We're back folks! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Once again I apologize for the delay. But boy are you folks in for a real treat. Have you all been enjoying the Obi-Wan Series? I sure have! 😁
And I used to despite the Prequels!...Kay I still do, but only most of them. Revenge Of The Sith is actually the best one. And Clone Wars.
"And Bad Batch. Let's not forget the Omega side dish." Maverick quipped.
True.
But getting back to this story. If you remember how I wrote their last visit to the Grid from 'Tron'. I blended the movie version with a little bit of the game for the plot. Now I'm doing the same for this second visit. And IRIS in this world will continue to be more than just a digital assistant. 😉
Plus I'll be covering a lot of ground concerning the other sub plots. But before we start. Let's answer some comments.
barbatos009:Thank you! I think we can all agree that Winnie The Pooh is one of the best things about Disney and the pinnacle of our childhood. 😁👍
RustyPete12: Thank you! Well the world of Winnie The Pooh isn't supposed to have suspense. Given that not much usually happens in terms of an action climax…..Unless you count the Tigger Movie or Piglet Film. Or the Heffalump movie I guess. But really the world of Pooh should be about dealing with small matters that can deal with our emotions and the weight of those emotions. The Pooh series from One Saturday Morning is a good example of those aspects. Still I'm so glad you've enjoyed it. 😁👍
"As for how it went down in Mortal Kombat. Well…Don't ever fight Kitana and Scorpion alone with no protective gear." Maverick warned and winced. "That was the last time I'll ever get invited to a sweepstakes tournament there."
olehbilenko93: Thank you! I appreciate your support. 👍
SPYRO 101: Thank you! And I am eternally grateful as always for your assistance in helping write that chapter and this one. Winnie The Pooh will always be the heart of our childhood. 😁👍
luckyhyna: Thank you! I hope the rest of my stories impress you as well. 👍
Alright! Now that we're all here!
LET'S GET DANGEROUS! 😎
System Error.
Back on the Highwind II...
Aiden woke up the next day feeling refreshed. Since their last world didn't involve fighting or breaking a sweat. It felt good to not have any morning soreness. Even if it's brief with a healing factor.
But Aiden yawned and sat up. As he was wearing a blue t-shirt and Ice pajama pants with no socks. He got out of bed and sat by the window lounge. To get a good view of the stars. As the young Maverick contemplated how he got to this point.
Everything that has happened feels like achieving the impossible. And he's wondering how it was all going to end.
He heard the door opening and turned his head to see Victoria walking into the room wearing a purple sports bra, purple shorts, and was barefoot.
"I see you're up early too, huh." Victoria said as she walked over to her boyfriend.
"I'm usually either at the gym or up on deck. But I figured I could slow down just a bit before I set the sails again." Aiden remarked about the ship while he invited Victoria to sit next to him on the window lounge.
"I guess we all could take in the silence." Victoria agreed as she sat next to Aiden, and she leaned her head against his shoulder and rested her legs on the cushion next to her as Aiden wrapped an arm around her. "I will admit it was nice visiting a world without it turning into a life or death battle."
"I still got a lot of 'Pooh' fuzz all over my hair. But still I guess that book world kinda reminded me about how simple life can be when we're not hitting a bunch of dark buggy eyed cartoon hell spawns with a giant key. Or trying to do community service. But it's kinda been our flow…." Aiden sighed as Victoria looked at him. "I guess what I'm trying to say is...While I'm pretty much ready for this Mystical Mass Effect crap to be over with. I'm also kinda nervous."
"About what?" Victoria asked.
"About what might happen when we cross the finish line. Usually when I go back home after something like this is over. It's usually bigger and better. But I'm just hoping this isn't some third film in the series where something goes wrong and I end up with a bittersweet ending just to let some single asshole audience member, who is sitting on his couch, watching all of this, feel good about himself, and being glad that he's not me." Aiden clarified while describing what he feels in a comical sort of way.
But Victoria understood actually what he meant. Among the wit. She understands that Aiden is afraid of not knowing how this will end. And he doesn't want anything to go wrong. Because he gained so much and he's afraid to lose any of it.
"Hey, it's gonna be okay." Victoria said, snuggling closer to him, trying to be encouraging. "No matter what we face in the future, we will all face it together. Nothing can put us down."
Aiden accepted her comfort and allowed Victoria to snuggle against him as he was against her as well.
"I know. I'm just hoping the future is out of bad jokes. I don't mind the occasional shots, stabs and punches I take. I'm just hoping there are no more punchlines after losing Groot only for him to be resurrected as a Muppet Baby." Aiden sighed.
"Who knows, maybe the future will have humor this time around." Victoria said before teasing. "Then again, with how bad your jokes are, I might just be kidding myself."
"Kay, maybe the ones I used to turn you up to 350• degrees. And the innuendos were...Kinda shit. But I am the one who cracks more quips than Spider-Man if he was on powerade." Aiden remarked.
"Actually you crack more quips than ten Spider-Men combined." Victoria teased.
"Is that a bad thing? I mean I know I drive you nuts six ways from Sunday. From time to time. But I never...Well. I never made you mad enough to get tired of me. Have I?" Aiden asked while feeling a little concern.
That right there is the care child inside him. He always had it. And it's what Elsa always loved about her son. It's what everyone loved about him. Victoria gave a small smile and leaned her face into his.
"Never in a million years." Victoria said and kissed him on the lips, which he returned barely a second later.
They broke the kiss a few minutes later, both of them catching their breath.
"Any more concerns?" Victoria teased with a wink.
"I was concerned?" Aiden inquired while looking and acting as if he was confused.
But that was just his humor talking.
Victoria just giggled a bit with an eye roll.
"I love you, you insane goofball." Victoria said lovingly.
"I love you too, Miss Sparkle Fingers..." Aiden shared another passionate kiss with Victoria. "Mmmm...Though technically Spike took and ate the goofball cake. Just ask those sneakers he wears."
"And you ate all the jackass pot pie." Victoria teased.
"You just had to use that word." Aiden deadpanned, making her laugh a bit.
"What? Too shallow to admit it?" Victoria smirked.
"No. I hate pot pie." Aiden pouted.
Oh sure. It wasn't the jackass remark he didn't like. He didn't mind. It's pot pie he can't stand.
Meanwhile at the Mav Club...
While J'son was up in the castle throne room dealing with royal business and a trade between another kingdom. Elsa went down to the Mav Club wearing her summer green ice dress and Anna was with her wearing a beige Princess attire and her hair up in a bun. She decided to accompany her sister for something Elsa had to attend as per Aiden's request.
They both went down in the elevator and made it to the isolation wing of the Mav Club. Each wall and bunk were built to hold prisoners or to quarantine any biohazard that may or may not be a threat. They saw that Roxas and Xion were already down there. Waiting by Dianex's stasis pod.
It was finally time to awaken him.
Elsa took a deep breath looking concerned while Anna held her sister's hand showing confidence. As they both walked over and stood next to Roxas and Xion.
"Listen. I know Dianex did a lot of damage. Some that may never be taken back. But everything he's ever done is on the Organization. Not him." Roxas said in defense of Xion's boyfriend.
"Don't worry. We know he was manipulated by those monsters." Anna said encouragingly.
"Just as long as he doesn't cause any trouble, I'm sure there won't be any issues." Elsa said with a soft smile, trying to keep an open mind about everything.
"He won't. I'll make sure of it." Xion said determinedly, promising to make sure her love doesn't go astray again.
Just then on a holographic terminal that came up next to Elsa. Aiden's name popped up on a chat browser and he typed on it from where he was at the moment. Then a message appeared. A text from her son, Aiden.
'The Stormur program has been purged and his vitals are stable. The green button on the panel should release him. Go for it Queen.'
