Greetings, Programs! I did it! I managed. Everyone, this the it; the final chapter of Book 2. Hope everyone likes it! XD

Chapter 30 – Moving On

Beck's POV

Beck watched Ally's face contort in anger as she pounded her fist on the table. "What?!" She shouted. Beck sighed with his arms crossed. He didn't take the bad news well, either. As a matter of fact, no one did. "Why would Clu even bother to blow up all the Argon City?"

"For several reasons, actually." Ace piped in. Every Program's eyes in the meeting room – that included Beck, Ally, Zed, Mara, Liz, Ace, Zoe, Kym, Sylvie, Evelyn, Chad, Google, Paige, Sky, Jay, Emi, Dallas, and the other members of the Council – shifted from Ally to him. For some odd reason, most of them stayed awkwardly quiet. "You see, not only did they realize they could effectively deprive us of resources, but they also found that they could trap a large number of Programs in the City and perish in the explosion."

Ace paused for a moment. "Oh, and the fact that a lot of Programs spent every NanoCycle of their entire life living in that very City. Clu probably thought that destroying the only thing some Programs ever knew would be a good hard hit in the center; perhaps weaken us from both grief and despair."

He slid a data pad across the table to Ally. "There's a list of names of the intended Programs…and other ISOs that were captured during the riot."

Beck walked over to Ally and tilted his head to the side as his eyes quickly scanned the list. He lifted an eyebrow. "Funny. Gage, Perl, and the rest of the Crims are on the list."

That caught Zed and Mara's attention. "Wait. What? Really?" Mara glanced at the list. "Huh, looks like they've been terminated."

"We've got less to worry about, then." Ally interjected. "I doubt many Programs were fond of the Crims, anyway." She paced the room – thankfully, she was allowed out of the stupid wheelchair – as she pondered over other Possibilities of Clu's plans. "Okay, so we're definitely deprived of resources, and a lot of Programs are dead, but a lot of us are not despaired or grieved…entirely."

"And the Programs that are?" The annoying Council member folded his arms. Seriously, what is up with that guy? All he ever seemed to do was challenge Ally whenever he had the chance. "Remember? We lost Tron not long after we found out he was alive?"

The Renegade rested his palm flat on the table not far from the Council member as he stared down the ISO. "Yes, it was very unfortunate for a lot of us. But I, along with some other select few Programs know that he wouldn't want us dwelling on what happened. If anything, he'd want us fighting harder than ever and make a difference."

Zoe smiled and applauded him. "Very well spoken." She folded her arms. "Now, anyone else want to retaliate and insult another Council member?"

The room was silent.

Zoe shrugged. "Okay then, I propose that we ask experienced combatants of what we should do for future strategies, especially what we'll do with Soldiers to spread out the Revolution."

Everyone glanced at each other until most of the eyes came to rest on Ally, Beck, and the rest of Tron's agents. Ally pinched her lips together in a thin line.

Beck sighed and folded his arms – a habit he'd gotten from Tron. "How about this: we send in several small groups that just quietly organize secret meetings with rebellious citizens to get more support. They'll be inconspicuous at first, then they could unite together at the perfect time and when there's enough strength in numbers. Sabotage Occupational machinery, strike the soldiers, and seize control of the Cities; one by one."

Some Programs nodded in agreement. "Sounds neat, organized." Sylvie said slowly. "Obviously, it won't be easy to make this place the main base so I suggest we have none of that but make it look that way if Clu would care."

Sky and Paige glanced at each other. Ace noticed the look on their faces and immediately interrupted. "Uh, pardon me," Everyone looked at him. Ace stood up. "I like Sylvie's suggestion, but the Renegade's plot may be a bit obvious to Clu, expected."

Ally raised an eyebrow. "You seem to have a knack for seeking out errors, don't you?"

He grinned. "Why else do you think Tron picked me other than my awesome fighting?"

Zoe rolled her eyes. "Okay, so what's YOUR brilliant plan?"

Ace snatched up a data pad and pulled a holographic map of the entire Grid, consisting of Cities dotted across the Outlands and the Sea of Simulation surrounding the land. "Okay, the idea of quietly entering Cities but no doubt, being quiet isn't very good. Firstly, not all of us are good at that. Secondly, that's exactly what Clu would be looking for."

