This one took me a lot longer than I expected it to. It's possibly one of my favorite episodes in Uprising, though Gorn's assistant...eek! Watching him come out of the shadows was...terrifying...and that grin made it worse. My heart went out for poor Beck and for Paige by the end of the show...Beck had good advice...just Paige used it on the wrong Program.
I do not own any of the Tron franchise, much as I want to.
Key:
"adfasdfa" -Grid announcement
"adfasdfa" -Monitor's Sensing (Grid's voice to Her Monitors)
"adfasdfa"-thoughts/announcements/memories
Chapter 36
Rendezvous
Kevin rushed into the main room after nearly going into the simulation room.
"Something wrong?" Tron asked.
"You didn't tell me he was still here!" the half-ISO hissed, "Ya know, for someone who wants me to not let Beck know I'm part of his Revolution…you sure have a funny way of making sure I don't do so,"
Tron frowned.
"I thought he said he was going on his date…"
"Date!?" Kevin grinned evilly, "Oh I am not going to let him live this down…who's the lucky Program?"
Tron gave a strained smile.
"Paige,"
"You mean that commander that Mara was telling me about?"
"The same," Tron sighed, "Now if you excuse me…I'm going to see what my son is up to,"
He walked past Kevin, who hid in what Beck dubbed 'his' room, and turned on the lights in the simulation room, revealing multiple frozen frames of the female occupation commander…and Beck standing in front of one of them.
"This isn't what it looks like!" Beck blurted, eyes wild as he turned around to face his father, "I was just…gaging my opponent!"
Tron raised an eyebrow and a slight smile tugged at his lips.
"And?" he asked, "What did you learn?
"…That she…wants to kill me,"
"Then you probably shouldn't have agreed to go on that 'date' with her,"
"It's not a date!" Beck replied defensively as he turned his head to look at the screen, "Paige is a commander in the enemy's army…I'm just gathering intel…for the good of the Uprising,"
"Sure you are," Tron thought with a smile as Beck looked at his reflection in the screens, trying to get his hair to lay flat…and failing.
"Your hair looks fine," Tron told him as he grabbed his son's wrists and set them in a defensive position, "It's your stance that's all over the place!"
He jabbed at Beck and the younger Program dodged…he wasn't expecting Tron's kick though and the older Monitor sent his son to the floor with a thud. Beck growled, hopping right back up again.
"I'm not recruiting Paige because I like her!" he snapped, throwing a few jabs at his father.
"Since when are you recruiting her?" Tron chuckled as Beck kicked at him, "I thought you were 'gathering intel'?"
He grabbed Beck's wrist and flipped the boy over his shoulder, sending Beck once again to the ground with a loud thud. Beck blinked his steel-blue eyes as he turned to face his father.
"She's different," he explained as Tron placed a hand on his side, trying to still the pain in his scars, "and she can be turned…I think,"
He stood back up.
"I have to try," he finished.
"Winning her over might be a lost cause, Beck," Tron warned.
He didn't want his son to suffer a broken heart, he didn't deserve that, not after what had happened to him before.
"But I won't try to talk you out of it," he added after seeing Beck's expression harden.
"My looks, Yori's stubbornness," Tron thought dryly as Beck's face lit up again.
"Thanks," the young Program smiled, "Now…I think it's time for you to get to that healing chamber…right?"
"If you help me you'll be late for your 'date'," Tron replied, "Oh, right…your rendezvous for 'gathering intel' and 'recruitment',"
"And now you're being cheeky," Beck groaned, "Users, I thought you making a joke was odd. This is scary,"
Tron gave a low laugh.
"I can get myself there, Beck, I've done it before," he told him, "You get going,"
As soon as Beck left, Kevin came out of hiding.
"Like I said, I'm never going to let him live that down," he smirked, "Ah, it's too bad I can't tell him I'm part of the Revolution…watching you giving him a beatdown was the highlight of the day,"
"Get in the simulation room, for your beatdown, Kevin," Tron replied, rolling his eyes, "I'll be there in a few nanos,"
"And now I am suddenly afraid,"
Tron gave a harsh bark of laughter as he walked towards the healing chamber.
"You should be!"
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"Bet this is your first time taking a nose dive off a helicopter!" Paige yelled over the wind that rushed through the cargo hold.
Beck gave a wry grin as he shrugged.
"Not really,"
"C'mon!" Paige grinned, "Race ya to the bottom!"
And she jumped.
"For the good of the Uprising," Beck reminded himself…before he too jumped off the chopper, angling his body for maximum speed.
He caught up with Paige and crossed his arms as he came beside her, smirking. She jumped as she saw how close he had gotten in that short amount of time and she playfully shoved him, making the young Monitor laugh.
