Arthur followed Joe out of the room. "Joe?"

"...Yeah." Sighed Joe.

"Are you... I'm sorry."

"Why? I'm the netop."

"...I shouldn't have been there. Before we went in, I was warned that I couldn't afford to be isolated, but I was so caught up in-"

"Quiet. Please." Said Joe. "I just- I'd like to be alone for a second."

Arthur stopped, and watched Joe walk off. "..."

"Don't get caught up." Said Treble. "It's really sad, and... I'm probably going to be sad about it for a while, but we can't give up! Maybe they won't delete him?"

"...Be careful which hopes you hold on to. But you're right. We can't waste time. Let's go talk to Chaud. I try to be nice and moral normally, but revenge sounds really nice right now."

"Perks of having godlike powers and cybeasts on speed dial. I can't wait to tear them apart." Said Treble.

"Eurasia was definitely waiting for you to make the first move." Said Chaud. "It's no accident they hit the train station- they want you in cyber city, where they can predict you more easily."

"Blast. Again, how's Ethan doing?"

"We need to fix the trains to bring him down. They haven't attacked him yet, but the chances are high."

"Okay, then what do I do next?"

"There are four priority targets in Cyber city. Eurasia seems to be poised to attack them." Said Chaud. "The power plant, the water works, the courts, and scilabs."

"...Interesting. And four navis that attacked Treble. Co-incidence?"

"More likely tailored especially for each target. The problem is, if we give you a mission, Eurasia will jump at you. The same for Wily or Denny."

"We'll use NetGaia to get in and out fast. That might make things easier."

"I was about to ask you to. We can hopefully force their hands into striking some places, in which case we'll send you in and crush them. Until then, ProtoMan has a reputation to uphold."

"But again, what do I do next?"

"Watch your tone."

I didn't- never mind. Arthur groaned internally. "I don't want to do nothing while people risk themselves on my behalf."

"We'll counterattack the moment they start each assault. Until then, don't go on the net alone. I recommend you find Blaze and see if you can help her. She's already got a lot of experience stemming Eurasia." Said Chaud.

"Okay."

"Um... Well, there is something you can do." Said Blaze, after Arthur came to her. "We need to clear up central area a bit. All the officials are focused on being able to intercept an attack as soon as it happens, so none can clean up the debris from that fight."

"I'll get to it. Wait, are you sure the area's safe?"

"It's literally surrounded. Because it's so central, attacking you there would be suicide." Said Blaze. "Sorry, I gotta get down to the- Uh, secret."

"I won't delay you. Good luck."

Blaze nodded and sprinted out of the room.

"Well, Treble, hunt. Let's go and clean up central area while we wait... for Eurasia to make a move. Jeeeeeez, I hate this. I know it's strategically sound, but..."

"Yeah, I want to take the fight to them too." Said Treble. "And I- I'm worried sick about Flare. What if she gets attacked out of nowhere?"

"Then she'll rip them in half." Said Arthur certainly.

That seemed to reassure Treble. "Yeah, you're right. She's no damsel in distress. Let's go clean up some mess! Huh?"

Arthur looked to see a navi right next to Treble. Maybe a bit shorter than him, with black-green clothing that was familiar. "Oh, hey there Colonel."

"Gregar? Is that you? What happened to you?" Said Colonel in confusion.

"Uh... you know Gregar? You're still in beta testing by the looks of things." Said Treble. "And don't touch me unless you're immune to bugs. Trust me!"

"This is my navi, Treble." Said Arthur. "I was only operating Gregar temporarily."

"Aw." Said Colonel.

"Who ARE you?" Said Treble. "You look exactly like Gregar's disguise, but shorter. And your voice is a bit higher. Maybe a tiny bit different."

"I'm Colonel. I'm in development, but I think I'm going to be a program for hunting criminals. Look, Arthur! I learned the routines for ScreenDivide!" Colonel drew a red-handled blade, took a firm stance and swung his saber. A few paces forwards, a gold line cut the air.

"Cool!" Said Treble.

"We need to go along for now, so stay safe. Tell Iris hello from me." Said Arthur.

"We should battle once you're finished!" Offered Treble. Colonel didn't get a chance to reply, as Treble was already off. He was nearly to the central area when he asked "When did you operate Gregar?"

"It was while he was in holding here, and you were with Falzar. Scilabs was attacked head-on. One assassin slipped through and went for Colonel and his sister, Iris, but Gregar ate them."

"Ate them, huh?"

"He was pretty angry."

"He's always angry."

