A/N: Just to let you guys know, I uploaded Defying Code's sketchdump to my deviantART! Username Vyntresser - you know what to do! ;D

Songs Listened To :

Resuscitate Me - September

Sky Full Of Stars - Coldplay

*Chapter 125*

As soon as the two were free from Sugar Rush's wires, Zed cranked the engine of his bike and let it roar to the station, as if to warn people to get out of his way. Tessa flinched and shoved her face into the back of Zed's shoulder as they whizzed past a handful of people. She felt worry hit her skin as a few thoughts flood her brain. She had to wonder if anyone even knew of Sugar Rush's impending downgrade, and if anyone would find out exactly what happened. The way people quickly dove out of Zed's way assured Tessa that, if no one thought something was up previously, they certainly do now. Before Zed could cause any more commotion, his loud bike roared into the train station, just before the stoop that lead down into the loading area. Tessa quickly dismounted Zed's bike, as if she had finally had enough of being near him. She crossed her arms and watched as he smoothly brought his light-cycle into it's idled, baton form. He swiped the baton up, from the ground, and gently gestured for Tessa to follow him.

The station was beginning to grow quiet, as the first open arcade call was soon to be made. Zed merely glanced back at Tessa and was quick to notice that she was keeping a strict five foot distance between them. He finally heaved a hard, silent, drawn out sigh and, through closed, though rolled eyes, he pushed closer to the loading dock, of the train, and stepped into the dimly lit cabin. As casually and inconspicuously as he could, he took a seat on a long, empty bench. He knew he should have guessed Tessa would find a seat away from him. She sat a row and two chairs down from the entrance, though she tightly crossed her arms and peered out the window to her left, which was in the opposite direction of where Zed was sat. He lulled his eyes closed in deeply growing annoyance and, though he knew she was eternally pissed off at him, he had to wonder if she would ever soften.

"Where are we going?" Tessa's sharp, though sternly quiet voice suddenly cracked his presence. He flinched and gave her his full, unsettled attention, as if he was surprised she even was talking to him.

"End Of Line station," Zed answered sharply in return, as if he was eager to convey that two could play at this game.

"Whatever you say," Tessa lulled in a high, sarcastic drone, though her mean, sorrowful glare caught with his as she just barely cocked an eyebrow, "Your highness."

Zed nearly gaped, though he chose to bite down on his tongue, behind his closed lips. He just barely squinted at her, as if to dig into her soul and ask why here, why now. He held her stern eye contact and, before he could retaliate, she ripped her exhausted, though powerful stare, from his, and gave it to the window, in which now made it obvious that the train was slowly leaving the station, and entering the pitch black tunnel. Zed continued to curiously, though angrily, peer at Tessa. He had to wonder just why she was being so mean. He knew the gist of why, though he furrowed his brow deeper into his tired stare and was curious to know if she somehow found out more, to this mess, than he was aware at this time.

With a painfully silent train ride that had finally come to an end, after a cold, agonizing half an hour, the train slowly creaked into End Of Line station; the only two people left on the train were Tessa and Zed. As nonchalantly as Zed could, he gestured for Tessa to follow him as he stood and moseyed towards the opening train door. Tessa eyed him in growing annoyance and, like sludge, she got up from her seat and hesitantly followed him. The two stepped off of the train, onto the docking area, and slowed to a confused stop. Tessa peered about the massive, beckoning station, outside of the train-loading area, and quickly looked back to Zed, who began to fiddle his fingers and dig into his pockets, as if to pretend to busy himself. Tessa slumped her shoulders and wondered why the meandering attitude was now necessary.

"What are you doing," Tessa hissed sharply, which caused Zed to flinch and shove a finger to his lips, to politely cue her to be quiet. He shook his head and, before he could continue to pretend to look for something, the massive, futuristic, white monorail like train began to lull away from the station, in the opposite direction.

"Waiting for the train to leave," Zed whispered, though his voice still hung in the cold walls and low ceiling. The cool, pearly white station looked tame, though it was clear that the closer the walls eked to the loading area, the more they began to look grungier and riddled with bouts of graffiti.

"Why?" Tessa urged in growing annoyance as Zed approached the loading dock, as if to prepare to board the train that had just pulled away.

