Chapter Eight: The Portal
We walked out cautiously onto the bridge. A giant beam of light from the portal shot up, disappearing into they sky. Bright light shone into our eyes, but it was manageable.
"This is the portal." Kevin stated. I gaped at the large beam of light and backed into Tron. He grabbed my wrists to steady me.
"Watch out though, Clu could be anywhere." Tron whispered in my ear. As he said this, everyone began to look around as the walked along the bridge. Clu stepped out of the light. Fury welled up in me again, as I remembered what he did to Quorra. I went to take a step forward, but Tron pulled me back.
"Not yet. Clu has no guards, if we all attack him, he has no chance." He said loud for everyone to hear, but quiet enough that Clu wouldn't. The portal flickered slightly.
"We don't have much time." Kevin stated. Clu walked closer towards us menacingly. I let out a growl. Tron purred.
"Now?" I asked. He uttered a 'no'. I groaned in frustration. I began to mutter under my breath.
"What will you do now?" Clu asked, taking a step forward. I snorted, I couldn't stop myself.
"Yeah, the greatest warrior in the grid and other experienced members against a single program. I like the odds." Tron slapped a hand over my mouth. I smiled. My work was already done. Clu stopped, and actually seemed to consider it. His eyes flashed with concern for a moment. Tron sighed behind me at my outburst. Clu smirked again. The black guard stepped out of the beam as well. Slight challenge. I thought to myself.
"Now?" I asked, voice muffled by Tron's hand. He nodded. I prepared myself as he counted down behind me, loud enough for the others to hear. He reached 'one' and we dived towards the two, pulling our discs off our back. I immediately aimed for Clu's chest, only to have him lean back. Tron stood next to me, and repeatedly aimed for his face. I gave him a glance. He nodded. Tron aimed for his side and he leant the opposite way, just grazing his hip with my disc. A small part of his stomach derezzed. He grunted before leaning forward and slightly slicing my arm.
"I don't derezz Clu, forget?" I growled maliciously. He grunted again as Tron sliced the other side of his stomach. A third dish sliced at his arm. Kevin and the others had managed to throw the Black-Guard off the bridge. I heard a screech as he was erased.
"Stop!" Clu shouted. Tron grabbed Clu's disc and we stepped back.
"I did everything you ever asked!" Clu shouted to Kevin. Kevin eyed him carefully.
"I know." He stated. Clu frowned, not thinking his point was getting across.
"You betrayed me with the ISOs, you introduced Viruses to the Grid and left me while you returned to your world!" He shouted. In a way, Clu was like a child. I stared at Kevin, with slightly narrowed eyes. He felt my gaze and turned to me. Clu seemed to be fuming that he was getting ignored.
"Clu is like a child Kevin, he did need you to be there for him. No matter how much Sam and ENCOM needed you, so did he. And maybe asking him about the ISOs would have been a good idea too." I stated my thoughts. I knew Sam needed him, but Clu was his creation; virtually like a son. Kevin sighed. Clu nodded at me. His gaze made me uncomfortable.
"I know all of this, buddy. I just got concerned by Sam and Alan needed me for ENCOM." He stated sadly. Tron leant forward slightly.
"Alan-One?" He asked curiously, stepping forward. Kevin nodded, not turning to meet his gaze. Alan? Alan who? It sound so familiar…I thought, a look of deep concentration set on my face. Alan Bradley. A voice said at the back of my head.
"Alan Bradley?" I asked curiously. Kevin swiveled around.
"Yes." He looked curious but decided not to continue further. I looked up and noticed Clu's eyes on Tron.
"Rinzler. Traitor." He muttered with distaste. I grabbed Tron's arm and glared at Clu. He chuckled. Psycho. I thought sourly. Kevin kept his eyes locked on Clu.
"I'm sorry buddy." Clu scanned him, as if looking for any evidence of a lie. Kevin took a slight step forward. Clu still focused on him, tense. Kevin hugged the younger man.
"I'm sorry." Clu slouched considerable and hugged him back. I smiled up at Tron. His lips twitched up slightly. I turned back to the two. Clu seemed to be frowning slightly, but his gaze had softened considerably.
"Come with us. Just like I always promised." Kevin asked him. Uncertainty wound itself in my chest. That could be slightly troublesome. Clu grinned, genuinely. Not a smirk or just a simple smile, a grin. This was worrisome.
We all stood together in the portal. Kevin lifted his disc into the air and it floated up to the top of the portal, disappearing in the light. There was a blinding flash and it felt uncomfortable as I fell into an office in the real world, once again, hitting my face on a table.
That's right, Clu's good again. So far….
Nah I won't spoil anything. Hope you're all enjoying it so far. Some of my chapters and bits may be slightly crap because I did them late at night. My apologies.