Paige stepped forward. "Sky and I just discussed this and we have an idea." She zoomed in on the Map to Argon, Purgos, Gallium, and Bismuth. "Of course, we could still use the quietly-sneaking-in method in our targeted Cities but Ace is right, Clu would be looking for unusually quiet places."

She waved her hand over the screen to bring attention to the map. "If anyone ever noticed, the Cities on the Grid are organized in little 'clumps.' Bismuth, Gallium, Purgos, Neon, and Argon are considerably closer together than other Cities, making them a larger sector known as a cluster."

Beck unfolded his arms and leaned closer to get a better look at the map.

"Other groups of Cities all over the Grid are carefully organized in this fashion so it's easier to transfer soldiers elsewhere if there's something wrong with a neighboring City." She looked at Beck. "Small fact, Tesler is an excellent example for this scenario. After he crushed Gallium to gain power and supposedly broke everyone, he moved to Argon with similar plans before they were…interrupted."

Paige cleared her throat and continued. "So, my point is, if we were to take two large groups of Programs, one group that's good at following through on instructions and plans while being expertise in fighting and the other being influentially intelligent or idol figures."

She zoomed out of the clump of Cities to a full map again before shifting over to another clump: Selenium, Polonium, and Tron City. "Here's the plan I'm suggesting. Since Clu knows how much he's broken us from destroying Argon, he'd expect us to start out nice and small with surrounding Cities. But I'm suggesting not doing that."

Beck frowned and wondered where Paige was going with her strategy. "I think we could catch Clu off-guard if we hit him in the Center." She pointed at Tron City. "A neighboring City in this cluster could be our little distraction where we send in our noise-making group. In fact, we could risk it and even do that on the far side of the cluster, away from Tron City as well. Meanwhile, we could send in The Renegade, Alpha, and Tron's Agents along with Google to gather supporters in our little Revolution."

"Excuse me," Ally interjected. "What should be expected if Tron City becomes one of those "quiet places" that Clu's looking for?"

Paige smiled slightly. "Thank you for the scenario idea. That's probably why you should also bring in a noise-making group as well – but only after the neighboring Cities have Clu's attention."

Ace grinned. "That's an excellent strategy! It's not even that complicated, yet Clu may not see it coming!" He leaned against the wall. "If you want, I could be one of the "noise makers" in Tron City. I'm good at that."

Zoe rolled her eyes. "Yes he is."

Evelyn quietly let the plans sink in for a while as she drummed her fingertips over the surface of the table top. She pursed her lips and thought for a moment. "There's a hole in the plan." She said bluntly.

Paige blinked in surprise.

"Not yours," Evelyn said reassuringly to the medic/ex-Occupational Commander. She looked at Sylvie. "I liked your idea about main bases. If we have nothing to lose, it doesn't hurt as much to take risks. It might actually be safer to take to the streets and actual living quarters in apartments."

Sylvie frowned. "What about false bases?"

Evelyn smiled. "We could desert these tunnels and leave slightly inconspicuous technology signals to make it look like it is a base." She chewed on her lip. "Of course, we can't make the signals too obvious or Clu would suspect something to be wrong. But we could hard-wire the signals to become stronger once they're discovered."

The ISO grinned. "Clu will realize too late that there is no base and that he's been duped. And he'd have sent in so many soldiers in this very spot for nothing."

"Hmmm…that wouldn't make him very happy, though." Ally said with a big smile as she stretched her shoulders.

"Since when have I cared about how Clu felt? I'm pretty sure I expressed that when I cut off his precious statue's head and blew it up. Might I just add my opinion that I think it looked a lot better afterward." He joked.

"Alright, we've got a nice, organized plan. But when should the prioritized Programs leave when we're all grouped up and told where we're going to go? And is everyone going to be in on the master plan or are their priorities different?"

Evelyn shook her head. "There are too many Programs here to get involved in Tron City. We could leave a group or two behind here to visit Purgos, Gallium, and the rest of the Cities in this…cluster and others as well."