They shot through the cloud cover and Paige activated her chute, Beck following suit and they both glided to a halt on top of the Argon bridge.
"Allow me to introduce the best seat in town," Paige grinned.
Beck looked over the city…his city…and once again agreed with Tron. The best place for a Monitor to be…was high above the city.
"Not bad, huh?" Paige asked, sitting down, brushing her hair back.
Beck looked at her, circuits flickering as he took in the easy grace that she exhibited just by sitting down.
"It's incredible," he murmured softly, looking more at her than at the city.
Paige sensed his stare and turned to face him. Beck cleared his throat and sat down next to her.
"When you said 'hang out', I thought you meant 'go to Argon Square' or the club…" he started, "Or…somewhere closer to the ground…"
"You don't like it?" Paige asked, a little hurt.
"Oh…this is way more fun!" Beck grinned, being completely honest, "I love it!"
Paige gave a soft laugh.
"I had a feeling you would," she smiled, "This is where I come to be alone…when I need to think,"
"I know what you mean," Beck murmured, "It's good to get away from it all. Helpsto see things from a fresh perspective…"
He looked at her, his circuits brightening softly.
"Maybe the opposite perspective," he hinted.
If she caught his drift…she didn't show it.
"What was life like before we came here?" Paige asked.
"Before the Occupation?" Beck asked, "Well…no curfew, no living in fear of the Games…it was good. I've had so many friends that I've lost since the Occupation came here,"
He closed his eyes.
"One was derezzed just because he walked up to a sentry and protested because they dropped Clu's statue on the field we were playing on," Beck sighed.
"I'm sorry about your friend," Paige started, "I take it you two were close?"
"He was like the older brother I never had," Beck explained, "He taught me a lot of things. Able found me and took me in when I rezzed into Argon…he told Bodhi to teach me how to be a mechanic and he did,"
"He must have been a good friend,"
"He was," Beck said with a sad smile, "He had a hot head…but he showed me how to take care of myself, taught me some fighting skill, how to use a Disk just in case I got into trouble…which I always did…even…"
He gave a soft laugh.
"Even what happens when a storm comes through Argon,"
"…He didn't!"
"Let's just say he never let me zap my Disk more than once in a storm," Beck snickered, "Able said it took at least a millicycle to get me calmed down enough to work,"
"I guess that's one thing we've got in common," Paige smirked, "I had some friends in Gallium, my home city, they had a little too much fun with me after I got overcharged,"
"You. Overcharged?" Beck asked, incredulously.
"Hey, I'm not a total stiff!"
"Could have fooled me," Beck teased.
Paige gave him a playful shove.
"Watch it, mechanic," she teased back, "Remember, I outrank you,"
"Don't I know it!" Beck laughed, "Ah, Users, this day is going well,"
"What's so special about today?"
"Other than the date?"
"Well, yeah!"
Beck gave her a shy smile and he shrugged his shoulders.
"Today's my rezz-day,"
And the Portal burst into white fire.
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"You brought me out here why again?" Kevin asked as they walked down an alley.
"It's Beck's birthday," Tron replied, "And that means that…"
A Disk pinned itself at his throat.
"Your Disk or your life," a Program growled, voice distorted by their mask but clearly female.
Tron grabbed the owner's arm and flipped her over his shoulder. She landed gracefully…her white armor gleaming in the light.
"Still jumpy, aren't you?" she asked, derezzing her mask but her face was obscured by a hooded cloak.
"I'll show you jumpy," Tron growled, his voice coming out distorted from his own mask.
She rushed forwards and tackled him, knocking the Monitor to the ground.
"Pinned you," she stated.
Tron gave a low growl and pushed upwards…only to be knocked to the ground a second time.
"Pinned you again," the female Program laughed, her hood falling off and revealing long rivulets of golden hair that streamed past her shoulders.
The Monitor's face under his mask was priceless!
"I've missed you, Tron," the female Program murmured, her lips brushing against his neck.
Tron derezzed his helmet and gave a slight smile.
"Hello Yori," he purred, touching his forehead to hers, "I've missed you too,"
"You, Monitor, are a tough Program to track down," Yori huffed, her dark blue eyes narrowing.
"I have a lot of experience," Tron shrugged, "Let me up,"
Yori got off his chest, standing upright and helping her husband to his feet. As soon as he was standing again, Yori went by his side and leaned into him, closing her eyes contentedly while her circuits flared a soft lavender.
"Aunt Yori?"
Yori's eyes snapped open and she stared at Kevin.
"…Kevin?" she breathed, "What…"
"I uh…took a wrong turn somewhere?" Kevin suggested, laughing nervously as he shrugged.
