Author's note: Yes I have been bad lately, leaving cliffhangers at the end of my chapters :D, but it is so very fun! Anyways Mira had now been taken hostage and the two MP3 programs have been beaten up by Rinzler and left in the streets D: ...How will the little ISO react to seeing the being she fears most? And what exactly does the Commander of the Grid have in mind for her? Also a new character joins the ranks! Stay tuned...anyways, thank you again to all my reviewers, I'm glad you're all enjoying!

Rinzler shoved her somewhat roughly into one of the containment stands, locking in her feet and hands as he would any other prisoner. Swiftly he made his way over to the control panel and stood beside the Sentry piloting the machine and gave him a curt nod. The sound of the Recognizer starting up was almost deafening and Mira wished that her hands were free, if only to cover her ears. Slowly the sound faded into background noise and the flying prison began it's ascent into the light polluted sky.

Mira watched as the thriving city streets below rushed by, not wishing to see how fast they were approaching Clu's ship and her demise. She tried to focus on the now dull hum of the Recognizer or the cool sting of the wind whipping at her face, pushing her short locks into her eyes. She tried to count the number of programs she could make out on the streets below, but quickly gave up when the luminance of the city began to hurt her eyes.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity Clu's ship was upon them and the small ISO felt her stomach coiling in fear as the Recognizer entered the docking bay. Feeling ever more ill as the transport jolted to a stop, it landed with a harsh thud; she looked around, gazing at the hordes of Sentries that stood at attention or marched towards some destination. She suddenly felt a painful grasp on her elbow and her head whipped back around, coming face to face with Rinzler, who growled lowly at her as he began to release her from her prison. She scolded herself when she heard a whimper escape from her throat, and felt her legs begin to tremble as the binds around them were relinquished...

Rinzler watched as the female before him gazed around the bay, bright blue eyes wide in fear and awe; he didn't want to keep Clu waiting any longer, as he was already behind schedule. He strode over to her, grasping her elbow hard to gain her attention and was rewarded with her wide eye stare. For a moment he was caught off guard, he had heard about the piercing gaze of ISO eye's, ever wide and curious, unlike anything else in the entire grid. Quickly he shook it off and removed the energy links barring her into the Recognizer; taking notice of her trembling frame his grip on her arm tightened and he heard her release a whimper. Making sure the energy cuffs were secured around her wrists once more he dragged her over to the control platform he nodded to the guard to lower them to the bay.

Mira wasn't surprised to meet more Sentries as the platform reached the bay floor, however a female Sentry caught her somewhat off guard. This program looked...familiar, but in her short frantic search through her data banks she could pull up no such memory of ever meeting this woman.

"You're late..." the female Sentry said tersely, he words aimed solely on Clu's right hand man. "Clu is growing tired of waiting."

Rinzler's constant humming grew lower and his grip on her arm became bruising and she tried to pull away, to relieve some of the uncomfortable pressure. The dark program gave her a sharp pull, jostling her, telling her to behave, or more pain would be her reward.

"Clu will not appreciate damaged goods Rinzler." the woman warned, her golden circuitry pulsing almost threateningly; she turned on her heel motioning for them to follow.

Mira once again found her sore body beginning dragged around by a very unpleasant program and she found herself becoming more angry than fearful.

Clu watched as the ship began it's descent to the gaming grid; already he could see that the stands, as usual were filled to the brim with adoring fans, eager for bloodshed. His lips quirked into a wry smile as he reached up to the base of his neck and deactivated his helmet enjoying the unfiltered view of the thriving stadium.

"Sir..."

Clu felt his body tense, but he forced a smile as he turned on his heel and looked at the program fidgeting with a data pad at the entrance to the lounge.

"Jarvis, I take it you have some information for me." It was a tone that said 'it had better be good or you'll be sorry'

"Y-yes" he stammered in reply, taking a breath and composing himself once more. "Rinzler has returned with the program, LIN is escorting them here now as we speak..."

The glowing programmer's smile grew into a satisfied smirk, and he noticed the program before him visibly relax.

"Thank you Jarvis, you may go." he said, already feeling his mood lifting at the news and the thought of finally having his rare bird in his cage.

"Sir." was the quick reply and Jarvis shuffled out of the room.

Clu turned to face the fan filled stadium once more, his grin growing, and he chuckled.

"Oh Flynn, If only you knew..."

As she was continually dragged down the seemingly endless corridors of Clu's ship Mira was becoming more and more annoyed with her captor. His grip was still uncomfortably tight and she began to give her arm small tugs of discontent at his bruising hold. However she found her efforts were in vain as Rinzler either didn't feel her annoyed jostles or most likely simply didn't care.