"Alright, Little Spark." Elsa said with a small smile before following the instructions her son gave her on what to press on the terminal.
When the screen showed a button that said release, she paused for the briefest of moments before pressing the release button. Then an alarm noise went off as a red light beeped around the stasis pod. Steam vented from out of it as the liquid inside drained. Showing Dianex inside. Wearing only skin tight white pants like an experiment. And he was levitating inside. Out cold. Then the glass shield slid down, opening up his pod. Then Dianex fell on the ground as Xion ran up to check on him.
"Dee?...Dee?! Come on, say something!" Xion begged as she held him by his head.
Then Dianex took a deep breath as his eyes shot open as he looked shocked. Then he shot up and teleported, making everyone jump in fright.
Then Elsa looked around as she held on her guard expecting a fight.
"Elsa look!" Anna pointed up near the ceiling.
The Queen and everyone else looked up at where Dianex was hovering in place. Dianex was staring at his reflection in the white tile. Which shifted into a mirror. And then a window to the outside world.
Elsa was about to run and ice rail up to catch him when IRIS stopped her.
'No Your Majesty. He needs to see.' IRIS stated.
Elsa wasn't sure. But she complied as they all looked up.
Dianex tilted his head as he held his hand out and touched the glass. As he was processing everything. Being real. Being alive. But also processing the meaning of life. The purpose of life. And what a true warrior fights for. No longer was he the savage beastly slave of Organization XIII.
He was now his own person. Himself.
So then he looked down on himself and used his storm and neon abilities to form himself a keyblader outfit similar to Aiden's. Only it was black and red instead of a combo of blue and green.
Then Dianex turned and hovered down in front of Elsa and Anna.
"That was...strange..." Dianex spoke slowly as he looked at the open palms of his hands. "So. This is what, being real, feels like."
"How are you feeling... Dianex?" Elsa asked, concerned for the boy. The fact that he looks so much like her son, has brought upon a lot of different feelings.
"Emphasis on 'feeling'….Right?" Anna asked encouragingly while Xion and Roxas stood behind the two royals. Xion held her hands to her mouth, watching her love, while Roxas put an encouraging hand on her shoulder.
Dianex looked up at Elsa. He had the same eye shape as Aiden. But red instead of blue. And they had the same glow. But they were mildly void. With anything positive or negative in them.
Which can be a good thing.
"The voices are gone. The voices of my creators...Their purpose. Their will. They're no longer in control. And I'm not an empty husk...Looking out of a window while they use my will, to destroy. Kill. Annihilate. It's like I never had a say in it, until now." Dianex explained as his hands were glowing.
His voice was monotonous. As if he doesn't know the variety on how to use it yet.
"It's your life now, your will to choose how to live it. And no one can take that from you ever again." Anna said supportively.
"I never really had it to begin with." Dianex looked at Anna. And then the rest of them. "I was never born. The memories of the Maverick. His feelings. His passions. I felt them briefly while I was in stasis. But I realize. They're not mine. And they're not what I was based on."
"What do you mean?" Elsa asked, looking uncertain.
Dianex pondered for a second.
"I was made. From the anguish of the Maverick. All of the grief and rage he left behind the day you adopted him. I was a physical construct of his negativity. His true pain incarnated." Dianex explained. "It's what drove me into their control. Because it's what they wanted from him. It's what they wanted to do to him."
By 'him' he meant Aiden.
This made Elsa and Anna gasp in horror at the implications.
"You mean, what they did to you, was what they originally had planned for Aiden?" Elsa choked out, horrified at the fate that could have befallen her son.
"That's what they told me. And they came close. If he had found the Chamber of Renewal during his original state of mind. They would've taken him the moment he found his mother's dead body." Dianex stated looking at them with a hint of sympathetic expression.
"But they didn't, because we were there for him, along with Yen Sid, and his birth mother." Elsa murmured aloud in thought.
"Actually. It was really you." Xion stated.
"The Organization never got him. Because they wanted to make his heart void with rage. But you made his heart strong by becoming a part of Aiden's life. That's why they never took him." Roxas stated.
"And then their plans changed. Into copying his data. And having me take his place." Dianex added.
Meaning what Dianex was before. Is what Aiden would've become.
"But you've become your own person now." Xion said encouragingly and with a loving smile as she stepped up to him. "Just like how you believed I could become my own person too."
"I suppose. But I'm not sure how to use what many call a heart." Dianex stated as he looked at her with the same expression he would give her in his cell.
A loving one, without a smile. But that was okay. Xion never did mind that Dianex never truly smiled. Because his heart would do it for him.
"I gotta say. It's weird hearing Aiden's voice go this long without a quip." Anna whispered in Elsa's ear.
"It definitely does throw you in for a loop." Elsa whispered back.
Xion slowly reached for Dianex's hand. Then when she took it. He held her hand. Feeling the warmth of her skin. Not just the thoughts of her warmth. But the feel of it as well. What he thought was gone.
He looked down at his hand like a machine learning how to feel. And actually found it intriguing.
"This body will take some getting used to." Dianex stated.
"I will be there to help you every step of the way." Xion said, smiling at Dianex.
Just then before anything else would happen. The elevator opened up and they heard the toddling of tiny shoes stepping across the floor. They looked over to see Adina walk in.
"Mommy? Daddy and Uncle Jase is asking if..." Adina gasped in delight seeing Dianex. "Adie!"
She ran over and hugged Dianex down below his waist. Making him feel nervous. He looked concerned as he looked up at Elsa.
"What am I feeling right now?" Dianex asked.
Elsa and Anna stifled some giggles as Elsa grinned. "It's call adornment."
"It's that fuzzy feeling you see when something cute walks in." Anna explained amusingly.
Then Adina stopped hugging as she looked a little confused as for why she wasn't hugged back.
"Adie? What happened to your hair?" Adina asked.
"Uh..." Dianex wasn't sure how to respond.
Anna giggled and got her daughter's attention.
"Sweetie, this is Dianex. He's a friend of Aiden's that he met a short time ago. And yeah I know, he looks alot like Aiden." Anna explained to Adina.
"Oh. Like...How does Indiana Jones look like Han Solo?" Adina asked in her chimy voice as she was trying to understand.
That's one way of looking at it.
"Perfect example." Anna said, playing along with her daughter.
"Oh, well, it's nice to meet you Dani!" Adina said sweetly, catching Dianex off guard even further.
"Dani huh. I am so keeping that one." Roxas smirked.
"Don't you start, Spike." Dianex deadpanned in annoyance before he faltered from saying that nickname. "Where did that come from?"
"He really was his Nobody." Elsa whispered to herself.
Once Anna picked up Adina in her arms she gestured for Dianex, Xion and Roxas to follow.
"Come along, Dani. We already have a room available for you." Anna said nicely.
Dianex sighed as he needed to get used to that nickname.
"Alright." Dianex nodded as he and the other two ex-nobodies followed Anna with him.
So far things were starting to adjust for what was today marked as Dianex's birthday. He was made physically the same age as Aiden. But he doesn't have to be Aiden. Dianex is now free to follow his own destiny. His own path and to make himself everything opposite of what the Organization created him for.
Later down in the World That Never Was...
In the Castle that was, was a cell that was made with dark purple stone. The room was large, circular, and lit by four lights from the floor. The door to the sale was a giant barred door.
Inside the cell was Namine, curled up on her side in the cell, her bare feet rubbing together as she laid on the floor of the cell. Namine was sitting in a fetal position with her hands still tied together with ropes made of darkness. As she had been in here ever since the Organization member Saix took her from Twilight Town.
Namine was alone. And even though she wasn't real. The tear stains on her face felt real.
Just then she heard Barking.
"Huh?" Namine looked up and backed up slowly in a corner looking afraid.