She started pacing the room. "And as for our schedule…I'm not quite sure when we'll begin enacting this plan. We'll need time to spread the word and prepare to leave. But if anything, we should probably set up the "noise makers" in Tron City's neighboring Cities first before grabbing attention here. When Clu's attention is elsewhere in the closer Cities in his cluster, we'll elaborately gather supporters from within Tron City's borders. If anything gets too quiet, the "noise makers" that were sent in with Alpha, the Renegade, Google, and others will attract attention from the other side of the City from where the other group is."

Ace grinned. "I like this plan. We should do this sooner rather than later. If it gets too quiet here, Clu will suspect that we're already plotting."

Sylvie stood up. "Then let's start getting the word out to others."

Chad nodded. "I volunteer to help organize the Programs into designated groups and fill them in on their part of the plan."

Paige glanced at Dallas, Jay, and Emi. "Uh, we know a lot of closely united resistors in Gallium if it helps."

Jay chuckled. "Actually, everyone in Gallium is 'closely united resistors.'"

Evelyn looked thoughtful. "What were they doing last time you saw them?" She asked.

Paige shrugged. "They were all-out fighting against Occupational Armies that tried to take over last time I was around. But I'm honestly not sure what they're doing right now."

Dallas stared at the ceiling. "At the rate they were fighting, I'm betting that they drove out the soldiers by now. And I'm pretty sure they'd have no problem helping other Cities to follow their example if we contacted them and asked for them to leave their City for now and temporarily transfer to others."

Emi tapped her finger on the table. "Well, that's going to take a lot of convincing…"

Beck frowned. "Why?"

Ally sat down. "Because it's rumored that they don't divide. They stick together all the time. So if someone there was going to go to…Bismuth, for example, everyone else is going to follow."

Emi nodded. "If they were asked to leave the City, everyone will leave. No one is left behind or Clu can still forcefully seize the City." She smiled. "If they completely deserted the City and Clu sent Soldiers back there, it would completely ruin the fun of taking over and everything." She stopped tapping her finger. "Considering they'd most definitely want Clu gone for good, it wouldn't take too much persuasion to get them to temporarily desert their City to help in our cause."

Evelyn nodded. "Good point, I think I'll send you, Emi, and Sky to talk to the City's representatives about this."

Emi frowned. "What about Jay?"

Evelyn frowned. "This may seem racist but all ISOs and Specials are to play their part in Tron City or somewhere around that area. But when you're finished discussing the matter with Gallium, you're to report to your friends immediately within the borders of Tron City."

The three Programs glanced at each other with uncertainty for a few tense moments before nodding. "Alright then," Paige said. "We'll take off as soon you're ready to send us."

Ally crossed the room and folded her arms as she stood next to Beck. She even dared to steal a glance at him before turning to everyone else. "Is that all, then?" There was silence as everyone else glanced around at each other and shrugged.

She nodded curtly. "I guess that's it," She turned on her heel and boldly exited the room.

…

Ally's POV

Ally sat quietly in her small, temporary dorm. Instead of the completely sterile, blinding white walls, she saw dull gray of carved, shaped rock. She absentmindedly began to wonder whose brilliant idea it was to add secret rooms to these underground tunnels when they were first structured.

Ally knew nothing of it and probably never will. But whoever thought of this is a genius. She thought with a small smile.

Her head snapped to the side as she heard someone knock a few times before entering. She relaxed when she saw Beck.

He grinned. "Someone's a bit jumpy," He commented as he sat down next to her and followed her original gaze back to the wall. "Everything okay?"

Ally pinched her thick lips together to form a thin line. "I…I don't know. We're supposed to head to Tron City who knows when and-" she trailed off. "Well – I mean – it's felt like forever since I've been there. I wonder how much has changed and what's going to happen other than following through on a plan when I get there."

Beck slipped his hand into her and intertwined their fingers. "You won't be alone." He assured. "I'll be there with you."

Ally looked away from the gray rock walls and smiled at him. "Thanks, Beck," She said quietly.

He leaned back. "Anytime, anytime." Beck sighed. "Now, if we're done here, I've come to get you so we can get comfortable with the team we'll be with."

Ally stood up with him. "Really? Now? So soon?" She asked.

