GT: Hi, folks. Look, I know it's been years since I last updated this, but I've been extremely busy. Moving, new job, quitting the new job, getting another new job on the night shift, and redesigning the new house after said move. As usual, I don't own anything outside of my OCs.

"Okay…While it's still stressful, Mr. Hippo surprisingly makes it feel not as bad," Roll noted as the holographic screen changed back to the main menu, "And that last one makes me want to try a half lemonade/half iced tea myself."

"I'm just glad Glyde gave us a copy of the original data instead of the data for going into it," Rock added, "With all the times we get jumpscared by these guys, it'd be a pain to be tossed out and have to walk back in and start everything all over again."

The two were residing in the guest network for Lan and Haruka's suite. While Roll had only been in there the night before, she was more focused on Rock and helping him sleep so she hadn't really looked at anything. It was designed to resemble the suite, but much larger for bigger-sized NetNavis to safely move about. At the moment, the couple were sitting together on a red couch before a floating monitor that was displaying the main screen for the game they were playing. Rock was dressed in a pair of blue pajama bottoms and a button pajama shirt with the HIkari emblem wrapping around the lower right half. Roll's hair was fully let out while she wore a pink version of Rock's pajamas, her emblem on the lower right half. On the nearby recliner, Rush was curled up with a baby-blue blanket with a star pattern, her ears twitching every so often in her slumber.

"How about a break for that drink? Maybe find something on TV to cool down from the game, too?" Roll suggested as she stood up and walked towards the kitchen.

"Yeah," Rock agreed, switching the screen from the game to a video site, "That 50/20 Mode is insane."

"But we do have an idea now. Use that Death Coin on Funtime Foxy so we don't have to deal with his hours," Roll noted as she entered the kitchen.

"Hey, they're playing your battle from this morning," Rock noted as the screen showed Roll and Rush fighting off the bear-headed NetNavi, "You three make a pretty impressive team."

Roll gave a small giggle, walking out with two cups, "Thanks. We learned from the best duo after all."

"Yeah, Mom and Pops are pretty…" Rock began before Roll cut him off with a kiss.

"I was actually referring to you and Lan," Roll corrected him as she handed him his drink and sat down beside him, "Those last few weeks of us training before the finals were a big help. You and Lan giving strategy with Maylu-chan against the Ghost Fighters were amazing."

Rock gave a small shudder, "Do we have to call them 'Ghost' Fighters?"

Roll just giggled as she took a sip, "Hmm...Points to the hippo. This is good." she set it down on a coast before looking at Rock, "Speaking of...how is everything with them?"

"Are you referring to Mom being out there now and me still here?" Rock asked.

"Um…" Roll began before Rock chuckled.

"Those few hours before everything got talked about?" Rock reminded, "Dad did a small program where we got to spend a month for each hour. Why did you think I wasn't tripping over everything or seemed more adjusted than I should have been?" he wiped a hand over his eyes, "It...It was something we both needed and I had to spend a few days convincing Mom that it was okay to be with Pops." he smirked, "I want to be a big brother, too, dang it."

"Eh?"

"One thing I did to help convince it was fine? Kept telling her 'babies' and then 'grandbabies,'" Rock noted, earning a laugh from Roll.

"O-oh...S-sorry, but that...that must have been awkward," Roll noted.

"Big time," Rock admitted, "Still...Those few 'months' I had? I wouldn't trade that time for anything."

Roll nodded before taking another sip of her drink, "Oh, now they're showing Gutsman."

=GUTS!= Gutsman roared, slamming an uppercut into his opponent, sending them rocketing back.

"Guy's always been a tough opponent," Rock noted, "Even when he holds back like now."

"Yeah, he's alwa...wait, what?!" Roll gawked.

"Yeah. Everyone in the Undernet's Ranked has a limiter in place," Rock explained, "They only let it go when they're being challenged for their Rank."

"So...you've…" Roll began.

"I don't have one," Rock replied, "Well, I did, but it, well...broke."

"How did it…?" Roll began before her eyes widened, "Memory is Key."

"Yeah. When you activated the failsafe WoodShield Style made when he was last in control, you also broke my limiter," Rock admitted, "This whole time, I've been fully powered. I'm glad, too. If I wasn't, I…" he started to shiver, "I don't think even becoming one again would've worked."