"Not always..."

"I guess he's okay when he has a good reason." Treble came into the central area. It was a huge mess, the Underground having been slammed right through it. "So are we just going to go around and delete the debris?"

"It might be better if you used your transformed strength to shift some of the huge piles of mess." Suggested Arthur. He was about to put in some chips when there was a shout from the lobby.

Arthur heard William yell "Arthur, I need a hand! Urgent!"

Arthur nearly choked. "Treble! Get a NetGaia link open to ArsenalMan right now!"

Treble went from lighthearted and casual to fully alert in a spilt second. "Chip! Link to ArsenalMan! Emergency!" A panel glowed in front of him. The panel barely glowed before Treble jumped through. The first thing he saw was CommandoMan, firing away. He realised there was a swarm of Eurasia navis moving against him. They were about to overrun CommandoMan when Treble jumped clear over him, and kicked the nearest one in the face. Treble didn't kick often, but had claws on his feet nonetheless. A few turned to attack him, but they were only a little beyond the tissue-paper-grade of the first lot, and couldn't deal even remotely meaningful damage before Treble grabbed the closest two and threw them like ragdolls, bowling more over. They started getting back up automatically and stiffly, and then a smart bomb blew most of them away.

"That was fast." Said CommandoMan, as he reverted. "I think they're trying to surround the entirety of Eastfall area."

"But that would take thousands of navis!"

ArsenalMan shrugged. "So? These guys are flimsy but obviously mass-produced and mindless. If they just swarmed someone who wasn't expecting it then they could probably weaken them badly enough for those four to strike again. Although hopefully they're in repair right now."

"We need to try and pick this apart before they can attack."

"Yes, but they're hiding. Remember, neither they nor us want to bring the public into this." Said CommandoMan. "Use that sense of smell you were given, find their hiding places. I've got your back while you're out here."

"But what about Flare?"

"ShadowMan is watching over them. If anyone can evade detection it's him."

"We shouldn't waste any time, Treble. If we can take out some of their ambush groups while they're setting up then they won't have a chance of attacking Flare." Said Arthur.

"Then it's time to really hunt!"

An actual navi was ordering a batch of flimsy ones around. "Move the supplies into the cubbyhole, set up the barrier pronto." He went for a communicator. "Unit four, progress?"

"On schedule, but units three and five aren't responding."

"I'll get them." The leader fiddled with his communications program. "Unit three, respond." No reply. He frowned and flipped over to another channel. "Unit Five, respond." Still nothing. The navi would have been sweating buckets if he could've. In fear, he went for another channel. "Unit one, this is unit two. Where is everyone?!"

The communicator crackled. "Behind you~" Teased a completely unfamiliar voice.

The leader felt a presence behind him, not trying to conceal itself anymore. He turned, and was suddenly punched in the face hard enough to floor him. Treble crouched quickly. "Gotta find the self-destruct, gotta find the self-destruct!" The navi glowed, and in a small 'Bam' blew up, self-deleting. Treble growled in frustration. "Every time!"

"It's okay, we at least protected Ethan's lot." Said Arthur. "Two attacks repelled in one day!"

"Yeah, but... these guys are pretty feeble."

"...Well, we're done for now, and the trains are broken down, so we can't go home. And we shouldn't go on the main areas of the net, either." Said Arthur. "Want to explore anywhere dangerous for a bit? We're waiting for Chaud to call a mission, rather than "

"Yeah, with a few more BugFrags then I'll have another chip!"

"We can count on ArsenalMan, right?" Asked Arthur.

"It's literally our job, outside the fact we're your friends." Said William. "Where to? The Undernet? The secret area?"

"Ooh, the secret area." Said Treble. "We got the last area open, but never explored it."

"...I haven't thought about that place in ages. Why were we even going through it?"

"I don't know! But it was a cool place!"

Arthur suddenly sat bolt upright. "Change of plans. We're going to go get Zero."

Treble lit up. "Of course! He'll be on our side for sure if these guys are threatening the cybeasts, and he's going to know loads about where we can catch Eurasia! Let's go!"

An hour later, Treble looked around. "We checked everywhere we could think of..."

Arthur shrugged. "It looks like Zero was too elusive for us. If he can always see us then I suppose avoiding us is easy too... Should we go somewhere? I want to get out of this room."

"Sure! Let's go check out the city a bit more." Said Treble. "We'll need to know how to get to places, and we might find something cool."

"Okay. Back, Treble." Arthur stood up and stretched, before walking out of the room and straight into Blaze. "Uwah!"