"He told me that he followed Sam and Quorra to the Arcade and found the laser," Tron said, "He was suspicious about how you all were acting and he brought himself here,"
"He's supposed to be overseas!"
"Technically I am overseas," Kevin pointed out, "And…"
"Kevin Jeffery Flynn II!" came a growling voice identical to Tron's and Kevin flinched as Alan came into the alley, "What are you doing here!?"
Kevin looked up just to see Tron slightly bow his head in reverence as his User came up beside him.
"We've already told Aunt Yori," Kevin growled, "I got suspicious of you guys and how you're always sneaking around. So I followed Mom and Dad to the Arcade and found the lab...hit a few buttons and hey presto! I'm here…finding out that my cousin and uncle, who everyone thought was dead for our years, are actually alive though my cousin has no friggin' clue who he is, and finding out that my uncle is actually the greatest hero this world has ever known and the title character of my favorite game!"
"Kevin," Alan said sternly, "It's time to come home,"
"I AM HOME!" Kevin roared, pulling down the black material that covered his arm, exposing the glowing birthmark and glaring heatedly at Alan.
The Grid started shaking and Tron put a calming hand on Kevin's shoulder, the half-ISO closed his eyes briefly and the Grid settled.
"You told him?" Yori asked, hushed.
"He needed to know," Tron stated, "He caused a massive display when he first arrived, blowing up at least six sentries with bolts of lightning. Only a User can manipulate the Grid like that…and only an ISO can keep it up for as long as he did,"
"Why didn't you tell me that Mom was born here?" Kevin demanded, still hurt, "You lied to me…"
"To protect you," Alan told him, "Just like we were protecting Beck,"
"Yeah, well, look how that turned out," Kevin spat, "Beck is stuck in here with absolutely no memory and he…he…"
He stopped, closing his eyes.
"He looks right through me,"
"Oh, Kevin," Yori whispered, coming close and embracing the boy, "I'm so sorry…"
"Tron, he can't stay here," Alan said.
"He won't leave," Tron deadpanned, "Trust me, I've tried. He's just as stubborn as his grandfather…you of all people should know what that's like,"
"…He wants to get Beck's memories back. He thinks he can jumpstart them just by being around him,"
"And it's working," Tron said with a slight smile, "He's getting them back quicker than ever…"
"But that's not the only reason why he wants to stay,"
"He's protecting Beck, looking out for him," Tron told him, "Beck has started a Revolution…trying to overthrow one of Clu's generals stationed in Argon…"
"What general," Yori demanded, looking up from her place next to Kevin.
Tron gave a strained smile.
"Tesler,"
Yori gave a wince and shook her head.
"Tron…you know you don't get along with him…"
"Technically, Yori, I never met the Program,"
"But your evil twin has,"
Tron's eyes flickered amber as a smug grin flitted across his face.
"He stepped out of line," came the Monitor's response, "I did what was ordered…"
He shook his head and the steely blue flushed back in.
"I hate it when you do that," Yori shuddered.
"Blame him, not me," Tron growled.
Alan looked at him and Tron shook his head.
"Don't even try," he sighed, "he's…temperamental about getting removed…"
"How much longer are you going to put up with him?"
"As long as I have to,"
Yori gave a sad smile and she placed her hand on Tron's chest.
"Why don't you and I go somewhere in Argon…let these two talk," she suggested, "Alan asked Sam if he could put a little more power into the system to keep the Portal open a bit longer…"
"How much time do you have?"
"Two millicycles,"
"It takes about a quarter of one to reach the Portal from here," Tron reasoned, "I don't see why not,"
He held out his hand and Yori took it, both of them putting their disguises back up as they exited the alley.
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Beck leaned against the wall, eyes closed and humming his melody as he waited. She should have been here by now…
"I didn't know you had some musical talent,"
Beck's eyes flashed open as Paige's red-lit form came towards him.
"That was actually kind of pretty," she finished.
"Hey, you made it!" Beck grinned, "I was wondering where you went off to,"
"I had something I needed to take care of at work," Paige shrugged, "But I'm here now,"
"That you are," came Beck's reply before gesturing towards the tables, "You play?"
"Are you kidding?" she snorted, "I'm a champion at this!"
She picked up a pole and tossed it to Beck, who caught it easily, flipping it into the air before catching it and leaning on the table.
"Showoff," Paige shook her head while Beck shot her a smug grin, "C'mon, I'll let you have first shot,"
"If you say so…" Beck sighed in slight sing-song, "I warn you…I am reigning champion at the garage,"
"Well, Mr. Champion, prepare to get dethroned!"
Beck shot her a smirk before leaning over the table and aiming, he took a shot, hitting the ball he was aiming for.
"Clear shot: Three Points."