The cups fell from their hands as Roll prioritized on holding Rock close as he started to hyperventilate. For several minutes, the two stayed that way with Rock's head laying on her bosom and her gently holding him. She didn't try to do anything else to avoid a freak out. All that she did was provide him warmth and comfort from her hold and her heartbeat in his ear. Eventually, Rock began to stop shivering as his breathing stabilized.

"Th...Thanks…" Rock whispered as he looked up at her face.

"Any time, Mega," Roll replied, pecking his forehead with a kiss before frowning, "Still...I'm sorry for causing it."

"It wasn't your fault," Rock assured, reaching up to cup her cheek, his eyes narrowing in thought, "I only blame one man for it."

Roll nodded, having a feeling who he was blaming. It was still difficult to acknowledge what had happened. She could only hope to learn just what happened to make him like that. She shook her thoughts away as they just held one another close for several minutes.

"Honestly...I think you could take on one of the Ranked, Roll-chan," Rock noted, "In fact, I'm sure that you can fight a Ranked at your current rate."

"Eh?"

"You're strong in mind, body, and heart; you've got surprises up your sleeve that they won't expect; and, even with your added height, you're still a fast NetNavi," Rock listed, "I'm sure if you fought one, you'd be able to win their Rank." he sighed, "And honestly, Rank 8 is kinda open still because that was Beastman and the Ranking Battle won't start for a few months."

"Soka," Roll noted with a small smile before kissing his forehead again, "Arigatou, Mega-kun."

Rock chuckled bashfully, blushing a bit from the tenderness of the moment.

Aphrodite and Mayl slept soundly in the two beds, the Metastable NetNavi of the two hugging a plush dove in her sleep. Sitting at the room's desk, Skye was just looking at his PeT...or, rather, the photo that was currently on display. The photo was of a younger him and Yuchiro with a smiling Dr. Light, a hand on their shoulders with a big smile. On Yuchiro's shoulder was a thin male NetNavi in a red bodysuit and black armor on his shoulders, waist, head, and knees with a fireball resembling a dog's head as his NaviMark. On Dr. Light's was what looked like Roll in her original state but the pink was replaced with magenta and black with light-blue, her hair platinum blonde, the antennae pink and shaped like hearts, and a dove over a clam as her NaviMark.

[Flashback]

"Sorry I'm late!" Skye called as he ran in only to slip and fall, "Gwah!"

"Ah, Skye!" Dr. Light and Yuchiro gasped as the latter ran over and helped him up.

"Ah...What'd I trip on this time?"

"A cable once again," Yuchiro sighed, "At least it wasn't part of the main computer, just the microwave."

"Ah...My bad," Skye chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

"Did you finish your program, Skye?" Dr. Light asked.

"Ah," Skye nodded, holding up a disc, "It's why I was late. I was making sure to add in failsafes for the failsafes' failsafes."

"Great!" Dr. Light beamed as he led Skye over to a large monitor where the two NetNavis were, "Let me introduce you to the NetNavis that will be getting your programs, you two. I asked Dr. Tenma to make one while I made the other." he gestured to the male NetNavi, donned in a bodysuit and armor in various shades of red, almost as if it was containing a raging inferno within, "Yuchiro, your SOUL dot BATCH will be installed into Ares."

"Ares?" Yuchiro pondered, "Um...Hello, Ares."

=Greetings= the male NetNavi stoically greeted in a monotone, giving a salute with a bladed gauntlet.

"Skye, I made this one," Dr. Light spoke as he gestured to the female NetNavi, resembling Roll's original look in shades of magenta and blue with her 'antennae' shaped to resemble a pair of hearts, "Your program, HEART dot BATCH, will be installed into my daughter here, Aphrodite."

"Aphrodite? That's a nice name you have," Skye complimented.

=Salutations, Sakurai-san= she greeted in a monotone.

"Oi, Tou-san, what is with these names?" Yuchiro asked.

"Ares and Aphrodite are the names of Greek Gods that were lovers," Dr. Light explained, "I thought it would be fitting. I would have called him Hephasteus, but I don't like naming people after people I know."

"Ah," Skye nodded, "...Wait...Daughter!?"

"Of course. Anything and anyone I make I consider as a child of mine," Dr. Light chuckled, patting Yuchiro's shoulder.

"Tou-san…" Yuchiro muttered, blushing a little in embarrassment.

