"The Uprising has begun."

Tron's words echoed through Beck's mind. All the struggles and efforts, all victories against the Occupation, however small, were finally paying off. The Renegade had succeeded in his first grand task – to show the programs of Argon that they could and should stand for themselves. And though most of them did not believe him to be Tron, one thing they knew – Tron lived and was on their side.

The pair watched in silence as Pavel and his black guards marched to their recognizers and took off, sudden fear displayed on the face of the sycophantic commander. The mechanics in the garage traced the ominous ships as they drifted away and then started to cheer. Some were clapping, others began throwing their discs into the air.

"You rock, Mara!", came a shout from Link. Several programs immediately started chanting her name. Confusion overwhelmed the blue-haired girl, threatening to turn into panic. She knew she had to say something, remind them that the fight is not yet over, but no one would listen now. They were reveling in their freedom and she couldn't blame them. But if the fight was not continued soon, this freedom would be short-lived. And yet, she was no one special, just a young girl. She couldn't possibly lead them. The girl froze in horror as the realization hit her.

"What have I done?"

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Zed giving her a reassuring smile.

"Guys!", his voice rose over the chants and yells, "it's true, we're free now. But this is not the end of it, just the beginning! If we don't want to end up crushed under Tesler's boot again, we'll have to fight. And now we're not alone. Because Tron lives!"

Mara watched him with pride as he talked. Like her, Zed had come a long way since the Renegade appeared, growing from an immature and insecure program to a person who knew where he stood and would fight for it. At the beginning, he would jump every time the Occupation started a campaign against the Renegade. Now he was willing to defend the masked program with his life, had come to recognize him as their savior and Mara loved him all the more for that.

"Tanks, Zed", she said to him quietly, smiling. "I was just beginning to wonder whether or not we made the greatest mistake of our lives."

"On the contrary, Mara", Zed beamed at her, "this is the wisest thing we've ever done."

Several of the programs had walked closer to them, hesitating to speak, but the question in their eyes was as clear as a transparent voxel: "What are we going to do now?"

"We've got to see if Tron needs help", the female program now sounded strong and confident. "He may be injured or otherwise incapacitated."

She and Zed raced through the rubble towards the familiar white-suited figure who was, to their surprise, unmasked.

"Wait", Zed suddenly stopped and stared at the program before them. "Isn't that…"

"…Beck?" Mara's blue eyes were almost round now. "Could it be that it was him the whole time?"

"Either way", the male program knitted his brows "he's got a lot to explain."

It was already too late for Beck to put his mask on. His friends approached warily, with discs in their hands. It was completely understandable to him. One could expect all forms of trickery and deceit from Clu's minions, including such disguises.

"I think at least you should…" he turned to his mentor, only to see him already masked. Beck nodded in agreement. Indeed, he had much to explain before Tron could be revealed, even to his closest friends.

"Beck?" Zed had walked up to him. "Is it really you?"

"Yeah", Beck nodded. "I'm the Renegade, Zed."

"So it was you who blew up Clu's statue and then saved us from the Games and from that execution and…"

"Indeed."

Mara approached, a scowl on her face. "Just tell us you didn't kill Able", she said in a shaking voice.

Beck's expression turned grim. It pained him to reminisce of Able's death, for which he still held himself responsible, albeit indirectly. "I didn't", he finally managed to utter. "It was Cyrus."

"I was always distrustful of him, but don't think I'll take that claim without proof, Beck." Mara's scowl only deepened. "And who is this program? Another Renegade?"

"We can't talk here", Beck countered. "The Black Guards will find us any moment now. You must come with us immediately."

"Come where?" Both Zed and Mara measured their friend with gazes that didn't express as much trust as he would like.

"The Outlands. And quickly." He and Tron rezzed their light cycles, urging for Mara and Zed to hop on.

General Tesler paced around in his throne room like a cornered predator. Rage was overwhelming him, causing him to forsake his usual calm demeanor.

"What was that ship doing in my city?" Anger and fear were present in equal measures in his voice. "I want answers and I want them now."

Paige just stood, just as clueless as he was. There was nothing for her to do but listen to the general's tirade.

"Where did that monstrosity come from and why didn't I know about it?" Tesler was evidently losing control of his emotions.

Paige had but one answer for her general and not a comforting one. She took a deep breath.

"I don't know, General. But if I had to guess…" She handed him the message card she had just received. The bright yellow circuitry was leaving no doubt of the sender's identity. Tesler's features shifted from anger to utter terror as he watched the clearing image on the card.

"Clu."

He only pronounced the name with a faint whisper.