A Clash of Discs

It wouldn't be long now, only a few cycles maybe a kilo at the most until the Super Recognizer was fixed. How did they plan to use it? Would it be another ship in Clu's flying army or would it simply go after Tron and its sole design of repurposing him be its function? Dyson could only guess as he stared out over the length of one of the massive legs of the ship, a random array of sparks flashing to life on it showing the work that was proceeding ahead of schedule.

It was no small task by any means but he still found it beneath him to oversee the project. Pavel would be more in line to make sure it got done, and without any slip ups. It was one of the few times Dyson actually believed the Program would excel at his duty.

Turning away from the leg and walking past the end of it, Dyson was greeted with a yellow sight.

"Clu, I wasn't expecting you so soon," he started as stood a bit taller.

"Yes, well I thought I'd see your progress and tell you that Pavel will be stopping the games," Clu stated calmly, his hands clasped behind his cloak as he lazily inspected the ship.

"Right," Dyson affirmed.

"I want you to join him in three micros, make sure everything goes accordingly," Clu said.

"I'll get right to it," Dyson answered. The yellow helmeted Program nodded as he started walking away, clearly done with his inspection and briefing.

Dyson stood a moment and waited for Clu to disappear from sight. When the elevator platform had brought Clu back up into the Recognizer he came in, Dyson turned and started his last inspection for the cycle. Sadly, he couldn't help his thoughts stray to the annoying shriveling Program that was Argon's newest General.

Great, another assignment with Pavel...

"Programs of Argon! I apologize that as my first decree as General of this fine city is one you will not like, but, this will be the last game held until further notice," Pavel's voice rang out through the coliseum a chorus of boos and moans sounded after.

"Do not fret! You will now be under the hospital custody of the great Clu as you are now trespassing on sacred grounds!" The reaction was instant, shouts of terror and rage filling the empty arena as chaos followed.

"Round up the law breakers," The general commanded darkly to the guards in the room with him. They went on there way through the exit in the back leaving him to watch the Programs running hopeless to the exits, where transports and guards awaited them.

Tron woke to the sound of his alarm going off next to his bed. It wasn't the alarm to wake him but his monitoring system for Argon. As part of his coding, he was able to wake instantly and without any grogginess from his sleep. Looking at the system, he saw a video feed of the coliseum surrounded by Occupation soldiers putting Programs into large transport vehicles. It was obvious they were being arrested but why?

Deciding to take immediate action, he stood from the small bed and proceeded towards the holo room, hoping to inform someone that he would be leaving for recon. When he found everyone asleep besides Link who was tirelessly fighting off generated Black Guards in a far corner of the room he decided on a different plan.

"Link," Tron called out through is helmet as he approached the Program finishing up another round of guards. The Program looked exhausted, sweat running down his face, his face showing pain, and his arms hanging too loose by his side for Tron's liking.

"Sir!" Link saluted as he saw Tron's approaching figure.

"I have a job for you, your performance during our last mission was approvable. If you have the energy, I'd like for you to do some recon," Tron explained briefly.

"Of course! What do you need me to do?" came the excited reply.

"I want you to sneak into Argon and find out what's going on at the coliseum,"

"Alright, I just need my bike and I'll be on my way," Link said as he went to the rooms to get his baton. When he returned, Tron was already moved to the elevator, waiting for him.

"Before you go, there are a few things I should tell you. Clu and his forces will know your face, if you're seen they will derezz you on the spot, don't give them that chance. I only want to know what's happening at the coliseum and where the Programs that are being arrested are going. If you see Tesler or any commanding officer I want you to keep a distance, I know you've been training and pushing yourself, but this isn't the time," Tron finished.

"I know, just recon," Link said, understanding the situation fully.

"Good, make sure you're back before the start of the next cycle. Good luck," Tron nodded his head as the renegade entered the elevator to the bottom floor, a confident smile on his face.

Tron had watched Link on his journey into Argon, as well as his return, through his magnifying lens on the hideout glass. When he reported that the Games were momentarily stopped and all the Programs had been arrested for trespassing the questions only mounted for the great Program. But what hadn't surprised Tron was the fact that Pavel was the new reigning general for the city.