"Alright, let's load those programs up!" Dr. Light declared, "Today is Day 1 of our Test!"

"YOSHA!" the duo cheered.

[End Flashback]

Skye shook his head as he turned his PeT to standby. He slid into the bed Aphrodite was in and the shapely maiden rolled a little in her sleep, mumbling as her arm let go of the pillow to hug him. Skye gave a small smile as he put his arm over her waist to return the embrace. Soon, he joined his wife-to-be and his little sister in slumber.

=Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Day 2 of 3 for the Zeus Tournament Finals!= Ribbita declared =For those tuning in, we just had our first two matches and are on our way to the third! So let's give a round of applause for our next competitors! Maylu Sakurai and her NetNavi Roll!= the audience cheered as Maylu entered from one side of the stands to the podium she had to Jack-In to =And her opponent, Dex Oyama and his NetNavi Gutsman!= Dex pumped his fists as he got to his podium =Alrighty, Jack-In your NetNavis!=

"It's amazing how fast they fix up the place in here," Roll noted as Rush looked around from her spot in Roll's cleavage.

"Alright, don't ya hold back now, guts-guts!" Gutsman called as he walked up to her.

"Maybe," Roll noted.

"Maybe?" Gutsman repeated as Maylu's PeT rang.

"Who's calling now of all times?" Maylu pondered as she answered.

"Hey, Maylu. Wanted to wish ya luck," Dex noted on the line.

"Oh, that's nice of you, Dex. I wish you luck, too," the red head smiled.

"Hold on, now. What do ya mean by 'maybe,' guts? We're fightin', ain't we?"

"Yes, but Rock-kun did say something to me last night about you wearing limiters," Roll noted.

"He told ya 'bout them?!" Gutsman gawked.

"Did Lan tell you about that, Maylu?" Dex asked, a bit annoyed as he looked over at the crowd where Lan was.

"He's wearing limiters?" Maylu asked in surprise.

"Did Rock tell ya anything else, guts?" Gutsman groaned.

"Mmm...Just that he said I could challenge a Ranked for their Rank," Roll replied, "So...Would you take your limiters off if I say 'I challenge you for your Rank, Gutsman?'"

"..." Gutsman straightened himself, Roll's eyes widening a bit as she now realized that Gutsman actually stood at twelve feet tall, "So…You wish to take my Rank?"

'Gutsman?' Maylu blinked.

'What happened to his verbal tic?' Roll thought.

"Heh. Wouldn't have expected Roll to ask such a thing," Dex noted, his eyes closed with a calm expression.

"Do you truly acknowledge this action you are requesting me to perform?" Gutsman asked, narrowing his eyes at Roll, "I will not process any restrictions and my programming will be set on 'complete deletion.' That is the way of the Ranked."

"Good. I don't want you to hold back against me and deny you were going all out later once I win," Roll narrowed her eyes

"Confidence…or overconfidence…" Dex chuckled, "Gutsman, Cast Off."

"Roger," Gutsman nodded.

"Cast what now?" Maylu and Roll blinked twice.

Cracks appeared on his body before steam began to hiss out of them, causing Roll to back away. The steam soon enshrouded Gutsman within, leaving only his outline visible. With the sound of shattering glass, Gutsman broke apart. Roll and Maylu's eyes widened as he emerged from the cloud of steam.

"Okay then…" tough, calloused hands cracked their knuckles and a strong neck cracked itself with the twist of its owner's head, the back-length silver hair moving with each twist, "…Been awhile since I last activated this."

'This is…' Maylu thought as Gutsman's strong, muscular arms lowered themselves to the sides, his red and yellow gi with the sleeves torn off moving a bit from their movements, showing off his ripped musculature.

"I process a chance of you winning, Roll…" strong, bare-footed legs covered in the pants of the gi, the ends tattered, shifted into an opening stance, the belt sporting Gutsman's emblem reflecting off the light of the network, "…because I hereby accept your invitation of challenge for Rank 4!"

"Hoo-boy…" Roll gulped, seeing that Gutsman had only lost two inches in height, "I was not expecting this."

"D-Dex…?" Maylu gulped.

"Gutsman was given a special program a little bit after the Ranking to compliment the program Lan got me a while back," Dex informed, "Because of it, the look you normally see is just a limiter, holding back all but five percent of his real power."

"Five percent?!" Roll exclaimed.

