A bright light hits my eyes. I squint, blinking through it. When it fades, I'm somewhere that looks like the Ark.

I step forward, my boots echoing on metal floors. The place hums with machinery.

"Commander. I'm glad you made it" a voice says.

I turn. A woman stands there. Flame in her eyes.
Becca.

"You're Becca Pramheda" my voice is cautious. I take a step closer.

"Becca's fine. There isn't much time, the code is nearly updated." Her voice is calm, urgent.

I lift my necklace.
"Did you do this?" I asked

"No. You did. Allie 2.0 has merged with your mind, but your mind is in control, and only the mind that's in control can operate the kill switch" she said

I followed her to a table.
"This is it." She says. I glance down. A lever. My hand twitches toward it.

"If you pull that, you will be killing everyone" a voice speaks

I freeze. Allie's voice. Cold. Perfectly calm.

"See for yourself." She walks to the window. I follow.

"The nuclear power plants that were destroyed by the bombs have began to melt down. My drones detected the first of them 4 months ago. There are more than a dozen at-risk plants around the world. 7 currently burning. Global radiation levels are already rising. By my calculations in less than 6 months, 96% of the earths surface will be uninhabitable. Even for those born in space. So you see, the city of light is the only thing that can save you. Black rain will come first, there will be no drinkable water. Precancerous lesions will form on-" Allie explains

"She's stalling. As soon as the update is complete, she'll delete the kill switch." Becca warns

"I am not stalling. I am telling the truth" she says

I glance at the lever again.
"Why tell us now? If it's true, why not use this to get people to take the chip instead of torturing them." I asked

"The last time I wanted my creator of a threat to human survival, she chose to lock me away. And came here to work on my replacement." Allie said

"Define 'perverse instantiation'" Becca says

"Perverse instantiation, the implementation of a benign final goal through deleterious methods unforeseen by a human programmer" Allie replied

"Like killing 6.5 billion people to solve overpopulation. The goal isn't everything Allie. How you reach the goal matters too. I'm sorry that I didn't teach you that." Becca's voice was soft, regretful.

"It's now or never Diana. Once Allie's upgraded, I won't be able to help you anymore." Becca says.

"But I will, in the city of light. You don't have to bear the burden of decisions like this one Diana. You don't have to live with the pain of the things you've done anymore. The lives that you have taken, and those you've lost. You will be at peace. You will live forever." Allie tells me

I met her gaze.
"A true leader doesn't run away from pain. They endure it- and grow stronger" I said

"Your people disagree. You heard Jasper. Even those who were coerced would still choose to stay here." She replied

"Give me a real reason not to pull this lever. Give them the choice, give them back their pain, their memories, let them decide." I tell her

"She can't. Her core command is to make life better for mankind. She still thinks she doing that. 30 seconds, and the kill switch will be gone" Becca explains

"Would you really condemn the human race to die in 6 months?" Allie asked

"We'll figure something out. We always do" I say

"Yes, Diana, there's still hope." Becca nods

"According to my calculations there is not." Allie says

"Twenty seconds" Becca warns

"Let me ease your pain, Diana. Together, we can save the human race together." Allie pleads

"You don't ease pain. You overcome it. And we will" I grab the lever

"You want to bear more burden? Your people will hate you forever when they learn the truth." Allie says

"I bear it, so they don't have to" I say

Then I pull then lever.

I wake slowly. People lie around me. My arm has a needle. Ontari's blood flows into me. Clarke kneels beside me.

"You did it." She says, and I nod.

"Can I stop now?" John asks. He pulled his hand back, Abby nods.

"You lost to much blood. Your body was giving out. We improvised." Abby says, I nod, looking at John.

"Thank you John. I forever owe you" I whisper. He nods.

"Just another day on the ground, right?" He says

I watch people hug. Marcus has his hands over his face.

"Go to him. I'm okay" I tell abby. She rushes over. Clarke removes the needle and checks on everyone else.

Bellamy comes to me. Helps me stand.

"Allie's gone" I say

"Yeah i figured." He replies

"Diana, you're not acting like someone who just saved the world." He says.

"Because I didn't. Not yet." I say

He studies me, then pulls me into a hug.

A groan. I turn. Octavia stabs pike. He collapses. Last breath. She looks at me. I nod slightly. Then she walks away. Silent.

Bellamy grabs my hand.

"You let go fast" I say, surprised by how natural it feels to have him there. My chest tightens a little, and I can't stop the small smile that creeps onto my face.

"Had to go save some people. How'd you know?" He laughs, that familiar warmth in his voice.

"I could feel it." I shrug, trying to play it cool- but my heart betrays me, fluttering in my chest. It's ridiculous, the way a simple handhold can feel like an anchor after everything.

He squeezes my hand, and I feel a surge of reassurance I didn't know I needed.
"That better?" He asks, looking at me with that soft intensity that always makes me pause.

"For now" I say, smiling, though my mind races. I glance at my people, trying to ground myself, to focus on the work still ahead- but even as I watch them, part of me can't stop noticing him, can't stop feeling the pull between us.

Two truths hit me with sudden clarity:

1. I have to lead without Lexa and find a way to save the world, no matter how impossible it feels.

2. I am in love with Bellamy Blake.