Even sighed with relief when the gliding platform finally reached its destination - a small, out of the way building, overlooking a field of strange...cubes, with green and red cutouts on the faces of them.
There wasn't much to do here - not much of a place to explore, if one wanted to.
But Even wasn't here looking to explore: he knew exactly what was here.
What should be here, at any rate, according to the data he'd found...
He strode forward down the short hallway and turned left - finding himself faced with a strange excuse for a door.
A solid, unmovable door.
Even looked to Aeleus and Isa. "I don't suppose either you two could blast your way through?"
Aeleus shook his head. "This world is different from any other I've been to; the rules aren't the same."
"I'd agree with Aeleus," Isa said. All the same, he stepped up and summoned his weapon to hand. "But I'm willing to give it a try."
Even stepped away, raising his eyebrows as he watched the man give a great swing at the door.
It did nothing.
Again, and again - thrice more - with no results.
Isa glared at the door, taking steadying breaths. Then he let his weapon vanish, stepping back. He looked to Even. "Do you have any more 'educated guesses' for what we should do now?" he said, with only a trace of mockery and sarcasm.
Just a trace.
Even glanced down at the slumbering Kana, and he grinned. "As a matter of fact - I do." He waved a hand to reverse Aeleus's spell, rousing the woman from her sleep.
Kana sat up immediately, staring around herself. Her eyes found Aeleus, and narrowed. She jumped up, her weapon appearing in hand-
"Kana - don't. I need you to do something...something only you can do," Even spoke quickly. "Something very important and very special."
Kana stopped, turning to him. "What?"
Even gestured to the door. "This is an obstacle to our current objective, and you possess the only means of getting past it. You-"
Kana threw herself at the door, slashing and hacking at it viciously.
Even's jaw dropped. He sighed, facepalmed, and composed himself again quickly. "No, no - KANA, STOP THAT THIS INSTANT! LISTEN TO ME!"
The woman did stop, surprisingly. She looked to him again, her weapon at her side. "I was actually doing what you said," she responded, confused now.
"Y-yes, you were - good - but if you'd waited a few seconds more, I would have been able to tell you that that isn't going to work," Even continued on swiftly. "What will work...is your Keyblade. Let me put this in simple terms for you: this is a locked door. That weapon is a keyblade. It's capable of opening any lock. Now, is that something you feel you can do for us?"
Kana eyed him a long moment, her face deep in thought. Then she turned back toward the door and raised her Keyblade for another worthless strike!
The blade suddenly glowed, and then it seemed to wrench itself back down, pointing straight out at the door. Energy grew from the end, and a beam shot out at the door. Waves of wind flew down the hall, rushing over them. Then that light grew and flashed brightly. When it faded, the door...was gone.
"What...?" Kana gaped at her weapon, as if it had betrayed her. She looked at Even. "What just-"
"Hmph. It seems even your weapon is more capable of focusing on the task at hand than you are," Even remarked mildly. "I suppose the challenge was just too great for you...Yes, simply beyond your abilities."
Anger crossed Kana's face. "I could have done that - easily!" she exclaimed.
"Then why didn't you?"
"I was- I...working my way up to it..." Kana muttered, looking away, as the anger left her.
"Of course you were," Even said simply. "Now-"
"Well, if I'd ever doubted my rescuers were Users...you're completely illogical beings," came a new voice. A light, relieved voice. "But ones with unique functions. Ones that can overcome even this system."
The group turned to see a man standing in a small room. The room had a strangely designed window, and a large terminal built into the wall. The man looked much like themselves, wearing a blue and grey suit.
"This...is a prison cell, isn't it?" Even spoke finally, stepping forward.
"Yes," the man replied, seeming puzzled. "Why do you ask that?"
Even gestured to the terminal. "Who puts a computer inside their prisoner's cell?"
The man titled his head, looking from him to the terminal. "This place wasn't always a prison - and besides, the MCP cut the power a few dozen microcycles ago. I can't access it."
"Well, that actually makes logical sense-" Even began.
