From Solo to Duet

Ichi; the man sitting at his desk, with a brand new name plate facing Zytka looked up from his algorithms and very neatly written notes. He eyed her with his blank stare and eyed her a while before speaking in his trademark monotone. "Of course. Why else would you be in the Registry? That is the sole purpose for anyone to be here after all. The appropriate response should have been a proper introduction and a hello." Ichi leaned back in his chair and placed his pen down. "Not that I particularly care about formalities." Ichi stretched his neck. It was stiff from looking down for a lengthy period of time. "I'm just going to need your D.I.G. Miss, improper introduction and we can see which digimon will be best suited to you." Ichi held out his hand to receive the girls gauntlet. The man seemed rude but it was due to his complete lack of expression. To Ichi, he was being as polite as he could.

"Of course. Why else would you be in the Registry? That is the sole purpose for anyone to be here after all. The appropriate response should have been a proper introduction and a hello." She looked at him slightly irritated. "Not that I particularly care about formalities." She couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. his voice could put an insomniac to sleep it never changed. "I'm just going to need your D.I.G. Miss, improper introduction and we can see which digimon will be best suited to you." She took off her D.I.G. and handed it to him with a slight huff.

"Ztyka..." she says indignantly. Well...she should have expected him to be jerkish being back here alone. Doing what ever he does. "So....what do you do besides give out partners." She said prepared for a smart mouth retort. She already didn't like the guy. In truth all it took was a lab coat to turn her off. Experimenting with things it was bad by all her standards. She wasn't a hippie but she was conservative with anything that went against the laws of nature itself.

Ichi took the D.I.G. and plugged it into his laptop stroking a few keys, causing the machine to buzz to life. It was shifting through profiles of Digimon of every race, gender and species. He did not answer Zytka's question right away, after a moment he let out a big yawn and then looked at her from his screen. "I enjoy studying Digimon in any way I can. They're filled with countless mysteries. I wish to unravel them all. Do you have the same interest?" Ichi asked her, his attention was quickly shifted however when the computer stopped. His eyes just barely twitched in response; a possible sign of surprise? He disconnected the D.I.G. and handed it back to Zytka. He took the registry key that printed near him and stood up, ignoring any further questions Zytka may be asking him in the meantime. "Miss improper intro, tell me, what do you know of the Digimon's past? What do you know of the Royal Knights?" He asked shifting his hands into his pocket and stepping away from the desk. He began to walk towards the back wall. He would listen to her answer as he moved locale.

"I enjoy studying Digimon in any way I can. They're filled with countless mysteries. I wish to unravel them all. Do you have the same interest?" Ztyka couldn't say she did. While she was curious about these digimon. Anything beyond their general laws of nature she could care less about. "Miss improper intro, tell me, what do you know of the Digimon's past? What do you know of the Royal Knights?" 

"I know very little about digimon. Beyond rumors and speculations....which I don't trust with out some facts." She says following him but keeping a decent distance. "So I know nothing of these Royal Knights." She took note he was generic in his answer and didn't actually tell her what he did. It made her distrust him all the more. 

Ichi eyed Zytka briefly when she gave her respons, "I see. I wonder if this is a pattern? Research is required." He said, speaking his thoughts out loud. Ichi perused the blank wall that he was standing in front of now, he place his dominant hand on a section of the wall. It didn't appear to be any different from any other segment but with Ichi's touch it was revealed to be a hand scanner. Once Ichi's identity was verified, the wall pushed slightly inward and separated hiding behind the wall on the respective sides. Now what stood before them was a long white, very bright and temperature cooled hallway which had a silver door at the end of it. Ichi began to walk down the hall placing his dominant hand back into his pocket. "A long time ago, according to records I scrounged up, Yggdrasil; the Digimon's foolish goddess, placed thirteen powerful Digimon in positions of power to keep the peace of the Digital World. These thirteen powerful Digimon were known as the Royal Knights, they were unmatched in strength and wit and did the bidding of Yggdrasil whenever she gave an order. In the past, the Knights were used to make war against the earth and nearly destroyed it. They have also been mentioned saving the Digital World in many ancient texts. Sometimes even fighting Yggdrasil herself." Ichi paused and looked to see if Zytka was understanding all of this before continuing.

"In any case, these knights were essential to the Digital World for a long time. However, they have been lost to time, they're either dead or missing. In my earlier years in the Digital World, I spent time looking for any signs of these Digimon. Any scrap of information I could find. It took me many years to gather data on them, I managed to get a hold of DNA of several of the knights. Most of the ruined temples built to worship and honor them, possessed their DNA encased in a preservative of some sort. There is a reason I'm bringing this up but before I continue, I need to explain to you that what I tell you next should not affect your mindset of these creatures. I must have your word that despite what I say and what you see beyond these doors, that you will not treat your partner any less then just that. A partner." Ichi asked. He stood in front of the sliding door now and began inputting a 32 digit pass code into the terminal next to the door. He had memorized this ridiculous number and punched it in without looking.