He was holding a small strategy meeting with Mara and Gav, something he had started doing after the success of the first mission. Informally, the two had become Tron's second in command, often acting as teachers towards the others than learners. While each had their own close friend to go to that would help them out, Zed to Mara, as Pearl to Gav, though the latter wasn't involved romantically.

"What if we set up a base in the coliseum?" Mara suddenly asked while the other two were taking a moment to think of best next move.

"Are you serious?" Gav asked. After Gav's revelation that he knew who Tron was, he was immediately introduced to Mara and Zed as another confidant for the Renegade's and Tron's identity. Zed was impressed that he had managed to figure it out on his own, and was quick to make friends while Mara was hesitant at first, almost hostile, as she thought it was unorthodox and rude. Luckily, Zed had convinced her that he had reveled himself with good intentions while also being honest, but he figured it was the fact he had figured out who Tron was so easily that had ticked off Mara.

"Yes! Who would expect it? Clu wouldn't see it, and I don't think he plans to use it for anything," she reasoned a pep in her voice as she contained her excitement.

"But what's to stop Clu from simply demolishing the structure?" Tron countered.

"Well… I guess we don't really know for sure. But he doesn't exactly have a reason to do it either! Wouldn't it be a waste to get rid of the building?" Mara asked.

"That section of the Grid is huge, he could easily make it into a production area for Recognizer, Light Bikes, or Jets if he wanted," Tron answered, causing Mara to visibly deflate.

"I think it's a good idea," both turned to look at the third member of their group. "If we want to win this fight we need to think of different ways to beat Clu. He knows Tron, he knows his strategies. This is exactly why me and Mara are here, to provide crazy ideas that just might work," Gav explained cooly. There was a small pause for consideration before Tron nodded his head.

"You're right. If we want to beat Clu we'll have to task bigger risks. A safe point within the city would be a considerable asset to the Defiance. I'm not going to risk everyone's safety for it, though. Gav, I want you to take a small group, four others at the most, and take a look around. Bring Link with you, he seems to know a way into the city while also getting through it, have him report back to me with any information. If the coliseum doesn't look safe, or in threat of being used or destroyed by Clu, I want you back here as soon as possible," Tron commanded.

"Wait! I don't get to go?" Mara pouted in dismay.

"That's up to Gavistan, if it was up to me I'd take the quietest and most coordinated with me," the Child Basic answered calmly. Mara looked over to Gav with big pitiful eyes.

"Don't get your circuits crossed, I was going to bring you along anyway. I know you want Zed to come along, and before you ask I'm saying no," Mara returned her face to a pleading puppy dog stare after hearing that. "Don't give me that face, I think it'd be better to keep Zed and Pearl here to help train the others,"

"But Tron's here," Mara countered weakly.

"Yes, but you know this group is too large for one Program to train effectively," Gav and Tron both knew that to be a lie, but Mara didn't. The reason Gav didn't want Zed on the mission was because he was the least quiet Program out of the renegades. When he felt comfortable, mainly when he was with people he trusted, he would chat away, it didn't matter where he was.

"Fine," Mara said in defeat, her head hanging down a few inches from the table they were seated around.

"I'll go get the others I want in the group, tell them what we're doing, and get ready," Gav stood, the chair he occupied sliding with a small pitch against the floor.

"Good. Leave at night, around the same time Link did yesterday," Tron instructed as he turned to the table and started pulling up files of information and maps. The table generated holograms against itself as Tron looked into files and found what he was looking for.

"I mapped out most of Argon a while back, I want you two to have this file on your disc, I'm sure it will help," Tron pointed to two circles that appeared on the table that looked to be the outlining of discs. Mara and Gav looked at them for a second before taking their discs and placing it in the circles. A small green light appeared next to each disc showing the transfer had been completed.

"Cool," Mara said as she opened the file and was shown with a birds eye view of the city.

"You can zoom in for a closer look. The map will show up to 250 square meters accurately in some areas, mainly the center,"

"Why haven't you given this to us before?" Gav asked.

