Kat giggled lightly at Guide antics.

Jeremy just blinked "Okay…"

Clip sighed "So Jeremy still up for challenging me this is for a free lesson in databattling"

Jeremy said "Let's do it Clip and I'll fight directly on the board" and moved to in front of the console where the other boy was at before.

Clip chuckled "Very well let the databattle begin."

The panels activated with a shimmer of light dividing it into a 7 by 7 field and a electronic male voice said "Warning the computer you're attempting to access is owned by Clip's Games and Arcades any attempts of hacking will result in termination of all programs prepare for deletion"

Ulrich said "Deletion! I don't like the sound of that Jeremy"

Jeremy said "All part of the game right Clip"

Clip said, "Yep you'll get that warning whenever you hack into sites for real and don't panic Ulrich this is only a game now let's see what track should I load for this battle…"

Liz said "Track?"

Kat said "As in music"

Clip said "Yeah it gives a beat to the game. On the Internet you can get almost any song you want that has been put onto the World Wide Web one way or another, this even includes songs from quote unquote 'copyrighted' data like videogames. Do you all have any preferences on a tune?

Jeremy hummed "well not really." He replied "it's kinda of a first for us to battle to music."

Crystal said "how about we keep it even paced with the man with the machine gun from Final Fantasy VIII."

The crowd agreed

Clip said "Alright… sounds like a winner to me"

The song started playing in the background.

Kat said "man with the machine gun" She looked at Jeremy then pictured him with Megaman arm cannon as his main weapon. "More like Megaman with a machine gun."

Clip loaded his programs "I'll start off by loading my Level 3 Sentinel on Panel D6 and follow up with two watchmen Xs on Panels B7 and F7"

The programs appeared on the field on Clips side. The Sentinel which looked like a robot with a pair of knife blades for hands slashed his hands to the side and got ready for battle as the stats showed on the top screen

Program Name: Sentinel

Version: 3.0

Move Rate: 3

Life Points: 40

Attacks: Taser

Taser: Slash with a large Laser Sword 40 damage Range 1

The two watchman programs which, looked like large eyeballs with big Red irises, just tilted side to side as their stats appeared.

Program Name: Watchman X

Version: 2.0

Move Rate: 2

Life Points: 30

Attacks: Phaser

Phaser: Shoots an energy laser at opponents 20 damage Range 2

Jeremy said "hmm interesting"

Clip said, "Let's see your stats kid what do you got up your sleeves"

Jeremy's stats appeared on the screen

Character Name: Jeremy Belpois

Move Rate: 3

Life Points: 100

Element: Lightning

Attacks: Zap, Magnet-bolt

Zap: Zaps opponents with a small bolt of lightning, 20 damage Range 2 Effect: Lower target Move Rate by 1

Magnet-bolt: Shocks opponents with a Magnet 30 damage Range 1

Clip nodded "hmm not bad Jeremy you got some moves but I like to see if you can use them let's start with your move

Jeremy's First Turn

Jeremy was on Panel D2 reviewed the sentinel stats which was the closest to him. "Hmm," He hummed as he got thoughtful "from my current position the sentinel could attack me if I don't move and the closer I get he'll hit me for sure with his attack and the two watchman which would do a lot of damage but I have enough lifepoints to survive a single attack so here my move." Jeremy moved to D4 "I'll use Zap on Sentinel!" Jeremy said as he pointed his index finger at the sentinel and a bolt shot out and hit it

The sentinel grunted and sparked with electricity as its life points fell to 20 and its move rate fell to 2

Clip nodded "That's using your head Jeremy" He complimented "you could have done more damage if you move up one and used Magnet Bolt but you noticed that my Watchmen could get in range and take 2 potshots at ya for 40 damage points combine that with my Sentinel attack that would have been 80 damage overall on my turn. Making this game very hard for you to win but now I got to be careful but I know my next move"

Security's First Turn

Clip said, "Alright Watchmen move to C6 and E6 and end your turn Sentinel move to D5 and use Taser on Jeremy."

