My first TRON fic. Please review and let me know that you think!
When he'd first saw her, she was unremarkable. Her black hair fell to the middle of her back, tied in a knotted ponytail. Her face was plain and emotionless, a straight nose, rounded cheeks and chin made her easily forgettable. He'd been standing a good distance above her, watching Kevin clap his hands as the programs were ushered into the arena. CLU watched his creator and cocked his head. The man's enthusiasm was almost childish. Kevin turned and looked at him, a huge smile on his face.
"This is gonna be fun, man." He turned to look back at the large stadium in front of them, rubbing his palms together. "Radical." He murmured, shaking his head. CLU stepped forward and took his place beside Kevin, gazing out the window. The hovering chamber drifted just over the crowd, which hummed with excitement.
The group of programs were flexing and stretching, preparing as they were guided into cells. Kevin had created this game many cycles ago, training programs to use their disc in combat. No one was ever hurt, but the game proved to be entertaining and challenging, evoking an enthusiastic response from observers. Today was the first public battle, filling the stadium to capacity. CLU felt his chest tingle; even he was affected by the event.
Once the cells were filled, they floated silently into the air, pairing off randomly. An announcement boomed through the arena, but CLU wasn't listening. His mind was focusing on his task at hand. Perfection. He glanced at Kevin who was bouncing slightly, bending his knees. What was the purpose of this game? CLU wanted to voice his question but the games began and his attention was shifted back out the window.
The players moved like lightening, their preparation for this match exploding in their muscles. They were impressive. CLU's eyebrows raised as programs moved with such speed that trails of light hung in the air. The crowd cheered and grew to a loud roar. Kevin pressed his hands against the glass, leaning forward to see more.
"Look at them go." He laughed, leaning his forehead against the window. "Amazing." CLU felt pride swell in his chest. Programs were very different from users and Kevin loved their grace and beauty.
"Combatant 4, Eliminated." The announcer boomed. CLU watched as a program pinned another, hovering his disk over his opponent's throat. CLU felt a tingle in his stomach, but he didn't react. The pinned program dropped from the cell, the floor disappearing beneath him, and he landed on his feet on the arena floor. A program motioned him forward and CLU recognized TRON. The program clapped the defeated player on the back, leaning in to say something, then motioning towards an exit. CLU watched TRON smile friendly as the program retreated, rubbing his neck.
The game proceeded in a similar fashion, programs slowly being eliminated. Then there were only two. Kevin started to bounce again, crossing his arms as he stood near the window. CLU had since sat on the provided couch, watching from a slouched position.
"She's something." Kevin whispered and CLU's interest perked. He rose and returned to Kevin's side, gazing out at the two programs.
The cell had widened to create a larger battling area. A male program with bluish green circuits stood opposite a female program with a light blue. The names displayed on the board revealed them to be MOD and ZOE. CLU cocked his head. Kevin saw his confusion and elaborated.
"Zonal Operating Environment." He chuckled. "Wrote her in high school." CLU nodded, watching the program circle her opponent. The male modification program moved slowly, gauging ZOE's movements. She struck.
She ran at him then leapt into a flip, only a few feet from his reach. MOD swung under her, missing by a millicycle. ZOE landed behind him and swung out with her disc. He dodged the attack, rolling away towards his right. CLU's arms jerked involuntarily, his own body reacting to what he saw. Kevin giggled.
"I know, man." CLU's circuitry pulsed as he watched her spin and dodge, attacking with such agility it made his eyes ache. After several rounds of missed attacks, MOD landed a kick in ZOE's side.
"No." CLU choked. Kevin turned with a surprised look on his face. Then he let out a small giggle.
"Relax, man." CLU lowered his eyes, feeling foolish for investing so much in a silly game. ZOE slid in the cell floor, her momentum tossing her hard against the wall. MOD flew through the air, raising his disc to end the match. ZOE narrowed her eyes and waited, feigning defeat. Then, at the last second, she rolled. MOD landed where she'd been laying and ZOE kicked out, knocking his feet from beneath him. He tumbled to the floor and she drew her disc to his throat, the light humming above him. CLU breathed a sigh of relief as the arena thundered.
"Combatant 9, winner." ZOE pulled back, standing tall. Her name started in a chant but her face remained serious.
"Awesome." Kevin thundered, clapping CLU on the shoulder. "Amazing stuff, CLU." Then he walked away, moving toward the back of the chamber toward the arena door. CLU remained at the window, staring out at her. Her body rose and fell with her breaths but she didn't reveal any fatigue. MOD stood slowly as the cell lowered to the stadium floor. TRON neared them and the walls disappeared, the three programs standing in the center of the arena. TRON clapped MOD on the shoulder and reached out for ZOE. She took his hand and CLU's stomach lurched. TRON shook it softly then shot his arm up in the air, raising ZOE's with it. The crowd roared, cheering for their hero. TRON's voice rang through the arena.
"ZOE!" CLU watched her gaze up at the thousands of programs, her face only slightly smiling. Kevin bounded out onto the arena, wrapping an arm around ZOE's shoulders. He leaned into her and whispered something, nodding toward the observation chamber. CLU felt his stomach clench and ZOE's eyes shot up at him. He took a step back from the glass. Her face didn't change but she lowered her head ever so slightly, nodding up at him. CLU's chest tightened and his helmet appeared, covering his face. Kevin's brows knotted in confusion as CLU turned and strode away.
Leave me something =)