"Whoops!" They sprung back. Blaze laughed. "Well, didn't see that coming!"

"Sorry... We've been in here for a few hours, and we can't think of anything to do, so we were going to go and check around the town. We'll need to know how to get around."

"Oh, fair enough!" Said Blaze. "If you fancy a netbattle, then I've done my daily routine."

"...What were you doing, actually?" Said Arthur.

"Most of the time when organisations set up a lot of operations on the net they make little stockpiles of resources their agents can use." Explained Ember. "We're trying to find their locations, and the passcodes for those stockpiles. Raiding them is fair game, it hurts Eurasia and helps us out."

"Hm. If you find one and you're sure it's Eurasia's, call us over. I'm sure Treble wouldn't mind trying to break down a barrier."

"They're stupidly tough." Warned Blaze. "Anyway, city or battle?"

"...City." Said Arthur. "Coming with me?"

"Nah. I need to do a couple of things here."

"Well, see you." Arthur left the room, and headed outside. He sighed. "First day, and things are already a giant mess."

Treble was upbeat as ever. "But we can handle it! Come on." His tone changed a bit. "...But, I just can't shake that feeling."

"Are you okay?"

"I know we're strong enough to beat Eurasia." Said Treble. "But they still got MathMan... I want to hope, but..."

"I know. I haven't seen Joe all day. I hope he's alright..."

"I've been avoiding thinking about it."

"...I don't think you're supposed to do that, but I appreciate that you held together for me. I see a harbour over there. Want to go scream at the sea?"

"I'd rather take it out on some viruses. That's the way for me!" Said Treble.

Something warmed in Arthur's heart. "...Yeah, it is. Let's get to that next health milestone."

The day passed away serenely. Arthur got back into Scilabs around six. Everything was strangely calm and quiet. "There are employee rooms here, right?" Arthur asked the receptionist.

"You need permission to use them, sorry."

Arthur was about to groan and resign himself to pestering Chaud late in the evening, until he heard another voice. "He can room with me." Denny.

"Oh, you're a lifesaver." Said Arthur.

"No biggie."

They went along to a room, which opened once Denny scanned his PET. It was a tiny room, with literally just a cheap bunk bed and a shelf for suitcases. "Wow. Luxurious." Deadpanned Arthur.

"I've slept in worse." Shrugged Denny. "You'd better rest up early tonight. Eurasia could strike at any time, and trust me, you don't want to have to adapt to low sleep when you're in a high-stakes battle."

"Maybe in a few hours. It's not late at all right now."

"...Hm. Have you seen Joe?"

"Not since this morning."

Denny nodded. "I'm pretty sure he's not ok. But he's surprisingly vengeful for someone so calm and logical."

"Vengeful?"

"He's created a small armory, as promised. Once the trains are back up he's going to go and get all his chips and add them to it."

Arthur sat on the bed and flinched. "Ow! There's something in the mattress!"

"Well, these aren't exactly high-quality things. Wait, actually. I know what it is."

Arthur peeled away the thin duvet to look at whatever he'd jumped onto. "Denny, did you hide your battlechips inside the bed?"

"There was nowhere else."

"Hiding them wasn't necessary."

"Force of habit, if I'm honest." Admitted Denny.

"Again with the imperfections." Chimed Beta.

"Well, I'll get out of your way so you can get them out." Arthur stepped out of the tiny room. "Hm. What should we do before I sleep?"

"Virus busting, duh!"

"Hm. But we can't go on the main net alone, and I don't want to bother William. Supervising anyone for a long time must be a strain. Hey, I know. We should send a few emails. And maybe I'll take Blaze up on her offer of a battle." Arthur got his email open and started writing one to his parents. 'Trains are down, but I'm okay and staying at Scilabs. Be wary while on the net, as there's some suspicious things afoot, but I don't think you're in danger.'

"Mail Flare!" Said Treble. "I should have thought of that sooner!"

Arthur had to think about what to put in this. While the emails were secure, giving out information freely could put Ethan in more danger. Or not. It was a tough thing to judge. 'Hey Ethan. Anything unusual happened today? We'd have invited you down to scilabs but the trains have broken down. Hopefully they'll be fixed soon. By the way... be careful on the net.'

