{OOC: I'm just going to write pieces for Tron and Rinzler, seeing as Spark is unconscious again.}

**As soon as Clu's voice says it's safe, Tron and Rinzler come running up the steps. Rinzler immediately rushes to Spark's side, pulling her into his arms. Tron moves to Flynn and helps him to his feet. Tron casts a worried glance in the direction of the portal, noting that it is flickering somewhat. Then he looks down at Rinzler and Spark and gasps in shock. There are cracks running along Spark's circuitry lines, cracks that shine with white light. //That doesn't make any sense,// Tron thinks, confused. //If she's a User, shouldn't she be bleeding if her shell is damaged? She was before.// Tron is about to ask Clu2 about that, when he feels a sudden flash of dizziness. He falls to his knees, clutching his head. Abstractly, he notices that Rinzler also looks like he is glitching; the helmeted program is shaking violently. Abruptly, the helmet folds away and Tron finds himself looking at his own face. But Rinzler's eyes are red, not blue like his own. //Wha-?// the thought cuts off as blackness swallows him. Tron slumps sideways, falling unconscious to the deck.

Rinzler fights the encroaching blackness with all his strength. He will not pass out now, not while Spark is vulnerable. Somehow, he knows that only one person can help. As much as he is wary of asking, his concern for Spark overrides his misgivings. Rinzler turns pleading eyes on Clu2.**

Rinzler: Clu...help her...please....order abortion pill morning after pill price where to buy abortion pillabortion pills online abortion pill online purchase cytotec abortion

FlynnOne wrote: It looks like she's recovering, rebooting, though slowly … he looks back up at Clu, thinks for a moment, then speaks* Say, … any chance you can wiz-kid one o' those jets and take us to the portal? Think they'll all be alright here, as long as I make it back in time.

*Clu nods. But he doesn't take his eyes off Spark. Rinzler is holding her.. Clu is looking at the cracks in her circuitry.. its like nothing he has ever seen before. He can't just leave her like this. The portal would have to wait... he hoped.*


I can.. but..


*He was saying to Flynn but then trailed of as Tron fell to his knees clutching at his head.. Clu turned as Rinzler started shaking.. suddenly the helmet folds away and the two faced each other.. //Oh. no..no no.. not now!// Clu moved quickly to catch Tron as he slumped to the deck.*

Flynn.. a little help here!


*Flynn didn't move.. in shock he stared at Tron and Rinzler.. The look on his face and his eyes said it all..confusion.. he had no idea what was going on.. And maybe even.. understanding?.. as if he was starting to put the pieces together..*


*Clu looked over his shoulder at the motionless Flynn. He lowered Tron to the deck on his own and stood up and turned to Flynn.*

What the...Clu?.. What's goin' on?


Flynn.. I'll explain everything... I promise..


*He turned immideately back and knelt down to Rinzler who was sitll shaking badly.. His eyes pleaded with Clu.*

Rinzler said: Clu...help her...please....

*Clu knew how hard this must be.. after what had just happened.. the tenseness between them.. but the fact that Rinzler was able to put all aside to help Spark.. gave Clu new respect for him.. and just that much more guilt. It had been so long since Clu actually set eyes upon his face.. always hidden behind that helmet.. the only thing that made what he did easier to live with.. that he didn't have to look at his eyes.. but now... The eyes begged through the pain.. through the resentment.. *

I will.. *Clu put his hand out to take Spark who was physically being shaken by Rinzler due to the glitching that was happening.* I will Rinzler.. just... let her go.. give her to me... its okay.. Just..


*But Rinzler didn't budge. He kept looking down at Spark.. No matter what he was protecting her.. deep down.. it was against his better judgement. This wasn't working... Clu took a breath and then had to close off the compassion and guilt he was feeling and become that stoic leader that was really needed right now.*


Rinzler!


*His voice raised slightly to make Rinzler focus on what was going on.. Rinzler looked back up at Clu.*

You want me to help her...


*Suddenly overhead another jet was coming in for a landing.. It was coming in too low and far too fast. Clu looked to see and saw it was Azure's. He stood up quickly.. His own protectiveness kicking in. He watched the jet derezz and Azure hit the ground and rolled, but got right back up and ran right towards him. He walked towards her and she lept in his arms causing him to stumble back. He set her down and held her at arms legnth.*

Azure said: "It's you... you're really okay! I was so worried..."

