Code: ASSIMILATE

"Ha. And I thought I was the crazy one," Masquerade spoke up suddenly and let out a long string of laughter. "This is just too much. Eternal Dream? That's the website I created. So how the hell can I be...in it?" It didn't make any sense at all. And his head still hurt. This was all just a load of shit. Did he fall into a comatose state in real life? Dozed off at the computer and was now having weird dreams about what he was just looking at? It had to be one of the above options because things like getting sucked into the computer don't happen in real life.

Zaneko had wandered aimlessly, taking in his surroundings with a detached coolness. The dull disinterested eyes that gazed out from behind a short curtain of hair projected an aura or calmness that was betrayed by the redness on the back of his hand, where he pinched it several times over in an effort to wake himself from what had to be a bizarre dream.

His wanderings had eventually led him to an old warehouse. Watching from one of the broken windows, he had caught the ending of the battle between the slimes and the group of assorted people, and came to realize who they were. A strange situation rapidly becoming stranger. Just great. He leaned against the door and listened, not quite sure if he should get himself involved just yet.

"Believe me or not, you are in Eternal Dream...I must go now, for DSoED is in dire need of protection and you are just wasting my time if you think this is all just some kind of hoax..." Kuori said and turned to walk through one of the many doors behind her.

The party is faced with a decision to make, whether to follow this strange and truthfully, untrustworthy girl, or go off on their own.

> Follow Kuori
> Leave this place

Masquerade sighed and crossed his arms making it look like his straightjacket was actually working. There was lots to think about but not a lot of time to do it at the moment. "Don't you guys hate it when you're hopeless and the only thing left to do is the obvious option?" He shook his head and meandered slowly after the android who claimed to be Kuori which was a ridiculous notion seeing as how Kuori was a guy.

"It is annoying. But well... as you said the only thing to do is the obvious option."

Silver followed the guy claiming to be Masq and the girl claiming to be Kuori. It was all so strange. How in any logical way could these people be who they say they were? And how in the world could this place be ED? Caching up to Masq, he began to look around before finally stopping on the guy.

"So... do you think... that any of this is real?"

And so the party went after the android girl claiming to be Kuori, following her through several doors and corridors, passing by a few rooms that looked like there was nothing out of the ordinary. Although after entering a room with a large number 3 painted on the door, the group heard a growl which quickly turned into a roar as the walls on the side were smashed and two large bear-like creatures charged out. The two beasts had several limbs and other body parts made of metal, and they looked hungry.

File 00-02
Location: Eternal Dream Testing Facility; Labratory Number 3
Objective: Route Enemy
Defeat: Party is defeated

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) A
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) B
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) C
( ) (L) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (B) ( ) D
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) E
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) F
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) G
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (K) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) H
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Kuori (Android)

HP: 30/30
ENG: 100/100
ATK: 6
DEF: 3
INT: 6
SPR: 3
Movement: 3

Laceration (Bio-Mechanical Animal)

HP: 40/40
MP: 30/30
ATK: 7
DEF: 2
INT: 0
SPR: 2
Movement: 2

Brute (Bio-Mechanical Animal)

HP: 40/40
MP: 30/30
ATK: 7
DEF: 2
INT: 0
SPR: 2
Movement: 2

You may start in rows H-I

Silver starts at H8!

"More enemies?"

This was quite an interesting turn of events, considering Eternal Dream was supposed to be a dreaming paradise. In fact, when the word "paradise" came to mind, he didn't think of fighting, but apparently it wasn't so. Stifling a sigh, he looked over at a nearby animal and prepared to fight.

File 00-02
Location: Eternal Dream Testing Facility; Labratory Number 3
Objective: Route Enemy
Defeat: Party is defeated

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) A
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) B
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) C
( ) (L) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (B) ( ) D
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) E
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) F
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) G
( ) (M) ( ) ( ) (K) (D) ( ) (S) ( ) H
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (Z) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Spoiler:

Player Phase 1

Silver *1/2 Mp Cost*
Hp: 20/20
Mp: 30/30
Atk: 1
Def: 4
Int: 6
Spr: 5

Silver moves to G8!

The Mana Adept was the first to move, choosing to get into range of the closest enemy. He was quite lucky to be able to have a range to his attacks, as he wasn't sure he wanted to get too close to these animals. Raising a hand, he began to focus and an orb of energy appeared in his hand, ready to be used against the opposition. In seconds it was tossed the robotic animal's way.

Silver casts Mana Orb on Brute!
(Damage: 120% Int/Effect: --/Element: --)

Silver *1/2 Mp Cost*
Hp: 20/20
Mp: 26/30
Atk: 1
Def: 4
Int: 6
Spr: 5

Kuori moves to cell G-7

As everyone went to do their own things, Kuori walked past the bunny Durn had summoned and lifted a hand toward the beast Silver had attacked. A finger pointed toward the beast, Kuori waited a moment before letting loose a bullet to fire into the mechanical leg of that creature.