"The Defiance didn't need it yet," Tron answered simply.

"What about Link?" Mara inquired.

"He has one as well,"

Mara felt reassured knowing he had one when he first went into Argon. Apparently, the conversation was over for Gav who left the room and headed down to the holo room to prepare his group. The cyan haired girl soon followed after realizing she had nothing to left to say, leaving the savior of the Grid to his thoughts.

"We ready?" Gav looked back to the other Programs in the squad. The members he had decided on we're Mara, Link, Bartik, and Hopper. All of them knew each other and worked well together even before joining the Defiance, giving them an advantage over their teammates. While Gav himself hadn't worked with them, he was experienced enough to compensate for the lack of formality and knowledge the other Programs had with each other.

"I'm good," Bartik answered first, turning to look at the others.

"Good," Hopper said, fastening the emergency Baton Jet to his left leg.

"Ready," Link said, his body apparently rested enough to go on the same trip he had done the previous cycle.

"Let's go," Mara said determinately before stepping forward and breaking her baton open and zooming off on her Light Bike. Gav glared after her and followed, breaking his own baton and riding after her. It hadn't taken long for the others to catch up and soon the group was traveling tightly together as the road digitalized before them and disintegrated after. Anyone who caught sight of them from a distance would think they were driving on air.

At some point when they had started riding on solid ground Link had taken lead of the pack. When the group was half a kilometer out from the guard post to the Link veered off the road and headed closer to the section of the large wall that helped separate the outlands from the city. The terrain was smooth but hilly. On a few occasions, the others would lose sight of their lead as he went down one of the steeper hills only to appear on the top of the next one. After riding for few minutes the hills stopped and it was just a downward travel. The others had seen the whole before Link pointed it out to them.

"There's a tunnel that leads into the city. It's how I got in," he shouted back to them as they approached the whole in the wall. Stopping in front of it, the group took a moment to plan their movements.

"Link, where does this open up?" Gav asked, inspecting the five meter tall tunnel.

"I use it to get to Able's garage but it goes farther. I haven't explored it all the way but I think it goes underneath Argon Square," Link said.

"Argon Square, huh?" Gav muttered mainly to himself.

"I know a way to the coliseum from Able's garage," the smaller Program interjected. Gav seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking.

"Alright, we'll follow your lead, Link. We should explore these tunnels, could come in handy in the future," he decided while motioning for Link to take the lead again.

As the group was once again lead by Link, the others could help but find the tunnel somewhat… peaceful. It was spacious enough for them to use their bikes in single file, and as they rode through the shaft at a calm tour the different circuit lights from the bikes danced off the interior walls. Instead of the walls being made with the same plastic and glass like substance that formed most of the Grid, the material was course and seemed to be composed more of the dark stone the mountain and the Outlands were made of. It's material glittered and shimmered with the colorful circuit lights and played with other dazzling colors, mixing and darting to random areas of the tunnels as they passed.

"Link, how'd you find out about this place?" Mara asked breathlessly as she was caught in the magic happening before her. The others were on the same page as their eyes were also glued to the walls.

"I found it one cycle after my shift. I didn't really have anything to do… so I just started riding around and I found this," he called back as he felt the nostalgic emotions creeping up on him from recalling the memory.

"It's amazing!" she uttered still consumed by the awe and beauty.

They road on for a few more minutes, passing other pipes that were perpendicular to their path. It seemed to go on forever but eventually Link stopped in front of one perpendicular tunnel and turned into it. As first, they all thought they were simply making a turn but when they had all rounded the corner they saw Link with no bike and climbing up the side of the tunnel to a ledge that went upward.

"This goes right behind Able's garage," Link stated as he climbed the ladder hugging the wall.

Cautiously, everyone derezzed their bikes and followed. When they reached the surface they were in a dark alley that was in fact behind Able's garage. Link was already at the end of the alley peering around the corner to make sure the coast was clear when Bartik was lifted up to his feet and Hopper closed the gate behind him.