*Clu smiled warmly as she looked up at him with her deep blue eyes. He brushed a strand of hair from her face.*

I'm fine.. What about you? That was a rough landing.


*Azure nodded, as she looked around.. noticing that things were not at all well. *

Azure said: "I know we are not out of it yet but, Im just SO relieved that you are alright my most beloved. Hopefully we will have Flynn safely returned to his time.... and we can go home.."

*She wrapped her arms around his chest squeezing him tightly, then she leaned up and gave him a warm kiss. Clu could have gotten lost in that kiss very easily. He wanted too. But even Azure knew that things were not over here... There would be time when he got Flynn home. But it was enough to renew his energy, and purpose...Home*


*Behind them Flynn cleared his throat.*

A little help here?


*Clu turned around quickly and moved to kneel next to Rinzler and Spark again. Rinzler had set her down... but did not leave her side.. still looking on the verge of collapse himself. Clu inspected the cracks in Sparks circuitry.*

This is odd Flynn.. She's a User.. she should be bleeding.. But its like.. she's bleeding.. energy... I've never seen anything like this..

*watches his User with admiration, finally seeing up close what he had hoped for when he communicated with Flynn*

Maybe now we can get home, Bit.

*frees his companion to flit about the deck of the sailer*

Keep watch while things get sorted here.

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*Azure smiled and let the warmth of his kiss flow freely through her circuits trying to hold on to the feeling and this moment to last her until he returned. Her eyes filled with love as he spoke such endearing words to her, always loving to hear them, never getting old; holding onto his hands as she listened to his instructions. She nodded,*

I understand, dont worry about things here; just get Flynn to the portal safely. We will be here waiting for you.

*The dread of separation had begun to fill her as well as she tried to push it back; they were still not out of this yet, and she would take care of the others to the best of her abilities. She held onto his hands as long as time would allow and when he backed out of reach she smiled, wanting to send him off with all the positive memories and energy possible-- she was sure he would need it*

*As she saw him remove his baton to leave she thought, ///If your lost, you're alone, and can't get back again; I will find you and bring you home.../// Azure then turned her attention to the others that also remained.*

CLU 3.0 Wrote: Rinzler said: Clu...help her...please.... *Clu knew how hard this must be.. after what had just happened.. the tenseness between them.. but the fact that Rinzler was able to put all aside to help Spark.. gave Clu new respect for him.. and just that much more guilt. It had been so long since Clu actually set eyes upon his face.. always hidden behind that helmet.. the only thing that made what he did easier to live with.. that he didn't have to look at his eyes.. but now... The eyes begged through the pain.. through the resentment.. * I will.. *Clu put his hand out to take Spark who was physically being shaken by Rinzler due to the glitching that was happening.* I will Rinzler.. just... let her go.. give her to me... its okay.. Just.. *But Rinzler didn't budge. He kept looking down at Spark.. No matter what he was protecting her.. deep down.. it was against his better judgement. This wasn't working... Clu took a breath and then had to close off the compassion and guilt he was feeling and become that stoic leader that was really needed right now.* Rinzler! *His voice raised slightly to make Rinzler focus on what was going on.. Rinzler looked back up at Clu.* You want me to help her... *Clu turned around quickly and moved to kneel next to Rinzler and Spark again. Rinzler had set her down... but did not leave her side.. still looking on the verge of collapse himself. Clu inspected the cracks in Sparks circuitry.*

**Rinzler takes Spark's hand in his and focuses on it, tracing the circuitry there. //H-have to s-stay conscious,// he thinks. //For Spark.//**