Then she saw two Nobody Berserkers coming over with a dog in their grip. Namine recognized him as Pluto. King Mickey's loyal dog from Disney Castle.
Pluto must've snuck into the lair only to get caught by the Nobodies. They opened the cell briefly only to toss Pluto. Pluto yelped as he fell into the cell. Then he stood up and growled at the Nobody Berserkers.
"Grrrr! Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!" Pluto barked and glared at them.
The Nobody Berserkers didn't respond as they walked away.
"Pluto?" Namine whispered as she sat up, having recognized the dog. Pluto heard his name called and turned his head to Namine.
"Ruff!" Pluto barked happily before running to Namine and tackling her to the floor and started licking her face.
"Hehehe. Please stop..." Namine giggled as Pluto was licking his face.
Then Pluto got off of her and panted happily as he sat next to the poor Nobody girl. Namine sat on her knees to look at Pluto with a perplexed expression.
"Did you come here to find King Mickey?" Namine asked.
Pluto shook his head as he understood her. Which suprised Namine a bit.
"You mean...King Mickey send you in here...to rescue me?" Namine asked.
"Yeah yeah yeah...Hah hah hah..." Pluto panted and nodded as he leaned his head up to show the note on his collar.
Which happens to be a letter from the king. It bore King Mickey's emblem.
"A letter? From the King?" Namine whispered surprised before reaching for the letter on Pluto's collar and gently taking it. She looked at the emblem for a moment before opening the letter to read the message inside.
*'Namine. If this letter reaches you. You should know that Dianex, Xion and Roxas have become real. Thanks to Aiden and his work on perfecting the Replica Project. They're just one world away from reaching this world. Help is on the way. If I don't reach you in time. The Guardians of the Multiverse will. Have faith and hold fast. Help is on the way. You will be free soon.'*
*'With regards. King Mickey.'*
*'PS. Tell Pluto he's a good boy.'*
Namine's biggest regret was not falling into Roxas' arms when she had the chance. That's a mistake she'll never make again. Pluto could see her tears and looked concerned as he came over and nuzzled against her. Like a comforting puppy.
Namine smiled at this, trying to wipe her tears away before petting Pluto.
"Thank you Pluto, for bringing me hope." Namine said, petting Pluto.
Pluto smiled in response. All he needed to do was stay with Namine and wait. Everything was being set in place to bring the Organization down.
Back over at Hollow Bastion marketplace...
The Guardians were then beamed down in their keyblader outfits and attire. As they appeared in the alley where they always appear in Hollow Bastion.
Suddenly they heard what sounded like marching.
"What was that?" Kairi looked over.
And they all saw some Soldier Heartless disappear from running across the roof of one of the many shops.
"Wait a sec... I thought everything was supposed to be under control here!" Sora exclaimed, looking about for more heartless.
"Hey, look!" Donald exclaimed, pointing to the side.
To the side, one of the security measures flashed from up to down before disappearing, then reappearing, doing the same thing over and over again several times.
"What's going on with the security system?" Kairi asked, concerned.
"Must be Organization XIII again. We better go see Leon." Sora said to the team.
"Or Avalanche." Aiden added as they started walking down the ramp.
"They went back to Midgar, remember?" Victoria reminded.
Which is why Cloud. Tiffa, Barret and his crew aren't around at this moment.
"Oh yeah. I forgot to read that email all the way." Aiden muttered.
Just as they made it across the streets towards Scrooge McDuck's ice cream shop. They saw Scrooge standing outside with a brand new ice cream bar in his hand. It licked it as a test. And he beamed with excitement.
"Bless me bagpipes! I did it!" Scrooge cheered.
"You purposed to Goldie?" Aiden teased.
"Blast me bag-pipes, no." Scrooge sneered and then smiled again as he held the ice cream bar up. "I've finally recreated Sea Salt Ice Cream!"
"Achem!" Huey, Dewey and Louie cleared their throats and scowled from behind the counter of the shop.
"Don't you mean, nous?" Louie inquired while using the French word for 'we'.
Scrooge exhaled in exasperation.
"Alright. 'We' recreated Sea Salt Ice Cream." Scrooge did air quotes.
"That's awesome." Sora said enthusiastically.
"Yeah. But, what is sea salt ice cream?" Kairi asked, curious about the concept.
"What is what?!" Louie gasped in shock as he and Huey fell under the counter.
"Careful! Junior Woodchucks guide describes the contagious dangers of anyone ignorant of Sea Salt Ice Cream. Her bland empty life without unique flavors might effect ours." Huey gulped as quivered in fear with Louie under the counter.
While Dewey just rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"What crawled in their lunch boxes?" Aiden inquired.
"I'm not sure." Dewey deadpanned and sighed. "For those of you that don't know. Sea Salt Ice Cream is actually a best seller from back in Uncle Scrooge's early days. It's the one flavor missing in every sweet shop and super market. Next to daiquiri ice cream."
"Didn't they sell that at Twilight Town?" Victoria figured.
"They did. Up until I bought the rights and halted all sells across the Multiverse!" Scrooge declared in triumph like a tyrant. With a lightning strike. And then he added normally. "Besides they kept using artificial flavors. They were never as genuine as the original recipe.
"Hey, Uncle Scrooge. Do you think we can try some?" Donald asked, intrigued himself at the thought of the ice cream.
"Sure! Be the first to try our next new step in a new Multiverse of good tastes! Literally of course." Scrooge stated as he handed a bar of sea salt ice cream to each of the Guardian members.
Even Baby Groot was handed his own bar. He had to grow his arms to hold it up of course.
They all started to eat their ice cream. And when they first tasted it, their eyes widened.
"Wow, this ice cream is amazing." Sora said before taking another lick.
"The taste. It's salty, but sweet at the same time" Kairi said, enjoying her own treat.
"Like my Nana." Aiden added quipped as he was licking.
"Oh boy!" Donald exclaimed happily, enjoying the ice cream.
"Gee, this is one of the best ice creams I ever had" Goofy exclaimed.
"I am Groot!" Baby Groot hummed as he enjoyed the frozen dessert. Translated 'I found ice cream heaven!'.
"I must say, they did a really good job making this" Victoria commented as she ate her ice cream.
"Aye. A unique flavor to sponsor the shop. Along with twenty five other flavors. Twenty of which are unoriginal flavors, but I digress." Scrooge stated. "I tell ya. When I was a lad. The kids were crazy for it."
"I'm pretty sure most of those kids are now skeletons." Dewey muttered to his brothers.
"I heard that." Scrooge echoed to them making them wince.
"Whelp." Aiden came over and placed a twenty on the counter. As he was paying for the ice cream. "Keep the change. Me and the crew got a check list of guardian-ning things to do."
"See ya boys." Donald waved at his nephews.
"Bye Uncle Donald!" Huey, Dewey and Louie waved back.
"Good luck lads! Don't expect a discount when you're done saving the Multiverse!" Scrooge bid them farewell before he and Donald's nephew resumed with his plans to open up the shop and start business.
Down at the Borough….
The Guardians had finished eating their ice cream by the time they made it to the Borough. Where they crossed the streets heading towards Merlin's house.
"Hope the sorcerer senior has more than tea to wash the salt down." Aiden remarked as they saw Merlin's house up ahead.
Then suddenly...
Spawns of enemy Heartless than appeared. Only these were not just any Heartless. They appeared in digital forms. These were Strafer Heartless. Straight from the Grid.
Which alarmed the team.
"What the!" Sora exclaimed as he summoned his keyblade. And the others summoned their weapons.
Then Aiden waved his hand causing those Heartess to freeze and short circuit. Only for another wave of three Devastator Heartless to appear. Sora ran up and slashed at one. Whilr Kairi jumped and performed multiple spin attacks on the other. While Victoria slashed at the third one before striking it with lightning.