Beck shrugged. "Well, yes. To be blunt, it's absolutely clear how bad of shape we're in now and how desperate we all are to make a move against Clu."

Ally nodded slowly as she followed him out of her small quarters. "Makes sense, really," she commented. "Who's on our team that we – either you or me – know?"

She heard Beck sigh under his mask. Ally wondered how he felt about not being able to show his face as much anymore, especially now being a full-time Renegade still taking on Tron's persona…even though everyone knew he wasn't.

It truly pained her at the position they – especially him – were in. Beck was dead…for now. Maybe if things go okay and they finally end the war, Beck can come back and leave all this behind, brushing it off as just horrible memories.

But not yet. There was still work to do.

"Let's see, there's Evelyn, Jay, Dallas, Sylvie, Kym, Liz, Zoe, Ace, Google, basically all the ISOs and Specials still capable of fighting – anyone disabled will be hidden amongst the Citizens, living normal again. You and me, plus a select few other Basics will also be accompanying us, such as Chad."

"What about Zed and Mara?"

Beck shook his head. "They're in charge of machinery construction and repair. Plus they'll be assisting in setting up the false signals in here. They'll find ways to stay busy away from the front lines. Actually, they won't be the only ones to be doing that. Dash and Copper will be doing the same along with the rest of the mechanics…except me." He added with a whisper.

Ally nodded. "That's good." She frowned. "I-I mean, with everyone avoiding danger." Ally was going to ask why she hasn't seen Able around lately but decided against any more personal questions as Beck opened a door and the duo stepped inside a room a bit larger than the one they met with the Council in.

Beck looked around for a few moments before pointing towards the far side of the room. "There." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gently guided her between Programs as they headed towards the largest group with some familiar faces.

Ally brightened up when she embraced Liz in a tight hug and turned to Evelyn with open arms. She grinned. "Come on, you know you want to act like the besties we were back in the ISO War."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, don't even remind me about that." Nonetheless, she still hugged the green-circuited Special.

Chad grinned. "So you're finally not acting like a jerk around the Renegade anymore?" Evelyn laughed at the remark.

Ally folded her arms and grinned. "Actually, we've finally came to terms with one another." Beck cut in. "We…understand each other a bit better than before…"

"-And you were acting like a cranky wench, ready for a table to be thrown at you." Ace said with a big grin.

Ally rolled her eyes with a sigh. "…Always nice to have you butt in, you little jerk."

Ace frowned but still somehow looked amused. "Well, you definitely have the 'jerk' part nailed down. But in case you somehow forgot, I'm not little. In fact, I'm a lot taller than you – even in those wickedly high heels you have on." He scrunched up his nose. "I'm not even sure how you can wear those all the time."

She shrugged. "I lived my entire life wearing them. It's all I know." Ace rolled his eyes and attempted to engage in a civilized conversation with Zoe.

Ally and Beck looked around to see the other members of their larger group. Ally's eyes settled on two Programs in particular.

One was dark skinned, tall and broad with piercing, focused eyes. The other was pale and skinnier in comparison and appeared to have just a tiny bit of hair on one side of his head shaven with the locks on the other side hanging down in strings.

If Ally was any more of a shaking Program than she was, she would've found them intimidating. Ally would've guessed they were gangsters or something – if they didn't have orange secondary circuits and still wore the armbands of Tesler's Army.

Beck seemed to follow her gaze to the two Programs. "Bartik and Hopper," He said quietly. "They're ex-soldiers that kind of used to terrorize Zed at the Garage. But then…" He shrugged. "They unexpectedly had a change of heart when everyone stood up for me against Pavel."

Ally smiled. "Hm…I wonder who first realized that there is more to each and every Program than they let on. Even 'open books' hold deep, dark secrets."

Beck nodded. "Yeah, but I've always wondered why, exactly, they decided to do that out of the blue."

Ally pursed her lips. "They don't really look like the types of guys that speak openly about themselves except bad things for intimidation."

Beck laughed and folded his arms again. "Wow, I'm impressed. You haven't even met them face to face yet you have that part of their personality nailed down."

She grinned. "What can I say? I'm a people person!"

