Confrontation

Beck came to a stop at the edge of the Outlands. From his view, he can see the city.

It's awful…He had given a small gasp at the sight. He saw the guards at the edge of the city. The city itself was dark. This was not his home…it couldn't be….

"Beck!" He turned to see Paige starting up the hill towards him. She stopped next to him, and saw he could see the city.

"It's awful, isn't it?"

"I didn't want to believe you." He sighed.

"What made you come back?" She asked, looking up to him.

"It's…it's a long story. Let's say I was confronted with a ghost from my past." He shook his head, "Besides, if I don't fight, who will?"

She took his hand, and he looked down to her.

"I will."

"It's going to be dangerous."

"We know." Another voice called.

He turned at Mara's voice, and saw three more programs following her.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"We came to help." Abel said as they approached, and saw the city. His face saddened. "It used to be so beautiful…"

Beck nodded, "I know."

"Well," Bohdi sighed after a long moment, glancing to the city before coming up to Beck, "If it means that much to you, we'll be with you to the end."

He turned to Bohdi, "Thanks guys."

He looked back to the city, "How are we going to get in….?"

Abel glanced back to his truck, then to them, "I might have an idea…"

The guards stopped the truck at the entrance to the city.

"State your business."

From the back, Paige turned and could see the faceplate of one of the guards. Quickly, she ducked back down. "Repurposed guards."

"Repurposed?" Beck ducked down as well, "What are repurposed guards?"

"They're soldiers who were at first unwilling, so CLU…changed them. They act on orders alone, but they are relentless when they do."

"You're not a repurposed soldier?"

"It was better to join by my free will than to leave your mother all by herself."

"My mother…?"

"We'll talk about this later." She shushed him.

"Do you have anything in the back?" The guard asked Abel.

"Just some of my workers."

The soldier turned to his group. They pulled out their weapons and headed towards the back.

"What do we do, now?" Mara whispered frantically.

The guards slowly approached. One reached out and, in a flash, pulled the doors open.

Mara gasped as she struggled to hold the supplies in her hands. Zed and Bohdi looked up from holding two bikes down.

Beck pressed his back against the wall, panting, before looking back on the scene.

The guards were still investigating the back. Abel saw him watching and gestured for him to go. Beck nodded, grabbing Paige's hand, and ran from the scene.

"Where do we need to go now?" He asked as they ran.

She pointed up at a large tower coming into view, "There! That's where CLU always is."

She took lead and pulled him into an alleyway. "There are guards at every door outside of the building. I don't have clearance codes to enter anymore."

"How are we supposed to get in?"

She sighed, "Do you trust me?"

"Yes…"

She put on a mask, "Okay. Follow my lead."

He nodded, and put his mask on as well.

Glancing around, she then started to the side of the building. She peeked around the corner, and edged her way to the first soldier. They stood at attention and neither of them made a sound…

Then the guard gasped as an arm tightened around his throat.

"What_?" The guard didn't have time to finish speaking before he was pulled back by his disc doc. He was turned and wasn't able to get in a word before the blow came. He began to fall, but Beck caught him, noting he was unconscious. He leaned back across the side of the building to see Paige gesture for him. Carefully, he heaved the program over his shoulder and made his way quickly to her.

"Over here." She whispered, setting down the guard she had taken care of. Gently, he knelt down and set the guard down before standing again. Paige turned to the building, then pointed.

"It's still the work cycle; that tower is still active. That means a lot of programs, repurposed and not, are in there."

"Lead the way."

She nodded and quickly crossed to the door and it opened before her.

The walls were white, but the lights were dim.

"Elevator?" Beck asked, heading towards it, but Paige caught him by the shoulder.

"No. Stairs. We're less likely to be trapped that way."

She grabbed his arm and led him to a door that was out of the way. She pushed it open and started up the stairs. "Come on!"

He managed to keep up with her, only a couple steps behind as she held his hand.

Finally, she stopped, one foot resting on a step above the other. She tilted her head, listening to the noise above them.

"Everyone's on the roof. CLU must have something to say."

"You find my mother and rally together any program you can find." Beck started past her, the next part said with venom, "I'll look for CLU."

"Hey!" She grabbed his arm and he stopped, turning around again.

"Be careful."

He nodded and she let go of his hand. He continued up the stairs to the door.

The door opened quietly at his touch. He peeked around to see he was alone in what seemed to be an alcove. Paige followed him and they exchanged a glance one last time before going separate ways.

He flitted between the back pillars of the area on top. Through the gaps, he could see the crowd of soldiers and civilians, and the screens all over the city, showing an empty podium. That meant CLU had to be back here somewhere…but where…

He sighed and turned to the group of pillars next to him, all of them varying sizes. Perhaps he could get a good view from up there….