Then two Surveillance Robot Heartless appeared which caused Donald and Goofy to run up and stun them with their weapons. Then they performed a duel fire spell to take them down.
After the fight ended, Yuffie opened the door to Merlin's home and stepped out as the guardians ran up to her.
"Wait a second..." Sora said, taking a pause. "What happened to this place?"
Didn't that heartless look like the ones from Tron's world?" Goofy asked, getting the others attention as their eyes widened in realization.
"He's right, they did." Kairi said, concerned.
"C'mon, just get inside!" Yuffie insisted, stepping back inside with the guardians following right behind.
Inside Merlin's house…..
Yuffie walked up to Cid's right side with Merlin on his left, as he sat at the computer, typing away. Merlin was inside with him as they were waiting for Cid to finish on a new encryption that will end what's happening around town. Needless to say it was starting to take up time they needed.
"Hurry up, Cid!" Yuffie exclaimed impatiently.
"Give me a second!" Cid snapped back as he kept typing.
"Confound it! Hurry!" Merlin exclaimed himself with some urgency.
"Why, you...!" Cid growled at the screen as he continued typing.
"What's going on?" Sora asked as he and the guardians approached the three.
Merlin, Cid, and Yuffie turned to the guardians.
"Talk about yer good timin'!" Cid exclaimed with some relief.
"The MPC is wreaking havoc inside the computer." Yuffie explained to the group.
"Not again!" Donald groaned as the others looked concerned at this news.
"Accordin' to Leon, anyway..." Cid began to explain. "He went over to Ansem's study to find out what all the ruckus was about."
"What did he find out?" Kairi asked, worried about what was going on.
"Turns out the MPC is using the data in that computer to crank out Heartless." Cid said, making the guardians gasp in shock.
"It can do that!?" Kairi asked, very shocked.
"Apparently so. Not only that, but the MPC's been messin' around with the town's control system, too." Cid continued.
"That MPC sure doesn't know when to quit, does it?" Yuffie said with her arms crossed and shaking her head.
"All villains don't know when to quit. It's part of their emmo." Victoria muttered.
"Great. So it's a Heartless mod of Y2K." Aiden quipped.
"That's a computer program for ya." Cid said, standing up from his seat.
"What about Tron?" Sora asked concerned.
"How's he doing?" Kairi asked, just as concerned.
"We can't reach him." Yuffie said to them. "We figured he must have been forced onto the game grid."
"And it don't sound like a particularly fun game, either." Cid stated with a shake of his head.
"Aww…." Donald groaned.
"We'll go check on Tron." Sora said, gesturing to himself and the team.
"Thanks, kid." Cid said to Sora. "We're puttin' together an MPC eradication program. I got a hunch it's almost finished, too."
"Well, I hope your hunch is right for once!" Merlin exclaimed to Cid, making the man turn to the wizard.
"Listen, we're gonna need Tron's help when that Eradicator's completed..." Yuffie explained.
"Don't sweat it." Sora said to Yuffie. We'll make sure to tell Tron."
"You can count on us." Kairi said in agreement as Merlin and Cid turned back towards them.
"Remember, Guardians" Merlin began. "We're counting on you."
"Roger!" Sora said with a mock salute with the others nodding along.
"Hold on. Tron wouldn't be back in the Game Grid." Victoria stated in realization.
"How do you know?" Kairi asked her best friend.
"Because a system like the MCP would only go nuts over a Program for three reasons. Either it's out of date, it has a virus or..." Victoria gave the last guest to the team.
"A rogue programing within the servers." Aiden understood in realization.
"Bingo." Victoria declared. "And if Tron is in the Game Grid, then the MCP has no real reason to send out his Heartless Programs all throughout Hollow Bastion.
"So the MCP is desperate to get rid of Tron anywhere he can. Is that why he's attacking the town?" Goofy guessed.
"Guys think about it. Tron is an independent program. If he's anywhere. He'll be hiding out within the servers of the Grid. Or in their case it would be a city or a city datastream within the Grid." Aiden stated to the team.
"Then that's where we're heading." Sora said determined.
"And hopefully, we'll find Tron there without any trouble." Kairi said, hoping she was right.
Just as the team were about to head out the door.
"Alright before we start retracing our steps outside while bashing a bunch of faceless NPCs. Can I remind everyone we got fast travel?" Aiden reminded the Guardians members.
Victoria smirked at this while the others looked between one another confused.
"What does he mean by that?" Sora asked Kairi.
"I'm not sure." Kairi said, just as confused.
"You have any idea Donald?" Goofy asked Donald.
"Uh uh." Donald said with a shake of his head.
Aiden facepalmed himself and muttered some words before he pulled up IRIS on his ring.
"IRIS? Use the ship's teleported to beam me and the team over to Ansem's office." Aiden told his personal A.I. to do.
'Yes Maverick.' IRIS answered.
Then a particle ray beamed around the Guardians and teleported them out of the house. In a flash of lights and dimensional shifts. Then they fadded away.
"Woah." Yuffie muttered as she was impressed.
Down in Ansem's Study...
And in another flash and shift of dimensional lights, the Guardians appeared within Ansem's office. Just like that they saved time, with just the computer room across the ramp to the right.
Sora looked around baffled as he didn't see this coming. Then he turned and looked at Aiden with the same shocked expression.
"Before you ask, Spike. This will only work for the places we've already been." Aiden remarked.
"R-right. Got it." Sora got out with a slight nod.
"Still would've been nice to know ahead of time, though." Kairi muttered herself, her level of shock lowering faster than Sora's.
"You've done worst surprises. Remember how you made a comeback on the ship?" Victoria smirked as she reminded Kairi on how she surprised Sora during their reunion the first time.
Kairi just giggled at the comment.
"I honestly thought he was gonna pass out right then and there, he was so shocked." Kairi said, loving Sora's shocked expression when she made her presence known on the ship.
Aiden snickered and walked over to the portrait of Ansem's apprentice, Xehanort. And was pondering something he looked up about him a while back.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Sora asked as he walked up next to Aiden.
"You know what's shady about this guy?" Aiden gestured to the painting.
"Who? Xemnas?" Sora asked looking at the image.
"Xehanort, actually. I did some research on him, before he became he was split in two darker mystical rebooted halfs. Apparently he has absolutely no background history. No parents, no date of birth. Hell not even a social security number." Aiden stated which made him skeptical about Xehanort. "Ansem just found this guy in the middle of the street, out cold like a anime drophead and brought him in as his student."
"Yeah. That does seem fishy." Sora said, arms crossed in thought.
"Hmmm, maybe that's how he wanted it." Goofy said, getting everyone's attention. "Maybe he only made it look like he had no prior history or memory of his past to get Ansem's sympathy. Then when he became his apprentice, he started whatever plans he had in mind."
"That sounds a little far fetched Goofy. I mean if Xehanort and his crew intended for him and the others to become Nobodies, why the hell would they be so desperate to turn real again?" Victoria asked as she was feeling skeptical but confused at the same time.
"Maybe Xemnas has bigger fish to fry than the others." Kairi figured.
"Yeah, what if... What's going on right now, is part of some bigger plot?" Sora said in thought.
"Then we're looking at an image of Thanos. If he were a bummed out hipster full of white privilege." Aiden quipped with his conclusion. Then he asked Sora. "That semi-smart Heartless who called himself Ansem. You said he got himself killed trying to open Kingdom Heart?"
"Yeah, that's what happened. He tried to open kingdom hearts. But its light destroyed Xehanort's Heartless in the process." Sora explained.
"I wonder..." Aiden muttered looking at the painting.
"WHO'S OUT THERE?!" Leon echoed from the computer room, making everyone jump.