Beck snorted at that. "Right…sure you are…'cause everything was just perfect between us before in our disguises?"

Ally punched his shoulder playfully. "Shut up." She mumbled with a smile.

"What? It's true!"

Ally lowered her voice. "Yeah, but we don't want others hearing us talk about our personal lives or they'll get curious."

Beck shrugged. "I don't really mind. I'm technically missing or dead and you were last seen when you broke up with me and ran away."

She sighed and harshly rubbed circles into her temples. "Ugh, don't even remind me of that painful moment. We were absolutely worried sick of each other and were as oblivious to each other as the many secrets we've kept from each other."

Ally glanced back at Bartik and Hopper and froze up when she saw Hopper staring at her with a cold, unreadable expression. He seemed to be studying her.

Ally turned away and looked at Beck. "What exactly did they do to Zed?"

Beck shrugged. "Anything from verbal insults to physical intimidation. But it only ever went as far as having him pushed against a wall and terrorizing him there."

Ally scrunched up her nose. "Living with that must be unbearable."

Beck laughed again. "Why don't you try comparing that to the ISO War?"

Ally sighed. "You don't get it; I've never really been bullied in the past. I know what it's like to be involved in a war but I've never gone through anything close to what Zed's been through."

Beck sighed. "…Dyson tortured you when we both got arrested."

Ally rolled her eyes. "That was only once, it wasn't constant at all. And yet again, I bring up the fact that I have never experienced being harassed in that manner at all."

Beck dropped his voice to a whisper. "You may find out what it's like sooner or later if you keep talking."

Ally glanced back at Bartik and Hopper and frowned when she saw them walking over with smirks on their faces. Hopper smirked. "Hey, Bartik, I see two apparitions." He glanced at Beck briefly. "Well…more like one apparition and a persona of an ex-ghost."

Ally folded her arms and smiled. "Is there any chance I can scare you by lifting my arms and saying 'boo'?"

Hopper laughed. "Ha ha – no!"

Ally shrugged. "Well, it was worth a try."

Bartik rolled his eyes. "Ugh, I'm already getting annoyed and we haven't even been around for more than a Micro. It'd be a miracle if I manage to survive being in Tron City with the two of you around."

Ally turned to Beck. "You seem to have a point. These two aren't very pleasant either. Just remind me every once in a while to avoid Bartik and Hoppy as much as possible." She walked away.

She felt Hopper's annoyed glare on the back of her head. "My name's Hopper!" He snapped. "Hopper!"

Ally smirked as Beck followed close behind. "You know, I could actually get used to those two, despite their impulse to bother others."

Beck laughed. "Maybe…"

She exited the room with full intention of going outside for a while. And for some reason, Beck just followed her around. Ally glanced back at him with a small smile. "What are you doing?" She asked.

Beck shrugged. "Following you?"

Ally pursed her lips and nodded. "Okay, I'm going outside for a while." she added, "You can tag along, too."

"I have every intention to." He said. "I want some fresh air and to take off this mask."

"I wouldn't get too comfortable out of it." she said bitterly. Ally winced. "But, for now, yeah, I really want to see your face."

Beck chuckled as they got to one of the tunnel exits and climbed above it so they could sit on top with their legs dangling in the air.

Ally twisted her upper body so she looked behind her and saw what was left of Argon City.

Dark, eerie ruins of a once beautiful lit up City.

Beck followed her gaze and sighed heavily. "There were so many good memories there…" He said, his words heavy with meaning. "I don't like having to leave all that behind. That's like abandoning everything you know…and your motivation."

Ally turned away from the rubble of Argon City and gave him a questioning gaze. "How so?" She asked.

Beck lifted his mask and looked at Ally for a moment before glancing back at the destroyed City. "That is where it started…" He stated cryptically. "After the death of one of my friends because of Tesler's soldiers, I was strongly motivated to bring justice for the uncalled-for action." He shrugged. "That's when I decided to pull my stunt with the statue."

Beck continued. "After I managed to escape into the Outlands, I ran into Tron. He…offered me the chance to make a difference and become his successor. I was reluctant at first, but after I figured there was no going back after what I did, I took on the responsibilities and fought for the raw purpose of defending the Citizens from Tesler's wrath."

