Put simply, I wanted us to use crude oil, but of course the prices said-
"Us"...? Hey, you're one of those MP4 people they've been talking about on the chat boards, aren't you?!
DisasterOil simply chuckles.
DisasterOil.EXE: Not a very important one, but I did have places to go after finishing with this house...or town, they never told me how deep the water filtration is.
Stop acting so casual about this!
DisasterOil holds up a ball of shadowy, almost flame-like energy.
DisasterOil.EXE: If you insist.
Battle Routine! Set!
Execute!
DisasterOil.EXE: Drown in oil!

---

One second!
Henchie looks up something*...
Apparently, yes! Vegans don't eat anything that come from animals, not even eggs or milk. Vegetarians just don't eat meat.
Flier in hand, Henchie does a salute.
For healthier eating, by the message of Byakuren!
Henchie warps out.

---

*I don't know how far this goes in Battle Network, but in Shanghai.EXE, NetNavis (or at least Henchie) have been shown being able to find things like this without any outwardly visual clue that they're doing more than standing around.

(Area Theme) ♫ Shanghai.EXE - Cyber of Aircleaner ♫
GashaAce warps in to find various parts of the comp pouring out what looks like crude oil!
Ugh, it's pouring all over the paths...wait, hold on, not that one!
GashaAce carefully makes their way across the one available path, warding off some InkCores with Skully1100 Chips!
They find a valve at the end of the path, which turns one of the oil torrents back into a stream of clean water, opening up another path!

---

Henchie releases his grip from Buyer and slows his breathing.
...you're right...we just...make sure mistress is fine...make sure nobody takes advantage of this, especially not Murasa...
...uh...what was that message you told us about, mistress? Or what is it you want us to call you?

---

(Battle Network 5) Skully(1 = 100, 2 = 120, 3 = 140): (Null, Cursor) The user summons a bone on the panel in front of them that can move in a cardinal direction up to 2 times, each hit being able to deal damage and confuse opponents on contact.

InkCore: (Poison) An inky Virus with a vaguely fish-like shape. It can sink into the ground (at which point only attacks that reach the ground like ShotWave or MiniBomb, or damaging terrain like Lava, can hurt them), and attacks with a 2x1 swipe attack.

Henchie's breathing gradually speeds up to hyperventilation as he puts his hands on the nearby PunkNavi's shoulders.
IthinkyouwererightsomethingisverywrongWHATDOWEDOWEGOTTADOSOMETHING

---

Sese is cleaning their hands in the washroom.
Aaand that's enough soap...
Sese turns the knob to rinse...
(Event Theme) ♫ Mega Man Battle Network 2 - Incident Occurence! ♫
...only to suddenly be sprayed in the face by a black liquid!!
AUGH! *cough* *sputter*
Sese frantically turns the knob back and cleans themselves off with every towel in the room...only to turn around and see the sink still running on its own, the oily liquid starting to fill the sink faster than it can go down the drain!
No! What? Wh-how-why-
Sese scrambles back into their room, grabbing their PET before running back into the washroom, nearly slipping on the sludge that got on the floor when they first turned on the sink!
What the-?!
I dunno "what the", you tell me! Is this one of those jack thingies, or-
Wait, Sese, perhaps the water filter...!
Sese begins swiftly scouring the whole house, PET in hand, and by the time they find the filtration system going awry, only one thing is on their mind...
GashaAce, jack in!!!

Henchie doesn't pay much mind to the PunkNavi, instead focused on what "Shanghai" said.
A message? Yes, ma'am! I haven't failed you before and I won't start now!
Realizing what he said and bits of what both "Shanghai" and the PunkNavi have been trying to say, a sense of dread begins to fill Henchie...
...y-you do remember before, right?

---

Sese is sitting eagerly on a dusty desk, brushing away at a toy excavation kit. They gasp in excitement as they carefully hold up a small piece from within the paster block...
Wow...this one's gotta be the cranium!
Sese gently attaches the bone to the rest of the half-complete T. rex.
It won't be too long before we can add this to our amazing bone collection!
Haha, yeah!
Sese looks down at their hands...and their pants, and their shirt, and...
...I think I went a little too fast today, heh. I better clean up before my parents get home.

