Mini Adventure 0 - Prologue

Author's Note: Yay! It's here! *dances* This is the first installment of my new drabble series devoted to Sam and his kitty Rinzler. Story takes place very slightly Post Legacy, with Sam and Quorra going back to the Grid to check for any signs of life and finding more than they thought they would... I plan on updating this story once every week, on Saturday, as time permits. I have no idea how long this series will be, but I do have a vague outline as to what I hope to accomplish. Also, please note the rating - this story might start out only PG-13 but I plan on raising that as I go along. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Tron franchise nor any of its characters. This is purely a work of fiction. Oh, and fan-girl love! 3

Sam Flynn had a problem.

No, actually, it wasn't really a problem. It was more like an epic fucking disaster of catastrophic proportions.

Or you could basically just sum it all up in one word and say that Sam had a Rinzler.

Yep, Sam thought that would work quite nicely, thanks.

"Dammit, Quorra, what the hell am I gonna do," Sam cried, dragging one hand through his hair roughly and unable to fully keep the frustration from seeping into his voice.

Lips quirking up slightly at the corners and looking like she was about one step away from outright laughter, Quorra replied, "Well, I hate to break it to you, Sam, but I'm not entirely sure there's anything you can do."

As one, they both turned to stare in the direction of their present topic of conversation.

It was Clu's former number one henchman and all around badass mother a.k.a. Rinzler. Only, the program was no longer quite the same 'monster straight out of your worst nightmares' that he used to be.

Of course, Sam thought it must be kind of hard to be scary when you sported a pair of the fluffiest black ears and tail that Sam had ever seen.

In fact, if it wasn't for the simple reality that this was Rinzler they were talking about, Sam might even be tempted to call the changes in the program's overall appearance cute.

Oh, fuck my life, Sam thought to himself irritably.

Sputtering, Sam yelled, "But…but…look at him, Quorra! What the hell happened to him? You can't seriously be suggesting that we take him back to the user world with us!"

"But Sam, you heard what the search programs that found him said. Rinzler was completely unresponsive when they pulled him out of the Sea of Simulation. They were sure he was derezzing until they brought him to you, and when you touched him… Sam, I don't know what you did, but you saved him. You can't just abandon him now," Quorra said, nodding her head towards the former security program.

Sighing, Sam glanced back down again to find that Rinzler was still stuck in his half crouch and gripping the user's leg tightly in both hands while rubbing his helmeted head back and forth.

Oh, and did he neglect to mention the purring? Because he totally mustn't forget about the purring. Nope. Absolutely not.

But hey, at least it made a nice change from all that evil growling Rinzler had been doing before.

Sighing, Sam shook his head briefly before turning his gaze back to Quorra.

"Okay. Okay, you're right. I can't just abandon him. But I still don't think it's a good idea for him to come with us. I mean, this is Rinzler we're talking about! And you know how violent he can still be around anyone but me – what happens if he attacks someone? I still say we should stay on the Grid for just a little while longer until I can figure out what part of his code is causing all this trouble and then get rid of it,' Sam argued, hoping against hope that Quorra would finally be convinced to see reason.

Abruptly, Sam felt something soft and warm brush against the skin of his right hand. Startled, Sam caught a glimpse of one of Rinzler's ears, which was poking its way through the program's trademark helmet and accidentally gliding along the user's skin. Shivering slightly, Sam ignored the surge of warmth that suffused his body at that brief touch.

Locking away what surely must have been some kind of crazy hallucination into the lesser used corners of his mind, Sam tried to ignore it, but already he could feel his resolve beginning to crumble.

When Quorra turned to look at him and simply raised one judgemental brow, Sam found himself folding faster than a cheap deck of playing cards.

Resigned, but already regretting the decision before even opening his mouth, Sam conceded, "Fine. We'll take him with us. Though don't say I didn't warn you when all this goes to hell."

Quorra actually laughed at that, eyes shining with a strange combination of relief and mirth, when she answered, "Congratulations, Sam. Looks like you're now the proud owner of one male feline program."

Sam would have sworn that the sound of his resultant cursing could be heard echoing across the entire Grid.

Next Episode Preview: As Sam attempts to adjust to a new life with Rinzler, Rinzler attempts to adjust to...the idea of life without a helmet. *gasp* Stay tuned for next weeks exciting installment!