Zed eagerly peered down the opposite end of the tunnel, "The train stops here... Hence, the name 'End Of Line Station'... But, the tunnel keeps going on."

"Certainly doesn't look like it," Tessa uttered gently, she was surprised to feel her cold demeanor warm, though only for the few seconds she allowed.

"It's just not lit up," Zed said above a whisper as both of them leaned over the yellow railings, just before the live-wired tracks, to get a good look down the pitch black, ominous tunnel that seemingly led to nowhere.

Tessa opened her mouth to inquire further, though she flinched and scrunched her face in impending annoyance as Zed began to climb over the yellow railing. She slumped her shoulders and glared at the back of his head, as if to wonder if he could do any other stupid tricks. As Zed jumped down onto the platform below, the only part of him, that was visible, was his hips and up. Tessa slowly began to approach the situation, though she tilted her head in growing curiosity. She noticed Zed was now level with the terrifyingly massive live-wired railings in which the train was powered from. She knew, if anything were to happen to him, she'd have to dive in head first after him. Whether she'd want to, or not, was what she immediately began to ponder. She noticed Zed approach another sturdy row of railings, though this pair was painted a more urgent orange color, as if to signify impending danger.

Zed's strong body hopped over the hot orange railing; clearly a warning to stay out. The tracks dangerously hummed just a few feet from his vulnerable self, though his lazy demeanor cued Tessa into wondering if he had possibly done this before. She wrinkled her nose, crossed her arms, and slowly got to one knee, so to look down into the gap, where Zed now stood. He chuckled, though he almost winced from all of the bruises all over his neck. He forced a smile and cocked an eyebrow, though Tessa gently peered her head through the railings and looked down the massive, ominous tunnel that seemingly lead nowhere.

"You want to take me... Down there," Tessa lazily pointed, her tone was dull, as if to suggest he'd have to practically drag her.

"Yeah, that's the only way," Zed muttered as he slumped his shoulders, though his strong hands grappled the orange railing. He began to sway and lazily lull about, in a boyish way, "Why, scared?"

"I just lost my kingdom," Tessa barked quietly, though the cold, echoing, train walls held onto her voice. Zed cocked an eyebrow and noticed the bags under her eyes, and as much as he wanted to shove their differences aside and comfort her, he held onto his attitude, for the sake of every hateful thing she had previously said to him. Tessa heaved a raspy sigh and continued on, "Nothing, from this standpoint, could scare me farther. Not like you'd care."

"If I didn't care, I wouldn't be showing you the Arcade's biggest kept secret, right now," Zed's voice was dark, and lacked his usual, sweet bite of delightful coy. Tessa knew, from here, it meant war, though somehow, she had to wonder if he was relishing in all of this angry build up.

"Sure, I'm going to traipse down this tunnel with a game-traitor, no big deal," Tessa muttered as she rolled her eyes and finally let her gaze peer down the mysterious tunnel that held in anticipated wait.

"...Y'Chicken?" Zed teased as he raised his eyebrows, squinted and wondered just how far he could go before she really exploded. He figured this was the stopping point, once she gave him the side-eye of the century.

"You're three feet and one shove from getting the biggest electric shock of your entire life," Tessa muttered coldly, though Zed beamed.

"I don't know, I think a code swap would top it," Zed beamed, "Should we find out?"

"What, you attempting to get me to agree to swap with you? Or me pushing you right now?" Tessa's hot glare set into his skin; she hoped he would get the point.

Just as Tessa was about to spout more nonsense, Zed largely let go of the railing, flailed his arms and, evading Tessa's knowledge, he pretended to wobble backwards, as if he was about to fall onto the live-wired tracks. He uttered a loud holler of a noise, though with this, Tessa jolted and threw out her hand in hard surprise. She largely grabbed Zed's arm and tugged on him, her eyes billowed with all of the worry in the world, though just as she brought Zed back to the rail, her eyes were met with his delightfully playful grin, his white teeth and adorable blue eyes nearly made her heart stop. Her eyes bulged with the sudden realization that it was all a joke.

"You DO love me!" Zed laughed, though he wobbled as Tessa largely shoved his hand away and gave him the glare of a lifetime, "Aww, you were going to save my life!"