"Are you the program known as Tron?" Isa spoke quietly, cutting him off.
The blue man blinked at them. "That's right. My name is Tron. I'm a security program, one who used to manage this system...until the MCP was released, and took control from me."
"Yes, we're aware," Even stated. "Our Master, Ansem The Wise, has tasked us with-"
"I'm sorry, but you said 'Ansem The Wise?'" Tron spoke. "You're familiar with my User?"
"Yes, we are," Even replied.
"Then maybe you could explain to me the illogical actions of the Users. My User in particular." Tron sighed, crossing his arms. "Ansem The Wise was the one who copied and modified this system - after the original ENCOM version. He put me in charge of running things, and helping the User town continue to run optimally. But he's also the one who released the MCP."
"Ah..." Even breathed. "I suppose it would seem that way, from your- perspective...wouldn't it?" He shook his head, raising a hand. "Master Ansem was - is - a...a very good man. But, unfortunately, he was banished from the town a long time ago by another ..User, who stole his identity and took his place. This was a man called Xehanort. Only recently did we Users manage to restore and return to our home. Ansem included. And Xehanort is gone now."
Tron's expression went through several emotions. Before finally settling on...a smile. He nodded. "That does explain it," he said easily. "I'm glad to finally understand - the Ansem I knew never would have done those things. I knew it...here." He placed a hand to his chest briefly. "It sounds like he had his own MCP to deal with."
Even smiled too, briefly. "Yes, I suppose in a way he did. It's not an inaccurate comparison. Speaking of which...as I've said, Master Ansem tasked us with entering this system in order to discover what might have happened to you - and to eliminate the MCP as a threat to the system. To your...world, and to ours. Are you willing to help us do that?"
"Of course," Tron agreed. "But I'm not sure how much of a help I can be. Most of my functions were appropriated when I last took on the MCP. If I could just get inside the DTD, I could access my original backup program and restore all my functions."
Even frowned. "Are we not inside the 'DTD' right now?"
Tron shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not. The DTD is a separate database within the system. Something that's always been out of reach of the MCP. Password protected."
"We found and entered the password already," Even responded slowly.
Tron looked...alarmed by this revelation. "Does the MCP know that you did?"
"Yes."
"That's not good," Tron said heavily. "I'm afraid you might have just given the MCP full access to the DTD - you opened that door for him."
Even, Isa, and Aeleus exchanged looks.
"Can he - do anything with this DTD?" Even asked quickly.
"The MCP is intelligent, clever," Tron responded. "He could do a lot with that access. Even potentially cross over into the User world."
"What?" Even said loudly. "Surely that's absurd - impossible - a program couldn't-"
"But you Users came here, didn't you?" Tron said mildly. "I've studied the data on the laser system extensively - and I'm afraid to say it's possible for it to go both ways. If he had the time to study and modify it, himself, that is."
"Alright, come with us!" Even declared, whirling away and striding past the others. "I know the way to the Central Core - we'll destroy this MCP and then nothing like that will ever happen."
"Hm. Look at you, leading the charge," Isa said, amused. "Having a Heart really has changed you, hasn't it?"
"I won't let the town I already played a role in letting fall to darkness suffer the same fate again!" Even retorted passionately. "Kana - come with me and behave if you want a chance to fight the greatest battle of your life."
Kana's eyes lit up - literally, in fact - and she hurried forward so fast she barreled right into him!
"Users sure are driven," Tron remarked, following after them, with Isa and Aeleus bringing up the rear guard.
The group took the floating platform back the way they'd come, to the area of walkways and stairs.
"Wait. Through there - the DTD-" Tron spoke, pointing to the doorway to the computer chamber. "If I could just interface with it I could restore my functions."
"We just came from there, and last we left it, it was swarming with Heartless," Isa remarked.
Tron lowered his arm, nodding. "I understand. You Users have a higher priority."
Even gazed at the man, then at the doorway. Damnable Heart... "We'll get you to it," he spoke decisively. "If it would allow you to be of greater assistance in this mission - then it's only logical."