"Rinzler, Clu will not like bruises on his prize." LIN suddenly said over her shoulder at the dark clad program.

He growled lowly at her and Mira held back a sigh of relief as she felt his grip loosen somewhat, but she knew it would be short lived; she had found that the program preferred being rough rather than gentle.

They rounded another corner, the ISO struggling to keep up with her captors stride as they followed behind the female Sentry. At the end of the hall before them stood two higher level Black Guards and pale program sitting behind an immaculate desk.

Mira swallowed thickly, the door being guarded by the Sentries was sealed, but she was fairly certain what was behind it...

"LIN." the program at the desk said, losing some of his tense posture as he spotted the small gaggle heading towards him. "Clu is just inside...he is eager for your arrival." he added; suddenly catching sight of Rinzler with the ISO in his grasp, his body visibly tensed again, and he averted his gaze from the helmeted program.

"Thank you Jarvis." LIN replied curtly, though wasn't really paying the program any mind.

The intelligence officer nodded quickly and released the door's lock which opened with a soft hiss; the group strode past him. He did his best not to make eye contact with the female Sentry or Clu's right hand man, who seemed to growl at him almost threateningly as he walked past. However he found himself sneaking a quick peak at the small framed ISO in the aggressive program's possessive grasp. He noticed how she gently fought against Rinzler and he almost snorted at her absurdity; Rinzler was a predator...a predator that always caught his prey and kept it where he wanted it.

When the last of the Sentries had ushered through the door Jarvis snuck in behind them, eager to see how the event would unfold, almost not caring if he got caught...almost.

Mira looked round the large room; everything had a place, everything was organized, if she had to put a label to how the room appeared, she might say...perfect. Then again given the program that inhabited it, she assumed he would have it no other way. And that's when she saw him...and she felt as though all her functions had suddenly come to a screeching halt, and she felt her legs tremble once more.

His back was turned, his hands clasped loosely behind his back; she wondered how someone could look so cool and relaxed while still exuding and air of such fear and control. Slowly he turned away from the large window that span the wall, though she doubted he had much interest in what was going on outside the room; not when he had what he wanted.

"I've been waiting for you." he said cooly and the slight quirk of his lips sent a chill down her spine.

"Have you..." she muttered and she felt Rinzler's hand tighten on her arm, as if to say 'know your place.'

"I have." he did not seem to be upset by her comment as he slowly began to walk towards her, his smile even growing a little.

She felt her stance turn defensive as she warily watched him approach.

"I've been watching you for a while..." he said, leisurely running his hand over the back of the leather couch that sat in front of the window as he passed it. He was taking his time, taking great enjoyment in watching her squirm.

Mira's eyes widened at his reply before whipping her head around to glare at Rinzler, who was starring at the approaching programmer, paying her no heed.

"You..." she growled under her breath at him and began struggling more violently against him.

Clu threw his head back and laughed at the scene before him.

"I see you've made quite an impression Rinzler..." he began before turning to LIN; the dark clad program cocking his head at him in reply. "LIN you may take you men and leave, I'm sure you have work to do." he said with the wave of his hand.

"Of course sir." was the curt answer and the female Sentry turned on her heel and motioned for her men to follow.

When Jarvis tried to sneak out behind the retreating Sentries he was quickly caught.

"I didn't say you Jarvis..." Clu's tone had dropped an octave and the information program knew that his Commander was displeased with his snooping.

"S-sir..." was all he could mange and backed against the wall as if attempting to become apart of the furniture.

Quickly Clu changed gears once more and focused back on the female still in Rinzler's firm hold; he smiled again when he saw the ISO was still struggling against the program.

"As I was saying, I see she isn't too fond of you..." he said as he reached the struggling ISO, who had since took notice of his presence and ceased her actions and stared at him. Her wide blue eyes filled with fear as he towered over her, dwarfing her by a good foot or more.

His smile grew as he reached out to her and she tried to back away but was held fast. Slouching forward slightly to face her more on her level, he tried again with the same reaction.

"Sshh..." he cooed and gently hooked his index finger under her jaw and coaxed her head up to look at him. "What's your name little bird?" he questioned her softly, running his thumb against her bottom lip, feeling a surge of cruel contentedness run through his body when he heard her whimper in fear.

When she said nothing, he felt his temper beginning to rise but he quickly quelled his rage.

"What's your name?" he repeated, still calm but in tone that meant business.

"M-Mira...my name is Mira." she replied softly, tearing her eyes away from him.

"Now that wasn't that hard, was it?" he asked and gave her cheek a soft pat before releasing her and straightening back up. Once again she didn't answer. "Was it?" he repeated lowly and she quickly replied.