"Shit. To be continued." Aiden stated as they got back on track.
They walked into the computer room to see Leon and Aerith there with their weapons ready. Aerith with her guard stick and Leon's gunblade.
"It's okay! It's just us." Kairi ran over with her hands up.
Which eached all the tension in the room as Leon and Aerith lowered there weapons.
"I'd take it you're here to guard this place?" Victoria said.
"That's right." Aerith nodded.
"You can't talk to Tron if this place gets taken over." Leon stated and asked. "Did you check in with Cid?"
"Uh-huh." Sora nodded.
"And the Eradicator?" Leon asked.
"It's almost done." Donald confirmed.
"Great! Say Leon, why don't you go work with Cid? I have this place under control." Aerith said optimistically to Leon.
"Are you sure? All by yourself...?" Leon inquired, hesitant to leave Aerith by herself.
Aerith didn't say anything, just scowled at him for a few moments before Leon relented.
"Er... Sorry. It's all yours." Leon said with a small gulp.
Aerith smiled and nodded before she walked to the other side of the room. And stood on her guard as she wait for Leon to leave and for the guardian to head into the system.
"How's Tron?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, is he okay?" Kairi asked as well.
"We still can't get in touch with him. Maybe you guys should give it a shot." Leon suggested to the guardians.
"No, we'll go talk to him in person." Sora said to him.
"Then I have a favor to ask." Leon said to the group.
"Sure. What is it?" Kairi asked Leon
"When you find Tron, could you tell him to come to the I/O tower?" Leon asked the team. "That's where we'll upload the Eradication program."
"The I/O tower. Got it!" Goofy nodded with two thumbs up.
"Thanks. And watch your backs." Leon said to them.
"We always do Leroy." Aiden saluted him before he went over to activate the shiva laser. "This will only take a few minutes..."
"Alright. See ya guys...And it's Leon." Leon nodded and muttered the last part before he left.
Leon left to go and retrieve the Eradicator from Cid. Since his Gunblade was fully loaded. It would be enough to defend himself from any Heartless who would dare come to attack.
Aerith stood on guard from the door as Baby Groot was sitting up on the dash of the computer looking impressed at her. When Aerith walked across the rail walk to check in Ansem's office and to check on the door. Baby Groot felt the need to ask something.
"I am Groot?" Baby Groot asked Aiden why Cloud never hooked up with Aerith instead.
"I don't know. Maybe he had more history with Tifa." Aiden shrugged as he was typing.
"Fun fact. The boys always go for the girls with midriffs. Trust me, I've done the research." Victoria remarked about her own keyblader outfit.
Aiden blushed a little and cleared his throat as something else came to mind.
"Well. That and Tifa also has those...Well you know." Aiden was nervously trying not to say packages.
As in Tifa's cleavage and boob size.
"Her what?" Victoria inquired with a scowl and her arms crossed.
"You know...Her fists?" Aiden tried to clean it up.
Victoria just stared at Aiden for a few moments before smirking.
"I'm just teasing you, Aid. It's just so adorable and amusing watching you try NOT to make an innuendo. Like a cat trying to play the piano." Victoria said with a slight giggle.
Aiden took a breath of relief and wheeze. "Ha! Fake laugh! Hiding real pain." He snorted while typing.
"Besides, I contacted Tifa a while back. And she sent me a few tips on how to gain her figure, if you know what I mean." Victoria smirked as she gestured her own body while posing like a model.
Which made the other Guardian members stifle some laughs and giggles.
Aiden felt like a rock dropped down below as his eyes widened and he looked back at Victoria.
"You're bluffing." Aiden said in shock.
"You really think so?" Victoria said with a smirk that said she was not bluffing at all before leaning close. "Wanna find out?"
"Woah boy." Sora mouthed with a smirk.
"Sora..." Kairi whined and lightly smacked his arm.
"Besides. I think the age of consent in Arendelle is 'sweet sixteen' for boys and girls." Victoria muttered near his lips.
She did that to also tease her boyfriend. Even if that were true.
"Who are you and what have you done with the girl that smashed me with a mallet?" Aiden muttered as he was leaning in. Feeling fiery butterflies in his stomach.
"Hey, don't think the mallet's out. I still need to keep you in line when you go too far." Victoria's smirk became slightly predatory as she formed a mallet in her hand.
"I am Groot." Baby Groot innocently pointed out to Victoria with a shrug. Translated: "I guess if Jasmine can have a figure with packages. You can too."
"Shhhh..." Aiden hissed at the little tree. And nervously laughed while sweating. "I think you've been watching way too many Ryan Reynolds films, Bud."
"Oh please, those films are flimsy to whatever innuendos escape your mouth." Victoria said amusingly.
"Scoff..." Aiden deadpanned.
"Plus Groot has a point." Victoria winked at Baby Groot who covered his mouth trying not to laugh.
"Damn it what is taking that laser so long!" Aiden groaned.
Then the shiva laser activated. With the beaming lights shooting at them.
"FINALLY!" Aiden exhaled.
Aerith came back into the room on time to smile as the Guardians were being sent into the system. Then they all were digitized like last time. With the beam freezing all of them and the lights ran down their bodies turning them into code. And then sent into the Grid.
Back into the outskirts of the Grid...
As Sora and the Guardians were expecting to be appearing and standing in the middle of the futuristic looking city of the Programs. It was not so for them as they landed somewhere in the system.
The Guardians reappeared right back into their Grid attire of white suits with blue circuit lights running across them. They looked around to notice they were not where they needed to be.
They were standing in some kind of digital barren wasteland. Like a dessert inside of an 16-bit game. They needed to be near one of the town servers looking for Tron. Apparently they're far from it.
"Aiden?! Where are we?!" Sora echoed as they were lost.
"This got the MCP's shit written all over it." Victoria grit her teeth.
"Damn right. The MCP must've set up and Anti-Malware spreadsheet to boot out any unregistered programs from entering the servers. Which in this case is us." Aiden explained the situation.
"And now where outside the bandwidth. Which in this case is this digital Sahara." Victoria deadpanned in annoyance.
"Great. So now, we're farther away from reaching Tron than we were before." Sora groaned in exasperation.
"I just hope nothing happened to him." Kairi said, worried for their digital friend.
"What do we do?" Donald groaned hopelessly.
Goofy pondered as he looked around. Then he could see something interesting up ahead. Goofy walked up on top of a digital boulder and got a clear view.
"What's worse is that we don't have access to our powers and keyblades again." Victoria sighed as she tried to flick her fingers to bring out a spark of fire or lightning.
Even Aiden couldn't use his ice or neon. Not even his Maverick suit. None of them could bring out their keyblades. After all magic is limited in a digital world without the right mods.
"Hey guys, look!" Goofy called over.
Aiden and Sora ran up the rock to see what Goofy was looking at. They saw an abandoned red Recognizer laying out in a crater. It still looked functional.
"Thank you God and Goof!" Aiden exclaimed as he ran out to go and see.
"Wait up!" Sora ran to go follow Aiden.
While the others followed. They ran up to the abandon digital vessel as Aiden found the entrance and pressed a switch to open up the cockpit.
"It still works, Baby!" Aiden beamed as he noticed the red circuits came back on around it.
"That's... Great. But..." Sora said confused.
"What exactly is this thing?" Kairi asked the question on everyone's minds.
"Guys, have you been raised in Jurassic Park? This is a Recognizer!" Aiden echoed from inside as he started checking on the controls.
"Recognizer?" Victoria inquired.
"Yeah you know, like a digital internal processor or the cloud? This is how Programs travel inside the Grid." Aiden explained as he flippped on the dash and tested the engines. Which started making the right kind of noise.
"Wak?" Donald quacked in surprise.