Tron gave him a strange look. Then he smiled. "Yes. Only logical. All the same, I'm grateful to you. For a User to risk their existence for a program-"
"Just go," Even said airily, flushing.
Tron nodded and ran for the door.
The group reentered the computer chamber once more - to find it empty.
Even felt relief flow through him. Had they gotten a lucky break, then?
Tron raced for the terminal, immediately placing a hand on it. A light pulsed, and the screen rapidly began to change. Scrolling text, images, numbers...
Then Tron lifted his hand free, turning back to them with elation. "That's done it. I've restored my functions! Now we can-"
A pillar of digitzed light appeared in the middle of the platform, and a figure materialized into view.
A figure much like Tron in appearance - but wearing red, glowing armor.
"Who are you?" Even demanded, tensed.
The red armored man gave a disdainful look at him. A look of superiority. "I am Commander Sark, right hand of the MCP. And you Users will not trespass upon us any longer. You will be-"
Kana flew forward in the blink of an eye, slashing her weapon for the man with a yell!
This Sark man flickered backwards in a strange glitching effect, avoiding her lightning fast blow. He raised an arm as she leapt at him again in a blur - and her Keyblade struck a red grid-like barrier. Sark clenched his fist, his eyes narrowing, and a light pulsed in his hand. Suddenly, Kana was screaming, dropping to the floor and writhing in unknown agony, electricity coursing throughout and across her entire body!
How?! How was he doing that to her - how could he just-
Perhaps the man saw the fear and questioning on Even's face, for he ceased hurting Kana, lowering his hand to his side, and he said, "Users or not - while within the boundaries of this system, you're under my command. I could derezz you in an instant...but the MCP doesn't want that just yet." Sark's lips quirked into a smile. "He felt it would be more entertaining to put you Users through the Games...until you die." His gaze found Tron, and his smile twisted into a look of hate. "You, on the other hand, have caused us too much trouble over these cycles - fighting for these selfish Users. You, program, will be derezzed here and now."
Sark raised a hand, and a glowing orange circle appeared on the ground beneath Tron. Light flared upward into a blinding pillar, concealing Tron.
A moment passed, and then a blue light flared from within. A wave of energy burst outward, destroying the pillar, the orange light turning into shards of what looked like glass. Tron stood there, unharmed, a strange disc held in his hands, that was glowing a fierce blue color.
Tron held it forward like a shield, his expression determined.
Sark looked taken aback, but only for a moment. "So you have regained your functions. No matter - even in this state you can still be overwhelmed, and overtaken. As you well know by now."
"It won't go like last time," Tron said bravely. "This time, you don't have the MCP at your side - and I have the Users at mine!"
Sark briefly closed his eyes, nodding, his hands going behind his back. "Ah, but the MCP is everywhere. He is in every structure, every system, every line of code...and he exists in every program as well."
Lights flashed all around the group, and several dozen warriors in bulky red armor appeared. Each held a long, deadly-looking staff in hand.
Sark stepped forward, his hand stretching out...down to Kana again, where she lay weakly at his feet. His palm glowed brightly, but he didn't harm her again. Though...the threat was clear. As were his next words. "Tron, from the very beginning you've resisted the rule of the MCP - you've dedicated yourself to these Users so faultily. But today, at long last, you'll submit yourself to his rule. Or these Users you hold in such high esteem will be killed...by me...right now. You have ten seconds to comply."
Tron lowered his disc weapon, turning to look at Even. At Isa. At Aeleus. He looked to Kana, his face full of fear and doubt. Then, Tron stepped out and slowly raised his arms, holding that disc aloft. "You'll have my full compliance, Sark. Just let the Users go free. They won't trouble you again."
Commander Sark gazed at Tron. Wordlessly, he held his hand out, palm up. The hand that wasn't still threatening Kana with...destruction at a moment's notice. Tron glanced down at the man's hand, then at his blue disc. He slowly placed the disc into Sark's hand.
