The Undernet, Server 34, Area: Under The Table - Year 20XX*
Forte, a lone figure with an aura of solitude, occupies a booth in the dim light of Under The Table, a bar notorious within the Undernet's depths. Here, Navis seek solace in digital narcotics or plot virtual vendettas, a far cry from Forte's usual haunts.
The air buzzes with whispers of a new Navi—one capable of inducing sleep, a phenomenon unheard of in the digital realm where programs either run or don't. Forte has felt the unnatural pull of sleep himself, haunted by dreams since an ill-fated attempt to emulate Rockman's ultimate program. His nights are now plagued by visions of betrayal at SciLab, stirring a newfound anxiety within him.
A waitress, Cyster, approaches. Her shimmering dress contrasts with the dark, thorny hair resembling a briar patch. "What'll it be?" she asks with a golden-eyed gaze.
Forte, eyes closed, remains silent, dismissing her with his stillness.
Moments later, chaos erupts as a generic Navi bursts in, screaming, "Plug out! It's a virus horde!" before dematerializing into pixels.
A Metta virus saunters in, its simplistic design belied by its devastating shockwave that splits the bar. Amidst the flying cyber-glass, Forte opens one eye, observing silently, then retreats back into contemplation.
The bartender, now just a memory, leaves the bar in disarray. Three patrons remain; one engrossed two booths away, another at the bar's crooked end, and a tall Navi at an arcade, her attire all black leather, her demeanor playful yet deadly as she effortlessly toys with the Metta.
"Cutie, what are you doing here, huh?" she teases, then ends the virus with a mock kiss, causing it to glitch into oblivion before returning to her game.
With the barkeeper gone, Forte decides it's time to leave, but his exit is halted by the unexpected presence of a small, white-pawed kitten on his table, its meow disarmingly cute.
"No," Forte states flatly, yet the kitten's charm pierces his armor. As he reaches to pet it, a wave of familiarity washes over him—déjà vu.
"Okay..." he relents, his touch eliciting a purr.
Carrying the kitten like an afterthought, Forte teleports to a serene cyber park, setting it on a bench. As he contemplates his next move, the kitten's gaze meets his, and an inexplicable connection forms.
Forte attempts to scan the creature with his copy ability, seeking answers, but as he does, the world fades to black.