Author's Note: Heya! Sooo this chapter (splitted into a few parts because of its length) is one of the reasons why this ff is Rated M. If you don't like two men having sex, you shouldn't read this chap (it happens in 5.3), if you do, though... Well then you'll love this one ;)

ENJOY, programmes, and please let me know if you liked or whatever you wanna tell me (REVIEW :P)

END OF LINE


CHAPTER 5.1

"What you let loose here is total nonsense."

"No, it's not!" Kyto tried to turn his body into Zuse's direction, but the safety belts in the light roadster prevented him from doing so. "If we all formed a queue, across the Outlands right up to the Sea of Simulation, which is chock-full of energy as the archive told me, holding our hands firmly and the last touching the water there, we all would get charged! We'd just have to repeat that each day cycle and then all energy problems would void!"

Zuse frowned, looking straight ahead during driving. "And how exactly are you going to get all the inhabitants of the Grid to hold hands every damn cycle?"

The black-haired shrugged. "It's in everyone's interest. If you ask politely-"

Zuse laughed. "Ask politely?! You do not get anything by asking politely!"

"Why not?!"

The white-haired programme brought the car to a stop at the cross-roads. While other vehicles passed by them, he let go of the wheel to hold his head as if it was aching. "Kyto, what is that for a dreamland you live in?"

"Dreamland?! Let me tell you something, my friend...!"

Whilst they were talking across each other at their argument, they didn't notice a group of programmes approaching them, only when a loud "Hey!" sounded, the two paused. Zuse looked out of the window to his left, spotting the three programmes that ran towards his roadster.

"Do you know them?", Kyto who had detected them as well asked.

"No...", Zuse answered slowly. Then a thought hit him, making him cringe. "Duck!", he quickly commanded to Kyto.

"Why? What's happening?!"

"Maybe they recognised you!"

Kyto's eyes widened and he let out a curse, instantly trying to make himself really small in the seat, though, there a knock against the pane next to Zuse rang out already.

"Hello!", a girl with a wide smile exclaimed, her sparkling eyes fixed on Zuse. She and the two other programmes behind her waved vigorously.

Zuse and Kyto exchanged a short confused look, before they put on a smile, waving back at them. At the push of a button the pane disappeared and Zuse said: "Heeey..."

"Oh damn!" The girl hopped up and down. "I told you it was him!" Before Zuse had the chance to ram his disc into her face out of fear she was about to reveal Kyto's identity, she added in a happy and squeaking tone: "You are CASTOR!"

Zuse's frozen expression relaxed. "Yes, I am."

The only male programme of the group, now standing next to the girl, excitedly said: "W-we love you! We've never missed one of your EOLC-Outdoor-Parties!"

Zuse beamed with joy. "Ah, wonderful! Did you enjoy them?"

"SURE! The best cycles of our lives!", the third one of the group brought out.

The first quickly raised to speak again: "I-I know you're probably very busy, buuuuut..." With one voice the three shouted, sticking some hexagonal cards toward him: "Can we have an autograph?!"

Zuse's laugh was buoyant. "Of course. Just a nano."

As he wanted to get out of the car, Kyto held him back. "Won't the programmes behind us get mad at us for stopping in thee middle of the road?"

"Oh, don't worry about that." Towards the group he said: "By the way, this is... Kay."

They gave him a wave too.

"So..." Zuse took the first card, touched the middle of it, whereupon a luminous projection was created above of it, wherein he wrote down his name now. "What are such lovely fans of the End Of Line Club doing here in the lower levels?"

"Well..." The three exchanged quick looks, before the bubbliest of them replied in an embarrassed tone: "We live here aaand therefore we've never been able to afford to... uhm... visit the EOLC... BUT we save everything we have to move to the upper levels. The main reason for that is your club!"

"Oh, I am very pleased to hear that my facility serves you as incentive for such a difficult task to undertake."

"My walls are full of pictures of you...", the other girl of the group said quietly, looking to the ground.

Zuse laughed, whereas the others just stared at her.

"Dude! You're creeping him out!", the bubbly girl hissed.

"Don't pretend to NOT have a full-size projection of him in your bedr-"

"WHAAAAA?!" She put her hand onto her friend's mouth, as Zuse gave her the card back with a smirk on his lips. "She... uh... I don't know what she's talking about! Hehe..."