(Event Theme - A Plan) ♫ Mega Man Battle Network 4 - The Quiet Darkness ♫
???.EXE: The data she let loose is already raising concern among citizens. One of the chips they left behind might even be in the official library soon...
???.EXE: What problem is some unease among the populace? It keeps them from focusing on what's staring them in the face...or grabbing them from behind.
A voice begins speaking from outside the Net...
???: Perhaps. But it also means people will begin to investigate. And for that reason, I've entrusted one of you to solve this problem...or at least, redirect it.
A third Navi - a second Ground-type - steps forward, laughing haughtily.
???.EXE: You have nothing to worry about, good sir! I'll leave not a single byte behind, and if anyone has questions...well, I'll humor them not with an answer, but with a new mess to trouble them.
The third Navi warps out. Another figure speaks from outside the Net...
???: ...ya really sending him to clean up a mess? He just said how good he was at makin' em. An' I think we all know which he's better at.
???.EXE: Yeah, gonna second that. We really gonna risk spillin' the beans right away?
???: Oh, I wouldn't say that. Admittedly, it may be too far now for us to stay completely hidden, so being active may be more important. With or without the additional Night Chips.
???: At the very least, he's a Navi who will...test the waters, so to speak.

BurstMan steps back.
BurstMan.EXE: Hey, I ain't here to cause trouble or get in yer way. Just makin' sure ya got yer facts straight so you know how to do what ya wanna do.

As a last-ditch effort, Gilgamesh.EXE equips an ElecBlde, a BigWave, and a DolThdr1 for a Program Advance!
Zantetsuken
DuskWoman just barely avoids the slash, enduring a TomaHawk60 as she finishes Gilgamesh.EXE with a pair of ArrwStng150 chips!!

---

Momoyo bursts out in laughter.
Wow! I was just kiddin' but you really are that bad!
I don't know how you did it, but you made me not want to fight right now.
Ah, but this child and her Navi of the shadows have proven themselves to be formidable! Perhaps they-
Momoyo swings the door open, still feeling incredulous about the whole scene as she leaves.
...could...defeat...
Well, Gilgamesh and....uh, Gilgamesh, I may not have the best experience in NetBattling - no offense to Ms. Mori, of course - but that match was quite enjoyable.
Yeah! It was a lot of fun!
Rumia reaches out for a handshake, and Gilgamesh happily accepts.
Yes, Ms. Mori, I must say that you've earned my respect! Perhaps if Mrs. Mori sees it appropriate, we could meet again someday!
Gilgamesh gives Rumia his P-Code.
...please, just call her Rumia.
Well, Rumia, today has been a pleasant day. I bid you farewell!
Bye, Mr. Gilgamesh!
Gilgamesh proudly marches through the Game Center doors as Rumia cheerfully walks back to the booth she was sitting at earlier.

---

I mean...if that's what you want, sure.
After all, all us you've hired, you know we've got your back...right?

---

A bulky figure with beaker-shaped shoulders nearly bumps into HadesMan, stepping out of the way at the last second, but following him curiously as he mixes some flasks.
BurstMan.EXE: Oi, stranger, I've been' hearin' 'bout this whole thing you've got planned with the UnderKing...
BurstMan.EXE: ...thing is, ya even know who they are?
BurstMan.EXE: Like, I ain't an expert on 'em myself, but first off...well, just 'cause they're a "King" doesn't mean they can't be a her or a them.
BurstMan.EXE: And where really do they factor in this whole "lord takin' over everything" thing ya got?

---

Zantetsuken450: (Elec, Sword/Terrain) A Program Advance where the user swings a powerful electric sword, dealing powerful Elec-type damage along the whole row, and breaking every panel on it.
ArrwStng150: (Elec, Break) Summons an electric dart above and below the user, which move diagonally 3 spaces each, intersecting along the way, then moving straight forward. Breaks shields.