Grunting, he jumped up and grabbed the edge of the smallest one and pulled himself up. He could see more now, but still no sign of CLU. In fact, it wasn't until he was near the top, where he could see everything, did CLU appear.

"YORI!"

His voice echoed and Beck gave a quiet gasp. He positioned himself behind a pillar to where he could still see what was going on beneath him.

And he saw her.

Time and grief had hardened her features from the kind smile to a disdainful glare at the programs on both sides of her who jeered as she passed by. She stood tall, tilting her head above the crowd. Her hair, once long, blond, and flowing, was cut brutally short, near her jawline. She stepped up the steps and stopped in front of the Admin.

"Yes, CLU?" Her tone was composed, cold even.

"Where's your scouting party?" He circled her slowly as he spoke. "They're not doing their job."

"CLU, there is no more energy. It has all been squandered."

"Nonsense. You're not looking hard enough."

"CLU, this denial must stop!" She said with force, "We have no choice. We must leave Tron City."

"No! We will not be going anywhere!"

"Then you have sentenced us to death!"

"If a few programs are to derezz, then so be it!" He left her behind

She turned, her voice low and dangerous, "You can't do that…"

"I am in charge and this is more efficient!"

She shook her head, starting on him, "If you were half the program Tron was, you'd_"

CLU flashed around and Yori crumpled as he struck her across the cheek.

"I'M TEN TIMES THE PROGRAM TRON WAS!"

The heat started with a snap in his core. It built, consuming every part of his being as the growl overtook him. He pulled out his disc and stepped out. A storm had begun to stir and as he stood, lightning flashed and thunder cracked. CLU turned and backed away at the sight.

"Tron?" He gasped, "No! You're dead."

Beck had landed in a crouch, but ignored CLU. Rather, he raced to Yori, kneeling next to her and taking her hand. With a sigh, she opened her eyes for her gaze to meet his mask.

"…Tron?"

Beck shook his head, and removed his mask.

"No, mom. It's me."

"Beck?" She gasped, "You're alive? How can this be?"

"It doesn't matter." He said softly as he pulled her into a tight embrace, "I'm home."

She welcomed the embrace and held her son tight. After all these Xylacycles, she thought…they thought this would never happen….

However, the moment is cut short.

"Beck…" Came a sickly sweet voice, "How wonderful it is to see you….alive."

Beck looked up to him in a glare. He let go of his mother, picking up his forgotten disc again and starting towards the Admin, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't tear you apart."

"Oh, Beck." CLU backed into a corner, "You musn't be so hasty. If only you knew the struggles of protecting the Grid…"

"It's no longer your responsibility. Stand down, CLU, and return the duty to the Monitors."

CLU didn't answer right away.

"The choice is yours. Either stand down, or fight."

"Oh…" CLU finally reacted, coming up near Beck, "Must it all end in violence? I wouldn't want to be responsible for the death of another program. Wouldn't you agree, Beck?"

"That won't work on me." Beck protested, "I've put it behind me."

"And what about your fellow programs?" He neared the group of programs. Near the front, Paige (having removed her mask) had helped Yori to her feet. As the Admin passed, she gave him a glare, but her eyes widened as he said, "Have they put it behind them?"

"Beck?" She asked, looking to him, "What is he talking about?"

A smirk appeared on CLU's face as he approached Beck again, "Ah, so you haven't told them your little secret. Well, Beck, now's your chance."

He returned to stop in front of the group of programs watching the scene, knowing all over the city, everyone had paused to watch.

"Tell them who is responsible for Tron's death!"

Lightning flashed again, giving a ghostly image to all watching Beck. He stopped, then looked down. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself, then took a step forward as he looked back up to them.

"I am."

The crowd was dead silent. Paige's grip on Yori had gone slack in response, so Yori rushed towards her son. She slowed, though, as she grew near. Cautiously, she reached out to touch him.

"It's not true." She shook her head, tears brimming, "Tell me it's not true."

He couldn't lie. He couldn't meet her gaze either. Looking down, he pulled away from her reached-out hand.

"It's true."

"You see!" CLU pointed at him, and then turned to him, "He admits it! Murderer!"

"No!" Beck looked up, "It was an accident!"

CLU circled him, and began to edge Beck away from the wall, "If it weren't for you, Tron would still be alive! It's your fault; do you deny it?"

"No." He sighed.

"Then. You're. Guilty!"

"No! I'm not a murderer!"

Guards had come out from within the crowd and were slowly circling Beck, pushing him towards the edge.

"Oh, Beck, you're in trouble again. And this time, daddy isn't here to save you. And now everyone. Knows. WHY!"

Beck felt his foot fall back and he gasped.