A pleased look came to Sark's face. He raised the disc immediately, beginning to tap at it and trace the circles within circles that were etched into its face. Blue lights swirled, shifting to orange, and then to a deep red. Red light cast off from the disc, the outer edges burning crimson and beginning to spin like a buzz saw. The inner circles on the face of the disc disintegrated, transforming the disc into a ring...
Orange particles floated around the disc turned ring - and then a stream of red matter flew from the disc into Tron's chest.
Tron gasped, collapsing to his hands and knees, and Even watched his blue armor...turn red.
The red light grew in intensity, until Tron became nothing but a being of pure light. Then, it dimmed...revealing a very different Tron.
A Tron in unique red armor, wearing now a full helmet to conceal him. There was a full visor of deep, tinted red in a V-shape on the front of his helmet. No part of the man's features could be distinguished through it.
"Program: stand," Sark ordered.
Tron slowly stood again, tall and...rigid. None of the ease of before. None of the- liveliness, Even realized. Expressiveness. No, this Tron was just...
"Program: acknowledge new identity," Sark commanded, as he offered the red, burning edged disc back to Tron now.
Tron lowered his helmeted head to the disc. He reached out and took it, holding it before him. Then he lowered his arm to his side. "Acknowledged..." came Tron's voice. But it was altered now, different. It was low and dangerous, tinged with an artificial undertone to it.
"Yes?" Sark spoke, his eyes narrowing.
"I am Rinzler," came that deadly voice again from beneath the helmet.
"Indeed you are," Sark said, his expression easing. "And what is your primary function, program Rinzler?"
Tron turned, gazing at Even, Isa, and Aeleus. His free hand, gloved, uncurled at his side (it had been clenched all this time into a fist?)...and a second, burning red ring appeared in his grasp.
The blades on the outer edges of the discs sang as they cast off sputtering energy...intensifying...
"To protect this system at the behest of the MCP," Tron said sharply.
"Yes...and you'll do so by following your first command: eliminate the Users."
Tron turned back toward Sark, stepping forward.
Sark took a sudden step back, his jaw clenching-
Tron knelt down, and he placed his burning disc near Kana's neck.
"NO!" Even yelled, thrusting out a hand of icy mist.
A torrent of powerful, frozen winds flew from him, gusting out to slam into Tron's backside.
Tron flipped up and twisted over Sark, landing behind him on his feet. Then he ran past him, circling around the side of the platform to avoid Even's attack entirely...as he closed the gap!
Sark simply stood there, hands behind his back once more, watching them all. He only raised a single hand, once, to signal to his guards not to interfere.
Tron leapt for Isa, slashing his discs down for him!
Isa ducked and twisted-
Tron slashed sideways, catching him across the arm!
Isa gasped in pain, clutching his arm as burning red energy seared across his form. Stark, against the monotone colors they all had here.
Tron slashed back the other way, across Isa's chest - then he flipped up and kicked Isa in the head, sending him sprawling. He cartwheeled and landed in front of Even, his twin discs held ready.
Aeleus summoned and swung his weapon instantly, creating a huge pillar of magical rock beneath Tron's feet.
Tron spread his boots and let himself rise up on the pillar, then kicked off at the height of his momentum, flying up and twisting through the air to come down right in front of Aeleus.
Aeleus swung his weapon horizontally, erupting with powerful energy.
Tron skidded backwards across the room, almost losing his balance - but then he dropped down and embedded his discs into the floor, stopping himself from being thrown off the platform completely.
Even ran for Kana, conjuring his shield. He dropped down and cast an immediate Healing over time spell on her, then picked her up in his arms as best he could and hauled her back from Commander Sark (who was still just standing there, as if Even being so close to him meant nothing!).
"S-sorry..." came her weak voice, suddenly.
"What?" Even snapped, out of reflex more than anything.
"Maybe I should have...listened..." Kana mumbled, her eyes fluttering.
"If we live through this, I'll hold you to that," Even responded firmly. "And you had best hold yourself to it, as well!"
AN: TRON... :'( He is doomed to suffer the same fate in every worldline...even a copy of the original... :(
ALEXA play "Adagio For Tron" from Tron Legacy... :'(