Hey, with what mistress has been through, I'm not going to doubt her for a moment!
Besides, that's part of why we're here, isn't it?
Henchie turns to (who he thinks is) Shanghai, thinking she'll habitually respond.

---

(Event Theme - ♫ Shanghai.EXE - Theme of ROM ♫
Minamitsu and the figure both warp into the barren comp.
Aye...it ain't be much, but it be the best I got in me access data...†
Minamitsu turns to the unusual Navi.
Windaz, what in Aquarius' name are ya doin?!
Windaz.EXE: It's supposed to be safer in the Undernet, isn't it? The NetAgents won't see us, so they won't try and hurt-
Lass, ya ever stop to look at yerself?! Ya be a mishmash on the level of JunkMan, and last I saw, ya were no better at keepin' yer data together! JunkMan had to hide in a lad's PET!
Windaz.EXE: That's not why he was in there, Mura-
The pirate Navi grabs Windaz by the collar.
The name be Minamitsu, and if ya value yer hodgepodge of an existence, never call me what MP4 called me again.
Windaz pulls herself from Minamitsu's grasp.
Windaz.EXE: Okay! Sorry! Sorry! I just didn't know what you did after you left!
Windaz.EXE: I didn't leave when you or BlizzardMan did, but that was just because I didn't want to die like that!
Windaz.EXE: And I know you don't either. That's why they chose you-I mean, her in the first place! The MurasaV2 and V3 data followed Shanghai to Engelles, they wanted that vengeance!
...
Windaz.EXE: Just...I'm sorry, I know it's rude to say. But we both have reasons MP4 can get us, and...well, honestly, I still have more than you do.
Windaz shows Minamitsu the BombManSP Chip.
...ya fought off that ghost Navi??
Windaz.EXE: There's no way I could anymore. The only chips they didn't get when I was running were that one and a Hazard.
...Y'know what? I'm not even mad about that one.
MP4's gonna be wonderin' what their data ragdolls left behind sooner or later, this just be hurrying the inevitable.

---

*Reference: Shanghai.EXE - While most of the vending machines in Central City have no jack-in port, one of them has a broken one, implying there's at least a proper location inside (however one would get there).
†Reference: Shanghai.EXE (Post-School Comp, post-tournament preliminaries) - When Medicine.EXE leaps into the Data Sea, she ends up back in the Genso University Comp, where she was fought earlier. The explanation for this relates to the character's "access data", with the location being one of the earlier locations the character visited. I'm loosely following the logic of how such was possible to justify this.

DuskWoman follows up the MoonRay with a MoonBld190...only for Gilgamesh.EXE to strike with a CustSwrd at half-gauge!
He nearly strikes her again with a WindRack140, but DuskWoman uses a ShadStrk100 just in time, hitting Gilgamesh.EXE with the force instead!

---

As Minamitsu storms back into the Undernet, she hears a voice calling out...
???: ...Minamitsu?
Who in the-
Minamitsu jumps back at the sight of the figure - a strange hybrid of appearances, like a third each of her body was designed by someone different than the others - and immediately runs up to her and grabs her by the wrist.
???: Wait, hold on!
You be the one needin' t' hold on.
Minamitsu warps out, taking the figure with her...

---

Henchie stammers for a moment.
Well, I'm in no position to judge! It still feels like yesterday she saved my life, I'd still do anything for her!

---

(Battle Network 5-6) MoonBld (1 = 90, 2 = 110, 3 = 130): (Null, Sword) The user swings a sword around them, hitting all panels in a 3x3 square around them (save for the center, where the user is).
(Battle Network 2-3, Battle Network 5) CustSwrd: (Null, Sword) The user swings a sword covering a 2x3 range in front of them. The power of the sword depends on how full their Custom Gauge is, reaching its maximum just before it's completely filled.
(Battle Network 5-6) WindRack140: (Null, Wind) The user swings a racket covering a 2x3 area, pushing any opponents caught in the swing to the back of their field.
ShadStrk(1 = 100): (Null, Guard) The user warps 1 space back, leaving behind a silhouette for a split second that counterattacks if struck before it vanishes.