Beck walked over to the other side of the table and shot again, this time using a bit of his father's skill to make the ball zip between the point balls before completely reversing and hitting his target.
"Showoff!" Paige accused, making Beck give a wicked grin.
"Two words: Reigning. Champion," he smirked, "You think you got better?"
Paige gave a laugh.
"Watch this!" she grinned, leaning over and hitting the ball…
And making it ricochet off their table onto another player's, derezzing one of their balls.
"Foul Shot: Points Deducted."
"Hey!" the Program protested while Beck gave a laugh.
"Sorry!" Paige beamed, patting Beck's shoulder, "He's a first timer!"
Beck shot her a playful glare before turning back to the other Program and shrugging.
"What can I say? I'm a lost cause," he smiled winningly and started to turn around…
Only to see two Programs walking to a table. One in a white cloak with the hood up and the other in a barely lit suit with the helmet rezzed.
"Tron?" Beck thought as the female in white lowered her hood, letting long blond hair cascade down past her shoulders.
The male Program pulled out a chair and let the female sit down before politely pushing the chair forwards and walking to the chair next to her and sitting down. Both of them locked hands and started talking softly to each other.
Beck shook his head. It couldn't be Tron…Tron didn't show affection like that. In fact, Beck didn't think he showed it at all.
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Yori watched as Beck played the game with the Occupation soldier. He looked…happy…
"When you said he might have found someone special, I didn't think you meant one in the enemy ranks," Yori pointed out.
"Apparently she is the most compassionate," Tron started, tilting his helmeted gaze towards the female, "He thinks she can be turned,"
"For his sake, I hope so," Yori murmured, brushing her lips against Tron's fingers, "A broken heart…a broken core here…is a terrible thing to have. I would know,"
"I came back,"
"She could easily derezz him," Yori sighed, "If she knew the truth…"
"We cannot interfere with this," Tron reminded her, caressing her bared fingers with his gloved ones and wishing for all the Grid he could take off the helmet and give her the kiss she deserved.
But he couldn't…not with everyone around…and certainly not with Beck around.
"He'll do what he thinks is right," Tron finished, "He's gotten that from you…"
"My intuition?"
"Your stubbornness," Tron teased.
Yori gave him a gentle backhand on the chest, making him give a short growl of pain.
"Your scars?" she asked.
"It's nothing," he waved her off, "Just a reminder that I have to get back in the healing chamber soon,"
Yori leaned her head against his chest.
"I wish you didn't have to," she murmured.
"Me either,"
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"That wasn't supposed to happen," Paige admitted with a soft laugh.
"You actually know how to enjoy yourself," Beck teased.
"Is it that surprising?" Paige asked.
"Kinda," Beck admitted as he took a shot, "I wasn't sure it was in your programming,"
"Clear shot: Three Points."
"Sometimes, our true programming is a mystery,"
"Don't I know it," Beck thought dryly.
"Finding mine has been a journey," Paige finished as Beck leaned in for another shot, the ball zipping at an impossible angle before slamming into another.
"Double set: Ten Points."
Beck turned to face Paige, a curious look on his face before he turned to do another shot.
"Maybe your journey's not over," he suggested, "And you're not really meant to fight for the Occupation,"
"I don't," Paige replied, "I fight for Clu,"
Beck's eyes flickered amber as he tensed ever so slightly at the dictator's name.
"Sounds perfect," Beck snorted.
Paige gave a sigh.
"Well…" she started as Beck took his shot, "There is this coworker I've been having issues with…"
"Pavel," Beck immediately thought, standing upright.
"Foul shot: one point deduction."
"But I took your advice," Paige continued as she walked to the table and aimed, "Looked at things from a fresh perspective…and made a risky move,"
"I wasn't meaning for you to do that with Pavel…" Beck thought, afraid, "Users, Paige…he could hurt you…and I really don't want that…"
"Clear shot: Three Points."
"Sometimes I wonder why we don't take risks more often," Beck murmured, aiming for his own shot.
"You don't know what it's like to wear a mask all the time,"
The statement threw quite a bit of shock into Beck's system and the young Monitor jumped, the pole driving into the table and scratching it.
"Scratch: Loss of turn."
Beck winced and stood upright while Paige stared at him, looking like she was trying to look right into his code. Her honey colored eyes bored right into his steel blue ones and Beck saw nothing but her face.
"You're not wearing a mask now…" he started softly.
The two kept looking at each other, taking in the sharp angles and smooth curves of one another's faces.
"Does she know?" Beck thought to himself, "What is going on? Does she know?"
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"Look!" Tron ordered, watching as their son and his date stopped in their game and just looked at each other.
He saw Beck gently reach out and touch Paige's hand…
Yori grabbed Tron's arm excitedly, a wide smile gracing her face as the two younger Programs just looked at each other. Not paying any attention to anyone but one another.