"No..."

"Good." he smiled and turned to Rinzler. "Rinzler! She's not going anywhere, release her." his eyes narrowed at the orange circuitry program.

Mira sighed as the programs possessive grasp loosened and then fell away completely; tenderly she rubbed her sore appendage.

"I told you to bring her to me unharmed!" Clu spat at the program and Mira had to keep herself from jumping back in surprise at the malice in his tone.

Rinzler's purring dulled for a moment and he turned away from the other program not wishing to face him in his anger.

Mira gasped when Clu's hand shot out and grabbed the smaller program forcefully around the neck and gave him a sharp shake.

"You will look at me when I am talking to to you!" he roared and immediately the helmeted program turned to face him. "I told you not to harm her! You disobeyed me!" he hissed, his grasp tightening around the programs neck.

The ISO could hardly believe what she was seeing; standing there with her mouth agape she watched as Clu choked the very program he placed nearly all of his trust in. She felt her core lurch when she heard Rinzler's purring begin to gurgle and sputter under the pressure of his masters hands. Up against the wall Jarvis simply turned away, glad that it wasn't him on the receiving end of Clu's wrath.

After a few more moments in stunned silence she found her voice; though she couldn't say where her sudden outburst came from, but before she could stop herself she was talking.

"S-stop, stop! you're killing him!" she sputtered, instantly regretting her verbal intrusion.

Slowly, almost agonizingly slow Clu turned to her, a look of surprise etched on his face; but it was quickly replaced by a controlled smile.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." he said coolly and released his hold on Rinzler's neck.

Rinzler slumped to one knee, taking in deep, shaky breaths, doing his best to recover quickly. After a few moments he slowly rose to his feet once again, composing himself and appearing as though nothing had ever occurred.

Mira gulped, once again feeling very uncomfortable under Clu's dark gaze; she broke away from his stare, needing to look anywhere but at him.

"I'm surprised, you are concerned with his well being after how he handled you." Clu began; Mira immediately whipped around to face him again, and again she was speaking without thinking.

"Him? What he did will pale in comparison to what you are going to do to me!" as soon as the words left her mouth she wanted to derez then and there.

However Clu simply continued to smile at her.

"And what am I going to do to you?" he asked her, his voice unwavering.

"...D-derez me..." she replied somewhat confused at his question.

Clu threw his head back and laughed and the ISO continued to look up at him in confusion. After a few seconds his laughter died down and he wiped away a nonexistent tear, something he undoubtably picked up from his user's mannerisms.

"What would make you think that?" he asked through his dying chuckles as he looked at her grinning.

"That's what you have done to my entire race,and to those who helped my race!" she said in confused anger, looking at him wildly.

"...Ah!" was all he said and his face suddenly turned serious, and Mira couldn't help but feel another chill at how fast his mood changed.

He turned on his heel and began to walk back towards the window over looking the stadium of the gaming grid.

From his place against the wall, Jarvis stole a cautious glance at the ISO and then looked over to Rinzler, who's body was slightly slumped; looking like a scolded pet.

"No..." Clu continued, clasping his hands behind his back, the spitting image of how he had appeared when the captured ISO entered the room. "No, I have something else in mind for you..."

"I take it you're not going to tell me what that is." she said, glaring at the back of his head; she was beginning to tire of being left in the dark.

"No I'm afraid not, at least not right now anyway." he said, glancing over his shoulder at her, that cool smile once again playing across his lips.

She diverted her gaze, hoping he hadn't seen her icy glare, but his soft chuckle told her that he had and she cursed herself.

"All in due time..." he said nonchalantly as he faced the open expanse once more.

There was a short pause in which the only sound filling the room was the soft humming Rinzler gave off and the muted sound of the cheering crowd outside.

"Rinzler, take the ISO to my quarters, and return to me immediately." Clu's voice was once again icy. "You may leave as well Jarvis."

"Sir." was the quick reply and the pale program scurried out of the room, glad to be free of his master's watchful eye.

Rinzler tensed, watching Jarvis leave the room hurriedly out of the corner of his eye before nodding slowly in reply and grabbed the ISO's sore arm forcefully.

"And Rinzler, behave!" Clu called out warningly over his shoulder and Mira felt the grip on her arm loosen.

She heard Rinzler's purring intensify and she turned to face him; he growled in response and gave her a sharp tug, spinning her around and began pulling her out of the room.

As the dark program hauled her down the corridor and away from the man she feared the most she felt as though all her energy had suddenly been sucked out of her circuits. And although she once again she found herself being dragged around, she was now too tired and stressed to care anymore...