'Hi Flare. Treble wanted me to mail you to check how you were doing. Is everything okay?' Arthur hesitated for a moment. Flare was more levelheaded than Gregar, and probably Alias and Ethan too. If anyone could be trusted with some sensitive information, it would be her. But still, he didn't know for sure she would be attacked... and telling her outright would be a terrible weight on her shoulders, especially since she'd have to keep it secret from her brother. And yet if she WAS attacked and she got hurt, it would be on his shoulders... and the grief it would in turn cause to Treble.

His thoughts were interrupted. "Something wrong? Your face got really dark for a moment."

"I was considering warning Flare. If I warn her, then she'd have to keep it secret, which would be awful for her, but it might protect her..."

"..."

"..."

"Tell her." Said Treble. He didn't sound as upbeat as normal. "It's not a choice we're really allowed to make, but I couldn't forgive myself if Flare actually got hurt and we could have done something about it."

Arthur nodded, and wrote a second message. 'Keep this message secret. The Eurasia institute of technology is after Treble, and possibly you and Gregar. They prefer to strike in numbers, in ambushes. ShadowMan is hiding to intervene if they attack you, but in case things go bad, then I'm going to have to burden you with this secret, to protect your friends. I'm sorry, but I hope you understand.' He hit send.

"Hey, Arthur. Maybe you should go buy some pyjamas?"

"...Good idea."

The nigh passed uneventfully. Arthur sat up at six in the morning, and groaned. "This mattress..." he whispered. "the battlechips were softer." He lay still, hoping that he could go back to sleep, but it was no use. He'd gone to bed incredibly early and slept for ten hours. Refreshing, but not something you could sleep again after. He lay there in boredom, not wanting to make a sound in case he woke Denny. Eventually, he reached over to his PET and activated the screen. A piercing howl immediately jolted him into dropping the PET onto the not-so-soft bed.

Treble's howl stopped abruptly. "Y-you don't wake up this early normally!"

"Are you okay?" Said Arthur, dialing down the volume in hope the second of noise hadn't been enough to wake half the building.

"...Just being sad."

"MathMan, right?"

"Two of my three closest friends are gone." Said Treble simply. "...no matter how strong I get, can I- I'm just so... so"

"Scared."

"...Yeah."

Arthur sighed. "...I'm sorry I interrupted you. But for what it's worth... I appreciate that you stayed strong. Even if you feel helpless... you've done more than a thousand navis could have to save them. And... who knows, perhaps MathMan isn't done yet? He's not like PlugMan. He might still be intact, and even if he were deleted... you could hunt down his ghost after this is over."

"You're right... I've given up hope for MathMan too early. Even if he were deleted, it wouldn't be the end for him, because they don't have Trill!"

"And they don't have Trill because of you. Never think you're powerless, or that you're capable of anything less than changing the course of history. Even now, what you've done has protected your friends."

"Changing the course of history...?" Treble had no lips to smile with, but his tail wagged a little. "Thanks. Should we get up and ready for the day? I'll fight the whole Eurasia for the sake of my friends."

"And I'll be beside you. I'd better get up, then."

Arthur was able to take two steps out of the bed before he got an email. Instead of his normal 'Beep', it played a sound considerably more urgent, and far louder, on repeat. He opened the emails and saw three unopened ones. Two replies from Ethan and Flare, and one from Chaud mere seconds ago. It was short and immediate. 'Water works, Seaside Town. Come NOW!'

Arthur took one look and decided that if Chaud was typing like that, then lives were probably on the line.

That was why most of the early risers in Cyber city saw someone sprinting down the streets in a pair of pyjamas, gripping a PET.

The first thing Arthur did when he came up to the water works was gasp. It was previously a facility that had been set up to be reliable. Blaze had pointed that out with pride. Now half of those pipes had burst, and the grounds were pooling with water. A LOT of water. Arthur looked over it and hesitated.

"You can swim, right? The PET's waterproof, I'll be fine!" Encouraged Treble.

"But the doors there, that lead to the facility." Pointed Arthur. "The water is flowing down them. If we're not careful, I'm going to end up drowning."

"Be brave!"

Arthur was looking for a weakness to exploit, something he could do to make sure he wasn't trapped in a water-filing building, when Chaud ran up behind him. "Good response timing... If questionable clothing."

"Chaud! What's the plan?"

"..." Chaud frowned. "I'm not sure. I thought the pipes would never burst, they're solid steel!"

Arthur looked on carefully. He followed orders by nature, but when there were no orders to follow... "I think I know what to do. Chaud, there must be storm drains around here if the facility could flood. I need you to focus on activating them. I'll go into the facility and focus on reducing the flow. I won't enter the pump room until you've got the storm drains."