"Just like us," Yori said with a soft smile, "How we met and actually started seeing each other…"
Tron opened his mouth to say something. Yori heard him breathe in like he was about to speak and she smacked his shoulder gently.
"No she didn't throw an orange at him!" she hissed, "Users, Tron! Will you ever let that go?"
He gave a low, rumbling laugh.
"Never," he chuckled, a low purr building up in his throat as he pulled Yori closer, leaning his head on hers.
They sat in silence, watching the two young Programs…
"She's over there! Arrest her!"
Tron's happy purr suddenly grated into something harsher and darker. Yori looked up just in time to see the circuits on his fingers flash from soft blue-white to dark red.
"Tron…" she started, prying at the hands that clamped down on her arms.
The Monitor's whole frame shook with the intensity of his growl, his gaze not leaving Pavel as the commander stalked forwards with multiple guards.
"Rinzler!" Yori gasped, realizing who was in control as pain lanced up her arms, "You're hurting me!"
Suddenly, the growl softened and she felt gentle, red-circuited hands ghosting along her arms.
"I…I am sorry,"
The circuits faded back to blue.
"We have to do something…" Tron started, getting up but Yori sat him back down.
"Stay put," she ordered, "This isn't our fight…it's Beck's. You said he was the architect of a Revolution…he needs to figure out how to get out of this situation on his own…"
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"She's over there! Arrest her!"
Both Beck and Paige started, staring at the Guards as they stalked forwards. Beck renewed his grip on the pole as the table derezzed.
They grabbed Paige and Beck started forwards, pole raised and starting to descend…when the Guards jabbed him with a staff, making him yelp as they dragged him off.
"Pavel!" Paige snapped, "What are you doing!?"
"My duty!" Pavel sneered, "How could you, Paige? Conspiring to overthrow Tesler! You leave me no choice! I'm taking you in,"
"This is absurd! I haven't done anything!"
"Yet," Pavel corrected, "Fortunately a loyal citizen reported you before you could enact your plan!"
"What are you talking about!?"
"Take her away!" Pavel ordered.
Beck's eyes flared red-amber and he gave a low, dark, rumbling growl as he pushed past the guards.
"Hey! Get your hands off of her!" he snarled, right as the Guards restrained him, putting him in cuffs.
His eyes faded to a cold, hard steel-blue as he calmly turned his head to talk to the Guards.
"I wouldn't do that," he said, a soft growl rumbling in his throat, "You don't know who you're messing with,"
"Oh? And who are we messing with, Program?" Pavel purred, coming closer…
And Beck fixed him with a steely blue, Tron-like glare, making Pavel take a step back from the intensity of it. Cold, hard, and offering no pity.
"He's got nothing to do with this, Pavel!" Paige hissed, throwing a slightly worried, honey-colored look at Beck, "Leave him out of this!"
"No, I think we'll arrest him too," Pavel sneered, "He's obviously part of your cabal. Rubbing elbows with the great unwashed? Someone get me a towel…"
Beck gave a system stopping snarl, thrashing as they marched him out.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the two Programs that had been watching him earlier had stood up. The female had her hand on the male's shoulder…
While the male was positioned perfectly to attack.
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"I assume he was the coworker?" Beck asked dryly, looking at Paige as she paced around in their cell.
She sat down and shot him a 'really' look.
"Was it that obvious?" she asked.
"Maybe we can break out of here," Beck suggested, tugging on the Disk lock on his back, "If we could get our Disks unlocked…"
"That's not gonna help things," Paige sighed, "Only guilty Programs go on the run. Besides, it's not necessary. Once Tesler sees my Disk, he'll know I'm innocent and we'll both be free. This will all be over soon,"
"I hope you're right," Beck thought, "Because I'd really hate for him to see my Disk,"
The Guards came and unlocked the cell. One pointed his staff at Beck, making sure he didn't escape…the other grabbed Paige roughly and forced her out of the room.
Paige looked back just to see Beck rushing the cell door, banging his fists against it as he tried to keep her in his sights.
She gave a soft, reassuring smile…but the worried look Beck was giving her didn't ease her mind.
The commander closed her eyes. She had always been a sucker for those big brown eyes…wait…
She frowned.
Beck's eyes weren't brown…they used to be, she knew that. No, they weren't brown anymore, they were blue…or grey…
She blinked as she pulled the memory to the forefront of her mind.
They weren't blue or grey but a mix of both. Old and weary, yet young and electric, open and honest yet full of mystery and secrets.
She'd never seen such eyes before.