"Gee, that's convenient." Goofy said with a nod.
"Really? That's awesome!" Sora exclaimed as he was now seeing where this was going.
"So, you're saying we can use this to travel to the Grid?" Kairi asked with hope in her voice.
"Looks that way to me" Victoria smirked before slightly glaring at her boyfriend. "Of course, you could have led with that to begin with."
"What, my spastic cheers and acting like we found a jeep in the middle of Senora didn't count?" Aiden snorted as he got under the dash and began to rewire the circuits.
"Oh please. The way you were acting, it could have been that you found a milkshake shop that sold all you can eat razzleberry shakes." Victoria replied back.
"Or a new Playstation game." Kairi teased.
"From your mouth to Sony's ears." Aiden snorted as he worked on the main circuits and then closed the lid on it. "Alright. I'm gonna need to test the breaks on the left engine. Can one of you man the wheel?"
"No problem, Aid." Sora said, stepping up to the controls.
"And Goof? Since you're taller. I'll need you to stand near the ignition switch on the ceiling." Aiden pointed at the switch above Goofy.
"Ahyuck! I'll do my best." Goofy said and got next to the switch.
"I'm smelling the 'burning' victory already." Victoria muttered as Aiden climbed into the hatch of the engine.
Then he found a stick on the ground he could use as a wrench and he began to tightened a loose valve.
"I am Groot?" Baby Groot asked.
"No need. He's got it covered. I think." Victoria grinned with her arms crossed.
*"Alright Goof?! When I say 'start the engine' you start the engine!"* Aiden echoed from the engine hatch.
"Okay! Starting the engine!" Goofy called back, thinking that was his cue, and started up the engine.
*ENGINE ROAR!*
*"MOTHER F-!"* Aiden exclaimed inside the engine hatch. *"WHAT THE CRAP ARE YOU DOING STARTING THE ENGINE?! I DIDN'T SAY START THE ENGINE YET! NOW DON'T START THE ENGINE UNTIL I SAY 'START THE ENGINE'!"*
"Okay! Starting the engine!" Goofy called back, once again thinking that was his cue, and started up the engine.
*ENGINE ROAR!*
*"SHIT! ROCKETMAN SON OF A BITCH!"* Aiden screamed as he was fried by the engines again. *"WHAT PART OF DON'T START THE ENGINE UNTIL I SAY 'START THE ENGINE' DO YOU NOT GET?!"*
"Okay! Starting the engine!" Goofy called back, once again, for the third time in a row, thinking that was his cue, and started up the engine.
Aiden should have given him a different job.
*ENGINE ROAR!*
And Aiden was fried by the engines again. Then he slowly opened the hatch. and peeked his head out. Showing that he was coveted in ash while his healing factor healed the third degree burns. Then he coughed.
"On second thought...You're the look out." Aiden wueezed out smoke. "Vic?"
"Yes?" Victoria grinned.
"You're gonna have to start the engines... Here...Use a stick to reach the switch." Aiden dropped a pipe. Then he weakly luaghed hysterically. Then he bellowed. "THEY SHOULD'VE BUILT A MACINTOSH INSTEAD!"
Then Aiden slammed the hatch door behind him.
"Gee, guess I was too early." Goofy said, scratching the back of his head confused.
"Ya think?" Donald gave him a look.
Once Aiden was back in. He could configure the engine codes for both engines from inside. And without Goofy starting it up to digitally fry him again. Once Aiden was done working with the engines.
*"Kay! Now start the engine!"* Aiden signaled Victoria.
"Starting the engine!" Victoria called back, and started up the engine... AT THE RIGHT TIME!
Then Aiden climbed out of the hatch and walked over to work on reactivating the rear exhaust ports. To avoid overheating. Even machines can over heat.
"Alright, Spike? You should see a blue button on the dashboard. Press it when it starts blinking." Aiden echoed over to Sora over at the controls.
"Understood!" Sora called out as he looked at the blue button on the dashboard. He watched for a few moments, and then it started blinking. "Now!"
Sora pressed the blinking button.
Then suddenly the Recognizer's red circuits turned blue andnit started to hover off the ground slowly. Making everyone stumble a bit. Then the entire vessel hovered straight up. While one of it's left foot pad fell off. But it didn't matter. It was functional enough to fly. As a blue Recognizer to match their colors.
"Alright Spike, you're the pilot for- WOAH!" Aiden was cut when a small orb flew right past him.
The orb was light blue and seemed to be a dodecahedron but with slightly spiked sides, like an icosahedron, where they're supposed to be flat.
The orb hovered around mildly frantically and then would stop to hover every now and then.
"HEY YOU! STOP RIGHT THERE?!" Donald demanded as the others got on their guard.
"Heartless?!" Sora asked.
"No." came a voice from the orb, which briefly changed color and contracted with the spikes becoming longer and sharper, before changing back to its original appearance.
Kairi looked at the orb curiously as she held her hand up to the team.
"Wait!" Kairi halted them as she looked up at the orb. "You're not a Heartless?"
"Yes." The orb changed into a yellow octahedron briefly before becoming its original form.
"What are you, then?" Sora asked the strange orb.
"Yes." The orb answered again as it hovered in place while shifting back and forth a bit.
"Can you say anything else but yes?!" Donald snapped.
"Yes." The orb answered again.
"Gee. I guess that's all it can say." Goofy figured.
"No." The orb answered.
Then Aiden realized being a technical wizard himself.
"Hold on. Positive and negative. Yes and no...You're a Bit." Aiden realized.
"Yes." The Bit answered as it shifted and waved around the room.
"Ok. I know I'm not the most technologically adept. But I'm pretty sure you are the only one here right now that knows what you just said." Sora said to Aiden.
"What exactly is a Bit?" Kairi asked the question on everyone's minds.
"Guys. The bits and bites of the binary codes that run the entire-" Aiden tried to say.
"Speak as close to English as possible Jimmy Neutron." Victoria interrupted Aiden and suggested.
"Basically a Bit is a binary digit associated with a program. In the real world, a bit can be stored by a digital device or system which can carry information by existing in one of two distinct states. In this base. He's a living piece of code." Aiden explained the best he could then he asked the Bit. "Where's your Program. Is he or she around here?"
"Yes." The Bit answered.
"I am Groot." Baby Groot figured while he wa standing on Victoria's shoulder.
"Chose a new Program? Can they do that?" Victoria asked.
"Yes." The Bit answered.
"But if his program is around here, is he or she in trouble?" Sora asked.
"No." The bit answered.
"Then where is he or she? Can we help you find your program?" Kairi asked.
"No." The Bit answered.
"Why not?" Sora asked.
"Because one of us is his Program now." Victoria realized what Groot meant.
"Yes." The Bit answered in confirmation.
This surprised the group.
"Well, if that's the case, who's your program now?" Kairi asked the Bit.
The Bit hovered and flew around Sora as if to gesture Sora is his Program now.
"Yes." The Bit said.
"Wait..." Sora asked, surprise on his face. "I'm your program now?"
"Yes." The Bit said.
Sora was surprised to hear that.
"Hear that Spike. You got another mouth to feed." Aiden quipped as he patted Sora's pack.
"Yes yes yes yes yes yes." The Bit answered as it flew around Sora.
Sora was confused at first, but then he let out a chuckle at this when he realized he has a new friend along for the ride.
"Well, it's nice to meet you then. Welcome to the team, Bit." Sora said with a bright smile.
"Yes." The Bit answered as it hovered in place.
"He's kinda cute." Kairi chimed and giggled a little.
"No." The Bit answered. As if it was being modest or shy about being called 'cute'.
"Wait. Was your original Program the one who crashed in this vessel?" Victoria asked the Bit curiously.
"Yes." The Bit answered, confirming that his original Program derezzed.