The watchmen floated from B7 and F7 to C6 and E6 respectively

The Sentinel looked at Jeremy, gained a slight cross look, moved to D5, and glared at Jeremy.

Jeremy stared back at him and wasn't fearful

The Sentinel growled and slashed Jeremy fast

Jeremy grunted as he felt the hit "Man that does hurt" and his life points fell to 60 (60/100)

The Sentinel face returned to it normal serious look

Aelita showed concern and asked, "Are you okay Jeremy?"

Jeremy smiled slightly "Practicing on Lyoko allowed me to accept the pain as part of the game." He turned focused "but I'm not down yet. It's my turn now."

Jeremy's Second Turn

Jeremy looked at the two watchmen "Alright those eyeballs can get in range on their next turn so I got to back off if I want to avoid them but I wonder if there any way to delete one of them without getting hit." He checked his opinions which including getting closer to one watchman and deleting it but that would get him hit by the Sentinel and the other watchman "Nope nothing looking good so guess I pull a slight retreat" he stepped backward to D1 "and I'll end my turn"

Clip said, "Kid you may be a Noob in this game but you're playing like an expert"

Kat said "I don't get it why is retreating playing like an expert."

Crystal said, "Jeremy realized that those Watchmen are closing in on him so instead of becoming a punching bag for all of them he retreated and he stunned the Sentinel lowing its move rate by 1 so it's the same speed at the Watchmen."

Odd said "Interesting you know that sounds almost like he playing chess instead of battling with all this thinking."

Liz nodded and said "That's what it kind of feels like Odd"

Clip said, "KC once told his friends that a databattle is a combination between a chess match and a battle but anyhow it's my turn"

Security's Second Turn

Clip continued "And instead of rushing into things I'm going to plan for my attack sequence to eliminate Jeremy in one more hit so" He pulled out a gold colored rulebreaker card "I'll play my signature rulebreaker card Step Recovery on my Sentinel"

Security Admin Clip used Rulebreaker Card Step Recovery

Step Recovery: Each Panel crossed by user of card restore 10 life points for the rest of the battle

Jeremy said "hmm a rulebreaker card. I kind of figured you would play that."

"You know it's not fair" Kat whined, "we don't even know what those are and people are using them against us. We haven't had one"

Ulrich said, "That's not fully true Kat, Guide used one on me but that battle couldn't get finished even then it wasn't ours."

Yumi said, "Would be nice if we could just figure out how to get those cards"

Clip said, "I'd tell you in my lessons in how to use them wisely but here's a small bit you win them if you get a perfect in a databattle"

Crystal said, "That's when the intruders doesn't take any damage and defeats the security. The harder the battle the stronger the card you'll get"

Clip said, "Also if you battle against others in a databattle outside of a security system the winner of the match also gets a rule breaker card"

Jeremy said, "Hmm interesting well you going to make your move Clip"

Clip said "Oh right, right," He took a glance at the board "hmm, okay Watchmen forward 2 and end your turn"

Both Watchmen moved to C4 and E4

Jeremy blinked and said, "You didn't move the Sentinel"

Clip said, "Due to the strength of a gold rulebreaker card it takes both the move phase and attack phase of the program using it as a sacrifice"

"Ah…" Jeremy said as he figured it out "different colors, different sacrifices right"

Clip said, "Yep but I'll get into that in a later lesson after we finish our battle"

Jeremy nodded "Of course I believe it my turn"

Jeremy's third turn

Jeremy looked around again "hmm let's see with the Sentinel trailing behind the Watchmen they'll reach me first maybe I can move some place to prevent them from hitting me at the same time like maybe up here" He moved to A1 "I'll end my turn"

Security's third turn

Clip nodded "hmm alright. I think I see his plan okay First Watchman move upward to A4 block him from escaping that direction Second Watchman move to E2 to prevent him from going that direction and Sentinel move to D3 and wait to close in on him for the kill."