Kuori uses Snipe on Brute
ENG: 85/100
--------------------
Brute takes 10 damage
HP: 30/40

SNowclasp appears in cell G-2

Bunny appears in cell G-6

Zeri gains Haste

Masq gains Haste

Durn gains Haste

Silver gains Haste

Kuori gains Haste

Snowclasp gains Haste

Bunny gains Haste

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) A
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) B
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) C
( ) (L) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (B) ( ) D
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) E
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) F
( ) (N) ( ) ( ) ( ) (B) (K) (S) ( ) G
( ) (M) ( ) ( ) ( ) (D) ( ) ( ) ( ) H
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (Z) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9
Zeri's Haste has 3 turns left

Masq's Haste has 3 turns left

Durn's Haste has 3 turns left

Silver's Haste has 3 turns left

Kuori's Haste has 3 turns left

Snowclasp Haste has 3 turns left

Bunny Haste has 3 turns left

Enemy Phase

Laceration moves to cell F-2

Laceration uses Maul on Snowclasp
MP: 20/30

Snowclasp takes 5 damage
HP: 15/20

Chew Toy takes effect

Snowclasp is Immobilized

Laceration is Immobilized
------------------------
Brute moves to cell F-8

Brute uses Maul on Silver
MP: 20/30

The beast, spotting someone within range, quickly made its way toward the Mana Adept and literally threw itself onto him, tearing at him with its claws and gnawing with its fangs.

Silver takes 6 damage
HP: 14/20

Chew Toy takes effect

Silver is Immobilized

Brute is Immobilized

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) A
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) B
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) C
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) D
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) E
( ) (L) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (B) ( ) F
( ) (N) ( ) ( ) ( ) (B) (K) (S) ( ) G
( ) (M) ( ) ( ) ( ) (D) ( ) ( ) ( ) H
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (Z) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Spoiler:

Player Phase 2

Silver *1/2 Mp Cost* *Haste (3)*
Hp: 14/20
Mp: 26/30
Atk: 1
Def: 4
Int: 6
Spr: 5

"GOD DAMN!"

If there was one thing Silver hated, it was being hurt, as he didn't have a high tolerance for pain. Not to mention he also hated being pinned, which reminded him of his stupid brother and his anger management problems. Glaring at the animal thing forcing him down, he forced his palms open and blasted two semi large orbs of energy into the thing's chest.

Silver casts Mana Orb on Brute twice!
(Damage: 120% Int x 2/Effect: --/Element: --)

Silver *1/2 Mp Cost* *Haste (3)*
Hp: 14/20
Mp: 18/30
Atk: 1
Def: 4
Int: 6
Spr: 5

Kuori gains 15 ENG
ENG: 100/100

Kuori moves to cell F-6

The beast that attacked Silver had been taken down by Durn and his furry companion, Kuori turned to the other creature. Taking a few steps to the side to get a clear shot of it, Kuori fired a bullet aiming for one of the eyes, then fired another bullet aiming for the other.

Kuori uses Snipe on Laceration
ENG: 85/100

Kuori uses Snipe on Laceration
ENG: 70/100
--------------------
Brute takes 34 damage
HP: -4/40

Brute K.O.

Kuori lands two critical hits

Laceration takes 41 damage
HP: -1/40

Laceration K.O.

Silver is healed for 4 HP
HP: 18/20

Snowclasp is healed for 4 HP
HP: 19/20

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) A
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) B
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) C
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) D
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) E
( ) ( ) (M) ( ) ( ) (K) (B) ( ) ( ) F
( ) (N) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (S) ( ) G
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (D) ( ) ( ) ( ) H
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (Z) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Victory

EXP -
Bio-Mechanical Animal x2: +4
No items used: +2
No casualties: +2
No Finishings used: +3
Quick battle: +2
------------------
Total: 11

Kuori
EXP: 2/10 -> 13/10
Level up! Recieves 1 Skill Point and 3 Stat Points
EXP: 3/10

Durn
EXP: 2/10 -> 13/10
Level up! Recieves 1 Skill Point and 3 Stat Points
EXP: 3/10

Zeri
EXP: 2/10 -> 13/10
Level up! Recieves 1 Skill Point and 3 Stat Points
EXP: 3/10

Masquerade
EXP: 2/10 -> 13/10
Level up! Recieves 1 Skill Point and 3 Stat Points
EXP: 3/10

Silver
EXP: 2/10 -> 13/10
Level up! Recieves 1 Skill Point and 3 Stat Points
EXP: 3/10

Only moments after the two beasts fell silent, the door burst open to reveal yet another beast. But this one seemed so much less harmless, in fact the little monkey is probably no more than two feet tall. Although it did carry a wrench in its hand and was protected with armor.

"Whoever's behind this can't be serious to expect us to have a hard time fighting that thing." Kuori said, "I feel slightly insulted."

File 00-03
Location: Eternal Dream Testing Facility; Labratory Number 3
Objective: Defeat Boss
Defeat: Party is defeated

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) A
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (A) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) B
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) C
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) D
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) E
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) F
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) G
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (K) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) H
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) I
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9

Kuori (Android)

HP: 35/35
ENG: 100/100
ATK: 6
DEF: 4
INT: 7
SPR: 3
Movement: 3

ALEXANDER (Tinkerer)

HP: 85/85
MP: 100/100
ATK: 8
DEF: 6
INT: 7
SPR: 4
Movement: 4

You may start in rows H-I

Silver starts at I5!

"This is ridiculous...."

Was this "Kuori" girl really the Kuori they knew in real life? Or was she some kind of computer bug or disease designed to kill them? Either way, this was too much at this point. He, himself, would like to relax for a bit rather than fight over and over again.

"We might as well get over it."