"Megaman was supposed to get one as well, but…" Dex trailed off.

Maylu nodded as Roll tensed a bit. Gutsman snorted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Not very becoming of someone out for a Rank," Gutsman observed.

"Roll-chan…If Gutsman was only at five percent of his actual strength…With all his strength unlocked, I don't think the Mega Strike can handle it," Maylu noted.

"Ugh! This is Hercules all over again!" Roll groaned before shaking her head, "No, no, no, no. Don't think that way…You can win this, Roll, you. Can. Win."

"Vui," Rush deadpanned, poking out of her cleavage to give her a look.

"...I mean, we can win this," Roll corrected, petting her Eevee on the head.

"Ee!" Rush beamed as she hopped onto her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek.

=Alright! The combatants are ready and the stage is set! Who'll win this round and head on to the semi-finals? Who's gonna get knocked out?! LET'S GO!= Ribitta cheered as she rang the bell.

The ground shattered under Gutsman as he shot out at her, fist reeled back. Roll jumped over the punch as it slammed into the pillar behind her, shattering it and the debris shooting off into the distance. She barely landed when she barely avoided a roundhouse kick from Gutsman who followed up with a lariat that grazed her and knocked her away. Rush fired a barrage of Shadow Balls only for Gutsman to start literally boxing them away with the last being sent back at her. The Eevee yelped as the attack hit her. While it didn't hurt, she was still startled by the attack being returned and opened her up for an uppercut from Gutsman, sending her flying high into the air. Maylu flinched as Rush popped up in her PeT, hitting the 'ceiling' before falling flat on her face, groaning as swirls replaced her eyes.

"Ee~vui~" Rush groaned.

"Oh that's not good," Maylu cringed.

"YIPE!" Roll yelped, barely rolling out of the way of the punch aimed at her, cratering the ground where she had been, "Oh that is not good…"

"Neither is this!" Gutsman roared, bringing his hands together and slammed them down on the ground, causing it to buckle under before forming a massive tidal wave of earth that came at her, "GUTS HAMMER!"

"Oh Sugar Honey Iced Tea!" Roll yelped before the tidal wave crashed onto her.

"Roll-chan!" Rock yelped as the dust settled...revealing a doll resembling Roll partially buried in the rubble, "?!"

"What the…?" Gutsman began before grunting as several shuriken as big as a Labrador Retriever impaled him, "GH!?"

"Phew…" Roll sighed in relief, sitting atop one of the pillars of the arena, "I told you that Anti-Damage was a good idea to buy."

"Hai, hai," Maylu chuckled sheepishly, "W-Well...Let's keep it going!"

"Gotcha!" Roll nodded as Gutsman pulled the shuriken out of his body, grunting with each tug, "Oh, Gutsman~!"

"Huh?" Gutsman looked up to see Roll holding a hand out...before a large gunmetal/blue sledgehammer with several spikes on both ends of the hammer part of it formed before it that she grabbed.

"Zeus Hammer!" Roll shouted as she jumped down and swung at him, "SEIYA!"

"Because of course they'd have a BattleChip named after the leader of the Greek Gods for a tournament called the Olympus Tournament," Skye chuckled, shaking his head.

"The girls are doing such a good job!" Aphrodite beamed, waving a tiny flag, "Go get that big guy, girls~!"

Skye couldn't help but crack a bigger smile at his fiance's cheering, "This reminds me of the first time you saw a baseball game recorded from a game in Ameropa."

"Oh, I can't wait to visit it for real and not just a digital duplicate," Aphrodite swooned, moving a bit closer to Skye as he wrapped an arm around her waist/back, "Here's hoping that it'll be sooner than later."

"Same here," Skye agreed, his nostalgia pulling him away once more.

[FLASHBACK]

"This is quite unusual," Dr. Light noted, rubbing his beard as the three looked at a monitor where Aphrodite and Ares were being measured by two Mr. Progs.

"It seems that the programs are also influencing their appearances," Yuchiro noted.

"Told you their bodysuits and armor looked tighter than when we first met them," Skye deadpanned.

"Oh come now, Skye, the suits are part of their bodies," Yuchiro noted before a ripping noise went off followed by Aphrodite yelping, causing them to look to see a blushing Aphrodite covering her behind, "Is something wrong?"

"It ripped," Skye stated.

=C-Could I request a skirt please?= Aphrodite begged.

