Late chapter, I know. I should really stop saying I'll post in a day or two. My week hasn't been too good, and I'm kind of upset atm. But, hey! At least you guys get a chapter this week! I'll update when I can, but I need to focus on some stuff rn. See y'all soon.
________________________________________
After leaving Tron's hideout, I began driving towards Argon. Honestly, I didn't want to get involved with Beck's friends. It was really none of my business to go and make sure they were safe. But I did make a promise. Plus, it doesn't help that these memories of mine make it harder not to help them.
I still can't get over the whole memory fusion thing. Aren't your memories supposed to be you, basically? So how is it that I'm still me while Beck's memories aren't affecting everything else? It's a bit creepy to think about.
"Trippy…" I muttered as I continued riding toward the city.
It wasn't long before I saw recognizers flying over, their searchlights scouring the outlands. Switching my bike's lights off, I accelerate, trying to avoid being caught by the searchlights. Right as they were about to spot me, I quickly de-rezzed my light cycle.
Unfortunately for me, in my haste not to get spotted, I forgot how fast I was going. Right as my light cycle turns back into a baton, I go flying, crashing into the snow with a thud, and causing more snow to tumble down on top of me. Groaning, I wait for a few minutes before clawing my way out.
'At least I wasn't found…' I thought, seeing the recognizers far in the distance.
—
"Finally made it."
Making it into the city was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I had to conceal myself without alerting the guards because of the curfew and my somewhat unique appearance.
'Geez, Tesler's army is everywhere in this city. Every corner, street, it's annoying as hell.' Groaning, I drove towards Able's garage, which would be where I could find Mara and Zed.
Now the hard part, should I tell them Beck died or not? They'll find out eventually. I would just be speeding things up a bit. Sighing, I begin pulling into the huge garage. It was more akin to a huge factory to me, though. It's almost nostalgic being in here. Everything seems so familiar yet alien to me.
'Weird…'
Turning my light cycle back into its baton form, I walk through the garage in search of the two programs. Walking further in, I see many programs working on vehicles. I got wary looks left and right, but it was understandable. To them, I'm a stranger who showed up out of nowhere and began walking through their workspace.
Continuing through the garage, I spotted some wrenches Bodhi had given Beck. Glancing around, I quickly swiped one and continued looking for two programs, and it wasn't long til I found them.
"Yo, are you Zed and Mara?" I said, asking what I already knew.
"Yeah. And you are?" Zed said, pointing at me with a tool he was working with..
"Name's Jay. I got some… less than savory news for you two." I said as they looked at me, confused.
Before I could continue, I heard the sounds of recognizers landing in front of the garage. Not good, really not good. As the guards began exiting the ships, I looked around for a place to hide. Finding a light tank nearby, I quickly ducked behind it as the guards started rounding up everyone.
Peeking from behind the light tank, I see everyone now gathered in one spot. The guards then lined up in parallel formation in front of a recognizer as a woman walked between them. Seeing a woman, I immediately recognized her.
"What happened last night was nothing short of sedition." She said as the recognizer behind her displayed a hologram of Beck blowing up Clu's statue.
It was funny, seeing it from an outside perspective, considering I experienced it through my memories. With that thought over, I continued listening to her speak.
"If any of you know this program, turn him in. Because as long as he's free, none of you will be." She stated almost threateningly, which she probably was.
Whispers began forming within the crowd.
"I'm here to announce that General Tesler is bringing the games to Argon. In the next few cycles, we will take groups of volunteers until this imposter is apprehended. Now, get back to work." She concluded as they all turned to leave.
Bullshit. Excuse the language, but "volunteers"? Really? That's a load of crap. It's more like they're taking prisoners to die. I waited until they finally left before I came out of my hiding spot.
'I can't stay here for too long.' I didn't have the luxury of time.
I needed to do what I came to do. Then head back to Tron. Scanning the dispersing crowd, I searched for Zed and Mara until I spotted them again and quickly made my way over.
"Hey, it's me again. I need to tell you guys something. It's important."
"What are you-" Mara started, but I quickly cut her off.
"Beck's gone."
"Y-you're lying. We just saw Beck last night. How could he be gone?" Mara said, unable to believe what I had told them.
Both of them looked at me in disbelief. However, it wasn't like I couldn't understand them. Losing two friends in just a few days has to suck badly. I stared silently at the two as they tried processing what I had told them.
"First Bodhi, now Beck? This is all that… that renegade's fault!" Zed seethed, barely holding in his anger.
"Zed…" Mara started.
"No, Mara! If that renegade hadn't defaced Clu's statue, none of this would be happening right now!"
Hearing that pissed me off. Blaming Beck for trying to stand up for his friends after the death of Bodhi… That is what a true friend would do. Yet here he is, blaming someone else instead of the one they should be.
"It's not the Renegade's fault." I firmly stated.
"Oh yeah? If Tron, the Renegade, or whoever he is, hadn't shown up, we wouldn't be on our way to be sent to the games! In fact, how are we supposed to trust what you say? You're wearing a mask. For all we know, you're the Renegade, and the one who killed Beck." He pointed accusingly.
Almost immediately, my fist flew forward. I didn't put a lot of force behind it because I knew I'd probably cave his face in, but oh, how satisfying it was to hear the contact with his face.
"Zed!" Mara exclaimed as she rushed to his aid.
"I was there when Beck died. He made me promise him to look after his friends... his family. He put all his trust in me, and I intend to keep our promise. Blame me if you like, but at least I know where my loyalties lie. If it were my friend who was killed by Clu's army, I'd stop at nothing til I saw him cut down." I growled as I stared down at him.
"Y-you…" Zed stuttered.
"If you want to lash out or actually blame someone for all of this, then blame Clu. The only reason you all are suffering like this is because of a madman." I said as Mara helped Zed stand to his feet.
I could see his shoulders slump slightly as he stared at the ground. It may have been harsh, but they needed to know the reality they faced. His anger is misplaced, I understand, but he needs to see the Renegade isn't his enemy. Clu is.
With my piece said, I turned to leave, only to see Able staring at me from a few feet away. Nodding toward him, I began moving toward the exit. Right as I was about to leave, I heard Mara shout at me.
"Wait! Are we going to meet again?" She questioned.
"It's inevitable. With how things are progressing, we'll be seeing each other a lot. See ya later." I waved as I took out my light cycle baton, pulling it apart so it could materialize before I sped off.
.
.
.
.
I've been riding for a few minutes now. I was about a fourth of the way out of the city when I heard a huge blaring noise. It was faint but loud enough to tell which direction it was in. What really set me off were the recognizers and light tanks heading toward the noise.
"The garage… shit." Sliding my bike to a screeching halt, I turn around before accelerating as fast as I can toward the garage.