FlynnOne Wrote: CLU 3.0 Wrote:This is odd Flynn.. She's a User.. she should be bleeding.. But its like.. she's bleeding.. energy... I've never seen anything like this.. *listening to Clu's words, and seeing the worried and baffled expression on his doppelganger's face, Flynn's brow furrows ... he looks at Spark, then sighs, his voice as solemn as his eyes* I have, buddy, ... unfortunately, ... or somethin' a lot like it,... *he thinks back to the old Encom system ... Clu 1.0, ... Dumont ... the way their bodies had been overloaded with energy, causing the same glowing cracks and fissures ... back then it was because of Sark and the MCP ... but now it's because a User tried to help save the Grid, to help save all of them, and it was beyond her capacity to withstand the onslaught ... he kneels down beside Spark, shakes his head slowly, his hooded eyes now brimming with concern* Man, ... this wasn't her burden to bear. It isn't mine either, ... but ... somebody's gotta step in ... and I'm the only one who can. *now his thoughts are kicking into gear … the deep-set eyes grow more intense ... this is what it's like to be Kevin Flynn at the helm of Encom ... the man who has to make tough choices, judgment calls and executive decisions every day on behalf of so many others who depend on him ... this is the man who's about to be a father too, already driven by that instinct to set aside his own fear and any reticence towards pain in order to help save the life of another* If I drain off some of this energy, send it back to the portal, ... that should give her the ability to heal. It may buy us some system power stability too, or, may not, ... but it will help her. Then we get to the portal safely, get me off-grid and back to my time-space, and I've got a hunch her injuries are gonna reverse themselves the rest of the way ... *glances at Tron* ... and so are his. *Flynn looks back at Spark, rests his hand on her abdomen … then he reaches his other hand towards portal and pauses, his eyes glancing back at Clu as one eyebrow raises* Trust me, buddy. No need for a buffer this time, and no need to get below, ... this isn't gonna be that heavy. I think I can reverse some of this and send it back to the source. In fact, ... I know I can. *after a pause, he closes his eyes, focuses his thoughts … then he begins the slow energy transfer ... it's nothing like before, nothing like the furious painful beam diversion as he'd channeled the portal's raw energy … this is slow and steady, controlled, as for a few seconds the energy spreads from Spark to him and then disperses right back to the portal … the transfer causes him some discomfort, but not to even a fraction of the degree that it did last time … after a moment he completes the process and then slowly lowers his arms to his sides, exhaling and wincing against the feeling as his own system realigns and steadies itself ... now the cracks and fissures in Spark have slowly begun to lessen and the unruly glow is receding ... now it's time for her to heal*

**Spark floats in soft darkness, unable to feel her own body or see her circuitry. //Where-?// she starts to ask, but then she is above the Sailer, looking down at her own body. Flynn, Clu2, and Rinzler are clustered around it. Tron is unconscious nearby, and Rinzler is shaking violently. //Oh no,// Spark thinks. //The shatterpoint; it's breaking. I have to get back, have to stabilize-gah!// Spark tries to re-enter her body, only to be forced back with a jolt of pain so severe that it nearly throws her into blackness again. As she attempts to regain her balance, Spark notes the glowing cracks on her body.

Spark watches Rinzler grip her hand and brush the circuitry there. If she had been able to, she would have blushed. //Oh Rinz...//

Spark watches Flynn place his hand on her abdomen and pull the residual power out, sending it back to the portal. Pain engulfs her and pulls her into darkness again.**

FlynnOne Wrote:*he looks up at Rinzler* Stay with her, man, ... just stay with her, and hold her close, so she knows you're there, so she knows you're not goin' anywhere. Because when I go through that portal it's gonna flip time back to where it needs to be, but it may get really dicey for a second or two on the Grid. She's gonna need you right by her side, ... but she has everything within herself to heal ... and I believe she will, buddy, if you just stay with her and be patient.

**Rinzler nods at Flynn and pulls Spark into his arms again. He focuses on the glow of her circuitry. //Come on, Spark, my Spark,// he pleads silently. //Come back to me. I can't lose you too.//**