"Eh, I'll do better," Skye replied as he inserted a BattleChip into their PeTs, causing Aphrodite and Ares to glow before a magenta kimono covered her body while Ares gained a red set of robes, "How's that?"

=Hmph. So long as it doesn't get in the way of my fights, I could care less= Ares snorted.

=Hm?= Aphrodite tilted her head as she looked down at herself before a Mr. Prog put a body mirror before her, letting her look at herself while the Mr. Prog quickly left per its programming now that its tasks were complete =Ohh~!= she looked out at Skye, giving a big smile =I love it, Skye! Thank you!=

"Sh-She actually said it!" Yuchiro gawked as Dr. Light laughed.

"Great idea, Skye!" Dr. Light beamed.

[END]

Aphrodite yelping snapped him out of the thoughts of his past, causing him to look back at the screen in time to see Roll being knocked through a pillar, her Zeus Hammer broken, "Oh...This seems troublesome."

"Seems?! This is not good at all! Come on, Rolly! May-May! Beat up that brute and his partner!" Aphrodite shouted.

"You didn't notice it?" Skye asked.

"Eh? Notice what?" Aphrodite asked before a glow from the screen caught her eye, "What?"

"You're pretty good, Maylu," Dex chuckled, "No wonder Rock thinks you and Roll could get one of the numbers...but this is…" he paused on noticing a glow in the settling dust from the shattered marble pillar, "Hm?"

Cue – RWBY Season 2 Soundtrack - DIE

"What?" Gutsman raised a brow as the dust settled, revealing that Roll's hair had ignited.

Roll stood up as tall as she could, her eyes focused on Gutsman. Gutsman's eyes widened as he saw her eyes go from jade to a burning ruby. Her bodysuit glowed before changing into a new attire. A yellow tube top barely holding in her impressive bosom with a mini-jacket made of brown leather, black fingerless gloves that were quickly engulfed in yellow gauntlets with small shotgun barrels above the knuckles, and black shorts that hugged snugly to her ample bottom with a half-skirt of sorts with leather boots and black stockings completing the look.

"Wh-What's this?!" Dex gawked.

"A special BattleChip that only female NetNavis can use," Maylu explained, "I call it Semblance – Yang Xiao Lao."

"Semblance - Yang Xiao Long?" Dex repeated.

Gutsman charged at Roll and swung a vicious right hook. Roll held up her hand and the fist collided with the palm. The ground around them rumbled as cracks formed in the crater caused by the impact. Roll smirked, her fire-red eyes glinting a bit in amusement. Reeling her free fist back, she let it fly and slammed it into Gutsman's solar plexus. Gutsman gagged before he was sent rocketing away. Roll giggled under her breath as Gutsman coughed and gasped for a moment or two.

"How…How did she…do that?" Gutsman coughed as he got up.

"You hit her, of course," Maylu replied, "The more damage she gets, the stronger her attacks will get. In fact, when she's using this…" she showed Dex her PeT's screen, displaying that Roll had only taken ten hit points worth of damage, "…Her durability grows big time."

"Say what?!" Dex and Gutsman exclaimed before Roll shot at the ground, the recoil sending her right at Gutsman.

Roll proceeded to deliver several blows with her shotgun gauntlets going off with each punch delivered, explosions going off each impact. Gutsman grunted as Dex inserted three BattlChips, causing his right arm to shine before a reinforced version of his limiter gauntlet formed.

"Program Advance! Z-GUTSPUNCH!" Gutsman roared as he proceeded to unleash a barrage of punches as a green aura flashed on his body.

=Look at these two go!= Ribbita commentated =The Z-GutsPunch is giving Gutsman a five-second window of invincibility, but will those five seconds be long enough for him to whittle down Roll's HP before her punches finally get in a good blow?=

The two roared as they swung a final punch at each other, Program Advance hitting Shotgun Gauntlet. For a moment, the air stilled around the two before the impact's shockwave proceeded to tear apart the ground around them. Cracks formed on the Shotgun Gauntlet, causing Gutsman to chuckle...before his eyes widened as his PA shattered as his five seconds ended. In his surprise, he forgot she had two of her weapon and the uncracked one delivered a strong haymaker to his face. Roll roared as she managed to get him into a headlock. The two struggled with one another, Gutsman trying to free himself as Roll struggled to keep a strong hold of his head. With a final click and shot, Roll fired both gauntlets and broke the cracked one. Gutsman froze as he stumbled to his knees before collapsing onto his chest, her head fully staring at the sky with his neck twisted.

