Tron: Adagio

By: Shadow Chaser

Author's Notes:

This story covers the entire comic, Tron: Betrayal, and flashbacks from Tron: Legacy itself. The scenarios of the game Evolution are not mentioned in here as I did not play the game. All characters are not mine, they belong to Disney.

Story:

Derezzed

The sharp clangs of his disc hitting his opponents and stunning them resounded in sharp echoes across the Arena. Still, more came at him with a ferocity that he had rarely seen in the Arena. A crooked smile worked its way up his lips as he readied his disc and tossed it once more. The first shot was blocked, but Tron was already moving as he kicked another one in the chin before leapfrogging over his fallen opponent and jabbed his elbow into the stomach of the next.

He caught his disc and blocked the one thrown at him aiming it back towards its owner who could not catch it in time and was eliminated from the competition. Tron stood on his feet, looking warily at all of his opponents, all of whom sported minor dents indicating where he had struck them. The minor derezzing would heal soon enough, but it looked like he won the final round.

Around him the rest of the crowd had exploded in loud cheers and he raised his disc towards them in acknowledgement as several Guards helped the defeated ones off of the combat floor. He gave the crowd one more wave before disappearing back into the armory, intent on talking to some of the defeated programs about recent improvements.

"Hold him still!" the sharp voice of one of the Guards made Tron pause mid-step and turn to head towards the source of the command.

"No, don't!"

Tron's jaw dropped as he saw two Guards holding one of the defeated programs in place while a third one raised his disc to derezz him. "Get away from him!" he shouted as he ran forward and shoved the Guard away, "what are you, barbarians?" He glared at the Guards who had stony looks, "This is not how the games end!"

The Guard that he had shoved away rubbed his head from where he had fallen to the ground and replied testily, "Clu told us to derezz all failed combatants. We were just following orders."

"Get out of here," he growled at them as they walked away, seemingly unconcerned. As soon as they were out of his sight he turned back to the program whose life he had just saved and helped him back to his feet. "Cesta, what the hell is happening?"

"You tell me Tron," the program shook his head, "thanks man. I thought I was a goner."

"Get yourself checked over by the Sirens," Tron shook his head, "I need to talk with Clu about this new rule of his."

"Will do," Cesta clapped him on the back, but did not release him. Tron looked at his rival, curious. "Tron, be careful. I have a nasty feeling that this isn't all that Clu's capable of."

"He still is answerable to Flynn," Tron replied as Cesta released him.

"I hope for everyone's sake, you're right."

Those words haunted Tron as he arrived at Central Control a few nanocycles later, having pushed his lightcycle hard and overriding several pedestrian commands on his way. It was a violation of protocol, but he was too furious with what had almost happened to even acknowledge his misuse of his privileges. Even before his lightcycle had fully derezzed back into his baton he stormed into the building.

"Clu!" he shouted, interrupting what looked like a meeting between him and a contingent of Guards. Black Guards indeed, the dark thought crossed his mind, but he pushed the derogatory term to the side. "We need to talk."

"…and I think this position will give us the optimal yield," Clu continued to point at something he could not see on the projector, "yes, go with that."

"Now!" Tron put as much force and command into his tone, finally catching the senior program's attention.

"Tron," Clu drawled his name out, "what an unexpected pleasure to have you visiting me; what with all of the turmoil on the streets and the vigorousness of the games."

Tron ignored the intended insult and stepped forward, "That's what I'm here about. Your Guards were derezzing losing programs after their matches. Did you order them to?"

He was expecting Clu to deny it, but was shocked by the program's next words, "Yes. I did. Do you want me to alter our new policy?" He stared at him with a simple and condescending gaze, "I'd be happy to discuss it with you."

This time Tron let his anger show on his face and Clu smirked at him, knowing that he had won that little round.

"The Grid is changing," he gestured to the area around him, "and we must be the shepherds of that change. We're staring into chaos and we need order. Sometimes, that means force." Clu shrugged slightly, "Like Flynn says, we have to be flexible in the face of imperfection. If our system of dealing with losing programs in the games isn't perfect, we must change it."

Tron could not believe what he was hearing, especially Clu's casual use of Flynn's name after calling him by his full name for the longest time. He opened his mouth to protest, but Clu continued on.

"We must be willing to do what it takes to keep our world safe, Tron."

"The games aren't about force, Clu. This is wrong," he shook his head. The possibility that Clu believed that losing programs needed to be derezzed in the Arena was appalling to say the least. At least half of the combatants were first time programs, those who wanted to learn extra skills or test out their knowledge against veterans such as himself. He had been willing to teach the programs what he knew to protect them from the gridbug attacks and other unforeseen problems. And Clu wanted to derezz them just because they failed in their first match?

Clu tilted his head, considering his words before stepping away from the projector and clasped his hands behind his back. "I see you're not willing to budge, Tron."

Tron only glared at Clu, sure that his expression was all that conveyed his answer to the program.

Clu nodded once before extending a hand out, "I apologize if you feel I've gone too far. The games will be kept as they have been."

Tron just wordlessly shook his head and headed out of the room. It had taken an actual talk with Clu just to change the rules? That was unacceptable. Clu should have known not to change the rules, especially the ones concerning the Arena without Flynn's permission.

But he could not help feel worried as to what else the program was planning to do in Flynn's long absence. The only thing he could do right now was to protect everyone as best as he could and if that meant protecting Clu from himself, he would do so.

Author's Notes:

I was about to write the whole comic's arena battle scene where before Tron discovers the losers are being derezzed and it was supposed to match the musical cue, but I decided against it, having showcased my action-talents in previous chapters. Plus I'm saving it for next chapter where I'm definitely showing a major action sequence. So I guess the only thing this chapter has in common with the track is the name itself. Eh…