CLU 3.0 Wrote:*Clu looked at Flynn.. He looked tired.. Clu felt for his User.. He had taken on all of this. And it wasn’t his to take.. This never should have happened.. He shouldn’t even be here… Clu reflected upon the time since this Flynn’s arrival. During this time.. he had come to know his Creator even better than he had all the cycles they worked together creating the Grid. Or perhaps it was just that he did not take this Flynn for granted.. for he knew the outcome.* *And now he had to send him home.. He would get Flynn to the portal.. and he would return to his own time.. Then he would be gone all over again.. Clu would be forced to feel that pain.. all over again. Deep down.. part of Clu didn’t want Flynn to leave.. But he knew he had too If he didn’t.. This place would never be created. Clu would never be created.. He would never get this opportunity again.* *Or would he? He would be sending Flynn back to his time with all the knowledge of what has happened.. What would that change?* FlynnOne wrote:Now we just gotta' make it to that portal, buddy. Can you get us there? We can take my jet.. Just wait.. *Clu turned to address the others* This will all be over soon… One way or another.. But getting Flynn home.. and Tron.. and .. Clu.. would not be possible without all of you. There’s just one last thing I need you to do… *He paused. Looking at each one of them thoughtfully. Then the born leader spoke again* Hang on.. Because there will be a time shift.. And it may get worse before its over.. But.. Hopefully.. If all goes well.. Clu. You’ll be returned home. So will Tron.. And you won’t remember any of this.. As for the rest of us… We have one adventure.. we will never forget.. *Clu then moved to address each one personally with instructions. He started with Zec who was standing next to Clu1.* Zec.. Good flying out there by the way.. Can you fly this thing? Stay the course to the Portal and hold it there. *Then he turned to Clu1. Standing face to face with the other version of himself, he looked into eyes that were his own. Even though this version was technically older than him.. he looked so much younger. More naïve. * Don’t worry.. we’ll get you home. *He placed a hand on his doppelganger’s shoulder.. When suddenly.. Clu1’s small companion started flying around them.. Where once it almost seemed to dive at Clu2 in mistrust.. Now it floated around him gently. Clu2 looked up at Bit and smiled.* You too. *Clu walked on past and made his way to Rinzler.. still on the ground, holding Spark again.. but at least he was not shaking as bad as he was.. The Glitching had stopped.. for now.. Clu knelt down to him. He still saw the concern in Rinzler’s eyes. Clu still pushed aside the uneasy feeling that came from the previous attack.* I did what I could… She’s going to be fine.. She’s stable.. Just hold onto her.. like Flynn said. I’m just taking him on to the portal.. when I get back if she’s not better.. I’ll have a look at the rest of the damaged code. She’s going to make it. *Clu looked at Spark and placed his hand on her shoulder.* You hear me Spark.. You’re going to make it. You did good… * Then he added a silent..* Thank you.

**Rinzler grabs Clu2's hand for a moment, his red eyes meeting Clu2's.*

Rinzler: Clu...thank you...but our....discussion...isn't over. I want...an explanation...you owe me that much.

**The circuitry on Spark's shoulder flashes slightly under Clu2's hand as if acknowledging his words. Then Rinzler pulls her tighter against him.**

CLU 3.0 Wrote:*Clu rose and turned to look at Tron.. He still lay on the Sailer floor unconscious. He turned back to Rinzler.* By the way.. Don’t touch him.. Don’t even look at him.. Maybe he’ll stay unconscious until this is all over.

**Rinzler's hold on Spark tightens again and he makes a non-committal noise. He nods, but doesn't look up at Clu2's words. As Clu2 turns to go, he nearly misses the words uttered in Rinzler's quiet voice.**

Rinzler: Clu...be careful...

* ... ... the past few moments had gone by so fast … Flynn had watched as Clu interacted with the others … first there was Clu’s farewell to Azure - he was proud of his digital son and codified likeness for having found a lifemate in this digital world, yet it had also reminded him that his own spouse was waiting back in 1982 - Jordan – waiting for him, no doubt concerned and wondering where he was, and with their User-world child on its way no less … … and then he'd listened as Clu had explained to Zec that there'd be an impending shift in the system, one which may or may not cause it to derezz if they didn't get to the portal in time … his thoughts had lurched with uneasiness just then ... // man, not getting back to my life, to my time?? No, that's not an option - //
... ... but just then his thoughts had been redirected once more, as he'd watched the uneasy but poignant discourse between Clu and Rinzler – something going on there, a dynamic between them that Flynn didn't understand, and pretty much at the top of the list was why Rinzler looked exactly like a disfigured version of Alan Bradley’s program … but there hadn't been time to ask … because then Clu had walked up to Flynn, held up a light-baton, and begun explaining the fantastical process by which they'd 'rezz the jet that would take them to the portal ... ... ... ... *