=GUTSMAN LOGGING OUT=

Roll panted as her outfit glowed and changed back to normal as klaxons went off preceding Ribitta exclaiming =And with a brutal neck snap, Roll forces Gutsman to Log Out and moves on to the semi-finals!=

"You okay, Gutsman?" Dex asked, looking at his PeT.

=Ugh...I process that I'm okay, Dex= Gutsman groaned, rubbing his neck =Set up a notification to reinforce my neck for next time someone tries that…=

"That's alright," Dex nodded as Gutsman glowed before he reverted to his armored state before he typed on his PeT.

Maylu's PeT began to beep, causing her to look at it, "E-Mail? What's…" her eyes widened whens he opened the E-Mail to reveal a pass with a stylized '3' on it, "Eh?"

"Welcome to the Ranked, you two," Dex noted, "Once this tournament's over, Lan will probably take you to see the UnderNet Administrator. You did good with this battle. Well played. Keep that Badge with pride while making sure to be ready for the next Ranking Battle. Don't get sloppy now and keep up your training otherwise the next rookie that shows up will whoop you two good."

=Vui!=

"Sorry. Whoop you three good."

=Vee~!= Rush mewled happily as she snuggled against Roll's cheek on her shoulder.

=Oh thank the kami…= Rock groaned, falling over on his behind in relief =I swear I was going to have a heart attack from how worried I got after he broke her Zeus Hammer=

"Same here," Lan admitted as he grinned, "But it just means that we'll get to see them more often instead of having to try to be secret when a meeting happens."

=You still suck at making up lies for that=

"Aw come on…"

=What was the last one? About having to brush our non-existent dog's teeth?=

"Aw shut up," Lan grumbled.

"Warararararar! Good...So many battles going on fills my soul with such glee!" Arin laughed, watching the four different NetBattles that had happened throughout the day at his desk, "Ah...You've been doing quite well, Ms. Sakurai…" his eyes lit up with glee as he carefully watched the NetBattle between Roll and Gutsman and then her semi-final match, "...But tomorrow…" his gaze turned malicious, "The oncoming storm will either fall upon you or you shall disperse the storm. Either way..." he glanced over at a panel in the wall, showing a '50' percent status on it, "Your Ultimate Program will be mine at last." a phone rang and he picked up, "Yes? ...Oh? ...I see, I see. Warararar...Take him!"

"Understood, sir," a man in a black suit and sunglasses replied before disconnecting and looked at five others with him, "Take him."

The five nodded and the six looked out towards Skye, humming as he carried a grocery bag with white containers in it.

"So many places to try out, so little time to try them out," Skye noted in amusement, seemingly unaware of the fact he was being followed, "Ah, what I wouldn't give for my dear dove to be able to walk about here." he turned a corner into an empty alley, "But it is dangerous for her...given the fact you six are here."

"!?" two of the men tensed in surprise.

"Hmph. Not surprised you noticed us, Dr. Sakurai," the lead man chuckled, "You're coming with us."

"Mmm...Yeah...no," Skye shook his head, "You guys are kinda sus. So why not leave me be and you won't need an ambulance."

"Why you...!" one man exclaimed as he charged.

"No, don't…" the leader began as Skye tossed the bag into the air.

He side-stepped the charge at him before his hand shot out and pinched a spot on the charging man's neck. He caught his bag of goods the same time the man collapsed, foaming from the mouth as his mind shut down. Skye shook his head as he put the bag on an empty wooden spool for large cables by him.

"So you all gonna rush me or something?" Skye asked, "Or are you gonna end up like your coworker there or run off with your tails between your legs and puddles of piss training you."

For a few moments, nothing happened in their standoff. At least, in the outside world. Within Skye's mind, thoughts welled as he looked at them while glancing around the area.

