...
With Star Spirit's sub-instance acting openly, CLU — the ruler of the Grid — never realized that someone outside was already eyeing him and the entire digital world like prey.
Much like the ancient rogue program known among the Grid's "Resistance" as Zeus, Star Spirit's sub-instance was mistaken for nothing more than another program that had slipped out of control.
"Master," the sub-instance reported after its rapid exchange with CLU,"CLU has agreed to the deal — but he wants proof of sincerity."
"Sincerity?" Ryan Cole replied calmly."Fine. Let's give him some."
Then he issued an order.
"Star Spirit, leak Sam's group's location."
"As you command, Master."
Following the instruction, Star Spirit's sub-instance immediately exposed the movements of Sam Flynn, Kevin Flynn, and Quorra as they headed toward the Grid's exit portal.
Only a few minutes later — Grid-time — the trio, who had been moving relatively smoothly under Star Spirit's assistance, suddenly found themselves in serious trouble.
Dozens of small fighters, trailing orange-red contrails, locked onto the large transport they'd hijacked.Gunfire filled the air, forming a suffocating wall of bullets.
If CLU hadn't still been unwilling to truly kill his creator, Kevin Flynn, the transport would've already been shredded.
"Damn it! We can't shake them!" Sam yelled from the gun turret, staring at the incoming fire and pursuers.
"Call your friend — get him to help again!" Quorra shouted from the cockpit, weaving desperately through the barrage.
"I'm trying!" Sam yelled back without turning around.
Seconds later, his voice grew grim.
"CLU's already aware of him. Without higher-level permissions, there's no way to delete CLU from outside the system."
Kevin Flynn, seated in the co-pilot's seat, hesitated.
He couldn't help it.
After living in the Grid under an assumed identity for so long, no one understood CLU better than he did.
If Sam hadn't been undeniably real, Kevin would've assumed this so-called "friend" was just another trap — a scheme by CLU to steal the master identity disc.
Even so, Kevin couldn't shake the fear that everything unfolding was still part of a larger setup — one designed specifically for him.
"Quorra," Kevin suddenly said, gripping his identity disc."I need you to do something."
Barely seconds later, disaster struck.
First, Sam's turret was destroyed.Then the transport's engine was blown out.
No matter how skilled Quorra was, there was only one option left.
"Brace yourselves! We're going down!" she shouted, fighting to control the crippled craft.
Seeing his prey reduced to meat on the cutting board, CLU ordered his forces to cease fire.
Victory was all but assured.
Then — everything changed.
Rinzler.
CLU's most lethal enforcer, long since reprogrammed, suddenly woke up.
"I fight for the User."
With those words, Rinzler turned his fighter on his former allies.
Caught completely off guard, CLU's forces were torn apart.Even CLU himself nearly got blown out of the sky.
The sudden reversal bought Sam and the others a sliver of hope.
Unfortunately, the transport was already too damaged.
Coordinated counterattacks were impossible — reaching the portal safely would be a miracle.
"The portal!" Kevin shouted."If we get out, we win!"
He understood Rinzler's intent — and didn't have the luxury to mourn an old friend's sacrifice.
With Rinzler's reckless cover fire and Quorra's exceptional piloting, the battered transport slammed onto the platform near the portal after a violent series of impacts.
But when Sam, Kevin, and Quorra stumbled out of the wreckage and rushed toward the beam of light —
CLU was already there.
Standing on the only path leading to the portal.
"I knew you'd come here," CLU said calmly, framed by the pillar of light."Time wears everyone down… doesn't it?"
"At least you haven't changed much," Kevin replied, stopping Sam and Quorra as he stepped forward alone.
"I did everything you asked of me," CLU said, staring at his creator.
"You did," Kevin answered, walking closer.
"I completed the mission," CLU said firmly.
"That was your interpretation," Kevin replied, shaking his head.
"You promised we would reshape the Grid together," CLU shouted, arms flaring."You broke that promise!"
"Yes… I see that now," Kevin said quietly."This was my fault."
"I pushed the system to its limits," CLU continued."I created perfection."
"True perfection is always unknown," Kevin said calmly."It feels unreachable — yet it's always right in front of us."
"You don't understand. I didn't understand either… when I created you."
"I'm sorry, CLU. I truly am."
Kevin held out his hands, making one final attempt.
It failed.
Seeing everything he had worked for denied so completely, rage exploded across CLU's face.
He kicked Kevin Flynn away.
"Dad!" Sam shouted, charging forward and landing a solid punch on CLU.
CLU barely even flinched.
He casually tossed Sam aside like a child.
What followed unfolded much like the original timeline.
To ensure his son's escape, Kevin Flynn chose self-sacrifice.
The one difference?
After being tricked by Kevin using Quorra's identity disc, CLU suddenly shouted as Sam and Quorra stepped into the portal's light:
"Star Spirit. Now."
Nothing happened.
No anomaly. No interference.
Inside the beam, Sam successfully activated his father's identity disc.
The portal ignited.
Without wasting time questioning why the mysterious program hadn't acted, CLU slammed the fake control disc into the floor beside Kevin's face and lunged for the portal.
Kevin — who had already prepared for the worst — dropped into a half-crouch, pressing both hands against the platform.
A blinding white ring erupted outward from him.
An overwhelming gravitational pull instantly seized CLU mid-leap.
At the exact moment Sam and Quorra exited the Grid, Kevin Flynn opened his arms and merged with CLU.
The resulting explosion obliterated everything.
The pursuing transports were torn apart — and the Grid itself was reset to its most primitive state.
...
The next morning, ENCOM executives and board members gathered in the top-floor conference room.
No one knew what was discussed behind closed doors.
But at the subsequent press conference, the media learned one thing clearly:
Sam Flynn had officially retaken control of ENCOM.
That wasn't all.
Standing at the podium, Sam also announced a new initiative — Project StarNet.
The project involved a next-generation operating system known as StarGate, along with a complete restructuring of existing network architecture and digital governance.
Back in his office, Sam Flynn stood alone in a tailored business suit.
With his looks and newfound authority, he was the picture of a successful tech heir.
"Hey, Ryan," Sam said, pouring himself a glass of champagne at the minibar and grinning at the man watching the news."What'd you think of my speech?"
"Knocked it out of the park," Ryan Cole replied from the couch, giving a thumbs-up.
"Too bad my dad couldn't see it," Sam said quietly."And Quorra…"
The grief returned as he sat beside Ryan.
"Sam," Ryan said, patting his shoulder,"your father and Quorra would be proud of you. Truly."
"Really?" Sam asked, looking at him.
"Of course."
Ryan nodded — utterly sincere-looking, despite the strings he'd pulled behind the scenes.
"Thank you, Ryan," Sam said earnestly."I don't even want to think about how this would've ended without you."
"No, no," Ryan waved a finger, smiling."Friends don't say thanks. Besides, didn't you clear out two entire floors in the ENCOM Tower for me? Should I be thanking you?"
"You know that's different," Sam replied seriously.
"Alright, alright," Ryan laughed."We're friends and partners now. If you keep being this polite, I won't dare come asking for favors anymore."
Selling someone out —and making them count the money for you afterward.
Ryan Cole's tone alone would've driven anyone who knew the truth absolutely insane.