"BECK!" Paige tried to get through the soldiers, but couldn't.

Beck grabbed the edge, looking down to the street far below him. Gasping, he grasped for a better grip on the edge. CLU stood above him.

"Now this looks familiar. Hm…where I have seen this before….oh yes! This is just the way your father looked before he died."

What?

CLU slammed his foot down on one of Beck's hands, causing him to scream and lose his grip with that arm. Then, CLU knelt down, grabbing his other hand from its hold.

"And here's my secret." CLU leaned next to Beck's ear and whispered his next words.

"I killed Tron."

No…

There he was again, falling in a broken form. He hit the ground with a CRACK.

No! No it can't be!

And yet, CLU watched from above, as the young boy stumbled from his spot after the stampede, crying for the warrior. He turned away.

NO!

"NO!"

CLU is surprised by the sudden return and he is slammed to the ground. Beck knelt on his chest, disc out.

"MURDERER!"

"No, Beck. Please." CLU called from the ground, faking innocence.

"Tell them the truth."

"But truth is in the eyes of the…" He broke off as Beck's disc hovered right next to his neck.

"Alright!" He finally agreed, then whispered, "I did it."

"So they can hear you." Beck growled.

CLU's eyes turned to steel and he met Beck's gaze as he spoke.

"I killed TRON!"

There was a scream of rage, and the world careened into full motion. Beck was pulled off CLU by a wave of soldiers and flung to the ground. Grunting, he scrambled out of the way of a disc strike. He swung out with his disc, and grunted as one grabbed him around the neck. However, he barely struggled before the grip disappeared. Paige tore past him, disc in hand. He didn't know if she saw him, but it didn't matter know. They had other things to deal with at the moment.

As much as he hated it, cubes spilled across the ground in his rage. CLU had disappeared in the chaos but he would find him…he would!

The amount of soldiers was growing less, but was still overwhelming. He turned. only for a guard to jump on his back, wrapping his arms around Beck's neck. Gasping, Beck stumbled back into a wall, but the hold was relentless. He fell to his knees, and the guard kept pushing and pushing him down….

Then it was gone with a scream. He took in one gasp before he fell into a coughing fit, not getting up immediately.

"Come on!" Someone pulled him to his feet and a rush of energy entered at his touch. He turned and Flynn was there.

"We're in a battle! You can't die on us now!"

He nodded, gripping his disc tight before starting into another fight as Flynn started towards another guard, Quorra having gone the opposite direction.

Mara noisily climbed up the stairs, the others close on her heels.

"We're almost there! Just a couple more levels!"

"Wait!" Abel called.

She obeyed, but turned to him, "Why? We're almost there…"

She broke off as he opened a door.

"If I'm right, there's someone on this level we'll need." Is all he said before entering. The other three exchanged a glance before following him. Abel was walking quickly, looking at the signs next to each door. He finally stopped near the end of the corridor.

"Here." He knelt next to the keycode, pulling out his decoder. He injected it into the wall and set to work.

"What's so important about here, of all places?" Zed asked.

"Who's in there?" Bohdi asked as well.

The door opened and Abel entered first, then the others followed. He looked up, and the others followed his gaze with a gasp.

"Him."

Beck turned at the sound of a strained cry. Someone screamed and he turned from the guard that had just fallen to find cubes flying in his face before someone pounced on him. His back slammed against the ground and a blue disc was against his neck. He looked up to the panting figure in panic.

"Don't strike! Anon, don't strike!"

The eyes of Anon were a steel grey.

[Who is he?]

Beck blinked as he heard Anon's voice within his mind. How strange…

"Anon, it's me! Beck!"

[He's lying! Beck is dead!]

"Nonono, Anon! I'm alive! I promise!"

Anon noticeably paused.

[…Can you hear me?]

"Yes! Yes I can!"

[Only Monitors can…]

He looked up as he realized. Beck was pulled off his feet into a crushing hug.

[Beck! I thought you derezzed in the gorge!]

"No." Beck grunted at the tightness of the hug, "Not me."

Anon set Beck back down. [Did Tron…?]

Beck shook his head, "No."

[Oh…] Anon looked down, [Beck…I'm sorry…]

Beck shook his head, "Don't worry about it now. We have a battle to fight. I need to find CLU. He killed Tron!"

Anon's gaze turned dark. [Go. I'll take care of the others.]

He nodded, "Be careful. If you see Paige in orange, don't kill her. She's on our side."

[Got it. Now go!]

He nodded and ran off, dodging fights and guards as he went. He stopped as he saw a flash of yellow. He turned and as the lightning flashed, he chased after the Admin, who bounded up the pillars quickly. He then jumped down to one other, and turned with a gasp as Beck landed in a crouch. He got to his feet and stalked slowly towards CLU.