"Next time, 'imma let you fall!" Tessa angrily shouted, though she largely stood, and on the way up, she banged the back of her head on the railing above her head. She yelped a noise and clumsily stood. Zed grit his teeth and winced, though he raised his eyebrows in growing anguish as she muttered a few curse words, slapped her hands to the back of her head, and began to step away in seething, brooding pain.

"Tess," Zed chuckled as he felt his heart swell. He waved his hand a little and gestured for her to come back, "Are you alright?"

"Shut up, I'm not alright!" Tessa hollered, though she knew she should lower her voice; the walls hung onto every single word she uttered.

Zed slumped his shoulders and patiently let her take a few wary steps about, to quell her pain, though once she had finally settled, she rubbed the back of her head and inspected her hand for any signs of blood. She growled a sigh of a breath and gave Zed her exhausted eye contact. She shook her head and let out a cynical chuckle.

"Y'minus well just leave me here," Tessa scoffed.

"I'm not leaving you here," Zed demanded softly, "We've got a game to fix. We're half way there... Now, c'mon."

"You sure you know where you're going?" Tessa wondered, as if the hit to the back of the head had humbled her further. She knew she should at least try and cooperate with the only being that was able to help her.

"It's been awhile, but we'll manage," Zed nodded softly as he finally held his hand up and out for her.

With as much ease and secrecy as she could muster, she slipped through the yellow railings, jumped down to the lower platform, and stood on the other side of the orange railing from Zed. He bit his bottom lip and dug into his backpack, which he had set to the lower platform so to make it easier to hop the railings. He finally pulled out a small, flat, matte black pad. It was a perfect square, and it had a small screen on it. He tapped the center of it, though the glow of the screen was so faint, Tessa wasn't sure whether it was on or it was merely reflecting the station lights from above. Tessa wrinkled her nose and leaned in a little closer.

"What's that?" Tessa quietly wondered.

"A materializer," Zed's brilliant eyes merely glanced at her, "This will be our saving grace, while we're gone. For now, we need helmets."

"Is Tron that hostile, or something?" Tessa peered up to Zed with a curious gaze, though she began to feel nervous.

"No," Zed's voice was still, though his eyes met Tessa's again; this time, with a load more sincerity, "But I'd never forgive myself if we crashed..."

Tessa raised her eyebrows and knew just what he was insinuating. He held her eye contact for a few moments, as if to beg that the two still had some form of a romantic standing, whether it was something they needed to majorly rekindle or what, he wasn't totally certain. Before too much time passed, he tapped a few things, on a small holographic index that appeared, and as smoothly as the little device could handle, it brought out two black helmets. Zed grappled for one, while Tessa's hands softly grabbed the other; Zed slipped the materializer into his back pocket and, with growing nervousness, he peered to Tessa in an edgy kind of anxiousness he knew was palpable.

"... You're doubting your driving skills?" Tessa innocently wondered.

"No, Tron's grid is extremely slick," Zed scoffed with an annoyed smile, though his eager eyes peered down the tunnel they were destined for, "One wrong move and the bike could just go sliding. Not something I'm used to."

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Tessa finally let her anger soak away, though she knew it was still hanging in the balance.

"I need you to listen to me," Zed suddenly urged, though his voice was beginning to show tenderness, once again. Tessa raised her eyebrows and pricked her whole attention to his; he firmly, though lovingly held his hands to her upper arms, "Once we get into the game... We can't talk to each other. The ride to the portal has to be in silence. Officials have devices, all over the game... Listening in on anything and everything. If they find out we're headed for the portal, we'll be caught, or killed. You have to promise not to say anything."

"Okay," Tessa's voice quivered as he hovered near her, his demeanor was as serious as could be, though she could practically feel the sorrow in his skin. She furrowed her eyebrows in growing anguish and, as much as she hated the feeling, tears stung her eyes.

"I'm going to have you wear the backpack, so you can hold onto me as tight as you can. We're going to make a run for the portal, and, well..." Zed scoffed a small laugh, though his eyes held to Tessa's, "I've never actually pushed the bike's top speed... But today's the day we will find out what it is."

"Rock on," Tessa said through a small, breathy laugh as her teeth showed through, which cued Zed to smile as well. She shook her head, just barely, and began to feel her hands shake, "What... What do we do, once we reach the portal?"