Ally smiled. "I wish I was there to actually witness it."

Beck looked at Ally with a quizzical look. "You don't wish you did it with me?"

Ally shook her head slowly. "As tempting and fun as it sounds, I couldn't. It most likely would've messed up your circumstances…a lot."

Beck remained silent.

Ally leaned back and braced herself by putting her hands on the ground behind as she kept Argon City's remains to her back as she looked into the distance. "We've got a big task on our hands…" She said. "…I don't know how much Tron City has changed."

Beck frowned. "Personally, I can't answer that question because I've never truly been there, hardly ever seen images of it either." He rubbed his chin. "It's going to be an entirely new experience for me. I don't know the streets-"

He smiled at Ally. "-So I'm going to need you to guide me the whole way."

Ally closed her eyes and managed to raise the corners of her mouth. "I remember each and every street, alley, nook and cranny like the back of my hand." She lifted one of her hands for emphasis and looked deeply into it. "But I can't help but wonder what's become of all that since Clu's forces seized control."

She put her hand back down behind her and sighed. "Do you think the Citizens there even agree with Clu's actions, or are most of them tense and riled up from all that Clu's responsible for?"

Beck placed one of his hands on top of hers. "I'm hoping for the latter; it'd make our job much easier for us."

Ally giggled. "Of course we'd want that…" Her smile faded. "I'm just afraid. Hardly anything has been in our favor since the beginning of our existence. And-" She choked up.

Beck squeezed her hand. "I know, so far nothing's been very good." He refrained from looking back Argon City. Every time he did, it only made him feel horrible. He tried to smile. "But there's a saying," He said.

Ally looked at him with sad curiosity.

He leaned closer so his face was inches from hers. "They say things always get worse before they get better." He smiled.

Ally smiled sadly back. "Yeah, I suppose I can't see how anything can possibly get any worse than the occurrence of the previous events." She cringed from her own bitter joke.

Beck sighed and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "You know what; I think the odds are strongly in our favor…for now. After all, we've struggled and worked hard for it."

Ally laughed. "Some of us almost died." She spoke louder on the last word with attempted humor in her voice.

Beck stifled a laugh. "Yeah, it's an absolute miracle we've both somehow managed to make it through all of that." He responded with a grin.

"Destiny rules," Ally commented. "And I think it has something really big in store for everyone."

"I have something in store for us." Beck said as he leaned closer.

Ally smirked. "Oh? And what's that?"

Beck slipped one arm across the back of her shoulders as he wrapped his other around her waist. He eliminated any space between their lips and closed his eyes.

Ally wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. She ran her thumb over the nape of his neck as he pulled away for air.

Ally panted. "When was the last time we did this?" she asked quietly.

"Don't know, but too long." He responded with grin.

Ally laughed. "Beck, I don't know how much spare time we have before we're called back into the tunnels for another meeting."

Beck pursed his lips and sighed as he leaned against her shoulder to shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kept her close. "We'll take what we have." He whispered.

Ally nodded slowly as they both gazed silently into the seemingly infinite Outlands. Their location seemed so remote that not even a naked eye could spot faint glows of the other Cities in their 'cluster.'

But despite the dark ruins facing their backs, it felt calm and peaceful. Ally smiled.

Destiny was very strange sometimes. Despite all the hard trials everyone's gone through together, all the physical and mental pain they've experienced, the near-death experiences, they've survived that much and got this far. They've all proven their worth.

And all their experiences and capabilities were going to be tested soon.

But until the more difficult challenges that wait for them, The new Resistance Movement rises.

...Yeah, the ending's kind of cheesy and a little cliché, but I thought it would make a decent conclusion if I made a reference to the Title itself (And it might be an "OK" ending for those of you that don't want to read Book 3. It's understandable). If anyone wants for flame me for it...BRING IT! I've got Cyrus on my side! JK :P I'm feeling bold this cycle, everyone!

But I will have to let you all know because you deserve a reason. I'm not sure when I'll be posting Book 3. It may take a while due to school. :/
Sorry! But I'll get working on it whenever I have the chance! Promise! :)

TRON LIVES! Toodles! XD