"Too bad. I would have loved to hear what exactly a full-size projection of myself is good for...", Zuse said, piercing her with the gaze of his silver-shining eyes.

"Uh... well, uh, to kneel before it... I MEAN in an adoring way and uuuuh-"

"Ave." She looked at the boy of the group. "Just shut up. YOU are the one becoming a creep here."

The girl pressed her lids together. "SORRYYY!"

Zuse laughed. "It's all right, I find you amusing. Indeed, you remind me of a good friend of mine..." At the thought of Susan his smile grew bigger automatically, making the programmes around him beam again. "Besides..." He gave the bubbly girl a seductive smirk. "... if I was this projection of myself, I'd certainly be very happy with the way you adore me."

For a moment she just looked at him with widened eyes, then began to knead her face to keep the "MmmmmwaaaaAAA!" that threatened to bluster out, behind her lips.

There the sound of Kyto clearing his throat sounded, whereupon Zuse gave him a nod. "I'd better get going. The club is waiting."

"Can we take a photo before you go?"

"Why certainly!" Zuse took the pin the boy held out to him and handed it over to Kyto. "Would you be so kind, Kay?"

"Sure."

While the black-haired got out of the roadster, taking the pin, the bubbly girl positioned herself on Zuse's right, the boy on his left and beside him the third of the group. Zuse eyed the girl next to him, whispering: "Don't be so shy, come a bit closer, my sweeties..." The boy leant onto him just like the girl did, but then she also flung her arms around his neck, when he put his around her hip.

"Oookay, stay...", Kyto said, pulling the pin apart so that a luminous field emerged in between the two parts of it. "Say 'Bit'!"

"BIT!"

He tipped onto it and there the image was saved onto the field. While Kyto gave the pin back to the boy, getting in the light roadster again, the bubbly girl shouted: "THANKSTHANKSTHANKS!", after Zuse had loosened her grip.

"It's okay, darling. Your name is Ave, am I right? And you two are...?"

"Moque."

"Sira."

Zuse nodded, strolling back to the car. "How about you three pretty yourself up a bit and come to the EOLC later? I'll put you on the guest list. Oh, and don't forget to bring a copy of this lovely picture we just made. Thank you..."

Three pairs of eyes widened, before each one of the group began to scream and jump, making Zuse giggle at getting in.

"THANK YOU, CASTOR! WE LOVE YOU! SEE YAAA!", they called after them, as the light roadster hit the road again.

A long while they were silent, Kyto staring at Zuse, who was looking straightforward with a light smile on his face. Then the young programme raised to speak: "What. For Grid's sake. Was. THAT?"

Zuse gave him a look of wonderment. "What do you mean?"

"Why are these programs worshipping you? Are you kinda famous or something like that?"

"Kinda famous, good one...", Zuse chuckled. "You probably haven't noticed it yet, since you cannot leave your apartment that often, but there are promotional projections of me and my club all around Tron City, whetting the programmes' appetite for allowing themselves a delicious drink in the best establishment of the entire Grid."

"I thought programs from the lower levels are not allowed in your club."

"They aren't, I mean, what are they going to pay the drinks with? With their tiny salary? I beg you."

"Then why are you and the EOLC promoted down here too?"

"Because every single programme has a fair chance to become a star, no matter what they are written for or where they live, and the EOLC serves as a symbol for reaching this goal. You know, everything simply drops into the laps of some, they are already written for a purpose that makes them famous, such as Tron. His directive was to protect the system, he was quasi genetically predisposed to be an invincible fighter. On the other hand, there are programmes like Susan Gifford who had to acquire all their capabilities on their own. She had to practise for a long time, a very long time, kept working hard, exercised patience and, after a while, came to the fame she's genuinely earned..." He paused shortly, before his voice adopted a darker tone. "... but got destroyed within one night just by the use of a few words..."

Kyto waited a moment, then asked: "And to which sort do you belong to?"

Zuse gave him a quick look, putting on a wide smile again. "To the latter, of course! That's why the EOLC is such a symbol! I was nothing but an ordinary interpreter once. Well, not quite ordinary, I was the best interpreter at all! However, this job definitely did not help me to gain the prominence I have always dreamt of and also achieved after working hard and a lot, using my natural entertaining talent. The Purge was a heavy setback that made me live on the streets and start all over again. It took more time than I expected, but soon I had worked my way up to the top once again. Even better: I became more famous than ever before and, well, this is what I am now. A celebrity."

