AN: Thought I would run a double update today, since the last chapter was so short ;) Hope this longer chapter makes up for that! Thanks to 2theSky for reviewing so quickly, you're a speedy reviewer! :D

Chapter Ten

Confrontation

Time seemed to move slowly. Mira followed Beck and Natasha to the first level of the building. Clint was already waiting for them by the doors. Mira raised an eyebrow when she noticed the suit he was wearing.

Etched in on his chest was a red symbol that resembled a hawk. Mira didn't miss the weapons he used. Strapped on his back were the arrows that Natasha had told her about.

"What took you so long?" Clint asked with a smirk.

"Can it Hawkeye," Natasha snapped. "Are you ready?" She glanced back at Mira and Beck. They had both changed into the only outfits they found suitable for this situation. Mira wasn't too fond of the suits that SHIELD had created, but thankfully Tony had given the suits a nice touch of color. Mira's suit was a dark gray with white stripes and streaks of purple, while Beck's was similar to the one he had on the Grid.

"I think so," Mira replied after checking to make sure she had grabbed her light baton.

"Keep your eyes and ears open guys, he's not far from where you're standing!" Mira froze when she heard Tony's voice through the earpiece she was given.

Thankfully Natasha had prepped them both before they stepped outside. They were given earpieces so that they could communicate with the others. Beck was fascinated with the little device, and the fact that one could talk through it. It was still difficult getting used to such technology.

Wind rushed past Mira's face when the doors slid open. Mira spotted Tony flying in the air with the Iron Man suit he had created. The spectators down below were watching with awe at the sight. A few people were smart enough to know that trouble was about to follow.

"Cap's got an eye out for the bombs, and Banner's not far behind," Tony added after landing nearby.

"Did you inform SHIELD about this?" Natasha asked.

"What do you think?" Mira could almost hear the smirk in Tony's voice.

Just as he said those words, the ground suddenly began to shake violently. Beck grabbed onto the nearest object he could find, a fire hydrant. Mira felt the hair along her arms stand on end once the shaking finally stopped.

"What was that?" Clint's question was answered by a loud explosion.

"Told you he'd lie," Beck retorted.

"We've got several explosions going on at once," another voice told them. "Tony, what exactly are we looking for?"

"Hang on Rodgers, we're on our way." Mira raised an eyebrow at his response. "Keep up and stay off the streets," he added to Mira and Beck.

Mira simply rolled her eyes before running after Natasha and Clint. Beck easily kept up until they reached the spot where the explosions had taken place. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted the shrapnel throughout the sidewalk and street.

"Looks like Cyrus is up to his old tricks," she whispered.

"If he can modify codes here, we're in more trouble than I realized," Beck added.

"Glad you could make it. I managed to free most of the civilians caught in the crossfire." The man that approached them was tall, maybe around the same height as Tron. Mira felt her mouth dropping open when she recognized him from her days as a younger User.

"Capsicle, am I glad you're here!" Captain America rolled his eyes when Tony spoke up.

I never thought I'd meet a living legend. Mira's thoughts churned with anxiety when he raised his shield. The comics she had read didn't do him any justice. In reality he was young looking, maybe in his twenties. He looked at Mira and Beck in surprise after finally noticing them.

"Iron Man, for the last time, it's Captain America," he replied through his earpiece. "And who are you?" Natasha stepped in between them, acting almost like a shield rather than a weapon.

"They're not from around here," Clint replied. "We'll explain everything later."

"So what exactly is this threat that Tony warned me about?" Mira felt her blood run cold when she saw something from the corner of her eye. Clint had spotted the figure first and aimed an arrow at it. The figure moved with inhuman speed, narrowly avoiding the exploding arrow.

"This is going to be much easier than I thought." The hood from his cloak finally pulled off, revealing a face that sent shivers of rage down Mira's back. "How does it feel to abandon everyone you care about?"

"We didn't abandon them!" Beck shot back.

Mira winced as Cyrus's smirk turned into a sly grin. He had hit a sore spot. Training 101, never let your guard down in front of your enemy. That was the first lesson Tron had taught Beck.

"Oh really? Then why has Clu taken over every city on the Grid?" Cyrus reached for something on his back. Mira's eyes widened when she realized that he still had his disk.

Quick as lightning he threw the activated disk, blades burning pure white. Everyone jumped out of the way just as Natasha kicked it after landing on her hands. Mira was thankful that Cyrus's grin faded when he noticed how skilled the Users were at combat. Cyrus caught the disk and threw it once more.

His attacks were fast and lethal. While the disk was sent flying, he jabbed a few blows at both Natasha and Beck. Mira searched for an opening and swung her light staff into the back of his neck. His eyes flashed with rage. She stumbled just in time to avoid getting caught in the ribs.

"Guys, get out of there!" Tony's voice came blaring through the earpiece. "That guy's a ticking time-bomb!" Before any of them could respond, a bright flash illuminated the street.