"Oh. I'm so sorry" Kairi said, sad for the little bit.
"Yeah. But don't worry. You're in good hands with us" Sora said, trying to be cheerful for the Bit.
"Yes." The Bit answered in agreement.
"Alright, so Guardians? New recruit? Let's get back to trying down Tron. Spike, I've coded the controls to your genetic signature. Give the controls a go." Aiden signaled Sora to drive the Recognizer.
"Yes." The Bit agreed.
"Right." Sora said, stepping up to the controls with the Bit floating next to him. "Let's see how this thing moves."
Then Sora began to use the controls to hover and fly across the canyons. Sora seemed to pick up on the designs and features of the Recognizer. Since he's flown the gummiship many times.
Sora was smirking like to tomorrow as he flew the vessel across the digital desert until they made it into what looked like a large water tunnel for a filtration plant.
"Do Programs need water?" Kairi asked wondering what this was for.
"No." The Bit answered.
"Maybe it's like that liquid power source we all drinked with Tron and Ram." Sora figured.
"Yes." The Bit answered.
"Any idea where this tunnel will lead us?" Victoria asked.
"More than likely the power circuits within one of the Grid servers. It should resemble a canal. Like the Chicago River." Aiden theorized.
"Yes." the Bit said.
"Yeah, that's not going to get annoying at all?" Donald groaned, starting to get as anoyed with the Bit's constant yes or no replies.
"I think he's quite helpful." Goofy said, smiling.
"Yes." The Bit said.
"I am Groot." Baby Groot held up his hand.
"We only got used to yoy because only two of us could understand you." Aiden stated and winked."For now."
Baby Groot grinned and winked back as he understood. The way to understand Groot is through time and relationship.
Just then. Sora flew out of the tunnel and made it to what looked like solid digital conceit walls in between which resembled the canal. Thankfully no power was flowing through this district so they wouldn't be flooded.
"Hehe. Pretty good driving huh?" Sora remarked before he bumped a curve and fell down a sloap. "Wooah!"
Everyone held on as the Recognizer descended down the sloap until it landed and hoveted above a stream of power. Making everyone sigh of relief.
"No." The Bit remarked about Sora's driving.
"Who asked you?" Sora snorted as he kept driving
"Question. Are you a boy or a girl?" Aiden asked the Bit.
Before the Bit can answer...
"Bridge!" Goofy panicked as he pointed outward.
"WAAAAK!" Donald panicked seeing it.
Up ahead was a bridge with a tank driving by on it. Not only did the tank aim at them. But Sora was flying towards it. He had no where else to turn due to the walls in between.
"No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no." The Bit repeated like it was panicking.
"HANG ON!" Sora yelled the lower half of the Racognizer crashed into the bridge. Bring it and the tank. down
But the Recognizer was still going as Aiden held his hands out to the side panels and he reconnected the Recognizer's scattered parts back together before it could crash.
"I don't think this ship is built to code for town travel Spike!" Aiden exclaimed as he kept his hands held out so the Recognizer could finish repairing itself.
"Well, there's not really many options around here about where we can turn that doesn't involve us crashing into anything!" Sora exclaimed as he tried to keep the Recognizer steady.
Suddenly the edge of a small modification or a digital facility was slowly coming into view. Aiden was wincing as he was using his energy to keep the Recognizer steady. Then the Bit bounced on the ground. Causing a map to appear with directions and instructions to land on the edge of the facility up ahead.
"Bit?! Did you do that?!" Kairi asked.
"Yes." The Bit said.
"So you can create detailed maps at will? Bit, you are awesome!" Sora exclaimed, now having a means of knowing where to go.
"Yes." The Bit said, agreeing that he was awesome.
"IRIS. Is this server ahead where the I/O tower is located?...IRIS?" Aiden asked as he kept his arms out. "Oh wait I forgot."
IRIS is a living program in this world. Aiden forgot that she can't be in his ring whenever they're in this world.
"Wait. Where's IRIS? She didn't get lost did she?" Kairi asked looking worried.
"No way IRIS Isn't called Artificial Intelligence for no reason. If anything she can only appear within the servers since that's how she operates." Aiden stated.
"There we go. Sora park up there!" Donald pointed near a safe spot to land near the edge of the facility mod.
"On it!" Sora said, slowly maneuvering the Recognizer to the safe area before parking it at the spot.
Before anyone knew. The Recognizer flew over the gap and Sora managed to land safety. With a slight shake once he landed the vessel. Everyone took a sigh of relief as Sora exhaled as he hunched forward and took a deep breath.
"So...How did I do?" Sora asked in exhaustion.
"You don't wanna know." Aiden deadpanned as he let his arms drop.
Then the circuits around the Recognizer fadded and the door opened up. Allowing the guardians to step out. They all ran across the platform next to the mod felicity and came into the main street of the Grid server city. A bunch of different Programs all looking like people with different outfits and different color servers walking by minding their own business.
"Woow." Donald was amazed by how futuristic the city looked.
It was like a place of the future with neon lights and metallic buildings with different color circuits. It was like Fifth Element but with more color and more cleaner.
"I think this is one of the three main servers of Hollow Bastion." Aiden looked around.
"Yes." The Bit confirmed.
"There are so many programs, here." Kairi said, looking around at the crowd of people walking around them.
"Yeah. How are we gonna find Tron amongst all these programs?" Sora asked, looking around them.
"Hey excuse me. Do you knownif there's a search engine..." Aiden tried to ask one of the passing programs. But they kept pssing by. "Hello?"
No one answered him as all the Programs acted like they weren't there.
"Damn. This town is lively as an Apple store." Aiden snorted.
"Hey Bit? Do you know where we can find Tron?" Kairi asked.
"No." The Bit answered.
"Well. Do you know where Tron might be going next?" Victoria asked.
"Yes." The Bit stated which is a start.
"Can you show us where?" Sora asked.
"Yes." The bit bounced on the floor projecting a holographic trail in the form of a digital line for them to follow across town.
"Guarsh, that definitely makes things a lot easier for us." Goofy said.
"Oh boy!" Donald exclaimed happily.
"Now all we have to do is follow this path." Kairi said.
"And here I was starting to worry that it would take us forever to find Tron." Sora said as he was relieved that they have a new destination.
"Assuming he hasn't already half way across town with a certain lady he knows." Aiden remarked as they took off with following the trail.
They went across the streets following the Bit's navigation trail towards Tron's next possible location. But given that Tron is the MCP'S priority target. He would be anywhere but the open.
Somewhere on the other side of Sever City...
Somewhere beyond the prying eye of the MCP's troops down below who were patrolling the streets, either to keep the city in protocol or search for renegade Programs, like Tron.
Speaking of which. Tron was running across the roofs of different skyscrapers like a vigilante on the run. Using a grapple hook to swing across larger gaps. Tron's parkour skills were flexible and maneuverable as anyone can fathom in the Grid. As an independent Program. He is stronger and faster than any Program alive.
Just as he made it to the center square of the city. He landed on a roof and halted as he heard some steps behind him on the roof. Tron drew out his disc and aimed from behind.
"Halt! Not another step." Tron warned as he glared at the figure standing behind a roof vent. "Who are you."
Then the figure stepped out. Revealing herself as IRIS. The Maverick's personal assistant.
"Just someone you know." IRIS stated.
"IRIS?" Tron's eyes widened as he looked happy and put his disc away. "It's good to see you."
"It is good to see you too, Tron. Although the sercumstances could be better." IRIS stated, looking about. "Seems the situation here is still troublesome."
"You're telling me." Tron walked over and asked. "Where's Sora and the others? And your User Maverick?"
"They were teleported outside the city, into the outskirts. But they are currently making their way here in the hope of finding you." IRIS explained.