"Just stay close to me," Zed's deep voice quietly begged, "I'll do the rest..."

Tessa's eyes barely darted back and forth between his, as if to assess everything that he was. She finally sighed, her shoulders slumped and her chest and rib cage nearly caved in on itself. She effortlessly let the tears escape her eyes and roll all the way down her her jaw, in one quick swipe. She just barely shook her head and gave Zed her tender eye contact. She began to feel her walls crumple, though only slightly. Her facial features looked as if they were bound to almost permanently be scrunched into the expressions of sorrow and grief.

"Zed, I don't hate you," Tessa whispered quietly, though she knew the two had little time to chat. She shook her head as more tears welled in her eyes, though she was almost delightfully surprised to see tears gather in Zed's eyes as well.

"I don't hate you, too," Zed chuckled, though his voice grew slightly nasally. He gently tucked some of Tessa's hair behind her right ear and, as if to avoid stepping into a conversation that was bound to take hours, he pulled out his baton of a light-cycle and tapped on Tessa's helmet with the pads of his fingers, in an inquiring way, "C'mon. W-we'll have plenty of time to talk once we get out of the game. Er... Arcade."

Before Tessa could argue and press the idea of continued chit-chat, she shook her thoughts and softly slipped on Zed's black backpack. She fastened it tight, to her spine, and shoved the helmet over her head, as did he. He raised the heavily tinted visor and, with one last bout of eye contact and a nod of confirmation, he slid the visor back down over his face, which was now impossible to see. He finally turned to the wiring, just before him, and opened his light-cycle over it. With a bit of disagreement between the two different forms of electricity, the bike finally rested idle and waited for it's riders. Zed quickly mounted it, though he reached out both his hands and eagerly helped Tessa onto the back of his bike. He steadied her, to make sure she didn't slip onto the fatal wiring just underneath them.

Zed waited a patient few, solid seconds as Tessa finally fastened herself to Zed's spine once and for all. He furrowed his eyebrows and peered down the pitch black tunnel. He knew his bike would illuminate the void, though he felt his heart sink in uncertainty. He knew this was now or never, a situation he was sure he'd be placed in sooner or later, though it all looked very different, in his mind. He scoffed a small breath, to ready himself, and with Tessa's patiently still figure gripped to his, he finally eased the bike forward and let speed overcome him. After a few minutes of nothing but hollow tunnel, and his electric blue bike to illuminate the way, his eyes finally adjusted to his surroundings. He knew he could prepare for further darkness, as they approached Tron; he knew the game never had a day-time cycle.

As the long tunnel they rocketed down came to a sudden turn, he knew he had approached Tron's outlet. He knew Tron's outlet differed heavily from the others with the fact that Tron's outlet didn't plug into a hub, a power strip that housed a bunch of other games. Tron plugged into a solid wall outlet, though just where the game cabinet resided in Litwak's was what Zed was eager to find out. Just as he was about to let his mind slam on the proverbial brakes of this terrifying venture, the two were suddenly flung onto Tron's dark grid. With a wide smile of growing accomplishment, he pushed the bike's speed farther and wondered just what this kind of ultimate freedom would feel like.

Tessa widened her eyes and, though she still remained flush to Zed's spine, with her arms tightly gripped around his center, she felt her whole existence becoming smaller and smaller, at just how glorious and beautiful Tron's dark atmosphere was. Similar to Hero's Duty, it hung in a never-ending night cycle, though the skyline in the distance boasted all sorts of beautiful lights, as well as the raw grid lines that sprawled the landscape. Just as she was going to let her eyes get totally lost in the majestic beauty in the far distance, she felt the bike jolt in a curious, confusing kind of way. She tried her hardest to not make any noise, however, once Zed let his skin come alive with his coding; he knew it would flare Tessa's, as well. Before Tessa could mentally question just what was going on, she noticed the brilliant, blue hue of the light-cycle change from it's usual blue, to their iridescent silvers.