"...I don't like risking civilian lives, but I don't have a better plan. Listen. Do not put yourself at risk. Ethics aside, you're too valuable."

"Thanks. Hopefully Blaze and company will be here soon."

"Disregarding me?" Said Denny, jogging over. "Arthur, you look ready to go do something useful, so go. Chaud! Beta should be able to get the cyber side under control, so I'll take your job of getting the drains open. You make sure nobody drowns! And Arthur! No engaging a fight until you have backup! You'll get ambushed!"

"Yes, si- I'm the superior officer here!" Said Chaud. "...But very well." Chaud dived into the water without a moment's hesitation.

Arthur heavily waded in, and then started swimming forwards. The pyjamas had just been cheap grey ones, that Arthur had secretly picked for the reason they matched Treble. He discovered they weren't even worth the meagre amount of zenny he'd spent on them as the dye ran out, turning the water a little gray. It only took a few seconds to reach the facility entrance. And then a big problem became apparent.

There was a giant metal gate in the way. With no jack-in port, just a normal padlock. "Of all the times a place could have decent security..." He groaned.

"Don't worry! Just do what I would do and smash the lock off!" Said Treble.

"...With what?"

"A hammer would do! Anything we can use as a hammer here?!"

Arthur looked around. There had to be something... Then he looked down. "Got it!" He reached for a corner, and picked up a fire extiguisher. He prepared to smash it into the lock until Treble shouted again.

"No, that's a pressurised container it'll burst!" He yelled.

Arthur was surprised at Treble's sudden presence of mind, but not ungrateful. He ripped the pin out and blasted a few gallons of foam down the corridor. "Hyah!" He slammed the extinguisher onto the lock at an angle. It caught, and just barely deformed the lock a bit. "Hah!" He slammed again. And again. And again. And finally, with one powerful blow, hit hard enough to achieve his goal. While the padlock didn't break, the rusted hinges did, and the door swung open. "Okay, here we go."

"Good job on the destruction!"

Arthur quickly read the names of each room he passed. Offices, toilets, medical room, admin... He went into the admin room. Bingo, one computer with a port. "Treble, hunt!"

The WaterWorksComputer was very, very obviously messed up maliciously. Treble looked out over the small ocean. "What happened in here? Where IS everything? There's just water!"

A Mr. Prog came over. "A Blue navi sunk the platforms below the water!"

"...Ah. LeviathWoman." Said Arthur. "Any idea on how to get them back up?"

"I know a way!" Said the Mr. Prog. "We can repair the damage, but we need someone to protect us, and someone to hold the platforms above the water!"

Treble nodded. "I can do that!"

"Both at the same time?" Questioned Arthur. "You can't hold a platform up and fight. We need backup..." He looked at the open door to the room, and shouted. "HEY! IN HERE!"

There was a splashing, and Blaze stomped into the room. "On the scene!"

"Just in time. Jack in, I need some help." Said Arthur.

"Let's go Ember!"

Ember appeared next to Treble, and saw the water. "Oh. Well, I guess it's a good thing I still have PlugCross."

"Here are the chips." Said Arthur. "Blaze, have Ember defend that while it repairs the damage."

"Right-o! PlugCross, activate!"

Ember glowed, and was adorned with wires. She floated a little off the ground, naturally. The Mr. Prog looked at her nervously. "I'll keep you safe."

Treble suddenly expanded to fill up most of the platform they were standing on. "ALRIGHT, I'M GOING IN! READY?"

"Ready." Said Ember.

GS-Treble walked down into the water, sinking below the surface. His head surfaced a bit forwards, for air. "SENDING UP A PLATFORM!"

"Watch out for bugs, Blaze. Treble causes them to anything vulnerable in his proximity, and that will include this platform." Said Arthur.

There was a rush of water as a platform surfaced. Ember looked at it distastefully, but then remembered she wasn't fire-element. She floated forwards, and the Mr. Prog followed.

"WATCH- GLUB!" Treble stuck his head up and spat some water out in a spout. "WATCH OUT! SWARM OF VIRUSES!"

"Ember, get ready!" Said Blaze.

"On it!" Ember was lightning-quick, intercepting a school of Shrimpy viruses and then blasting them with lightning. Being a living tesla coil made defending the Mr. Prog much easier, any viruses that tried to bypass her were instantly fried for double damage.

It only took a few small battles before the Mr. Prog spoke up. "All done! Whew, hoo... haa."