"The Occupation has this place blocked off, so there aren't any guards until we get to the barriers," Link whispered. "Just follow me and we'll be fine,"

"Wait, have you checked out what's going on over there?" Gav grabbed Link's shoulder before he could run off and pointed toward the downed Super Recognizer where guards and engineers were walking around and working. Link shook his head in response.

"No, I never saw anyone over there when I was here," he pointed out as he turned to head in that direction.

"Hold on, I'll take lead," Gav said as he stopped the eager mechanic once more. Sticking to his word, he set off in front and went into the garage through one of the side entrances. The place was deserted besides the debris of bikes, tanks, and other vehicles previously being worked on until the fall of the great machine. Making their way to the main entrance the group gathered at the edge of the wall and took peaks around the corner to see the Super Recognizer. Gav had taken out the binoculars Tron had given him and was scanning the area for who was in charge. He gave a short grunt of annoyance as he couldn't see anyone familiar, only a single officer who seemed to be the current commander.

"What is it?" Mara asked, worried his grunt was something serious.

"Nothing. Just don't see anyone important over there," he answered disappointed. The others were taken aback at his statement.

"What you want someone like Tesler there? We're not looking for a fight," Bartik said in a accusing tone.

"No, I don't know. Just want to find something important I guess," Gav sighed returning the binoculars to his side and looking on.

"Well, what did you see?" Mara asked.

"Nothing, looks like they're just working on the thing," he said as if it wasn't important.

"You're saying that like it doesn't matter," she pointed out hotly.

"Look at that thing, no way it'll fly anytime soon. I'm just focusing on other things. Things that'll be a problem sooner than later," her defended himself.

"We should still report this to Tron," she stated firmly.

"We will when we get back. For now, we have to get to the coliseum and check out the area," Gav said as he started walking back toward the entrance they came in. The others gave a few glances back at the Super Recognizer before following their group leader.

Once they were back outside Gav told Link that he was to take point again and show them the way to the coliseum. The Program set off toward another set of allies without another word. Luckily, their trip was uneventful as they approached the barrier, yet Gav couldn't help the feeling they were being watched and was constantly on alert as they made their way through the industrial area. When they were only a block away from the large red wall the Occupation had constructed, Link started climbing up a ladder which was hidden by the darkness of the alleyway. The others looked at each other briefly before following and took a small break on the top of the ten story building.

"What do we do from here?" Gav asked as he scanned the area for a way toward the coliseum which was barely visible in the distance.

"Just follow me across the roofs. We'll keep heading north and then eventually we'll cross over them from this bridge on the rooftops," Link answered, before setting off once more. After jumping from one roof to the next, they had reached an area where the road the Occupation had set up their barrier was narrower and they could see a bridge that gapped two buildings together. Apparently, the Occupation had thought little of the skybridge and hadn't bothered with any guards or blockades. Making it across, the team took a small breather as Link took out his digital map and studied the hologram.

"I think we're okay to head straight for the coliseum," he proposed as he closed down the map and turned towards the other.

"What about the guards? It's past curfew," Gav questioned.

"It's fine. They lifted the curfew, didn't you know?" Link informed them to their surprise.

"What? When did this happen?" Mara exclaimed as they made it to ground level.

"It happened a few cycles ago. Clu made a big announcement at Argon Square,"

"Why would he do that?" Mara wondered softly to herself.

"He said that Tesler's laws were to harsh and that all Programs had the right to do as they pleased, as long is was in his favor," Link said with distaste. "Crazy Program," The other's fell silent as they thought it over.

"Once we make it to the road we can just ride most of the way to the coliseum," Link said.

"Wait. I don't think we should go together," Gav informed them as they neared the end alleyway. "We'll look too suspicious if we go together," he explained.

"Are you sure that's safe?" Mara asked hesitantly.

"Safer than if we were together. Ready?" Gav answered as he stepped out into the empty street with his baton his hand.

"Sounds good to me," Bartik said as he followed by breaking apart his baton. The rest followed and headed off in different directions with Mara being the last to head off.

Why does it feel like something's watching us… Mara thought as she looked one last time at the alley they had just come from before turning the corner and heading toward the coliseum.

