Ready Player One: Two Worlds
(Hey guys, this is my first story for Ready Player One. And as you can tell, this is the first story for the new World filter for this category to include the movie, as there are some differences between the books and the film. I want/need to thank the creators and support team of this site for making this happen. I believed that the site should include this as the movie is unique all on its own with its own legacy/world to explore. I've had this story for some time after I watched the film. (I will say the OC for this story, I realized too late when I originally thought of it, may not be best to tackle/combat the sexism of the book and the movie, but I hope to try and find a way of doing so…even though now I realize after I've had major parts and characters planned, )This story has a lot to reveal and dive into, so I hope you all enjoy it!)
Prologue
(Columbus, Ohio, months after the first film)
Wade on the couch with Samantha, an arm around her shoulder, watching Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Samantha chuckled as the Ewoks evaded and ambushed the clones. Wade grinned at this.
"Always loved this part. They underestimated the little guys, they never saw any of this coming."
Samantha rolled her eyes, smiling.
"You're still a little high on us beating Sorrento."
"No I'm not. I just think when guys like Palpatine and Sorrento just underestimate the little guy…sadly enough when the latter was once the little guy…sort of."
"His newfound power got to his head and tried to destroy those he hated. Little men are like that."
Wade laughed at this.
"Little men?"
"Sorrento was just a tiny little man who thought he was a giant. And those he saw beneath him brought that delusion down around him."
Wade nodded. Sorrento had been Haliday's employee who had tried to give his thoughts and suggestions into his game, but Haliday had dismissed him. The success of the game had made Sorrento bitter and when he had nearly taken over the OASIS, he sought to destroy the man's legacy and to use it to his own benefit. In the end, the gunters defeated Sorrento and his personal army.
But Wade looked back on the path behind him…and he wished certain events hadn't occurred, at the top being Alice's murder and all those who had died at the order of Sorrento. He was happy now, but he wished he could go back and knocked sense into Rick's mind…he had inadvertently gotten himself, Alice, and others killed because of his cruelty and idiocy. Regardless, he couldn't bring any of them back…though he wished he could. He gazed at the photo of Alice and himself across the room.
Samantha saw this, placing a hand on his cheek.
"I know you miss her…anyone would. She loved you…what happened to her…to my father…to what happened to all those Sorrento and his supporters targeted was wrong…it's ok to wish they were still here."
Tears rolled down Wade's face.
"I…I know…it doesn't make the pain go away though."
"I know."
Samantha kissed his cheek and hugged him. The pain of the loss of loved ones had really bonded them and they found comfort in one another. Today was a Thursday and they enjoyed their days when the OASIS was off. The public had been unsure of what to do on the days when the OASIS was closed. The couple feared some were just planning new ways of going through the OASIS when the game was available…others they thought might try to hack the game, they were unsure though. Given that they'd freed the game from IOI, the gunters had shown that they'd try to honor the High-5's choice.
Samantha turned back to the movie. The movie was now at the part with Luke confronting Palpatine and his father.
"Confronting the big bad…if it wasn't for his friends and loved ones, the Rebels would never have won."
Wade nodded.
"I think Luke knows that too. Some say that Luke could've won on his own…but it's the people and machines that helped him."
The two smiled and kissed.
(The next day)
The couple left their bed and enjoyed their breakfast. Samantha took a bite of her toast while Wade drank some coffee.
Then their TV showed they were getting a collective video chat call. Samantha cleaned her mouth with a napkin before speaking up.
"Answer."
On screen appeared Helen, Toshiro, and Zhou. Samantha smiled.
"Morning everyone. How was your Thursday yesterday?"
Zhou grinned and patted Toshiro's shoulder with the back of his hand.
"Tell them."
Samantha grinned.
"What?"
Toshior chuckled, shaking his head.
"We've been working on some sketches for a comic book. Just ideas for now, but we've got something going."
"That's great guys."
Wade looked at Helen, smiling.
"What have you been up to?"
"Been using some of the money I'm getting from my share to work on trying to clear up the debts people had with IOI. Yeah, I know we got that all canceled, but me and Samantha as you all know have been working on trying to set up some programs to get people back on their feet. I've gotten a few dozen people so far, new jobs and money coming in after talking with them."
"That's great. Glad to hear you're helping these people."
"I know maybe it could be done faster by handing this out to employees, but I need to hear their stories give them personal help with this."
Wade smiled, nodding.
"It's great to hear all this guys. We're doing some good work."
The group laughed and cheered. Then their phones all pinged notifications. They picked them up and went to them.
They had all been firm believers and supporters in living in and enjoying the real world, but this notification still made them smile.
Zhou jumped up and down giddily.
"Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! It's finally ready!"
Samantha rolled her eyes, grinning.
"So much for living in the real world."
The group laughed. Wade looked to his friends.
"Alright, let's get to the Hall."
(Former IOI Headquarters, an hour later)
The High-5 had changed Sorrento's former office and building into the group's gaming and public outreach center. A crowd was always there, gaming or not. They ran forward, greeting the group. The High-5 shook hands and exchanged short small talk with everyone there.
Then they walked into the room where Sorrento had his personal rig for the OASIS, which now was clear of it and had stations for each of the group, including their consultant. Morrow smiled as he watched the group walk in.
"And how was yesterday for you chaps?"
The group laughed. Morrow turned to Helen.
"Well done working with that young couple, they're working on helping others with outreach."
"Thanks Mr. Morrow."
"You five are doing wonders here…more so than Haliday and I ever dreamed of."
The group smiled. Wade looked to their stations.
"Suit up."
They went to their stations and put on their X1 Bootsuits and loaded into the OASIS.
To be continued…
(Well I hope this is a good start to a great story. Once again, thanks to the creators and support team of this site for making the World filter to include the movie. Hope you all enjoy this story!)