Treble moved away from the platform, and suddenly Ember and the got drenched as he put his front two paws up on the platform, followed by his head. "I SEE TWO MORE PLATFORMS! ARE YOU OK TO KEEP GOING?"

"Charged up." Said Ember. "Prog?"

"Ah... I'm so tired! I don't know if I can do another platform!"

Arthur frowned. "How do you refuel a Mr. Prog?"

"Like this." Said Ember. She placed a hand on the program, and it buzzed.

"Wahoo!" Yelled the Mr. Prog. "Let's go!"

Treble marched on, and came to the next platform. "HERE GOES! LIFTING!" It surfaced.

As Ember took up a defensive position, Arthur mused. "Treble, how are you actually holding that up? You don't have any hands..."

"IT'S BALANCED ON MY BACK!"

"...Suddenly, I'm glad that I can float in air." Said Ember. Then she ducked and lashed a Piranha with a cable. "Back!"

It was again relatively simple. But when they moved onto the last platform, there was a more obvious problem. "IT'S BROKEN IN HALF!"

"What?!"

"THERE'S THIS BIG CRACK!"

"...Must have shattered when it hit the bottom." Said Arthur. "Can you use your soul power to hold it together?"

"YES!"

"Wait, that would-" Started Blaze.

"I know. You'll have to activate TrebleCross to protect her from the bugs."

"...Okay, but... Ugh, I'm so worried she'll fall in."

Arthur nodded. "We'll find another way if we have to."

"I never said I wouldn't!" Said Blaze. "Ember?"

"It'll take more than a bit of water! Do it!"

"TrebleCross, go!" Said Ember.

Treble dipped under, and the platform lifted up in two halves. They'd clearly shattered, but were being forced together. The edges strongly resembled some kind of putty after exposure to the power, and there were panels missing everywhere, but Ember wasn't fazed. She gracefully leapt from safe spot to safe spot, the speed boost and thrusters granting her incredible air time. Viruses converged, and Ember moved to counter. Blaze was operating well in the uncomfortable conditions. "Battlechips! ZapRing3, MoonBlade!"

"Hah!" Ember was a blur, almost in three places at once while defending the Mr. Prog. Her life was slowly draining away as some attacks inevitably hit her, but for the most part she was holding her own. And eventually, the Mr. Prog finished. "Okay! That's everything in this area! Now let's stop the water flow!"

"Look for a way to drain the lower levels!" Said Blaze. "The boss types ALWAYS hide in the most remote places."

"Got it here, the turbine room. Draining now..." Said Ember.

"Treble, back. We'd better get down to the turbine room and take out LevaithWoman." Said Arthur. There was a giant sploosh as GS-Treble disappeared from beneath the platform. "Blaze? You okay to follow me?"

"Sure!"

They ran down the stairs.

The deepest part of the facility was dark. It wasn't meant to be, but the flooding had killed the lights. Arthur shone a light from the PET ahead. "Is this the turbine room?"

"There's a sign there." Said Blaze. "C'mon, you're normally the one who catches statements like that!"

"Guess I'm just feeling a little damped." Arthur twisted the handle open, thankful it wasn't locked.

The turbine room was a metal walkway over a stream of water. Arthur was about to question that when the door slammed shut behind him.

"Oh, that's bad." Said Blaze.

"How very eloquent of you." Came a voice. Female and refined.

"...LevaithWoman?" Said Arthur.

"Oh, you remembered my name! Flattering indeed."

"What have you done with MathMan!" Shouted Treble.

"Tsk. Learn to banter, dog."

"I am a WOLF!"

"No, no. You need witty comebacks. Not baseless assertions." Taunted LeviathWoman. "...Although, ultimately your words DO need actions to back them. You can start by surrendering like a dog." There was a vroosh as the water below started flowing extremely fast. "I'd say you have... about five minutes before the room fills? And don't even think about jacking in-"

"Found the port." Said Arthur. "Nice try distracting me, but major facilities always have ports. Treble?"

There was a sound of cracking knuckles.

"Hunt."

The second WaterWorksComputer was considerably less flooded. The problem was that the water was moving. "I don't think I can resist this flow!"

"Some platforms are still sunken." Said Ember. "I see a few gaps where they should be, and those platforms probably have the water controls. Repair program anywhere?"

Arthur felt the water touch his shoes. "Let's be quick about this. Treble, get ahead to the first platform now. Don't be afraid to ride those currents to get there."

"Gotcha!" Treble put one foot into the current and was sucked away.

"Transform first!" Yelled Arthur, slotting in the chips. Treble thankfully didn't waste any time.