(Common Battle Theme 6 - Frantic Fight) ♫ Mega Man Battle Network 4 - Battle With Myself ♫
Let the battle...BEGIN!!
Gilgamesh.EXE opens with three LongLnce180 chips, one on each row!
DuskWoman quietly weaves between them, and catches Gilgamesh.EXE with a MoonRay40!

---

Another Navi, punk-like in shape but much brighter in color, immediately runs up to Shanghai.
Wait, what happened to mistress?!
He skids to a stop just in front of her, his panic changing to curiosity.
You're...already in AquaWitch Style?
I mean, not to judge you, ma'am, this could be an excellent strategy to save a Style Change before a Battle Routine, but...just wondering what gave you this idea!

---

LongLnce180: (Null, Sword) Gilgamesh.EXE's Special Chip. Thrusts a lance that covers 4 panels in front.
MoonRay(1 = 40): (Null, Terrain) DuskWoman.EXE's Special Chip. Fires a moonlight-like beam that travels across the entire field, hits twice, and cracks the panel at the end of its path.

Guard Hound moves 4 spaces north and shows the Cutter Core to Crystal Joe (if he can).
*bark*

You have bested me...you are truly a great opponent.
More like you're a bad one! Heck, that kid over there could probably beat you fast as I did!
Momoyo points to Rumia, with Gilgamesh turning to her in confusion.
...uh...
...could she?
...wait, are you seriously...?
Sir, Mrs. Mori's Navi will not hesitate to inform her if you mistreat Ms. Mori or I.
Then if we do, we will see to it that we atone! No issue!
Momoyo rolls her eyes as Rumia curiously, but slowly, steps up to the NetBattle.
...if you insist, we will give it our all. For our family's sake.
That's the spirit!
...well, if DuskWoman's sure, I think I'm sure too!
Battle Routine! Set!
Execute!

---

(Event Theme - Not Too Good) ♫ Shanghai.EXE - Theme of ROM ♫
BlizzardMan has convinced Narumi to give him and Minamitsu some space to talk, promising it won't take too long. The two Navis are now standing just north of the Undernet 1 entrance.
Yer makin' a mistake, Blizzard.
What do you mean? She's nice, and I want her to be happy, and-
Save yer stories. Do ya really have no memory o' what ya are?
...as in...?
The Darkloids*, snow boy! Born corrupted by Dark Chips*? Nebula*? Nothin' gettin' through yer frozen skull??
But that wasn't me! I mean, maybe it was, but that me isn't me anymore! I don't even know what I mean by that, but I know it!
Minamitsu scoffs.
And clearly the average NetAgent be thinkin' the same if ya still be in one piece. But not every Agent be average, and the moment someone like ProtoMan or Yorihime spots the return o' BlizzardMan, it be Enemy Deleted for ya.
Even for me, it took a good few weeks to tell the Undernet below I ain't the return o' ROM's ol' ship sinker†, no matter what they made me t' be!
Minamitsu begins storming off back to the Undernet.
Minamitsu, we both left because we didn't want what "they" wanted from us.
Ya be speakin' the truth without a point. None but yer new friend sees us for what we be wantin' now, only for what they wanted us to want. Aye, it be mere days since I even knew what I wanted from me.
Good luck livin' yer dark-free life without makin' the lass cry when she loses ya.
Minamitsu leaves, and BlizzardMan calls back out to Narumi.

---

*Reference: Mega Man Battle Network 5
†Reference: Shanghai.EXE - Murasa.EXE was originally a ROM Navi sent to sink a cruise ship. (ENDGAME SPOILERS) Despite being deleted, she was restored via backup data late in the game, and instead of being deleted a second time, she was forcibly recruited as one of Shanghai's hired goons. Minamitsu's relevance to all this will be explained in due time.

Heavy Magician appears.
It's more like four entities, actually. And you just tried to tell one of them to stop fighting.
Heavy Magician disappears.