Chapter 1

I walked through the streets of Tron City, walking around the countless other Programs that were heading to the square. Clu had called all of the citizens of Tron City to a great meeting, to be held in the square, to celebrate the decisive victories in the war on Isos. Some of Clu's strongest supporters called out his favorite slogan, "Basics no more!" I joined in.

I looked around. Many other Programs were avoiding me unconsciously. The patterns of energy over my body showed that I was a Security Program, and as many others had, I'd adopted the Red wiring that showed me to be a Program who was joining Clu's armies. I wasn't a true Security Program, however, I was what a User would call, 'Anti-Spyware', or in their society, a Detective, tracking down those Programs that had committed crimes. I had heard a few of these things from Tron, before he had betrayed the Grid and thrown in with Flynn. I was told that he died trying to protect Flynn, in vain, as Clu himself De-rezzed Flynn. Or killed him. Whatever Users called it.

I made my way to the platform. Despite my status as an Anti-Spyware Program, I was working basic Security. Clu was thorough, but he still feared that a few Isos had survived, and were seeking vengeance. I could understand. Sharing this information with the public could cause civil unrest, and that is no way to end a war.

Clu addressed the audience. "Programs!" His voice and face were those of Kevin Flynn's, but his motives were to further Programs, rather then betray his own creations for some... imperfection that sprung up on the Grid. Clu didn't stop. "We are finally free of the Isos. And, to celebrate, I have an announcement. The Games will be re-opening!"

I started, looking at Clu for some kind of joke. Everyone knew that the Games held the highest attrition rate for Programs anywhere on or off the Grid. He must've been kidding. But there was no joke on his face. Only a basking in the shouting, roaring of approval from the crowd. How could Clu do this? I almost personally lost my life, and had lost many friends to the Games! How could he...

The guards around me seized my wrists. They brought me before Clu. "Programs, This!" He said with a flourish, putting a hand on my shoulder in a friendly way, "Is Byte! You all remember Byte, who, dozens of cycles ago, finished his final match in the Games with a single arm, winning both his freedom, and his lost limb?!" He yelled the whole time, working the crowd to a fever pitch of excitement. "Well! I am happy and proud to tell you, that this old champion, no, this old legend! Will be returning to the Games, to show his love for the Grid, and Tron City!

The crowd roared its approval, even as I shouted my disapproval. How could Clu do this? How? Betraying those that were loyal to him, just to excite a crowd? How?

The guards who had seized me dragged me to an open train nearby. I was tossed in, greeted by dozens of dejected faces, who all looked at my red wiring, and hated me on sight. Making friends, everywhere I go. At least three of them started attacking me, beating the functioning bits out of me. I hit back a few times, knocking a few of them back, but I saw a few of my bits fly out, and one of them drew their Disc.

He started chopping wildly, as the others kept me from fighting back. He continued hacking, bits of data flying from the leg that he'd cut into. He finally hacked through, and my leg collapsed into a pile of glittering red bits. I had screamed throughout the entire process.

The one who had cut into my leg stood, and the others all let me go. I held my de-rezzed leg with one hand as my other sifted through the code bits that once were an appendage. I was vaguely aware of someone saying, "Give the message to Clu." I looked at him.

"I intend to."