Beck on the other hand had sat back down with his head in his hands. The one time he managed to get Paige to loosen up an not kill him…he lost her. He…
He gave a low growl of pain, holding his head as daggers of white hot agony splintered in his head…
A lone girl sat in a chair, also watching the crowd. Her dark hair was twisted up in an elaborate style, something that obviously took a lot of time and her gown flowed in ripples of orange and black satin past her knees to her ankles. Her face was turned longingly towards the floor as the tempo of the song slowed into a slow dance.
I made my way over to her and offered my hand.
"Care for a dance?" I asked.
The girl's dark green eyes looked right up at me.
"I…Um, sure," she stammered, taking my hand in hers.
I gave a smile and led her out to the dance floor, gently putting my other hand on her waist just like Tron had shown me.
"You're a wonderful dancer," I commented a few minutes into the song, spinning her around.
"T-Thank you," she replied, her face flushing, "I just never thought I'd be in this position,"
I looked away sheepishly.
"If I'm embarrassing you, we can move towards the back…" I offered.
"No!" she cried, "It's ok! I just…it's been a rough night,"
"If I remember…you had a date with you when you came in," I recalled, "Where'd he go?"
The girl ducked her head.
"He…he kinda ditched me for one of the pops," she muttered.
"Well, he's a jerk and doesn't know what he's missing," I replied, "I'm Beck, what's your name?"
"You're going to laugh…" she said.
"Good," I grinned, "I've been wanting a good laugh for a while,"
"Rebecca," she answered, "My friends call me Beck too,"
I gave a laugh, smiling as I spun her around again.
"Lemme guess…your last name is Becket?"
The girl shrugged.
"Seriously?" I asked, "Wow, I've never heard of anything like that,"
"My parents have a sense of humor," she said, "What's Beck short for? For you, I mean,"
I shrugged.
"Dunno, its just what my Dad named me," I replied.
"You're that Bradley kid, aren't you?" she asked.
"…Maybe…"
"They're wrong about you," she said as the music ended and we let go.
I looked up.
"What?" I asked.
"They say you're…not very good with people, that you're strange and awkward and cold," she explained, looking me over, "They're wrong. Thank you, Beck,"
"I'll see you around?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"I doubt it, my mom got a job in New York, tonight was my last night," Rebecca said.
She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek, making the circuit lines hidden under the black and white cloth of my suit light up a bright violet color.
"It was nice meeting you, Beck,"
"Nice meeting you too," I murmured, touching my cheek as she picked up her purse and left through the doors.
Beck gasped as the replay finished, blinking and fading back into the dark recesses of his processor.
"What was that?" he asked himself, "Something…something's got to be wrong with me,"
He groaned as he got to his feet.
"What is going on?" he murmured…
Right as the cell door opened and they shoved Paige back into the cell.
"Paige!" Beck started as he caught her before she could hit the floor.
Her shoulders were shaking in sobs, tears streamed down her face.
"What did they do to you?" he asked softly, kneeling on the other side of her and gently wiping the tears away.
Her honey colored gaze turned hard and she slipped out of his arms and sat down.
"They made me a guilty Program," she started, voice hoarse.
Her eyes turned downright fiery as she glared at the cell door.
"Guess that means I should act like a guilty Program," she growled.
She got up.
"Sit over there, act like you're unconscious…like I beat you," she ordered, "I'm going to hide up here…and then the Guards come, I'll attack, getting both of us free,"
Beck gave a nod and did as she asked.
He saw her, through the cracks of his eyelids, climbing up to the ledge above the door right as two sentries stalked in.
"Hey," one of them growled, jabbing Beck with a staff and eliciting a short, dark growl from the Child Basic, "Get up Program,"
Beck's eyes fluttered open.
"Where's the commander," the other demanded…
Right as Paige struck, dropping from the ledge and kicking one of the sentries out of the cell and making him smash into another one. The second sentry started after Paige but Beck shot over to the fallen sentry's staff and picked it up, aiming it at the still conscious one's head.
"Don't. Even. Think. About. It," Beck snarled, red-amber eyes hard as he cracked the sentry on the head, and then jabbing him in the chest, forcing him back into the cell as Beck backed out, eyes fading back to blue.
Paige shot him an approving smile and hit the door's button, slamming the barrier closed and unlocking their Disks.
"Let's go," she ordered and the two of them ran towards the exit…right as alarms started blaring.
They turned down another hall and came face to face with about a dozen Black Guards.
"Stay behind me!" Paige ordered.
"Not gonna happen," Beck growled softly as Paige struck.
Beck started running, leaping up to the wall and running across it. He jumped back off and ended up in the middle of the fray, his fist darting out and catching a Guard in the chin, knocking him flat before whipping around and kicking another Guard's feet out from under him.
A Disk flew at him but Beck jumped, his body arcing over it, twisting in midair before landing gracefully on the floor.