"And what outdoor parties have the three been talking about?"

"After the Purge I wanted to offer something special to the programmes of Tron City, something no other entertainer here was willing to offer, since it could have led to riots, which they would have to vouch for. Parties in the midst of the streets of Tron City..." He laughed quietly. "Actually, it was completely illegal to arrange something like that, but..." Zuse gave Kyto a smirk. "... I couldn't care less." Looking straight ahead again, he spoke with a fully enchanted voice, as if he was taking a trip down to memory lane. "Oh, you should have seen it! It always felt like a fairytale coming true. What began as nothing but an experiment with a small stage, two DJs, a few dancers and me, turned out to be the most visited party of all time! Really, despite opulent promotion, I expected just a very small crowd at the first EOLC-Outdoor-Party, but soon even the streets in the vicinity of the event were full of programmes, dancing to the music we had to play louder than originally planned, so that it could get through to every single one of our guests. The next time we'd already installed douzens of speakers in our surroundings, of course, just as well as screen projections, showing the happenings on stage, so that it was no problem anymore to reach the masses. Each of those outdoor parties became a huge success, which was perhaps also down to the fact that I let them take place somewhere else every time, not only in the top level, but also down here in the lower ones, to give the less wealthy programmes the chance to get a part of the spirit of the End Of Line Club. It was a perfect dream... Oh, you have no idea what an overwhelmingly great feeling it is to enter the stage and hear thousands cheering and screaming your name. This is what I understand by heaven, my dear Kyto..." When the young programme didn't react, Zuse asked frowning: "Kyto?"

"Mhm.", he uttered, though, his thoughts were far away.

He had visualised everything his counterpart had just told him, had empathised with Zuse and was now entirely mesmerised by the thought of it. Yes, he would call that heaven too... programmes, impatiently waiting for HIM. Programmes, screaming HIS name. Programmes, forever remembering these few moments they could have a gawp at HIM. He wished he could experience something like that, he wished he was having such an exciting live like his friend Castor, being admired, adored, even worshipped, but no, he was caged in his tiny apartment. It hurt, no matter how good he understood why he shouldn't leave it.

There something hit him. "By the way, it's cool that you called me Kay in front of them, Castor."

"Really? At such a short notice I just couldn't think of anything other than that. I like the name Kyto better, but 'Kay' is a good nickname for you. I'm glad it appeals to you."

Dreamily, Kyto looked out of the window beside him. "Yes. Yes, it does..."


Zuse stood at the back side of the club, looking out of the huge window there.

His three fans had no idea that Zuse didn't invite them here out of pure generosity, of course. He was glad about every guest in his club, indeed, especially those who adored him, however, despite all the joy their words had brought to him, he must not forget about his task: Finding the programmes who hacked into CLU's database to gain information about Susan. Zuse hated it to visit the lower levels, even more he hated it to approach programmes there, whereby this incident today was a fortunate twist of fate. Now, potential informants came to him, without him having to enter those dirty areas of the lower levels.

As he turned around, observing the dancing and conversing programmes in his club with a faked smile, the three just coming out of the elevator, looking around with mouth agape, instantly caught his eye.

One of them called Ave grabbed one arm of each of her friends. "Guuuuuys! Are you aware that we just entered the END OF LINE CLUB?!"

The others squeaked quietly, however, when they took a step forwards together, they already got held back by a tall man with tie and silver eye cover. "I am sorry, but you can't enter."

"Oh, it's alright!", Ave sputtered quickly. "We're on the guest list!"

"Really?"

"Mhm. Ave, Moque and Sira."

The others greeted the man sheepishly.

He eyed them for a moment, tipped on his temple then, scouring the luminous guest list that opened up behind his silver cover for their names, before a smile spread on his face. "Indeed. Castor let you get rostered less than a quarter of a millicycle ago." He bowed slightly, pointing at the bar with his palm. "Have fun in the EOLC, programs."

They nodded eagerly, took a deep breath and then walked up towards the bar stiffly and wide-eyed.