'The one on the far right will rush in first. The fire escape latch is brittle from years of disuse. Strike with trash can lid to break and send the ladder down on him. Startled, the others back away. Far left will pull out their gun, dropping it as they fumble in their haste to draw. Rush and strike the nerves to disable his limbs while kicking up gun. Pistol whip to temple. Incapacitate next two with gunshots while they try to process what's going on. In summary: two dealing with a concussion while unconscious and two disabled from bullets in kneecaps, unable to stand and threat,' Skye thought, 'Finally, the leader. Not able to cope, he charges in. First, distraction with handkerchief Aphrodite made me. Then, block his left jab. Counter with cross to right cheek. Discombobulate. Dazed, will attempt wild haymaker. Employ elbow block, and body shot. Block feral left. Weaken right jaw. Now fracture. Break cracked ribs. Traumatize solar plexus. Dislocate jaw entirely. Heel kick to diaphragm. In summary: ears ringing, jaw fractured, three ribs cracked, four broken, diaphragm hemorrhaging. Physical recovery: six weeks. Full psychological recovery: six months. Capacity to kidnap me and take me to where Ares wants me: neutralized.'

With that, the one man of the far right roared as he charged at Skye. The long-haired blonde grabbed the lid of a trash can and threw it like a frisbee, making the charging man pause and chuckle when it went far over his head and hit the fire escape above. A small 'crack' went off, unheard from the clanging impact. His chuckling stopped when the fire escape's ladder slammed down hard on his head, causing him to crumple with blood staining a bit of the bottom rung. Skye rushed at the one on the far left, who yelped as he started pulling his gun out only to drop it in his haste. He tried to reach for it only for Skye to jab a few fingers at his reaching arm, causing it to to go limp. He screamed just before Skye whipped him with his own pistol. Skye proceed to spin around and shot two of the men in the knees, causing them to wail in agony from their shattered kneecaps while they collapsed.

"You bastard!" the leader roared as he charged.

Skye reached into his coat and thew a magenta and gold handkerchief out at the man's face, blinding him for a moment. He blocked the oncoming jab before delivering a cross to the man's right cheek. He proceeded to box the man's ears by slamming his open palms to them, causing the man to stumble and threw a wild haymaker that Skye blocked with his elbow while slamming his free arm into the man's side, causing him to cough from the pain. He slapped the feral left swinging up towards him while slamming his new free arm's elbow into the man's jaw and then rammed his elbow's fist into it, a satisfying crunch going off. He punched the same spot on the man's body he had hit before, hearing several cracks, before another punch slammed into the man's gut. He then rammed his fist into the opposite side of the man's face, fully dislocating the jaw. Finally, he delivered a heel kick to the gut, sending him crashing into the trash can he relieved of its lid. Skye smirked as he casually plucked the handkerchief from the ground while strolling over to his bag and picked it up.

"Gentlemen, I leave you to the pleasant company of officers and medical staff," Skye chuckled as he sauntered off, whistling a jaunty tune as if he hadn't even been in a fight.

"Gh...Gh…" one of the shot men trembled, barely managing to pull a PeT out and dialed.

=Hello?= Armin asked.

"Mission...failed…" the man got out before passing out from bloodloss with his fellow shot man.

"I'm back~!" Skye called as he entered the suite, "And I got a little bit of everything they were selling!"

"Welcome back, darling~!" Aphrodite beamed as she walked over and took the bag at the same time she delivered a kiss to his lips, "It all smells so yummy!"

"Glad you like it so far," Skye chuckled as he walked over to the table where Maylu and Lan were looking over her Folder while Aphrodite took the bag over to Haruka, "So whatcha planning?"

"Tomorrow's match," Lan replied, "She's having to deal with this last guy, an elderly guy who uses an Alpha-I NetNavi."

"He managed to get to the final round using just one uncustomized NetNavi?" Skye asked.

"Yeah. It's been pretty nuts. He seems to really like using Elec BattleChips, so we're trying to figure out ways to let Roll not get hurt too bad by them," Maylu explained, "And so far…" she sighed, "It's not all that good."

"Huh? What do you mean? You have the perfect defense," Skye noted before pointing at Rush on the screen nearby, playing around with a ball that she returned to Rock, who threw it again.

"Rush?" Maylu pondered.

"Yep. Just use an Elec BattleChip tomorrow and you'll see what I mean," Skye chuckled.

"But…" Lan began.

"You can talk about it later, you three," Haruka advised as the mother and fiance walked over with plates filled with the brought food, "It's dinner time~"

"Let's all thank darling for bring it all for us to enjoy, m'kay?" Aphrodite giggled.

"Aw, it wasn't any trouble," Skye chuckled, sheepishly scratching his cheek.

GT: Read and review, folks!