Ok! Here's some stepping-stones to the ending ahead. Don't think this one's going to last much longer, but we'll see what happens. =) Love to Cyberbutterfly and XxCheshireGrinxX and everyone who's favoriting without reviewing. ;) I still love ya.
His programming whirled in an endless circle where no logical outcome arose. Kevin had been elated when the ISO's appeared on the horizon. CLU? He didn't know what to think. His code wasn't built for this, he couldn't adapt to the idea. Free forming, mutated algorithms? They didn't exist in his reality. These forms were unknown and unstable. They didn't belong on his grid.
His grid. CLU grinned at the idea. Recently, it had seemed like he'd been the only one focusing on the advancement of the system. It only felt right to claim it. Kevin's attentions had shifted, taken away from the ultimate goal by these new ISO's. He wanted to bring them back to his world, claiming they would change everything.
But CLU didn't want to change Kevin's world, not now. The grid was still imperfect and needed to be tuned and strengthened. Kevin's neglect to the system was frustrating and childish.
"Come see, man!" Kevin shouted, popping his head into view. CLU was standing in the control room of the tower, looking out over the city. He turned when he heard the man's juvenile glee and forced a smile. Kevin waved a hand at him, urging him forward.
"It's beautiful." CLU reluctantly followed the beckoning user, clasping his hands behind his back. His impatience was getting harder to quell, but he tried to please Kevin. Despite his creator's faults, CLU felt an overwhelming need to make him happy. It was almost like a flaw in his code, forcing him into the feeling against his will. He kept the fake grin on his face, wondering what he was going to see.
Kevin walked briskly, his giddy excitement evident in his stride. CLU had to suppress a laugh. It was getting harder for him to comprehend that his likeness was created in this man's image. Kevin Flynn as a playful child in comparison to CLU's commanding leadership. They rounded several winding halls, reaching an elevator and dropping down to the ground level. Kevin just grinned and rocked on his heels, letting out random chuckles of excitement. CLU only watched him, pondering the cause of this enthusiasm. When the doors opened on the city streets, Kevin tore around the building, jogging lightly. CLU didn't race after him but walked calmly, eyeing the curious programs that witnessed their creator bounding out of sight. He felt a pang of embarrassment and he quickened his pace.
"Flynn, where are you go—" CLU's voice died in his throat when he turned the corner. Kevin stood a small distance away, watching CLU's reaction. He clapped his hands in front of his face when he saw the shocked expression.
"Ha!" He laughed, walking to CLU's side and gripping his shoulders with an arm. "What do you think?"
CLU didn't know what to think. He didn't know if he was even thinking. In front of him stood two large towers, lit by a green-blue glow. They were tall and dominating, jutting out from the ground at a round base and peaking up into the sky. CLU couldn't speak, words unable to describe the emotions he had swirling in his circuits. What were these things? Why hadn't he known about them? What did they do?
"They're for the ISO's." Kevin answered one of his silent questions. CLU's face grew warm, thinking of the irritating programs. Kevin studied his reaction and CLU closed his mouth, trying to win back some of his composure.
"I'm going to take them home. They will be a gift to my world." He said, waving his arm in the air in a grand gesture. "They're gonna solve everything!" CLU continued to stare at the glowing structures, comprehending his user's words. He was going to fix his world and abandon this one.
"Flynn?" A voice called out to them on the street and the identical men turned. TRON walked towards them, his mouth opened slightly at the sight before him. "My user." He whispered, a smile forming on his parted lips. Flynn chuckled and took the program under his other arm.
"I know, right? This is what it's all about, man!" CLU's confusion halted.
"What about our system?" He asked. Kevin's expression faltered for only a second and TRON looked to the creator with a stare of amazement.
"It will all change, CLU." Kevin replied, hugging his program closer. CLU suddenly felt a dark repulsion. His vision was crumbling before his eyes and Kevin Flynn was the root cause. The grid would become a servant to the real world. CLU couldn't allow that. TRON let out a small laugh.
"Incredible." He breathed, putting a hand on Flynn's opposite shoulder, the two interlocked at the side. CLU flinched at the clapping sound it made near his ear. He pulled away from the two and Flynn gaze him a puzzled look.
"I have work to oversee." CLU said, his eyes dull with the betrayal he felt. His user, his own image, was going to abandon the grid. The system would be left weak and drained from the outside world drawing from their strength and information. CLU needed to solidify this world, protect it from Kevin Flynn. His feeble excuse made Kevin nod, his smile fading.
"All right." He said, patting him on the arm gently. TRON gave CLU a glance, unhappy with his user's dampened elation. CLU nodded and turned, walking back towards the tower. His eyes found ZOE, standing a ways down the street. Her gaze traveled up and down the two figures glowing in the distance, the skin on her face taunt and expressionless while he approached. Then he stood at her side, placing a hand on her shoulder as ZOE looked up at him. CLU had felt deserted until that moment. Everyone would follow Kevin to their destruction and CLU would be helpless against it. But when her eyes found his, he saw the irises darken. She was his one true companion. ZOE would stand with him, fight for the grid's perfection and strength.
A smile raised the corners of his mouth and he squeezed her shoulder. Her eyes sparkled and they communicated silently, breathing side by side. Then he moved away, walking back towards the tower elevator. ZOE stepped quietly after him, her presence comforting as he contemplated the work ahead of them.
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