Chapter 10
As he laid in his bed, Aaron nearly had forgotten where he was. Opening his eyes, he fully expected to wake to his blank white colored walls and to the racket of L.A.'s street traffic. Instead the black glossy walls lined with dim blue circuitry put him right back on the Grid. He flung his legs over the edge and sat up, wearily rubbing his eyes. Suddenly a single thud on his room's door made him jump in surprise. His door opened and Orad leaned inside.
"Flynn, follow me." Aaron looked up at him , still trying to rub away the sleep. Orad disappeared again. Aaron sighed as he stretched tall, nearly touching the black ceiling. He stepped up to a mirror across the way, grimacing at the mess his hair had tangled to. He quickly ruffled his hair into an acceptable style before trotting down the small hall and into the lounge. The Defender's building of choice for their hideout was once a hotel, a place where programs went for refuge. They had decided to only occupy the bottom floor for easy access and escape, never using the front door, only the back one. The lobby had been refitted for use as a living room with sofas and tables. Aaron walked out into the lobby where Orad stood waiting for him. "Let's go Flynn, they're already waiting."
"Where are we going?" Aaron asked. Orad turned through the first door which led them down to the back exit.
"The arena," he said over his shoulder. Aaron followed, half expecting to walk out into the radiance of the morning sun; instead to the constant stormy black sky of the Grid. Orad sprinted down the street before leaping and activating his light cycle. Aaron followed in excitement. So far his favorite part of the Grid was the bikes. Aaron loved motorcycles, a trait inherited from his family line but greatly inspired by his grandfather Daniel Flynn. As Aaron raced down the streets, keeping close behind Orad, he thought about Daniel Flynn, racing through the Grid and battling the bad guys. Daniel, unlike his father Eric Flynn, wasn't afraid of getting his hands dirty. Aaron knew him as a rugged, vibrant, rebel. The deeper into the city they went, the more obvious it became where they were headed. After swerving around a bend, the open street stretched in front of him leading him to the massive, open pyramid-like structure which hung open untouched for many cycles. Orad skid to a stop before the vast empty courtyard and dismounted his cycle which disappeared into the baton in his hand. Aaron followed close behind and stepped off his own bike.
"What is this place?" he asked as he gazed up ascending wall of the pyramid. Orad glanced up the structure as Aaron did.
"This was the Gaming Arena," Orad explained. Aaron immediately made the connection from what he'd read from the journal. The Gaming Arena had once been the primary attraction to all programs. The arena hosted gladiatorial matches between champion programs of all kinds. The lights of the arena used to be visible from even the Outlands outside the city. Now it loomed in the dark sky like a lifeless corpse, surrounded by equally lifeless buildings. Orad beckoned for him to follow, through the archway entrance and down the black, faded halls. Finally, Aaron emerged onto a vast, flat, open floor at the foot of the massive arena. The floor to his surprise was transparent, showing other levels below him, much like the road ways established around the city. Stands where patrons once sat and watched the matches stretched far up the walls at a gradual incline. Stepping out on to the vast floor, he could imagine the bustle of the onlookers far above as they cheered and shouted in excitement; an experience which he related to his past college football days. One figure clad in a black light suit traced with bright white circuitry stood alone in the middle of the floor.
"Incredible, isn't it," Dep said.
"It's something alright," Aaron replied.
"Should've seen it in its prime," Dep reflected as he gazed about the empty stands high above. "This place has such a history." Aaron nodded as he approached the Defender. "And that's all that matters, that's what we fight for," Dep said definitely. Again he reminded Aaron Daniel by both his firm tone and how he paced before him.
"I know," Aaron nodded. "I'm ready to help." Dep stopped pacing and fixed him with a stern stare.
"No, you're not. Suddenly Aaron caught in the corner of his eye, a flare of light strike down at him. He'd just barely missed it, dropping onto his stomach and rolling away. A large burly-looking program wore a full, black helmet, concealing his face in his hand was an active disc which nearly dug into the floor of the arena. Dep stood silently behind the program who Aaron had guessed to be Orad. In the bottom level of the stands, Sage Tyree and Bril had seated themselves to watch. Orad rose again and slowly walked towards Aaron, disc menacingly in hand. Slightly confused, Aaron drew his own disc and ignited its razor-like edge. "Bril says you can handle yourself fairly well, that won't cut it against the Disciples," Dep said as he circled around the two, battle ready contenders. Orad then spun and released his disc which soared straight at Aaron who only just managed to bat it away with his own disc.
It's just like a Frisbee, Aaron thought to himself. He then chucked his own disc in such a manner. It too soared at the program who deflected it with ease.
"Free your movements, you're far too stiff," Dep criticized. Aaron caught his disc which fumbled in his grip. Orad then responded with a merciless launch, charged by him flipping in the air. The User swore as he ducked the attack and rolled to a kneel before releasing his disc again; this time with less tension of focus on his form. The disc responded well to the change, arcing towards its target instead of a direct strike. "Better. Distraction is your most powerful ally when engaging an enemy." Orad focused on diving out of harm from his disc, he didn't notice Aaron run up on him. The User, leapt into the air, catching his disc on the rebound and dropping down right on Orad. His slam was hastily deflected but now the battle was close quarters. Aaron fell back on his police training, raining down strikes on the program who despite Aaron's intensity, held him at bay. "Good but what did just tell you?" Dep chastised. Aaron was suddenly seized from behind by another program, far smaller than Orad. Van secured Aaron in a headlock then flipped him over his shoulders, slamming the User to the ground. Van trapped him with his leg by the throat, dangling his ignited disc over his head. Aaron grunted from trying to breathe through the strain of the hold. Dep casually walked up to the two, arms crossed and a serious look fixed on his face. "Always watch your back," he said. Van stood up and released him. Aaron leapt to his feet, rubbing his neck. "The Disciple's forces are nearly limitless," he said as he paced around him again. "If you can't handle two combatants, then you're already dead."