Ember grabbed the repair Mr. Prog. "...How do I get it to the platform?!"

Blaze looked down. "Arthur... I can't swim."

Arthur frowned at the double questions. "...Treble, if you can find something to grip under the water, stand somewhere that will divert the current so Ember can proceed with the program. Blaze, see that handrail? Stand on it when the water gets high. It's easier to balance underwater, and your head will reach the ceiling."

"ON IT!" Treble forced himself over a current, the sheer force of the water dragging him along a bit. "HURRY!"

Ember dashed over, program in tow. "Okay, get that platform up!"

Treble dipped under, and the platform rose.

"Now!" Screamed Ember. She slid down her mask, and prepared to engage the viruses.

"Perhaps we can help!" Realised Arthur. "BugAura, in."

The Mr. Prog was just about enveloped in the giant grey bubble. Blaze sighed in relief. "Okay Ember, just focus on staying healthy! I'll be fine! ProtoCross, MoonBlade, YoYo!"

Ember quickly darted forwards, striking at the converging viruses. She saw a blue shadow race past in the water. "LeviathWoman." She spat.

Treble saw her too, as she swum past his eyes with a mocking expression. "So noble of you, loyal dog! To protect your master to the end!"

"Don't respond!" Warned Arthur. "She's a trickster. She wants to make you need a breath by talking."

Treble just glared. LeviathWoman sighed, clearly unaffected by the waters. "Ah, such a killjoy is your NetOp. Yet pragmatic! Effective! A shame he's going to be out of breathing room in... fooour minutes!"

"Got the platform!" Beeped the Mr. Prog. "Two more!"

"Oh, you~" Said LeviathWoman. "Alas..." She pulled out her curve-bladed spear, and twirled it around, before smiling. "Whirlpool~"

The waters ahead churned. Ember paled. "If we get sucked into those..."

"I CAN DO IT. I WILL!" Treble had his head above water again. "WHERE'S THE PLATFORM AT?"

"Northeast!" Said Ember. "But the currents... I just..."

"I got it." Said Blaze. There was fear in her eyes, but that fear was melting faced with an inner fire. "FreezeCross. Let's see how these currents handle a few icebergs."

"Clever!" Agreed Arthur. "Currents are finicky things. An iceberg would mess up that whirlpool for sure."

Ember started preparing, when Arthur intervened. "Wait, make it in calm waters or it'll be sucked out before you can get it up to size. Treble, you push it out when it's ready."

Ember began making the iceberg. Time ticked by painfully, and the water was up to Arthur's chest. After a precious minute, the iceberg was ready. "Now Treble! Push!"

Treble reared up, and gave one massive shove to the floating ice. As hoped, it was sucked straight into the whirlpool, and slammed into the bottom with a giant 'Thonk' and a crash. The currents stilled, if briefly. Ember studied them for a second. "I see a path! Treble, get to the platform!"

"ON IT! AGAIN!"

Ember carefully steadied herself, and then placed the program on her back. "Buckle up." She leapt out from the platform, and as she touched the water it froze beneath her. Ember dashed forwards, struggling to stay afloat but devoid of her normal weakness to water. She saw a blue shadow again, and had a moment of horror as she realised she was incredibly exposed right now. And the fear was realised as the shadow started moving up, far more agile on water than she was. Just as she was sure she was about to get stabbed, a surge of blue fire washed out in a sheet, seperating her and the attacker vertically.

"Phew, I was worried the breath weapons wouldn't work underwater. At least AquaBreath does." Commented Arthur.

Ember landed on the platform, and all but threw the Mr. Prog at the area to repair. "Go go GO!" She yelled. The water was up to Arthur's neck. Blaze was crouching on the siderail. The Mr. Prog dutifully went to work.

The wave of viruses was tremendous, and from every side. More than once, Ember nearly let one slip through. But she was too aware. Even as the onslaught continued, she only burned brighter. And then the repair was done. Treble stuck his head up. "ONE MORE!"

"Admirable efforts, pup~" Mocked LeviathWoman.

"HA! PUPS CAN BE WOLVES OR DOGS!"

"Treble, onwards!" Said Arthur, starting to kick off the floor and tread water for air. "The next platform is easy to access!"

"Yes." Said Blaze. "LeviathWoman will have to intervene to stop us. Ember? Kick her face in!"

"Gladly!" Said Ember, as Treble went forwards, and picked up the platform.

True to prediction, LeviathWoman jumped out to stand on it. "Ready? No? Good! My naginata will make quick work of you, and justice will be done." She leveled her spear- naginata, she had called it.