Zed bit his bottom lip and, as if he knew somehow that trick would add fuel to the fire, he shoved on the gas and, much to his further surprise, the bike coughed a noise and began to cut through the grid with much greater speed than prior. It took everything inside him not to laugh a noise of accomplished glee, though he was thrilled to feel Tessa hold onto him tighter. He furrowed his eyebrows in determination, and with their bike powered by their very coding, ones said to not even cooperate, they sailed across creation with greater ease than prior. Zed set his apprehensive glare to the brilliantly shining portal in the distance. After what seemed to be at least a half an hour of constant, incredible sound barrier-breaking speed, the portal's landing could finally be seen. Zed easily looked to his left and right, and out both peripherals, to see if there were potentially any followers on their tail. He was thrilled to find they were alone, or so he told himself.

Just before Zed could attempt to slow the bike down, to ease into the portal's massive, powerful presence, which was a solid, blue, pulsing beam straight to the heavens, Zed's bike suddenly sputtered and flickered, as if someone was trying to pull the plug on it. Zed coughed a small, nervous noise and, after tampering with a few buttons on his dash, the bike suddenly lost all power and began to lose it's incredible speed, albeit slowly. Zed raised his eyebrows in hard surprise and let the bike coast the rest of the way to the portal. He knew somehow the portal harbored so much unfathomable power, it was likely to shut down any sort of devices that came close to it.

Once they were fifty feet from the loud, pulsing portal, Zed stopped the bike, for good, and sat up, which cued Tessa to quickly dismount the bike. She took off her helmet and eagerly peered up at the portal in growing terror. Her chest rose and fell in total uncertainty, though once Zed powered down his light-cycle for good and sunk the baton into his back pocket, he ripped the helmet off of his head and grabbed Tessa's. He set the helmets down on the ground, near the first, massive step of the stoop the portal was perched atop. He then gripped Tessa's hands and began to nervously lead her to their destination, though he flinched as she ripped her hands away and shook her head. Zed gave her a terrified look and, above the portal's loud pulsing, he called to her.

"What's wrong!" Zed wondered above the whipping wind, as well. He flinched as his hair messily draped his face.

"I-I can't do it, I can't do it!" Tessa begged, fear coated her voice, "Wh-what if we don't survive? What if we get caught?"

"Well then we go down trying!" Zed urged loudly as he eased back into her presence, though she shook her head as he continued, "We gotta hurry, Tess!"

"Are you sure this is the way to the human world?" Tessa called as her long hair whipped about angrily, she flinched as stray hairs coated her collar and shoulders, "What if we're killed! You die outside your game you d-"

"I've always said that I'll never let anything bad happen to you!" Zed hollered as he suddenly gripped Tessa's cheeks in his hands and pleadingly gazed at her, "I know I've screwed up everything, Tess, EVERYTHING! I can't begin to tell you how awful I feel... But I can fix this. WE can fix this!"

Tessa let tears roll down her cheeks as she eagerly peered into Zed's eyes, as if to beg for further clarity, though the rhythmic pulsing of the portal, behind Zed, was nearly beckoning.

"We were being followed," Zed urged as softly as he could, though loud enough so he could still be heard. His nervous eyes began to notice two recognizers in the distance, large hovercrafts that glowed an angry orange. He shook his head and desperately tugged on Tessa's hands. He was delighted to feel her finally step forth with him, "C'mon, Tess, it's time."

Tessa nodded and shakily let her bare feet find the cold stairs that led to the portal. The two slowly stepped up the massive stoop as they, once and for all, became level with the incredibly powerful portal. Zed shook his head and peered up at it in terrified awe, though he gripped Tessa's hand and slowly began to lead them closer to their fate. Once they were within a dozen feet of it's rays, Zed gently grappled for the backpack on Tessa's back. He took it off of her, though she held it out and open for him. Before she could question anything, he softly swiped out a slick, gorgeous light-disc. It glowed a brilliant blue and flickered on, as if to signify it was ready to be used. Tessa and Zed caught eyes, amidst the chaos; they were certain they weren't prepared for anything that was about to unfold, though somehow, they knew defying code was a part of their tightly intertwined programming.

A/N: I drew fanart for this chapter, of which I am extremely fond of. It's an 'older' piece, so you might have to do some digging in my deviantART gallery, but it's titled 'Sky Full Of Stars' - my username is Vyntresser. Thanks you guys! I'm SO thrilled you guys are so excited for everything that is happening! The surprises don't stop here, trust me xD