"I can't believe it...", Moque whispered. "Look at all of that! How noble and... oh the music! Can we stay here forever, guys?!"

Sira took in her environment still with her mouth agape, as Ave answered: "Dude, I wanna get derezzed here to become a part of the floor of this amazing place!" Then she paused, cringed and clung to Moque's arm. "Castor 2 o'clock! CASTOR 2 O'CLOCK!", she squeaked as quiet as possible.

As the others also spotted the chatting club owner, they joined hands, squeezing them.

"User, this is the wonderful afterlife!"

"Okay, okay!" Ave gave her friends a stern look. "We mustn't freak out. That's just uncool. I guess the best bet is to sit down at the bar and calm ourselves."

As soon as they reached the bar, a bearded man smiled at them. "Hey, guys! How's it going?"

"Terrific!"

"You must be the three fans Castor met today, right?"

They let out an embarrassed laugh.

"Is that so obvious?", Moque asked in a slightly ashamed tone.

Shaddix laughed. "Well, there aren't many programs hopping and squeaking around at the club entrance like overloaded bits."

"Oh, shit, I hope Castor won't chuck us out for our weird behavior...", Ave said frowning.

"Don't worry, girl..." He leant over he counter and gave her a wink. "Castor is an ego-maniac. He totally goes for this fangirl stuff."

She felt the energy accumulate in her cheeks, making them glow, whereupon she quickly put her hands on her face. "Guuuuys, my fucking cheeks get hot aga-" Ave furrowed her brows as she noticed that noone was standing next to her anymore. "Guys?" There she spotted her friends on the dancefloor, cheerfully wiggling their bodies.

"If you feel lonely, I would love to bear you company, my dear."

At the sound of this soft voice next to her, she cringed. Slowly Ave turned to the left. Looking at Zuse's smirk, her cheeks got even hotter and she almost hit them with her palms. "Heeeey, hello, Castooor, hehe... Y-y-you look... fantastic..." The last word she had to press out of her non-existent lungs, since the sight of him took her breath away.

Zuse laughed. "Thank you. But I have to say that you and your friends rigged yourselves up pretty well too."

She replied with a wide smile. There Zuse suddenly put his hands on hers, which turned her flattered expression into a shocked one. Inside, she screamed of joy.

"Why are you hiding your glowing cheeks from me? They look absolutely gorgeous!" He took her hands away from her face. "Ah, way better!"

Ave bit her bottom lip to not squeak once again.

Zuse held his arm out to her. "Come, you cutie, let's take a seat at the back and have a nice chat, while your friends let off steam."

She linked arms with him, sighing deeply. "I'd love to..."


Kyto lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Since Castor had dropped him off at his apartment, he could only think of one thing: being a star.

He also wanted to be admired and adored like his best friend, wanted earn looks of desire or envy too, wanted everyone to know his name and simply be recognised everywhere. Kyto wanted to be famous, shine like a star on the sky in the Userworld. Though, how did you get to fame? You had to be capable of doing something special, possess an interesting talent. Susan, for instance, was an excellent fighter.

With a deep sigh, he turned to the side, sulking.

He himself wasn't capable of doing anything. How should he? His activation was only half a cycle ago. Susan and Castor had had hundreds of them to acquire their skills.

Castor... What was it that made him famous? He was capable of so many things, was so incredibly intelligent, funny, elegant, confident...

At one go, Kyto came to sit.

Castor was salient. He looked different from the others, behaved differently. And THAT was it. Castor. Was. Different. It was totally comprehensible that he was famous, after all his extraversion blocked out every sense of shame for how he looked, how he behaved and everything else, which impressed other programmes, made them love him.

Kyto wanted to be just like this, like Castor.

Crouching in front of the window above the bed, he eyed the reflexion of his face. His black hair was feebly hanging down his forehead, his eyes had a nice green colour, indeed, but due to its paleness it was only really perceptible when standing near him, and his suit was simple, ordinary, unobstrusive... boring. Kyto looked boring and he hated it. Castor... His eyes were of a piercing silver, which was even more emphasised by his blue makeup, styled white hair and a suit that was not to be surpassed in elegance. His whole appearance was so lucent, so glamorous...

A smirk formed on Kyto's lips.

Maybe he was no star, but that didn't mean he couldn't look like one.