"I see. I wonder if this is a pattern? Research is required." Ztyka glared at him a moment. A pattern? She could only assume he meant tamers had no knowledge of digimon history. "A long time ago, according to records I scrounged up, Yggdrasil; the Digimon's foolish goddess, placed thirteen powerful Digimon in positions of power to keep the peace of the Digital World. These thirteen powerful Digimon were known as the Royal Knights, they were unmatched in strength and wit and did the bidding of Yggdrasil whenever she gave an order. In the past, the Knights were used to make war against the earth and nearly destroyed it. They have also been mentioned saving the Digital World in many ancient texts. Sometimes even fighting Yggdrasil herself." So they protected the digital world no matter what. Even if it meant going against their creator. Sounded like on of those religious revolutions that massacred millions cause they didn't believe the same way. Doing what they found best for the world even if it wasn't.


"In any case, these knights were essential to the Digital World for a long time. However, they have been lost to time, they're either dead or missing. In my earlier years in the Digital World, I spent time looking for any signs of these Digimon. Any scrap of information I could find. It took me many years to gather data on them, I managed to get a hold of DNA of several of the knights. Most of the ruined temples built to worship and honor them, possessed their DNA encased in a preservative of some sort. There is a reason I'm bringing this up but before I continue, I need to explain to you that what I tell you next should not affect your mindset of these creatures. I must have your word that despite what I say and what you see beyond these doors, that you will not treat your partner any less then just that. A partner." Well everything ended with time. it didn't surprise her that they vanished. She glared at his last words though. Anything less? Why would she?

"I do not presume to promise anything. However, I would not treat anyone differently because of what they are. It is what they become that will make me act differently." Ztyka said slightly flustered. "You are intelligent but you give off an air of superiority. I can not read your thoughts but I don't need too to know you look down on me....that is why I already dislike you." She didn't care to mention the lab and his coat. It would go against her point....

Stupid girl....she just blew a simple thing out of proportion. She should have just given him her word. Man she needed a filter. She always had been the hot head of the group. Within reason of course....all bark and no bite. She had to change that.

"Just forget my words. I'll treat my partner no less than it deserves. It is a living thing after all and deserves respect." She says looking to the floor. It was closest he would get to an apology.

Ichi after hearing Zytka's answer, finished the pass code and the doors slid open. The first thing she would see would be tubes with blue liquid and resting on pedestals inside were digitama, and attached to them was a pulsating tube; feeding them something unseen. "Don't worry, I do not seek the approval of others. It is as useless as the very goddess I mentioned. Your express of dislike is meaningless to me. Follow me, Miss Improper Introduction I will explain what you see before you." Ichi stepped into the wide white room with scientists running every which way. "If you don't already know, Digimon on this space station are not born like the ones on the parallel planet. We create them from scratch to serve the agents here, they are created to be loyal to a fault. Besides that, we use these Digimon to study their species without any concern or remorse for their life. Simply because, they are not yet alive." Ichi did not see if Zytka was still following and went to a second room where this time inside the tubes, the eggs were replaced with Baby I through Child level digimon. "They're lifeless husks until the right person comes by and gives them a drop of their blood. That right person being you among others. We keep them lifeless so we can do what we need without actually harming them. It seems inhumane but it is the only way to learn more about them without actually harming a living Digimon." Ichi turned suddenly towards a wall. It didn't look out of the ordinary or different from the other segments.

"Here we are." Ichi opened his eye and a small iris scanner took his identity, and opened up a room that was painted black with thirteen tubes, one of which was already empty. The other tubes had a very bright light shining inside and made it impossible to make out the digimon inside. "Once these husks are brought to life by the blood of their partner, they begin normal bodily functions. Their beating hearts, breath in their lungs, their first sound and first image. Their education has been fast tracked to know basic knowledge but they'll essentially be newborns learning of the world for the first time. They will rely on you their whole life, do you understand?" Ichi asked.

"Don't worry, I do not seek the approval of others. It is as useless as the very goddess I mentioned. Your express of dislike is meaningless to me. Follow me, Miss Improper Introduction I will explain what you see before you." Ztyka glared at the back of his head but said nothing. "If you don't already know, Digimon on this space station are not born like the ones on the parallel planet. We create them from scratch to serve the agents here, they are created to be loyal to a fault. Besides that, we use these Digimon to study their species without any concern or remorse for their life. Simply because, they are not yet alive." Ztyka was appalled at this. It was playing with life in a way. If there was anything to fight for it would be to end this needless creation. It was like those people who grew babies for parts. "They're lifeless husks until the right person comes by and gives them a drop of their blood. That right person being you among others. We keep them lifeless so we can do what we need without actually harming them. It seems inhumane but it is the only way to learn more about them without actually harming a living Digimon." So he justified his actions the same way they did theirs. it pissed her off but she kept telling herself over and over to hold her tongue. She started at the tubes longingly hoping they would all be free one day.