Cyrus had watched the small group of Defiance members from the time they infiltrated the city to their arrival at the coliseum. It was interesting to watch them as the smallest and least experienced lead the group and the two fighting for leadership over the group. The bigger man was clearly had more knowledge on leading a group but the female he knew as Mara was too head strong and enthusiastic to let him do his job. Instantly, gathering data on the other two who were clearly very close and well disciplined, Cyrus had grown bored of watching them and decided on what needed to be fixed. While the smaller Program had no choice but to lead as he knew the way, Mara should have asked the veteran Program to lead as she needed more exposure. It was mindless thinking as he continued to watch the small Program heading back through underground tunnels back out to the hideout.

"Sir," Link started when he was a few feet behind Tron who was facing toward the training Programs in the holo room. The travel back was much less nerve wrecking for the smaller mechanic as he didn't have others to show they way and worry about. While he was working to change his body and mind, his physical body was coming along greatly. His body had started to grow and he could now lift weights twice as much as he used to and was able to run at a strong jog for over an milli. Yet as his body progressed he found it much harder to change his mindset. Still being somewhat isolated by the group, not because of his weak personality, but because the amount he worked and pushed himself was high above the others and no one could keep up with his effort. Whether they were intimidated, embarrassed, or simply weary of approaching him and making a conversation he wasn't sure and hoped that after he had his body where he wanted he could finally join a group and be part of it.

Tron turned until his whole body was facing Link, showing he had his full attention.

"What do you have to report?" He asked.

"We've made it into the coliseum with no problems. Gav is confident that the Occupation left it without having plans to use it later. Mara wasn't sure but agreed. Bartik and Hopper... They just drove around in their bikes," Link informed, his last sentence added hesitantly. Whether Tron cared or not that the pair had goofed off he didn't show it as he nodded his head in understanding.

"Thank you, Link. This could be a great asset to the Defiance and the fight for Argon. I'm glad you were able to find a way into the city as well, you don't know how valuable that is," Tron complimented his student softly. He had decided to ease up a little on the harsh words and pushing of Programs, as was his style of training Cyrus and Beck, because of what had happened to the two Renegades. One crazy and one dead obviously showed flaws in his training of the two. So he fell back on trying to think like Beck, having seen how he could corral his friends and other Programs to follow his thinking and made them push themselves, both as Beck The Mechanic and Beck The Renegade.

Link's eyes shot open as he felt the older Program's hand on his shoulder giving him a reassuring pat. Had he known the true Tron he would have been in danger of having his system shocked at seeing the Program acting so out of character.

"O-Of course sir!" Link stood taller and glowed with pride.

"Now, go get some rest. I know you're pushing yourself but you need to rest your body,"

"Right..." Link trailed off as he relaxed his body, letting the exhaustion of the past three cycles set in.

He excused himself and headed towards the rooms. Passing the training Programs he watched as everyone was training with staff batons and either dueling other members or simulated guards. Unintentionally, he searched for a familiar face among the crowd but quickly caught himself. The pain of remembering one of his friends washed over him and slowed his walk. Torch was another mechanic who was somewhat of an outcast, but unlike Link she was an outcast in a sense that she didn't have a group of her own but she was able to friend one person from all the closely knitted groups of Programs, thus everyone knew her but no one was close to her. Link wasn't exactly jealous of her, instead he looked up to her. She had such a strong personality that she was able to be happy by herself and she knew what she liked. It was odd to think that he was the closest thing she would call a best friend.

Tron had watched the small mechanic walk to the sleeping area and had seen his expression turn downcast as he glanced at the other Defiance members. He recalled how he reacted when he learned that two Programs had died on the mission. He was close to one of the two Tron was sure of that, but he wasn't sure how he was actually holding up. Instead of wasting time in thinking of areas he had no expertise in, Tron left the holo room and went to his room. Finding his Baton Jet, he stuck it to his leg and left to find Pearl and Zed. Once again in the holo room, he quickly spotted the two sparring against each other near the middle of the others and approached them. The two both sweaty and exhausted stopped their fighting when they noticed his presence.

"Hello Renegade," Zed started, his voice honest sounding, Tron was grateful for that.