Paige caught her Disk and glared at him.
"I thought I told you to stay behind me!"
Beck gave a shrug.
"I don't listen well, derezz me," he deadpanned.
Paige shot him an aggrieved glare…but then gave a grin as Beck leaned down and took some batons and a few grenades from a fallen Guard.
They got to the closed exit and Beck reared back and tossing the grenades at the door.
"One exit, coming up!" he called, covering his ears as the explosives detonated, he tossed Paige a baton, "Catch!"
He broke his baton and Paige followed, both of them racing through the streets of Argon.
Paige then realized that Beck was leading her towards the mountains in the Outlands.
"What are you doing!" Paige yelled.
"We should head for the Outlands!" Beck yelled back, "It's our only chance!"
"What do you mean, 'we'?" Paige asked.
Beck shot her a gentle smile.
"We're in this together," he told her.
Paige blinked, he cared about her…but she couldn't put him in danger…
"No," she said firmly, "I'm a lost cause, Beck,"
"No you're not!" Beck growled.
"And you have to let me go," she said sadly, ramming into his bike and making him go down another path.
"Paige!" Beck yelled, watching her shoot down the road, "No! PAIGE!"
He gave a shout of anger and pain as he slammed his fist on the bike's smooth metal.
This was not working out how he wanted it!
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"You have to go," Tron said softly, brushing Yori's hair away from her face.
"No I don't," she said stubbornly, "I can stay here…"
"It's too dangerous," he growled, "Tesler would find you and…"
"You're letting Kevin stay,"
"Kevin is a User,"
"And an ISO,"
"He's better equipped to handle what's thrown at him than we are," Tron retorted, "Besides, I don't think we'd be able to get him away from Beck if we tried. We'd have to derezz him to do so,"
"Aunt Yori," Kevin started, "Please? Just…let Mom and Dad know I'm ok. If they get mad…the worst they could do would ground me and I'd be ok…just as long as I got to be with my two missing family members,"
Alan put a hand on Yori's shoulder.
"They're fine, Yori," he told her, "Trust me, they don't need us here,"
"Want you, yes," Tron murmured softly as he brushed Yori's forehead with his lips, "But I won't put you in danger,"
She gave a sad nod and reached up, putting her arms around Tron's neck and drawing him into a deep kiss. Their circuits blazed brilliant violet that nearly outshone the blued Grid-light and they stayed like that for a while.
Suddenly Tron jolted like he had been shocked and he broke of the kiss, looking wildly around.
"Tron?" Yori asked.
He looked back at Yori, fear clear in his eyes.
"Beck's in trouble,"
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He watched as Paige won joust after joust, smiling in pride as Paige derezzed her helmet, staring defiantly up at the crowd.
Beck saw Pavel coming up on the elevator and the Child Basic crossed his arms, white armor flickering.
The frown he wore devolved into a horrified look as he saw the familiar red-amber aura spread over Pavel's armor.
"That's not possible!" Beck breathed, "I destroyed it!"
But it was. Pavel had the upgrade Disk.
"Citizens of Argon!" Pavel announced, "Distinguished guests from around the Grid! We now present the one and only warrior worthy of locking Disks with the traitorous ex-commander Paige!"
"Oh surely you don't mean yourself?" Beck snorted, "Even I beat you with that upgrade Disk on. Paige will wipe the floor with you,"
"ME!"
Paige, apparently thought the same thing Beck did. Her arms were crossed while an unamused scowl marred her lovely face.
She said something to Pavel but Beck couldn't catch it. He watched as Pavel leaped impossibly high into the air, unsheathing his Disk and slamming it into the ground, the shockwave off of it knocking Paige to the floor. The two fought, dodging one another, Disks carving hot orange streaks into the air.
And then Pavel's Disk slammed into the floor again…derezzing it and revealing the large, deadly looking fans whirring beneath the Coliseum.
Paige dodged him repeatedly and Beck decided that now was the time to get ready. He jumped off the side of the Coliseum, rezzing his Lightjet and diving to get right below the Coliseum…
Right as Paige gave a shriek and fell into the yawning void.
Beck swooped underneath her and caught the commander, shooting upwards past Pavel and over the top of the Coliseum.
"YOU!" Paige yelled as she finally saw her rescuer, "You did this! WHY!?"
"Looked to me you were about to die," Beck retorted, "A thanks would be nice,"
"Land this jet. NOW!" Paige snarled, putting her Disk at Beck's throat.
"Ok, so no thanks then," Beck snarked…right as shots were fired, taking out the engine and sending them into a nosedive.
"Got to find a place to go…wait…" Beck thought as an idea occurred to him.
"All you did was make me look guilty!" Paige yelled as the jet started spinning.