"Here we are." She couldn't help but to wonder why these were separated. "Once these husks are brought to life by the blood of their partner, they begin normal bodily functions. Their beating hearts, breath in their lungs, their first sound and first image. Their education has been fast tracked to know basic knowledge but they'll essentially be newborns learning of the world for the first time. They will rely on you their whole life, do you understand?" Just like children...

"Why are these separated from the rest?" She asked. Her other question having just been answered. She would share blood like a mother did with their child. Only without having to go through pregnancy. She looked to one of the tubes beside him. She wondered what it was.

Ichi walked over to one of the tubes after Zytka asked her question and inserted the registry key, "I keep these separate because this is where I am attempting to birth the Royal Knights back into existence." Ichi looked at Zytka, "Which is why I mentioned the Royal Knights before, you, a person who knows nothing, was chosen to be the partner of Hackmon. The youngest Royal Knight whose number is thirteen." Ichi typed into the keypad and the bright light turned off revealing Hackmon with the pulsating tube feeding into her stomach. "This one was created female, as there were no females among the knights. I thought I'd try to give a little variety." Ichi pressed a button on the console and the cable detached and the fluid drained, leaving the lifeless husk lying on the base. Ichi pressed another button and the tube opened up, filling the room with a foul stench that would send any normal human being running, but Ichi was unphased. "There are some other things you need to know other then them being built to be loyal to a fault. These Digimon cannot survive without a human's interaction, if you were to die, so to would this Hackmon. It is important that you do not take unnecessary risks when performing your duties. They are also very impressionable to your emotions, should you lose yourself in dark emotions it could cause her to go berserk. In this state, they have trouble distinguishing ally from foe. I have had to kill these Digimon in the past because of their partners carelessness. Do not force me to have to kill this Hackmon." Ichi sounded genuine in his concern for these monsters. Despite his expressions being non-existent, his feelings still pulled through some how.

"Keep in mind as well that she is still a creature of data and if she takes fatal damage she will dissipate and die. I urge you again to pick your battles wisely." Ichi stepped off to the side and looked at Zytka; putting his hands back into his pockets. "It's time for her to wake. A drop of your blood to her stomach wound will be enough to stir her to life." Ichi would wait for Zytka now.

"I keep these separate because this is where I am attempting to birth the Royal Knights back into existence." He had mentioned gathering data from temples. She had no idea he ws so far along though."Which is why I mentioned the Royal Knights before, you, a person who knows nothing, was chosen to be the partner of Hackmon. The youngest Royal Knight whose number is thirteen." A partner of something considered so great. It was humbling. "This one was created female, as there were no females among the knights. I thought I'd try to give a little variety." No females amoung them? That was an odd thought but then again there were no female knights in England for a long time. "There are some other things you need to know other then them being built to be loyal to a fault. These Digimon cannot survive without a human's interaction, if you were to die, so to would this Hackmon. It is important that you do not take unnecessary risks when performing your duties. They are also very impressionable to your emotions, should you lose yourself in dark emotions it could cause her to go berserk. In this state, they have trouble distinguishing ally from foe. I have had to kill these Digimon in the past because of their partners carelessness. Do not force me to have to kill this Hackmon." She wouldn't and yet. Binding her life to this digimon....would it not shorten its life?


"Keep in mind as well that she is still a creature of data and if she takes fatal damage she will dissipate and die. I urge you again to pick your battles wisely." She looked to the white and red digimon. She would pick her fights wisely...but she hesitated. Why? "It's time for her to wake. A drop of your blood to her stomach wound will be enough to stir her to life." 


"Doesn't binding them to us shorten their life span?" She asks moving forward. She leans before her partner petting its head. She thought about it a moment before acting. It needed life despite her reservations. Who knew how long the body would last outside the tube unless awakened.

She fumbles about in her clothes pulling out a dagger. She cuts her arm. She didn't want to harm her hands. She pressed the back of her arm to Hackmons stomach wound.

"Let us be sisters...Tifa." she says softly. Tifa was one of her role models. The toughest boxer she had ever seen.