All programs moved to their assigned spots

Jeremy's Fourth Turn

Jeremy looked around, "hmm they got me surrounded but I got them separated now," He thought aloud. Jeremy moved to A3, let out a slight battle cry, and said "Magnet Bolt!" while punching the Watchman on A4. The punch sent out a burst of electricity

The watchman screamed out while the electricity shocked it and it shattered into bits

On the screen it life points went to zero and its tile faded out. (0/30)

Jeremy said "alright your turn Clip"

Security's Fourth Turn

Clip said "and I'll take it Sentinel move to B3 and use Taser! Slice that kid to bits!"

The Sentinel charged at Jeremy and used it Taser sword on him.

Jeremy cried out "Ah" as his life points fell to 20 (20/100)

Clip said "Watchman move to D3 and prepare to finish him off next turn"

The watchman moved to D3 and blinked

Jeremy's Fifth Turn

Jeremy said, "If I attack Sentinel I'll only do 30 damage not enough to defeat him and even if I could defeat him the watchman would finish me off." He sighed "Oh well it was fun but I think it's over I can't get away"

Liz said "Jeremy, don't give up, move to the right"

Jeremy looked at the group, then looked to his right, and said, "If I do that Liz the Sentinel will be able to attack I can only go to A1 and the Sentinel will be able to follow"

Aelita saw what Liz was saying said "Not your right our right to A6"

Liz continued "The Sentinel won't be able to keep up it's too slow same as the watchman"

Jeremy looked and saw it was true "Right" He moved to A6 "but I can't keep running forever"

Crystal said "Then get help, catch!" She threw a silver colored card

Jeremy caught and looked at it "A rulebreaker card?"

Crystal said "not just any rulebreaker card a program card"

Clip looked at Crystal with an annoyed grin "Crystal what did I tell you about interfering with my battles"

Crystal smiled and said "But Dad you know I only help those that I see are worthy"

Kat said "Dad? You mean he's your father."

Crystal nodded "Can't you see the family resemblance" she asked while smiling

Odd looked at Crystal then at Clip and noticed they had similar features in their faces and overall body structure "Well now that you mention it yeah" He replied

Jeremy muttered to himself "I didn't think that programs could reproduce but if data bits and DNA have similar properties it could be possible especially in a world like this…"

Crystal turned and said, "You better hurry and use that card"

Jeremy looked at it and asked, "I can use it even after I moved?"

Crystal said, "Summon and Programs card can be used in replacement of an attack phase of either yourself or the program and sense you can't attack anyhow you might as well summon it and have it take a turn"

Jeremy looked at the card and read it "Then I'll use my attack phase to summon Data Doctor to B6."

The card flashed and a burst of light appeared on B6 and formed into a white Medical briefcase with a red cross

Program Name: Data Doctor

Version: 1.0

Move Rate: 2

Life Points: 50

Attacks: Grow

Grow: Restore up to 20 life points to one target Range 1

Jeremy said "And with that I'll end my turn and let the data doctor take a turn"

Data Doctor's First Turn

The cross pulsed slightly, "Scanning for Targets..." An electronic voice replied "Target detected and in range using Primary move now" The briefcase opened and two green orbs shot out, floated over to Jeremy, and were absorbed

Jeremy felt the energy "Whoa…" as his life points increased to 40 (40/100)

The briefcase closed "Target Restored, End Turn"

Crystal said "As you keep running the Data Doc can follow you and restore you and it can give the Sentinel another Target as well and it can take one hit easily and still follow just don't let them combo it."

Jeremy said "Thanks Crystal"

Crystal said, "Don't mention it"

Security's Fifth Turn

Clip said, "Now that my daughter interfered I'm going to show no mercy Sentinel Watchman use Advanced AI Mode and Focus on Jeremy."

Ulrich said, "What does advanced AI Mode do?"

Crystal said "It's allows the programs to think for themselves to come up with a plan on their own to get rid of intruders and usually by studying opponents they can sometimes come up with a better plan then their admin ever could."