Panicked shouts echoed throughout the city when the buildings around them began to tremble. Mira pulled Beck towards her just as the top of a building began falling towards them. His eyes widened in disbelief when the building blocked their path from the others.

"Good, now we're alone." Mira whirled around to see Cyrus struggling to stand up. Her eyes widened at the sight. Smoke fumed from his body, and the glowing light began to fade.

"What have you done?" she grabbed him the collar of his suit while he was still struggling to stand.

"I'm going to make the world see us for what we really are!" he spat back. He grabbed his disk and sliced it across her arm, sending a jolting pain through her. "Think about it. I'm not the only program that walked through those Portals."

It was a standoff. Mira held her bleeding arm while Beck kicked Cyrus in the chest. Cyrus smirked and grabbed him by the leg. Mira winced when Cyrus twisted Beck's leg and sent him flying into the building the blocked their path.

"I've made you miserable on the Grid, and I can make you miserable here!" Again Mira struggled to throw a few punches into his chest. Cyrus dodged each strike and jumped onto a fire escape. "SHIELD has been keeping secrets from you. Secrets that only I'm aware of. If you want the truth, than you'll track me down."

Mira's eyes burned with rage as he disappeared up the fire escape. She could hear the screams of people around them as they tried to figure out what was going on. With a sigh of frustration, she ignored the pain that shot down her arm and grabbed hold of the fire escape.

He didn't get very far before she caught up with him. Cyrus stood on one side of the roof, while she stood on the other. His smirk told her that he had everything planned out. And that this was far from over.

"You really are a persistent User, aren't you?" Cyrus chuckled as he grabbed his disk. Mira grabbed her light staff, wincing as another wave of pain shot down her arm.

"Persistence is what has gotten me this far," she retorted.

Cyrus threw his disk in retaliation. She blocked the first throw and swung it back towards him. The glare he gave her was priceless when the disk left a cut on his cheek. Her eyes widened when she saw scarlet droplets landing on the ground below him.

That isn't normal, she realized. Something really is wrong with him. Cyrus was about to attack again when the building began to tremble. Panic swept through Mira as she wondered if another explosion had shaken the streets.

"HULK SMASH!" She jumped out of the way just in time. Something large and green had slammed into Cyrus. The attack was unexpected, leaving the rogue program stunned. The creature had slammed his fists into Cyrus, and the cement roof underneath began to crack open.

"Hang on kid!" Mira's eyes widened when she felt someone grab her just as the building began to crumble. She didn't even know who had grabbed her, but she was thankful for the rescue. "That could've been ugly." It took her a few seconds to realize that Clint was standing beside her. They had landed on a building near the one that had just fallen apart.

"What... is that thing?" Mira demanded after catching her breath. She had seen monsters before. Gridbugs were about as scary as it got, if she didn't include Rinzler or Clu.

"Our secret weapon," Clint replied. "You okay kid? That looks like a nasty cut."

She winced when she rubbed her arm. "I've gone through worse," she muttered.

It didn't take long for the creature to emerge from the rubble. He was glaring at what was left standing when Clint jumped down to join him. Mira held back a sigh of frustration before joining them. The creature glared at them just as Natasha and Captain America arrived.

"Where is he?" Captain America's question made Mira wish she could suddenly disappear.

"Got away," the creature replied in the lowest of growls.

"After going through that?" Natasha's eyes widened when she realized what that meant.

"He's right," Tony announced as he flew by. "According to my scanner, Cyrus isn't even in the area anymore."

"How is that even possible?" Captain America glanced between Mira and Natasha.

"I think we have even bigger problems than that." Both Captain America and Natasha whirled around, only to find Beck standing behind them. His eyes were dark with worry when the creature turned to let out a menacing growl.

"Easy Hulk, he's with us," Clint said reassuringly.

"And what kind of problems would we have?" Natasha demanded.

Mira exchanged worried looks with Beck. He had seen the way Cyrus used himself as a bomb. It sounded unreal. But she didn't miss the eerie glowing from the circuits wrapped around his suit. For some reason Cyrus had managed to keep his appearance from the Grid.

"Cyrus is using himself as a bomb," Mira explained. All three of them stared at her in disbelief. She glanced back at Beck, who simply nodded in agreement. "When that building collapsed on the street, I saw that his... circuits were glowing."

"Is he an alien?" Captain America asked. His eyes were narrowed as he thought over the possibilities of what Cyrus might be.

"We need to let Damage Control deal with this mess," Natasha sighed after pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. "We'll explain everything when we get back."

Captain America kept looking back at Mira and Beck. A few minutes of awkward silence soon followed before he lowered his shield.

"Fine, but I want answers, not flat-out lies," he muttered crossly.

Mira held back a sigh of frustration when she realized what that meant. Something told her that this was going to be a long day. And things were going to get much worse now that Cyrus had his own secret weapon.

AN: So... yeah. Had to laugh at Mira's reaction when she sees the Hulk for the first time. He just needs a hug :P And of course Captain America is confused as always in the newer generation. Has no idea what's going on, just goes with the flow. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter, I really appreciate those reviews!

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