"Zed. Pearl," he greeted curtly. "I'm going to head to the coliseum, appears that it may be our forward point in the city," he explained.

"You want us to make sure we're all behaving, right?" Zed joked casually, not realizing who he was with. When neither of the two responded to the joke he quickly righted his formal posture. "Right, we'll make sure to keep training," he tried again with more seriousness.

"Thank you, Zed. I'll be back today or next cycle, depending on what I find. I'll send the others back here when I get there so expect them coming later today,"

"Sure thing," Zed confirmed before Tron left without another word.

The sound of footsteps alert Gav to a presence coming from down the hall he was currently in. Knowing his team was patrolling and exploring other areas of the coliseum, he pulled out his disc and started to slowly walk toward the footsteps. Leaping from a corner after the sound died away, he was met with only a empty corridor that lead back to the center of coliseum.

"I see you all still need some work," came a distorted voice from behind him. He let out a sigh and placed his disc back on his dock before turning to face the nearly blacked out Tron.

"You don't really expect us to be able to spot you do you?" Gav asked.

"I wasn't programmed for stealth," Tron stated as if it explained everything.

"You can learn things outside your programming you know?"

"I'm a Basic, I'm designed to follow my protocol without second thought,"

"Yeah, exactly! Your protocol is to protect the Grid, and stealth is one way to help you do you job," the veteran exclaimed.

"Let's regroup with the others," Tron said, ignoring his friend's argument.

The two went to the center of the area and Gav called out to the others. While it was rather unorthodox and could inform unwanted ears to their presence he figured it was fine. Eventually, they were all together again with the added person of Tron.

"I want you all to head back to the hideout and start informing the others," Tron said authoritatively. "We'll go through as planned and make this out forward post, I'll give you a list of the things we'll need here along with who I want to be stationed here. It's a risky move to separate our group, especially since we're nothing in comparison to the army so make sure to use it to your advantage," he instructed.

"What are we going to do here exactly?" Hopper asked, not fully understanding the purpose of the base.

"This'll be where we take out new initiates. It'll be a safe way of finding out who's trustworthy without compromising the location of the hideout. We'll also be using it to launch our missions. It's much closer in to any location in the city than the hideout," Tron explained.

"Why can't we stay here? You know, help keep it safe?" Bartik asked.

"I'll be able to manage it on my own. It should take the whole kilo to transfer what we need and who's supposed to watch over this place," When he didn't get a response he figured it was time for the team to set off. Giving them a thin plastic ring that appeared to fit on top of a disc he explained that his lists were on it.

"Just put it on your disc and it'll upload the information, leave it on my desk when you get back," he told him. He started to walk and do his own scouting, the others took this as a sign of dismissal and started to make their way to the exit.

Tron slowly walked back into the large open area of the coliseum field. He looked around at the empty stands, the over hanging roof, the large five story tall bells, and lastly the room that overlooked all of the colosseum where Tesler would watch the Games.

Continuing his journey to the middle of the field, the echo of Tron's boots landing on the floor was the only sound as it flew through the open air and bounced off the distant walls. With the lights off it wasn't the easiest to see around but the legendary Grid saver's eyes were hardened and still picked up the smallest detail even in the absence of light and old age. The air was dry, almost dusty. An odd kind of feeling, and out of place. The arena itself was only abandoned a few cycles ago, how could it have gotten the sense of abandonment in such little time? The walls were still new but the area seemed worn and tired, probably from such high traffic of Programs coming and going.

Tron suddenly felt the echo's of his boots being blocked from hitting the walls behind him. He senses screamed at him to turn around and find out who or what was now in his presence. Complying to his over active senses he turned to see a heavily robed figure with their helmet on. Knowing very few Programs who could sneak up on him, Tron pulled out his disc knowing the only one who was friendly was dead.

"Hello..." Tron paused as he tried to figure out who it could be "…Cyrus,"

A dark growl of a laugh came from the Program. The psychotic laugh didn't unnerve Tron but made him tense up in anticipation of a fight.