*now he stares at Clu, ... still very wary, even after having heard his reassurances, and Flynn's unvoiced thoughts verge towards the skeptical... // Right. // “ Just keep hold of me, you’ll be fine ” you say? … // … // Clu, man, … nothin' personal buddy, but last time somebody said somethin' like that to me it sure didn't fly ... // … // ... now I'm s'posed to trust YOU when you say it? ... even though this flat-out defies every law of physics I ever even heard of ?? // … // ... well, yeah, Flynn! …you're supposed to trust, man, because what other choice ya got? // … … … … and as he stands there debating with himself, with every second that ticks past – however it is that seconds pass here in the Grid – he knows the odds of their missing the portal aperture only increase … it's time and he knows it *



* he takes a deep breath … Clu's hand is still on his shoulder … now Flynn returns the gesture, connecting their arms, bridging the gap ... there's another pause as they look at each other, and Flynn's eyes narrow - he wants to grin at the surreality of this moment ...
/// yeah, any ole' second now I'm gonna wake up and this is all gonna have been just a dream … 'been watchin too many movies, ha, yeah, ... probably fell asleep watchin' 'the Sundance Kid again on Betamax ... and here we go off the cliff right?/// … …
... but no of course it isn't a dream, and now Flynn turns back to look at everyone, an unspoken wish for them all to be well … a farewell but not goodbye … a promise to return to the Grid someday, at least he hopes so...*



* one giant leap, a click of Clu's baton, and Flynn is falling through mid-air right alongside Clu, his thoughts stopping as sheer panic fights for his consciousness and centrifugal forces launch butterflies in his stomach … then something's almost freezing them in place, slowing down time, a brilliant amber wireframe structure materializing around the two of them, forming itself into - /// man? wh- ..what th- .. … … RAAADICAAAL ! ! // ... and with a grin which stretches ear to ear, eyes wide, he looks at Clu and laughs like he hasn't laughed in ages*


“WHOO-HOOOOOOO!! .... HA HAAA ! ......YEAH !!!!”

*watches as his User and his successor head for the portal in the light jet, wondering if he will feel anything as things are made right*

It'll be good to get back home. Bit. Still....

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*Flynn glances across at Clu, who seems calm and focused at the controls of the jet, so in his element ... ... // man, … he looks just like I do when I play video games // … ... and then the programmer sits back in the seat, still marveling over the light-jet itself - to think this amazing transportation which now carries them safely through the dark skies had been ‘rezzed forth from a simple light-baton! ... one more example of how the possibilities of the Grid are seemingly endless … … and he smiles, thinking back to when he was just a small boy, infinitely inquisitive but equally impatient, always wishing everything could just be done in an instant, as fast as thought … he recalls a day when his grandfather had bought him a model airplane kit, and they’d sat together at the dining room table trying to assemble it, himself of course as fidgety and impatient as always, watching his Grandfather work … the memory brings forth another smile just now …

… /// … Hey Grandaddy? … Why can’t these be already put together when we get’ em? ...(Because, buddy,…that’s half the fun of it, is building it yourself ) ...
*little Kevin thinks, resting his chin in his hands* ...Yeah but wouldn’t it be great if we could just imagine it already built and then it would put itself together? ...
(*his Grandfather chuckles as he works* -- Kevin, … boy you sure are a pistol-ball of imagination! Yeah, ‘reckon that sure would be great, huh kiddo? Now let’s see here buddy, … ‘think we have to glue these on, then we can put the propellers on after that …)
...and a few hours later, young Flynn had beamed with pride, playing with the model airplane and carrying it through every room in the house as though it were soaring through imaginary skies … not long afterward, the two of them had built a small electric engine for the plane, together … * … /// …

*Flynn smiles again at the memory, and at the notion – wouldn’t it be great if we could just imagine it already built and then it would put itself together? … and now such a thing is possible on the Grid – creation, sprung forth from imagination in the digital realm, all at the velocity of thought – radical !*


*the light-jet banks, as Clu pilots it expertly through the clouded skies …Flynn looks down at the Grid below, watching as the Solar Sailer recedes ever farther behind them in the distance …
…now as his thoughts return to the past few microcycles’ events which had taken place on the Sailer, he realizes he still has questions, things which don’t make sense to him … the foremost of those being, Rinzler … … and then he thinks to himself, // “Wonder if now’s a good time to ask? … well, as good a time as any, I suppose // …and so he does, glancing over at Clu once more*



“Hey buddy? … Kinda' tripping over something here. The thing with- … well, … Rinzler ... what’s that all about?”