Beck pulled the jet out of the nosedive, making it shoot upwards past the choppers and Recognizers that chased them. He dodged them with an ease that made it look like he had been doing it his whole life.
"Behind you!"
A shot clipped the damaged tail section of the jet, making it derezz under the two rogues.
They both fell towards the ground and Beck pulled his arms and legs together, streamlining himself and making him dive faster to get to Paige, he grabbed her gently around the waist and pulled the string on the chute, guiding them over to the top of the Argon bridge.
The two landed awkwardly, Paige falling out of Beck's grip and sliding towards the edge of the bridge. Beck snagged her wrist as it fell by him, straining to pull her up.
"You're not going to die on me!" he ordered mentally as he swung her upwards so that she landed on the top of the bridge.
She got up, glaring at him and she walked, not stalked, walked towards him.
"I might just get that thanks after al…"
"Look out!"
Beck dodged as Paige's fist snapped out and he flipped backwards, landing gracefully back on the bridge.
She swung at him again and he repeatedly blocked her.
"Paige!" Beck tried but she kicked at him this time, "Listen! I know you're innocent!"
She seemed to pause for a second before slamming her fist into his chest and sending him flying, landing heavily on the ground.
Beck shook his head as he stood back up.
"You don't deserve what they did to you," he said softly as she came up to hit him…
And her fist froze mere inches from his face.
Her golden eyes filled with pain as she lowered her fist, turning away.
"Your own team framed you," Beck continued, "Tried to kill you! But you'd never do that…because you're not like them! Join me…"
He held out his hands, pleading.
"We can work together," he told her, "We're both trying to save the Grid…just in different ways,"
She whirled around and glared at him…making him wish he could take that back.
"NO!" she shouted, storming up to him and jabbing him in the chest, "You're destroying the Grid! You rain down chaos and I won't rest until you're stopped! I could never join you,"
Beck closed his eyes.
"I'm fighting for you too, Paige," he murmured softly.
She blinked, shocked, before her eyes hardened again.
"Then you've already lost!"
She stormed away and Beck looked at her sadly before turning away.
Paige turned around to face him again…but Beck was gone, just a shining white point in the sky as he flew off.
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Beck was alone in the gaming room, practicing his shot. He needed to cool off from what had happened and this seemed the best way other than going back to the bridge.
He wasn't ready to go back just yet.
Beck had tried contacting Paige, asking her to meet him here…but so far she hadn't shown up.
He started to aim again…when he saw a gleam of scarlet in front of him. His steely blue eyes snapped up to see Paige standing before him.
"You made it," he said with his crooked smile, making Paige's circuits brighten slightly.
Like Yori had been with Tron…Paige found the smile sweet and core warming.
"I was afraid you were a no-show,"
"I got my job back," she stated with a faint half-grin, "Don't worry…I made sure they won't come after you,"
"That's not why I'm worried," Beck told her, starting towards her.
Paige held up a hand, stopping him.
"Look, because I listened to your advice…" she started, "I got soft…I lost focus…"
Beck froze, he didn't like where this was going…he didn't like where this was going at all.
"And that's why I can't be with you," Paige finished, her throat constricting and making the words sound rough, "I'm sorry,"
And Beck's core shattered.
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"Is he safe?" Yori asked as the four of them stood in front of the white light of the Portal.
"For now," Tron nodded, "He's…heartbroken…but he's safe,"
"You knew this would happen, didn't you?"
Tron gave a sigh, nodding sadly.
"They're too different…yet so very similar," he said, "I think…if things were different…it would have worked out,"
"These things have a funny way of working," Yori said softly, cupping Tron's face with her hands, "It worked for us…I have a feeling that it won't be the last time we see those two together,"
"Yori," Alan called, "It's time,"
Yori gave Tron one final kiss.
"I'll see you next year," she sighed sadly, "Take care of both of them. And…"
She gave a shuddering breath as tears started streaming.
"Tell him…tell him I love him,"
Tron gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.
"I will tell him," he promised, "Goodbye, Yori,"
She walked backwards into the Portal's light, following Alan.
The light grew blindingly bright and then shut off.
And Yori and Alan were gone.
"So what do we do now?" Kevin asked, looking up at his uncle.
"We go home," Tron said simply, "We keep training…"
He looked up at the sky.
"And we try to get Beck to remember,"
So what'd you guys think? Good, bad, eh? Next up is No Bounds...and it is going to be a big one. Maybe not as big as this chapter or the one before (won't know 'til its written) but the feels...oh the feels...
I hope you guys liked it, if you did send in the reviews! (Along with ideas because I will need them eventually!) :)
Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)
Máriessë ar mára tecië
Farewell and fair writing
Elhini Prime signing off.