TWO TRONCYCLES LATER
SOMEWHERE IN THE GRID
Far away from the doom and gloom of the werewolf pack's hunt, an able-bodied and well-trained squad is in its routine training schedule. Unlike the plain and sprawling Game Arena of Tron City, this one is designed as an amalgamation of Disc Arena, Outlands, and a weird yet calculated arrangement of ENCOM Tower simulation, all separated at uniform distances from each other, owing their allegiance to the mysterious, milky-white figure of authority laced in black ribbons around his suit, or what is rumored to be the CREATOR himself in disguise. Even those loyal brothers-in-arms pledged their allegiance to their leader under one and only rule:- Captain's identity and his past lie only within the captain and the destiny itself. Violating this order has a simple penalty: - DERESOLUTION. All the teammates found it wise to swallow this simple yet irresistible thought within themselves and be happy with the fact that their leader stood up for everyone, not only for his selfishness. The inspiration and courage he instilled in each BASIC's programming, shaped them as skilled warriors, swearing every voxel in their solid code to eliminate each and every binary number of those neon-orange wolves, once who was their kith and kin, but later who trampled these once innocent Programs under their ruthless conquest for so-called PERFECTION.
Observing this rigorous training which sculpts deadly and agile fighters fine-tuned for Light Jet Dogfights, Disc Wars, and Light Vehicle combat, the white leader stood still and strong from a nearby cliff, probably proud of his tutelage and strategic training methods. With this progress, their victory was certain and imminent, he thought in his mind. As this mysterious entity was about to move to his secret hideout, he is startled from his momentum by one of the spies. Settling his inertia to a rest state, the spy described wearily and abstractly the turn of events he witnessed, and how the aftermath of the phenomenon left him unconscious and magically teleported to the secret hideout he's in right now. The only reasonable and possibly important thing the leader could decipher from the spy's description is the near-blinding white beam that emerged out of nowhere, with a thunderstorm, and caused his loyal aide's solid-state memory to go haywire.
The leader listened attentively to the spy's report, trying to make sense of the events that had occurred. It was clear that something unusual had happened, and the leader knew that they needed to be prepared for whatever may come next. He made a mental note to increase security and keep a closer eye on the surrounding areas for any sign of danger. Following a long moment of silence, the leader spoke:
- Any updates on Argon?
- The conquest has already begun, Captain. Their ships have already declared Argon their capital city.
- Casualties?
- Officially 300, no count on unofficial statistics though. Infrastructure is on life support, traumatized by the horror of those viruses.
- Keep the updates rolling. We shall strike when the iron is hot. Get back to work.
When the spy was about to start off, the leader stops him and says: "Increase spies around that white beam. Report anything suspicious and none of you shall act on your own will unless instructed further."
After the spy left off, the leader followed suit and returned to his secret hideout, trying hard to shake off the feeling of General being alive, even after incurring C.L.Us wrath. But being the leader, he couldn't waste his time pondering and resolved to tighten the squad's training and gear up for the inevitable war that was about to stay here for long. Trying to devise a plan for a counterattack, a single thought that was haunting him since his exile interrupted in between: "If only he were to be my side", before pushing him back to his restless mind.
USER WORLD (EARTH)
BASEMENT- FLYNN'S ARCADE
The Arcade is about to become witness another miracle about to rewrite the impossible in its history. Miracles are not a new sight though, especially when its founder went missing inside for decades. What started out as a gaming abode for geeks and gamers now turned into a secret hideout, disguised in the form of rusty gaming machines covered with much older polythene covers. Though the vending machines have never seen daylight, the Tron Machine and the basement are active like never before. The heavy metal backdoor of the vending machine which got polished when Sam re-entered the arcade, now started missing him a lot already. Although the basement had a complete makeover, its nerdy obsession towards Flynns and now having to bid adieu to another Flynn seems like it'll revert back to being the shabby, abandoned workspace it was, this time with new equipment. Now, these partners are also accompanied by Alan, whose one corner of his heart feels to stop Sam from pursuing false hopes. He guided Sam into the path of the corporate world and shielded him from the crooked clutches of the experienced players in the Board Panel, for he wanted Sam to carry forward his father's legacy forward, and not fall into the same trap as his friend did. Although he had already ventured into the neon-stripped servers a few decades back with Jet, that was less of an experience and more of a fever dream for him, probably due to his aging and the fact that the nemesis and the world in Sam's story are poles apart from what he faced in his, reaffirming his perception. Hadn't Jet been sent away to Europe and kept uninformed of the events going on, he would've definitely jumped in for his second escapade, this time donning the role of Han Solo, fighting alongside rookie Luke Skywalker i.e., Sam against the Empire of C.L.Us stormtroopers. Alan felt a tinge of sadness for lying to Jet that Sam is on to another one of his extended exiles, but he felt it was his duty as a father to wish the best for both of his sons.