*Clu focused on the portal ahead. At this rate of speed, they would be there in no time. //We just might make it.// Clu banked the light jet through the clouds.. //There’s a lot more electric activity in the air.. probably because of the instability of the Grid.// Clu thought. His eyes glanced a look at Flynn who was clearly impressed with his surroundings.*


* And again Clu’s thoughts were taken to what was about to happen. If all went well.. This would be the last time he would sit next to his Creator. //If only I could change what happened at the portal! He apologized… He said he was wrong about perfection… Clu you’re an idiot… He had his arms open.. He would have embraced me if I would have let him.. Why?.. Why didn’t I let him? No.. instead.. I attacked him.. again.. I must have been out of my mind!..How could I have done that?! He’s my Creator! I would never.. // His thoughts were interrupted by the voice, exactly like his own.. only the tone.. innocent and care free..*

Buddy?... Kinda’ tripping over something here. The thing with… Well… Rinzler.. what’s that all about?


*//Oh Flynn.. That is a question.. I hoped you would not ask. How can I tell you the truth.. //*

Oh.. That.. That’s a long story... I told you I’ve done things you would not be proud of..


Yeah… but.. you’re .. pretty much me, right? Or almost anyway. So, I mean.. what could you have done that’s so bad.


*Clu looked at Flynn for a moment with a look that just said. //You really don’t want to know Flynn.. Really…// He turned back to the skies ahead. But still.. The question was asked..*

Where do i start?



At the beginning?


That was over a thousand cycles ago..


*//Flynn.. there is no time to start at the beginning.. Besides.. you REALLY don’t want to know about that.. What would you think of me?? // Clu sighs.*

A lot was happening Flynn... More than you could imagine but you were not here.. You had a life.. A wife and child..


*Suddenly Clu remembers… so many cycles ago.. In Flynn’s year 1985..when his Creator came into the Grid and told him that his wife had passed away.. He had never seen his User so emotionally wracked with pain.. He remembered trying to comfort him.. yet not knowing how..It was such an unfamiliar emotion to Clu. Then he realized this Flynn.. Had no idea this was going to happen.. He had not yet felt the sadness.. And pain and loss.. Clu had not felt that kind of deep pain over a loss of someone…The only thing Clu could compare it too was surviving reintegration and finding out that Flynn was gone..Reawakening.. That had certainly awakened emotions Clu had never had before.. Though he could imagine what that pain would feel like now… Having found someone likened to what Flynn’s wife was to him.. Love.. If anything happened to Azure.. Clu didn’t know if he could take that kind of pain…He saw what it did to Flynn.. A big part of Clu didn’t want Flynn to have to go through that.. //But what if he didn’t have to?.. What if I could tell him about it.. and he could save her?// He pondered this thought a moment before he spoke again.*

And I understood your life outside the Grid… but.. You told me to create the perfect system.


Yeah.


*That response sounded all too eerie to Clu.. it was similar to the same tone Flynn had when he betrayed him.. the certainty and the uncertain.. Flynn had no idea what was going to happen then.. He clearly didn’t here either.. Clu tried to use caution when finishing his answer.*

I did create the perfect system... But you and I no longer agreed on what perfection was.


Okay.. But what does that have to do with Rinzler and Tron?


*There was a long pause. Clu held his breath and clenched his jaw nervously. //Here we go… My only hope is that this Flynn… is as forgiving as he will be after a thousand cycles… a thousand cycles of hiding from me no less.. and after what we’ve been through here? Together?. Answer the question Clu..It’s time to tell him the truth… I owe him that.// He turned to his User.*

Rinzler... Is Tron.....