Blaze glared from behind her mask, and dropped to fighting stance. "Justice? JUSTICE?!"

There was a white-blue blur as she clashed with LeviathWoman, the force of the air sending LeviathWoman's dress billowing. Arthur was distracted for the moment by how dignified it looked. Not an inch of skin was showing apart from her face, and her armored legs and chest were practical and refined, rather than suggestive. LeviathWoman carefully angled her naginata, blocking a flurry of blows from Blaze, before she vaulted back and threw a wave of water at her. Blaze was too furious to care, and slashed right through, the water turning to slush.

"Battlechips in! SpinShaker3! WindRack!" Said Blaze desperately.

Ember skated around the edge, as LevithWoman posed defensively. She pitched the satellite, and then leapt in with the WindRack. LeviathWoman unexpected lowered her guard, and let herself be slapped away... into the water. There was a laugh as she leapt out with a huge blast of water, unavoidable. Ember staggered.

And then the platform sunk. Ember flailed for a moment as the floor gave way, but was far better off than LeviathWoman, who was suddenly dragged under the water.

"Ember can't get out of the water if she goes in!" Shouted Blaze.

Treble couldn't hear her. He was trying not to drown or relax his grip, and eventually had to choose not drowning. Releasing LeviathWoman, he surged up for air, only to find current dragging him down.

"Drown! D-drow..." LeviathWoman had not handled getting almost bitten in half well. She was bugged and heavily injured.

"Ember! EMBER!" Shouted Blaze. Treble got the message.

"Wind chip in. Accelerate Junk Flyer to help bolster that platform-glub!" Instructed Arthur, before catching a mouthful of water.

The platform surged up, and LeviathWoman returned to the fight. She staggered, and suddenly Arthur had a moment of realisation. The bite had done WAY too much damage... she must have been weak to it! "She's sword type! Use SteamCross!"

"SteamCross! AreaSteal, GoldFist, Go!" Said Blaze. The water was up to the ceiling. Both NetOps were standing on the rail.

Ember blinked behind LeviathWoman, who parried valiantly, but was struck with enough force to send her weapon skittering away. Ember drew back her hand, and suddenly it turned a pure, lustrous gold. "Fist! Of! Death!" Said Ember, and she hurled the attack into LeviathWoman's face.

"Kyahhgh!" LeviathWoman went skidding across the floor. "You can delete me... but my cause will live on!"

Ember started walking forwards. There was a sudden 'pew' as someone logged in. SageMan. "You can't fall here, sister." He looked up. "...Safe retreat in exchage for your NetOps lives."

"Done. Drain the water first." Said Ember. LeviathWoman weakly waved a hand.

Arthur realised the water level of the room was dropping fast. "Oh, thank goodness..."

The water in the computer fell too. Treble hacked up a small swimming pool before yelling at LeviathWoman. "THAT'S RIGHT! SUCK MY KNOT, YOU TRUMPED UP PLASTIC BAG!"

"I am so hurt." Said LeviathWoman, feigning offence with a hand over her chest. "Whatever insult that was meant to be was probably better in your head. Later- ur-ahghh..." They logged out, the splutter of bugged pain taking away her planned sassiness.

Treble shrunk back to normal, and looked at the last panel for a bit. "Doors are open."

"Phew... good job." Said Arthur. "Blaze, you did exceptionally too."

"Aw, it was a team effort!" Said Blaze.

"We're ALIVEEEE!" Announced Arthur, as he came out of the water works in his wet pyjamas.

Chaud just scowled. "I told you not to risk your life!"

"There's the Chaud I know and love." Said Blaze. "Waterworks are safe, but we couldn't capture LeviathWoman."

Chaud nodded. "Acceptable. No lives were lost and we've repelled a major attack. That's a win."

Arthur's PET beeped. "Oh, mail." He checked it, and saw a new message from Flare.

'Thanks for the warning, it saved a life. We're coming to Scilabs immediately. We need to be in on this.'

Arthur's jaw nearly dropped off. "Back to Scilabs! Ethan's lot need us!"

Author's notes: GET A LOAD OF THE NEW COVER ART, LOOK HOW GOOD IT IS!

All four of the Eurasia navis here are dual-types! Wind-Elec, Fire-Break, Cursor-Wood, Sword-Aqua, in case you were wondering. Although some of the dual types may not be so obvious, such as PhantomMan's wood. And LeviathWoman is REALLY good at getting under Treble's skin.