Tifa stirred at a word. 'Tifa'.... was that her. She opened her eyes to see a green haired woman. Her arm rolled into her shirt for pressure. She gave her a small smile and Tifa felt happy. Her tail wagged slapping the wet ground. She stood up wobbling like a new born foal into a sitting position. She looked around curiously noticing someone else. A man with a strange air about him.

"Tifa....I'm Ztyka. Your partner." Ztyka says and reaches out petting her. Tifa humms slightly and smiles.

"My partner in crime huh. Well it is a pleasure to meetcha." Tifa says smiling. Her tail thumping against the ground.

It was odd but she could only see a portion of the room. She turned her head and saw the man again. She knew he was there but then she couldn't see her partner. It seemed she had a large blind spot. Her insides gurgled softly but she felt no need to use the restroom or eat. It seemed something was slightly wrong.

She didn't want to ruin the mood though. She just felt so happy to be with her partner. She looked back to her partner and closed her eyes in enjoyment.

"It's better if they die a long with their partner at a ripe age then to continue with the pain of loss for thousands of years. Their drastically short lifespan is better for them. They will not know the pain of losing a loved one." Ichi answered. Ichi waited for Zytka and Tifa to get to know each other before walking over and kneeling down to Tifa's eye level. "Good morning Tifa. I am doctor Daisuke Ichi, and I will be your lifetime physician. I just need to ask you some questions. Could you tell me if your body is feeling okay? Specifically if your joints and muscles feel pain anywhere? Could you also tell me if you can hear alright and if you can see clearly?" Ichi asked. He thought he noticed one eye was dimmer then the other but he would wait for Tifa to tell him. It could just turn out to be nothing. "You may also feel the need to use relieve yourself, you can use the toilet that is just behind the tube. If you need our help to use it, just ask myself or your partner to accompany you and we can assist. If you're urinating or passing anything you shouldn't, especially blood, let me know okay?" Ichi wanted to make sure he covered everything in one go just in case this eye thing turned out to be something else then nothing at all. "Once your medical check-up is complete, we can address the hunger you're no doubt feeling right now. I have a special treat just for you and your partner." Ichi tried to address her like a parent would a child but his lack of expression just made him come off as creepy.

"Good morning Tifa. I am doctor Daisuke Ichi, and I will be your lifetime physician. I just need to ask you some questions. Could you tell me if your body is feeling okay? Specifically if your joints and muscles feel pain anywhere? Could you also tell me if you can hear alright and if you can see clearly?" Tifa jumped slightly as he was suddenly right beside her. She turned her head so she could see him fully. "You may also feel the need to use relieve yourself, you can use the toilet that is just behind the tube. If you need our help to use it, just ask myself or your partner to accompany you and we can assist. If you're urinating or passing anything you shouldn't, especially blood, let me know okay?" She cocked her head at this. She felt no need. "Once your medical check-up is complete, we can address the hunger you're no doubt feeling right now. I have a special treat just for you and your partner." He was kind of strange. Others would have called him creepy but he simply felt off to her. Like he went against the grain.

"I'm not hungry....nor do I feel the need to poop or pee." She says. She pauses a moment. "I also can't see my partner right now." She says while still looking at him.

"That isn't good," Ztyka says standing up. "This is what happens when one plays with nature." She frowns as she stares at the back of  Ichi's head. 

"It's okay. It's not like I feel bad or am in pain." Tifa says looking to her partner. 

"Maybe not but that is not good either. Something could be wrong and you not know about it." Ztyka says worriedly.

"Relax." she says smiling. "I'm sure it'll be okay."

Ichi seemed concerned with Tifa's response. He took a moment to address Zytka's remark about messing with nature. "How hypocritical of you to say such a thing. Humans have been changing nature since it's first steps. Everytime you kill an insect or plant a seed, or pull a weed. Is that not messing with nature? You're deciding life and death for these organisms. It's folly to believe that one can live without messing with nature. I just do it better." Ichi stood up and pulled out his D.I.G. and began shifting through the menus. "Tifa, I am going to run a body scan of your molecular structure and data makeup. I'll see what went wrong. It seems changing genders of Digimon is more difficult then I anticipated." Ichi pressed a button and held out his hand, it scanned Tifa from head to tail, up and down. A holographic model of her being appeared in the palm of Ichi's hand. He studied it closely as a list of words raced from down to up on the holographic image.

"Hmm. The lens of your right eye is partially damaged, it cannot process light properly and the synapses are not properly discharging to the brain. It also shows here that your kidneys are full but are unresponsive. The nerves are disconnected and are not sending or receiving electrical signals. Your brain is slightly damaged as well, specifically in the lataral hypothalamus, that is why you do not feel hunger. These defects can be fatal if left unchecked. I will need to operate immediately. Tifa, I however, will need your consent to do so." Ichi turned off his D.I.G. and placed his hands in his pockets.