" And how are things in the User's world?" Tron asked.
"At the moment, Hollow Bastion is in disarray." IRIS went on to explain. "The MPC has been creating his own Heartless to attack the town, and has taken control of the Security system, preventing the people from fighting back more efficiently."
Tron wasn't glad to hear this. It was bad enough the MCP was causing trouble in the Grid. But to weak havoc in the User world as well was testing the limits.
"He's gone too far this time." Tron balled his fists.
Because Tron fights for the Users. He takes it personally when they're in distress.
"There is a way to bring down the MCP for good. A User name Leon is working with a few others to create an Eradication program for you to upload to your identity disk."
"Where can we find it?" Tron asked.
"Leon will soon upload it to the I/O Tower within the sector two server. But we need to hurry." IRIS advised.
"Lead the way." Tron grinned.
"Of course. Let's go." IRIS said as the two started to move. "And based on my senses, we will probably encounter Maverick and the others along the way."
Because of their system based bodies. They can run, jump and talk at the same time.
"They'll still need to keep an eye out for the Sark's troops. They've been keeping the city on lock down after we all escaped from the games." Tron stated as they showed equal flexibility as they jumped from rooftop to rooftop.
"Well, then those troops are in for a difficult time then. Aiden and the others have become much stronger than the last time we were here. I have faith they will be just fine." IRIS said with confidence in her words.
"Good. I could tell they were users the moment they offered to help." Tron said confidently.
"How so?" IRIS asked curiously.
"Well. A Program usually helps within the restrictions of their code. They usually don't help unless it's in their Programing. I'm the only who is independent inside the Grid." Tron stated. "And it's what I want for all Programs. To live free of the bondage the MCP placed on all of them."
IRIS smiled at Tron for saying this. Tron is not only fighting for the Users. But for the future of all life inside the system.
"You have quite the noble goal you wish to achieve, one the guardians and I will back you up on." IRIS said with much certainty.
" If it's alright to ask. Why do you devote yourself independently to helping others? Is it part of your programming?" Tron asked as he was curious to know more about IRIS.
"I have been the personal assistant for the last three generations of Mavericks before Aiden. But out of all of them. Aiden taught me one of the most important aspects of the User world." IRIS explained as they stopped to talk on the roof.
"Which is?" Tron asked.
"Humanity. Or rather the value of it. Humanity is more than just a purpose or code or process. But it is a concept of more than one contributing aspects that which keeps them going, despite their odds. I guess you could say. Every user lives for a purpose. But some if not all in humanity understands. That life is the purpose." IRIS stated out of devotion to the Frozen family. "Aiden and his User family from back home, learned to love as one. Because they understood the concept, of love."
Tron pondered everything IRIS was saying as he smiled at her. "Do you think, people like us could be capable of such concepts?" Tron asked about himself and all programs.
IRIS thought on it for a moment before smiling herself.
"I believe it is highly possible." IRIS simply said.
Tron was starting to feel something as he stared at IRIS. Something a program would be forbidden to feel. As he was reaching for her hand. But then he noticed the I/O Tower was just up ahead.
"Should we wait for the Guardians keep going?" Tron asked for IRIS'S advise.
"I believe it is logical and wise that we should keep going. I trust Aiden and the others to catch up to us" IRIS said confidently. "And the sooner we are rid of the MPC, the better both the Grid and User's world will be."
"Alright. Follow my lead." Tron stated im agreement as he brought out his Identity Disk.
Then Tron and IRIS stalked their way acrosd the roof towards the I/O tower expecting. trouble.
Down at the I/O tower entrance…..
Tron and IRIS scaled the walls down as they climbed down and flipped their way across rails and they ended up sliding down a ramp together. Tron caught IRIS' hand before she tripped.
"You okay?" Tron chuckled a bit.
"Yes. We should do this more often." IRIS smiled back.
Then he noticed that some of Sark's troops saw them from the windows of one of the buildings.
"I think the guards saw us." Tron told her before pulling her along. "Come on."
A minute of running later, they came before a flight of stairs. And at the top of the stairs, was a program named Dumont. He was wired into a chair and desktop, turning about before facing the bottom of the stairs, down at Tron and IRIS.
"Halt!" Dumont said loudly.
"Dumont." Tron greeted from him from the bottom of the stairs.
"I can't stand all this commotion. What do you want?" Dumont demanded to know.
"I've come to communicate with my user." Tron told Dumont.
"Difficult proposition. Difficult proposition at best." Dumont said to Tron as he and IRIS shared a look. "Why, I could be derezzed just for letting you in here. They hate this tower. They'd close it down if they dared. They keep me around just in case one of them wants to deal with the other world once in a while."
"Dumont!" Tron called out to him as IRIS took a hold of his arm to give him reassurance as he spoke. "My user has information that could, well, could make this a free system again."
"Hmph!" Dumont snorted as he found Tron's words to be ludicrous.
"No, really. Why, you'd have programs lined up just to use this place. And no MCP looking over your shoulder." Tron said as he was trying to reason with Dumont.
"When you've been in the system as long as I have, you hear many promises, many reassurances, many brave plans." Dumont said, as Tron and IRIS begin to hear loud stomping, knowing that troops were beginning to close in.
"Dumont is it? You are the Guardian of this tower correct?" IRIS called to Dumont's attention.
"That's right." Dumont nodded.
"Then you not only guard this tower. But the purpose for this tower. If the MCP forbid you to let us in. He is also robbing you of your purpose. Rest assured my team of Users are on their way here now. They'll assure nothing happens to you if you allow us inside." IRIS promised.
Dumont thought heavily for a moment before he looked up and saw the guards coming over from the outer gates.
"There they are! With the Guardian!" One of the guards pointed.
Dumont sighed before he realized IRIS was right.
"Alright A.I., alright." Dumont sighed before he closed off all the outer entrances eith a shield to buy them time. Then he asked Tron. "Who is your User, Program?"
"His name is Leon-8." IRIS whispered in Tron's ear.
Tron nodded and stepped up to Dumont.
"Leon-8. He calls me. May I pass?" Tron asked in a midly desperate tone of a need to hurry.
"All that is visible must grow beyond itself and extend into the realm of the invisible. You may pass, my friend." Dumont said to them.
Tron and IRIS smile at this, happy to see things are turning in their favor. They share a smile before walking up the stairs and passed Dumont.
Once Tron gains full power of Leon's Eradicator within his disk. He'll be one step closer to bringing down the MCP and freeing the Grid once and for all.
The Guardians of the Multiverse were just a few yards away from the I/O tower. But even if they don't get to Tron on time. They all will be heading to the same place afterwards in their means of storming the center of the MCP.
However this ends. Things were looking up for everyone inside the Grid.
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
So yeah. Like I stated before. IRIS is taking the place of Yori since we don't have the User characters from the film to represent all the Program characters. That and it will lead to something that will make IRIS more of a character than she ever was before in this fanfic series.
Also I even brought in a Bit from the film! The one character Kingdom Hearts II for some reason didn't bother to bring in! Not only that. But Bit is now a member of the team. Trust me it's all part of the plan. 😁
Also I know I hinted that the Guardians would be heading for Midgar in their next visit here. But given that a lot is happening concerning Tron's world and the havoc around Hollow Bastion. I decided to save that idea for a possibility in the Kingdom Hearts III based story later. I hope you Final Fantasy VII Remake fans are not disappointed. Besides I still kept the designs and voice actors of everyone from that game. Including Aerith.
But as for what happens next and how Tron's world will conclude. and what this might mean for IRIS. Find out in the next chapter!
Thank you all so much for reading! Don't forget to Fav, Fallow and leave comments to let me know your thoughts!
And as always Disney/Square Enix fans!
FISTBUMP! 👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