The Sentinel blinked and grunted at the watchman "Sen"

The watchman responded with a "nyah" sound and spun

The Sentinel slightly nodded and looked at Jeremy

Crystal said "And sense the only one that can do real damage to them is Jeremy, Clip told them to focus on him and ignore the Data Doctor which we can use to our advantage. They won't attack the Doc even if they can so the Doc can be used as a shield against Sentinel by getting in their way

Ulrich said "But can they also attack if it gets in the way"

Crystal said "They can't they have to attack Jeremy but Dad can tell them to deactivate Advanced AI mode if he sees their plan not working.

The Sentinel moved to A4 and the Watchman followed to C4 and ended their turn

Jeremy's Sixth turn

Jeremy said "hmm… now how to use this move to our advantage"

Ulrich said "Hey Einstein can't you move down to C5 and punch the watchman with the doctor following you B5 to heal you"

Jeremy said "just what I was thinking Ulrich" He moved to C5 and said "Magnet-bolt"

The Watchman took the hit and screamed out and shattered

On the screen its life points dropped to 0 and its tile vanished (0/30)

Crystal said, "Jeremy got this in the bag if he doesn't make a mistake"

Data Doctor's Second Turn

The data doctor moved to B5 and used it Grow move on Jeremy restoring him to 60 points (60/100)

Security, sixth turn

Clip said "hmm… it's looking bad for me should have not told them to focus on Jeremy"

The Sentinel jumped to C4 and slashed Jeremy with the Taser Move

Jeremy grunted and his life points fell back to 20 (20/100)

Jeremy Seventh Turn

Jeremy said "Back I go" moved to A6 "End turn"

Data Doctor's Third Turn

The Doctor moved to B6 and used Grow on Jeremy restoring him to 40 points

Security's Seventh Turn

Clip said "Un-Focus and use Taser on Data Doctor!"

The Sentinel nodded moved to B5 and used Taser on the Data Doctor

The Doctor made a slight siren sound as it took damage dropping it life points to 10 (10/50)

Jeremy's Eighth Turn

Jeremy frowned "Wish I could restore Data Doctor Life Point." He stated "it's been too useful for me I don't want to lose it if it's deleted"

Crystal said, "If the Data Doctor runs out of life points it becomes a disabled program and returns to the card it was summoned by."

Jeremy said, "Oh good" He thought for a second "hmm I think I'll stay here and use Zap on Sentinel"

The Sentinel took the hit and it life points fell to 20 and it's move rate fell to 1 (20/40)

Data Doctor's Fourth turn

The data doctor held it position and used grow on Jeremy restoring to 60 (60/100)

Security's Eighth Turn

The Sentinel moved to A5 recovering to 30 life points (30/40) and use Taser on Jeremy at extreme close range

Jeremy kneeled over slightly and grunted as his life points fell to 20 (20/60) but then grinned and chuckled

Jeremy's Ninth Turn

The Sentinel blinked slightly in confusion

Jeremy said "I can somewhat figure your confused on why I'm laughing"

The Sentinel spoke "Yes you took damage but yet you are laughing why"

Jeremy said "Well that's because I can do this" His hand gathered electricity and he punched Sentinel right in the stomach "Magnet-Bolt"

Electricity surged from his hand and shocked the Sentinel

The Sentinel eyes opened slightly as his life points dropped to 0 "I see that is why" he kneeled over and collapsed to the ground while vanishing to bit (0/40)

The computer said "Security Disabled you now have access to this computer and to computers connected to this one"

FFVIII victory tune "The winner" played

The Crowd gave a cheer

The Data Doctor said "Data Battle Complete Logout" and vanished back into Jeremy Card

End Databattle

Clip chuckled and deactivated the field "Well Played Jeremy; the rumors of your group type of strength is not a lie."

Jeremy was breathing shallowly

The group went over and Liz said "You okay, Jeremy"

Jeremy said, "Just let me find some place to sit down for a second."

Crystal said "Come on, the Lounge is over here, follow me"

Clip said, "As soon as you're finished resting come talk with me and I can start teaching you."

Jeremy gave a slight thumbs up and said "Thanks Clip" as he was supported by Ulrich and taken to the Lounge followed by the rest of the group.