I don't own Tron: Uprising. If I did, it would have had more seasons.
- 1. It Matters To Me -
Two orange discs streaked through the air, their deadly edges slicing the wind in pursuit of their target, closing in like falcons diving for a kill, ready to tear effortlessly through. The target was a white clad program whose face was concealed behind a dark full shield on the front of his helmet. The only clue to his identity, and it was a false identity at that, was a "T" symbol on his chest made of four white squares. A symbol every program alive knew. The symbol of Tron, the legendary hero of the Grid, slayer of the MCP, and martyr for all who opposed Clu, the tyrant who betrayed Tron and proudly claimed to have killed him.
But the program in white was not Tron, though he looked like him.
Beck heard the shrill whistle of the discs behind him and threw himself downward a fraction of a second before the discs whizzed through where his head had just been. A moment later, they shot back over him, returning to the Black Guards who had thrown them. Before they hit their owners' hands, Beck was running again. He cursed himself for not bringing his lightcycle as he ran for the edge of the base. He was going to hear about this from Tron, he knew. As if confirming his thoughts, a lightcycle shot past in front of him, its rider grabbing the front of his suit and yanking him onto the bike just as a disc sliced the air where he'd just been.
"Thanks." Beck said, not expecting anything more than the grunt he got. Once they were away from the soldiers, he rearranged himself on the back of the bike. He was silent for the rest of the ride back to the base in the mountains. Even when they parked, Tron was still silent. So Beck remained silent as well and followed him inside. Only when they entered the large main room with the huge window overlooking the valley and Argon City did Tron speak.
"You weren't focused." he said, "You're lucky I was there to pull you out."
"I know." Beck replied, "I'm so-"
"You HAVE to be careful now. Clu himself is here and he'd love nothing better than to repurpose you and I. This is serious, Beck!" Tron finally faced him, "You can't afford to keep screwing up like you have been lately!"
"I'm sorry!" Beck shot back, more angrily than he'd meant to, "I'm trying the best I can!" He hadn't meant to sound so whiny. But it must've said something to Tron, because the older program's face softened as he walked over and placed a hand on Beck's shoulder.
"I know." Tron said, "I know this isn't easy for you, and I know you're trying. You wouldn't still be here if you weren't."
"I chose to do this," Beck said, "I knew it wouldn't be easy. I just..."
"Didn't realize just how hard it would be." Beck nodded. "I know, Beck. You're hurt inside, aren't you. And it's not from just now." Again, Beck nodded.
"I've lost Bodhi, Lux, Rilo, Able, and now Cutler, all derezzed. And now Zed and Mara are turning on me." Beck stared down at his feet. "It's not even Able's garage anymore. Pavel took it for the Occupation." Tron already knew this, as he'd allowed Beck to come and live at the base with him when the garage was taken. It was safer that way. But it also meant that Beck had even less time to be with his friends, whom Tron knew were the whole reason Beck had accepted Tron's invite to become his successor. For a gentle-hearted program like Beck, losing that could be devastating.
"The worst part," Beck continued, "is that they can tell something's bothering me and they want to help, but I can't even tell them. I know why I can't, and I understand it, but still..." He shook his head again, "The only person I could tell is you, but I know you don't care about my dumb problems when Clu is here in Argon." Tron recoiled a bit. It was true, he had been quite cold and distant with the young mechanic. Only now was he being forced to see and acknowledge the unintended harm he'd caused Beck.
"You're wrong." Tron said, "I do care about you, Beck. I know I haven't done a good job showing it at all, but believe me, I do care. And...I want to help you any way I can." Beck looked up and met the older program's gaze. He wanted to see if there was any alternate agenda going on here, since this was so unlike Tron. But he found only genuine concern and even a bit of worry there. Before he could stop them, his eyes grew misty.
"I wish Bodhi was here," Beck said at last, "He'd know what to do. He knew me better than anybody, except maybe Able." He sighed again. Tron couldn't help but feel sad for him. Beck was finally starting to feel the weight of his position as Tron's successor. He needed some kind of relief or he'd soon break, and that would be dangerous for both Beck and the uprising.
"Your friends made some sort of memorial for him," Tron said, "You should go and visit it. Then go somewhere with them tonight, if you feel like it." Beck looked up at him again, a small smile on his face.
"Thanks, Tron. I think I will."
"You know the code to get back in. And you know how to contact me if you need me."
"Yes and yes. And I'll be careful, I promise." Tron nodded and watched him go. Then he turned around and watched out the huge window as Beck's lightcycle sped away from the mountain base.
"You always are, Beck."
My first Tron: Uprising fic is now underway! No hate, please!