FlynnOne Wrote:CLU!!! … MAN!! ... You're saying THAT was - ... was your idea of … of PERFECTION??!! What the- ....yeah, well no wonder you and I didn't agree on that, man!! … 'cause there's no way I woulda done that!! NO WAY! ...And what- … who- … what gave you the right to reprogram Tron in the first place ... that's Alan Bradley's program there! … Not yours! ... Why- ... why would you do that, man, what-

*//Here we go..// Thought Clu. As he felt the sting of every word Flynn was saying. Every question.. every statement..// I know Flynn.. I know..I shouldn't have done that... I know that now.// And yet somehow Flynn had figured out without Clu so much as saying what happened that it was Clu that reprogrammed Tron. // What did I expect really?.. Of course he’s angry.. He has every right to be, I’m angry at myself! Why? Why did I do that?//*

You left me no choice! *Clu raised his voice in defense.* You told me to create the perfect system! Then you tell me to let natural order be spontaneous! It wasn’t possible! Not your way!


*There was a pause.. as the two calmed down. They both stared ahead at the sky and the portal as they were getting close. It was Flynn who spoke first*


Okay, … buddy, tryin' to understand here. So you wanna explain to me what you did, and why you did it? Because whatever it is we gotta UN-do it, man.


That goes back to the rectifying.


Recta what?


Rectifying.. reprogramming.. to fit my purpose… I’ll spare you the details of how it works.


But...Man.. how could you do that? He was my friend.


Mine too.. The three of us.. *He looked at Flynn.. then back forward and shook his head* Good times.




{*{*{*
*Clu remembered....So many cycles ago... When the Grid was new.. and alive.. It was Eutopia.. And despite the times when Flynn would have to leave to go back to the real world.. Tron was always there... At times Clu and Tron would take a break from working and race lightcycles, have disk battles, or Tron.. the experienced game warrior.. would teach Clu to fight as they made various new weapons.. They made up new games. One particular game Clu remembered Flynn created involved throwing your disk at nine strategically aligned geometric cylinders at the other end of a long lane .. The cylinders were designed with a base diameter was in contrast to its height and its volume and weight took a certain accuracy from the disk hitting it or the force from another cylinder falling into it. Each cylinder that fell was a point. Most points at the end of 10 rounds was the winner.. It was Flynn’s favorite.*


*Clu remembered one particular time when Flynn walked in mid game. They both walked up to him.*

Hey guys! How’s it goin’?


Did you see that Flynn?? I beat him in round two.


No Clu, you cheated in round two.


No Tron.. I did not cheat.



Yes you did.


No I didn’t


You did! I saw you!


Nooo. I didn’t.


Hey! Hold it! *Flynn stopped them* What are you guys – Twelve?


*They both looked confused at Flynn’s User world refrence.*

Tron..you can’t cheat at this game. *Flynn told him*

See! I told you. *Clu fired back*

Move aside. Let the kid have some room. *Flynn said as he stepped onto the Grid.*

Teams! Teams! *Clu shouted.* I call Flynn.


What? No way! *Tron protested, while spinning his disk on his finger..* You can’t do that.


Hey, guys! Guys!…


*And with that Clu swiped Tron’s disk and ran back to the game. Tron laughed and followed after him. Flynn just shook his head and smiled, His program reminding him so much of himself.*

Strikes n’ Gutters man…
}*}*}*}*}



*Clu smiled fondly remembering that time.. But Flynn wouldn’t remember that.. because to him.. it hasn’t happened yet. But that question brought him back.. the one he would have to answer.*

Okay… our friend.. So.. Why?


*Clu looked at Flynn who was visably shaken by this information. The way he looked at Clu with disapointment. What had Clu become?. *

I had to.


Wh- What do you mean??


{*{*{*{*
*Clu remembered….He remebered when he found Tron.. After the Coup, he had left him for dead. Clu had no idea where he went or what happened to him.. But somewhere he found help. He had even tried to start an uprising against Clu.. That left Clu with only one choice…he couldn't kill Tron.. whether that was by design.. or sheer conscience.. .but as System Administrator.. he could changed his coding. It would be a test.. of sorts.. he had never attempted this before.. but if it worked on Tron.. it would work on any program.*


After you and I… disagreed…*Clu was telling Flynn what he remembered.*.. I made decisions…not always wise ones.. I needed Tron to stand by me.. But..He was insanely loyal to you. He wouldn’t follow me without a fight.