"Very good, but still expected," Cyrus replied dryly. Tron felt his grip on his disc tighten ready to ignite his disc and rid Cyrus of the Grid once and for all.

"Did you want to catch me alone so you could get an advantage on me?" Tron inquired. Cyrus seemed to grow serious through body language. Growing rigid and clearly looking directly and Tron through his helmet.

"I don't need an advantage to take you down! I am better than you! I always have been!" Cyrus shouted his voice echoing off the vacant walls and stands of the coliseum.

"That's not how I see it. The way I see it, you've never actually won a fair fight with me," Tron taunted. He narrowed his eyes and allowed a deep scowl to carve its way onto his face. Anger starting to flood his body from his core.

"Excuses! You are the great Tron! The savior of the Grid! Just admit you were beat by me!" Cyrus yelled once more. A grin crept onto his face with the thought of his last statement.

"Cyrus, you're mad. You need help," Tron said hopelessly.

"I'm not mad. You and your pitiful group of renegades are the ones who need help. You can't honestly expect to bring down Clu with a couple mechanics. You need me to do it! I can!"

"What you want to do is destroy the Grid! I'm trying to fix it, let it heal from Clu's diseased mind!"

"The Grid is lost! Only reseting it will allow it to heal!"

"Listen to yourself! You sound like Clu!"

"Clu doesn't want to save the Grid, he just wants control," the heavily tattooed Program took a pause as if contemplating a thought. "In fact, he has something bigger in mind than just the Grid," his former mentor squinted his eyes. He knew Clu had something more in mind that just the Grid, megacycles of spying on him assured him that much, but not even a clue to what it was.

"You have an idea of what it is don't you?" Tron growled.

"Maybe. But it doesn't concern me. No matter what he, any other Program or User does, I'm in control here," Cyrus chuckled manically.

"Cyrus, you have to tell me what you know!" Tron shouted in anger.

"And if I don't?" Cyrus challenged.

"Then I'll just take a look at your disc,"

"That's funny, I don't remember you winning out last few meetings,"

Cyrus smirked and stood taller, his own version of initiating the battle. His opponent charged forward slashing their disc downward. Easily dodging the attack, he reacted by reaching for Tron's wrist. Knowing his former apprentice, the older experienced Program moved faster and slammed his free hand into the restricting grasp on his arm. The sudden pain made Cyrus release his grip but reached out and grabbed his other wrist. Pulling back, bringing his enemy with him, Cyrus fell to his back and launched Tron over himself. Landing catlike, Tron threw his disc at the recovering Cyrus only to see it miss by mere centimeters. Cyrus had regained his footing faster than his mentor hoped and arc his body away from the disc.

Tron gritted his teeth seeing his former apprentice grinning confidently.

You let your arrogance and confidence blind you. Tron thought hotly. It was clear Cyrus had thrown away his training as he gained new power. Tron's disc returned to him and the two resumed their glaring at each other as they slowly paced around each other. One waiting in smug confidence while the other controlled his growing hatred and planed his next attack. Knowing he had to come up with new plans, Tron figured of a way to put his apprentice in place. Thinking of how simple it was, he couldn't help but grin to himself.

"The great Tron smiles? What do I owe the pleasure?" Cyrus taunted sarcastically. Though he still appeared confident, his mentor's small smile had caused a spike of fear to run through the older Renegade. Instead of hiding his smirk, Tron let it grow wider at the younger Program's words.

Then, without warning he was bolting toward Cyrus, his disc a blazing trail of burning white energy as he readied it to jab at his opponent. Cyrus was not caught off guard by the abrupt charge and started rolling out of the way of the strike until his foot snagged on something and tripped. In the second he had to take to control his fall he felt his disc pulled from the dock. Flipping his body around to grab the thief only to find it too late as the body had moved out of his reach. He stood and felt the anger causing his pulse and energy to run wild. How could he be so simply played to lose his disc? A simple trip.

Tron stood casually a few feet away, inspecting the disc, flipping it a few times before looking to its owner.

"I can't find any modifications. Looks like you just altered your coding. You'd risk your life for power?" Tron asked already knowing the answer, seeing it across the man's body in front of his eyes.