Following the awakening of Sam by a tearful Quorra, leading to a few days of long-drawn silence and introspection, Sam realized how hard he had been for Quorra these few weeks and also how she tolerated and took care of the lazy, immature teenage nerd he has turned into. Renovating the portal in the basement to start his journey to the realm of the neon-ribboned universe, he decided to take things to the next step, fearing that live-in would worsen their problems even more if it's given a free hand. He decided it was best for both to get engaged and then he could start his mission at hand. One fine night, after an hour of pointless diversion and hesitation, Sam proposed to Quorra for marriage, to which Quorra remained silent for a while. Unbeknownst to Sam, Quorra thought of breaking the ice with him about this, but hearing from Sam startled her. She couldn't believe her eyes and ears, seeing Sam recover from his mania in such a short time. Feeling on cloud nine that their hearts and thoughts match beautifully, Quorra emotionally nodded her head in agreement, attempting half-heartedly to cover her happy tears. Before she would ask about his mission, Sam clarified that they would tie the knot only after Kevin is back home, reassuring her notion of a loving partner and responsible son. After an hour and a half of argument, Quorra convinced Sam to take her along with him to the Grid, as Kevin was close to a father figure to her who protected and gave her a second life, physically and symbolically. Her strong point of argument is also the fact that the Grid is her place of origin and her past life, Sam could be convinced no less and agreed in unison.
On the 20th of March, 2011, around one month after Valentine's Day and just as spring started to blossom Lilies and Lilac flowers, Sam and Quorra moved to the next phase of their relationships, starting a new chapter in their lives, exchanging their rings and tender smiles following suit, with Sam struggling to maintain his excitement and Quorra adjusting her bridal dress with shyness and hesitation. Alan felt proud for being the father figure to bless the couple and wish them. He never expected that a Program in an old computer would provide motherly love and be a perfect complement to him. It was the first time he saw Sam smiling and laughing wholeheartedly since Kevin disappeared. Sadness followed immediately thinking Kevin would've been so much proud seeing Sam becoming a happy and family man early on, following his legacy.
The next week, being the first people, and in turn, the first couple to invent Double Digital-Teleportation into the Grid, Sam and Quorra are finally ready for their adventure into the Grid, leaving Marvin under Alan's care. Alan accepted the pet with open arms, jokingly taunting Sam that he'll snatch Marvin. The cute little puppy earned a soft spot in Alan's heart and he could find a cute little partner to play with after the grueling office hours daily. After a few jokes and banters to divert themselves, Alan came back to his senses and prepared himself to give a send-off with a heavy heart. Turning his attention to Quorra, he asked:
- Kid, why do you risk yourself in that cruel and mysterious land? You should've stopped Sam by yourself from going inside but instead, you're accompanying him.
- It's his father he's going inside for, Alan. He's my father too. I cannot lose my second chance at having a family.
- I get it, Quorra. But you are inviting death over there along with your husband, aren't you afraid for his life?
- Sam risked himself before to save me, fighting those minions with his Disc and a few parkours (facing Sam and giggling shyly). He can do this all day. And don't worry about me, Alan. I've saved him twice, a third time for both of us is a small thing to bother.
- (Sighs in half-agreement) As you wish, but make sure both of you return safe and sound, I can't bear another loss at this age.
As he turns to address Sam and bid adieu, Sam shot back immediately at Alan for getting too much sentimental:
- Why do you always have to be so gloomy, old man? Couldn't you be happy at least once?
- (knocking on Sam's head) I raised you, you little brat! Never tell me how to think and feel.
- (laughing and backing off) Okay okay, dude. I was kidding. Be calm, we'll be back with Dad, I promise.
- Not only Kevin, but you also bring back your wife in perfect shape, do you understand?
- Alan! She's my fiancée, we didn't marry yet.
- (Taunting jovially) Aren't you two serious yet? Didn't you say you both plan to marry and leave this live-in bullshit behind?
- (Folding hands in submission) My bad, forget what I just said.
- (pats on back and laughs) You both are my children, keep that in mind. I want both of you, and Kevin, to spend Christmas Eve with our family, do I have your word?
- (Sam and Quorra smiling in unison) Of course, Alan, it's your business to drag Jet from Europe.
- (Laughing) All right, all right! Let's get you both inside Wonderland!
Sam gives a Bluetooth Headset to Alan, an advanced version, unlike the market favorites, for inter-realm communication. Bidding adieu to the couple with hidden tears, Alan presses the start button the count to three. Sam and Quorra share their last glance at Alan, and smile at each other, before signing on to a new adventure. After a mini-whirlwind and the cyan beam from the digitizer reaching its target, the duo disappears in thin air, startling Alan. After a few minutes of his head spinning, Alan recovers and comes back to his senses. Laughing at the duo for being madly dedicated to their purpose, he reassured himself that the couple would be alive, no matter whether they succeed or fail. Although, a corner of his heart hoped that his friend would return and say: "Thank you, Al! Thank you for everything!".
Closing the basement door and also the metal door of the Tron Machine, Alan closes the Arcade. After all, he has ENCOM to take care of and Marv to play with.