*Two of Clu’s Sentry’s brought Tron before Clu..*

Where is he?


*Clu asked Tron calmly as he circled around him slowly.*

Even if I knew I would never tell you Clu.



I really don’t want to have to do this Tron.


Do what?


I need you to follow me. Stand at my side.


Then you’ll have to end me, because I’ll never follow you. Not after what you did! *Tron said through clenched teeth*

*Clu stopped right in front of Tron. Then said cooly and void of emotion.*

So be it. …Disk..


*One of the Sentry’s removed Tron’s disk from its hub on his back and handed it to Clu.*

Wait.. no! What are you doing?!


Don’t worry.. *Clu said.* This won’t hurt a bit.


*Clu took the disk and flipping it over, pressed a button to activate it, the gleaming hologram appeared in front of him with Tron’s source code. He began spinning through the current code and making changes to it.*

Clu! Stop! Think about what you’re doing!..Don’t do this!! *Tron screamed as he struggled under the Sentry’s grasp. Clu kept working. Ignoring his friend’s desperate cry.*

I took his source code.. and I changed it.. I repurposed him.. to follow only me. *Clu was remembering to Flynn.* But there was something else.. Even after I changed him..


*Once Clu was finished he took the disk and handed it back to one of the Sentry’s and stood in front of Tron to watch and see if the change took place. *

Clu.. What did you do? *Tron pleaded.* Wh-Why? Why are you doing this?! Its me! Its Tron!


*Clu looked at Tron, his eyes cold and unyielding.*

You are not Tron anymore.


*Clu nodded and the Sentry holding Tron’s disc placed it back on its hub and turned it into place. The disk activated and synchronized. A red flash lit up his eyes… as they went from pleading.. to a blank stare..He didn’t struggle anymore. Clu watched as his circuits changed from white to red. *

You are Rinzler.


*Tron… Rinzler.. said nothing.. but there was the sound like a growl.. or maybe a purr.. Clu could only guess that he missed something in the code that caused this reaction.. It was no matter… Rinzler’s eyes now looked at Clu and listened.*


You will follow me… and you will do.. exactly what I tell you to.


*Rinzler purred again. The two stood face to face.. once old friends.. allies.. now forced allies.. Clu studied his eyes to make sure Rinzler understood. Then he reached back and touched something on the back of Rinzler’s neck. Suddenly a black helmet formed over his face. Clu stood before him.. and saw his own reflection in the shiny onyx helmet.*


I want you to wear this… and never… take it off.


*Clu turned his back to Rinzler where the helmeted program couldn’t see him close his eyes with an intense inner pain.*
}*}*}*




You made him wear that helmet so you wouldn’t have to look at his face??!! *Flynn said appalled.* The face of your friend! That you betrayed!!


I didn’t want others to recognize him.


No.. no .. no! You couldn’t even look at him because of what you did.


*Clu turned and looked at Flynn.. he said nothing.. but it was his eyes that gave Flynn the answer.. that he was right.*

I did what I did for the system...I needed his help to control things.. I regret it.. It was wrong.. I know that now.. .I’m sorry Flynn..


You know… *Flynn looked at Clu.* I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.


I know .


Well.. .We gotta undo this..We gotta fix him.


We’re going to the Portal Flynn.. There’s nothing we can do right now.


That may be.. but.. *Flynn scoffed.* Its going to get done..


Yes.. and it will.. when I get you back home.. I promise.. I’ll fix it.. if I can..


Wh -What do you mean if you can?


We tried .. Well.. Spark did.. She’s kind of fond of him in case you didn’t notice.


And you? *Flynn questioned.* You’re the one who rewrote the code.. Can’t you undo it?


I don’t know..


Aw..man…well have you tried??


It’s a lot to undo at this point… the re written code has gotten so deep into the base coding that if I undo it.. I might lose both of them..


*There was a long pause where they both said nothing. It was an uneasy silence.. broken only by Clu flipping a few switches overhead to put the landing gear down..*

We made it.. I’ll set down over there..