"Murderer."

CLU didn't answer. He pulled out his disc quickly. Beck responded by pulling out his own, and in his eyes, the fire of rage was bright.

CLU really she's forward with a cry. Beck dodged, hooked his in arm into CLU's and reared back. CLU grunted in pain as Beck turned and pushed him down with enough force to make the disc skid away.

"You don't deserve to live." Beck growled.

"What are you going to do? Kill me, I suppose."

Beck had his disc at CLU's head. If he could just do the deed, would he be satisfied? Would his vengeance calm?

Beck pulled the disc away from CLU's head and he noted the CLU noticed this.

"No, CLU." He's breathing hard, gripping his disc, "I'm not like you."

CLU sighed in relief and got to a sitting position to which he was looking to Beck. "Beck, I do thank you for your mercy. I'll make it up to you, honest. Tell me what I need to do."

Beck's gaze was cold and even, piercing into CLU.

"Run." CLU's fake reverence fell at the words. "Run away, and never return."

CLU hesitated, "Yes. Of course..." He reached down and grasped his fallen disc.

Beck was too slow to react as CLU flashed around. Beck cried out in pain and fell to one knee as the disc swiped his leg. CLU knocked him from the position with a blow to the head with his hand. However, as he went in for the killing blow, Beck scrambled out of the way and got to his feet. The cut wasn't deep. He would live.

CLU whirled around with his disc, and Beck blocked. The discs bounced off each other and CLU grunted as Beck landed a hit in the midriff. CLU smacked at his head and Beck relented, only for CLU to smack him across the face, knocking him off his feet.

Far below, the pillar had become unstable in the storm. Beck turned as CLU grew close. However, the pillar began to lean, then gravity took over and it fell. Neither programs were prepared for the rough landing. They both fell off, Beck rolling, and CLU being thrown. Both were rained with rubble as they landed. Beck blacked out momentarily, and came back to as he rolled.

Groaning, he began to get up, when a program stood above him.

"No."

Squinting through the rain, he looked up to the female program.

"Quorra? What are you doing here? Where is everyone else?"

She grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet carefully.

"They've evacuated to the tunnels near the edge of the city."

"Tunnels...?"

"Yes. That's where we're going." She draped his arm over her shoulder and began to lead him to a three-seat perched on the building.

"Wait! But what about CLU? He's still in charge."

Quorra set her jaw, "Not for much longer."

"What do you mean?"

She didn't answer but he looked back to see an older program heading towards the Admin.

"Flynn...what is he doing?"

Quorra didn't answer immediately as she helped him into the jet.

"Reintegration." Is all she said as she started the jet.

"What?"

She didn't reply as she sped towards the end of the city. He looked back at the scene, and his last view of the User and Admin was the blue explosion that made the building crumble.

She sniffed, but didn't look back. The wave of the explosion slammed into the back of the jet, causing turbulence.

"Hang on." She grunted as she held the controls that were shaking, "We're going to have a rough landing."

The ground was growing increasingly close. Grunting, Quorra pulled up but the bottom hit the ground roughly. The landing gear was destroyed so they hit the ground and skid.

They jolted to a stop and they both sat there for a moment, panting and registering all that had just happened.

"Are you alright?" She said after a moment.

He nodded, "You alright?"

"Fine." She looked up through the windshield. "Everyone is coming out of the tunnel. Let's go."

Nodding, he began to get up, wincing slightly. She began to come around to him, but he shook his head.

"I'm fine."

She stepped back and he climbed out, joining everyone outside of the tunnel.

"Beck!"

Yori ran out to him, tackling him in a hug.

"You're okay! I thought I lost you!"

He shook his head, and hugged her, "Not this time."

She let go and looked back. She stepped away and looked to see Paige past her, and taking her place. He held her close, laying his head on her shoulder. Nothing had to be said, it was enough.

[Beck.]

He looked up to see Anon. He let go of Paige and approached him.

[If we are to rebuild the Grid, I can't protect the people and help by myself. Do you accept?]

Beck nodded.

Anon pointed to a rock nearby, [It is time, then. You know what to do.]

Of course he did. It was a common form his father had taken.

Taking a deep breath, he started towards the rock. The crowd began to gather around it, following him. As he reached the top, he took off his disc. He looked down to it, then up to the rainy sky.

I know this will be hard. I will be risking myself for the sake of programs I am to protect. Rebuilding this city will provide its own struggle, but I will work. Whatever it takes.

He took another deep breath before thrusting his disc up between his hands. The crowd burst into a roar of cheering. Beck didn't look down, staring to the sky. As he did, something new filled him. Something new, something bright.

Hope.