"I don't need my disc to defeat you!" Cyrus hollered, his eyes crazed with rage.

"Prove it," Tron challenged darkly, lowering his stance. He extended his left leg, keeping it bent just a small faction compared to his other leg with rotated to point sideways from his body and was in a 90 degree lock. His left arm, the one holding Cyrus's disc, extended in the same fashion as his left leg as it stayed directly over it. His right shoulder lined in the opposite direction of his left as the disc was aimed forward.

Cyrus hesitated a moment as he saw a stance completely new to him. Tron had never trained him to fight with two discs, let alone show him! New things were best seen at a distance at first, and as one learned more they got closer and closer until they knew what they were up against. At least that was Cyrus's thinking, know your enemy before they know you. The small spike of fear from earlier had grown into a circulator stopping terror as he realized he was unprepared for the fight.

Collecting himself, Cyrus reasoned and remembered the tools he had at his disposal. Growling, but still carrying a tiny bit of fear, he ran toward Tron with enhanced speed, reaching him in half the time it took a well trained Program. Deciding on attack with speed over strength, the tattooed Program started with a quick blow of his right fist. As he expected he missed, but what surprised him was the counter he was facing before he even had time to throw his second punch. The solid ground was quickly leaving his feet as he soon found himself sideways and falling before an elbow slammed into his face. Pain seared through his face as he flew a few feet back onto the ground. He grabbed his nose before releasing it as stabbing agony blinded his vision. It was obvious his nose was broken. Shutting out the pain and focusing on the violently thrashing anger he felt in his chest, he opened his eyes and peered at Tron who was still standing his in new stance. He looked as if he hadn't moved, and Cyrus was devastated by a magical force. Cursing under his breath, the darker Program stood, his teeth clenched together under tight lips.

Tron intended to end the problem he created at that moment. Slowly striding over to the Program, he held the discs at the ready on both sides, preparing to lash out a fury of strikes. His target clenched his fist and readied himself. Spinning his body to perform a 360, Tron started his assault with a heavy hitting swing with his own disc. As planned, his enemy dodged out of the way by arcing his spine backwards to over the high hitting slash. Tron followed his swing with a cutting punch with Cyrus's disc, again missing the intended target who ducked lower as placed himself under the disc. Their bodies were extremely close and Tron realized he had over extended himself. Expecting to be tripped up he started to jump back. Landing a safe distance he found he had lost something rather crucial to the fight, the second disc.

While the disc was hovering over Cyrus he had made a quick impromptu decision. Punching through the hole of his own disc, he locked his arm and pulled against the retreating form of Tron. Cyrus's momentum beating Tron's grip, the disc had stayed with its owner.

"I would say I'm impressed, but then I'd be lying to myself," Tron said as he watched Cyrus take his disc of his arm.

"This isn't over," Cyrus growled before bolting in the opposite direction. Tron made to follow but quickly stopped himself as he realized he had no way of catching up.

Damn it! Tron cursed to himself as he continued to watch the shrinking form of his old apprentice. It wasn't over, not by a long shot, and Tron dreaded the next time Cyrus would show himself.

AN: This took me a lot longer than I thought it would. Sorry for the quality and jumpiness of the story and narration, I decided to get what I could down and post it regardless of it sounding good or fluid. I hated this chapter. So, it's like my first few chapters, it's there and it needs a lot of work. I figure when I'm finished with this story I'll go back and rewrite it because I know I can do better.

Anyway, I hope you guys don't find it too boring, I know there's no romance (though this story turned out a lot let romantic than I planned) but next chapter will have some.

I usually don't ask for feedback just because I only wanted people to see my thoughts on this single image inspired idea but I really did struggle with chapter, so if you could send me your thoughts. On a certain chapter, the whole idea of the story so far, a single character, or what's going to happen in the future please leave a review or send me a message, I'd really really appreciate.

Also hoped you enjoyed my one-shot I posted on Beck and Paige, that was a lot easier to write than this.

I hope you enjoyed, I'm going to stand in line at Best Buy now and get Battlefront, yay :)

-Rose's Requiem