I do not know what happens from here.
But there is no going back.
I have played my part.
Now I am tired.
And everything is different
Neo blinked rapidly as he awoke to see iridescent streamers of color crisscrossing a bright blue sky. He just lay there for a moment, content to let the sunlight wash over him.
He thought about staying there forever. It didn't matter where he was. He only knew that there was nowhere he needed to be…nowhere he wanted to be.
I can't go with you
A sharp pain in his heart forced him to sit up and shut his eyes. Waves of sadness washed over him.
Trinity
Neo sensed someone approaching.
"Hello, Neo. What a pleasant surprise. But then again, I figured we would meet again."
"Oracle."
The familiar woman smiled down at him, "yes, I'm glad you remember. Get up Neo and walk with me would you?"
Somewhat numb, Neo rose unsteadily to his feet. He was still garbed in his black clothing. However, he was completely dry, which reminded him…
"Smith, is he…?"
"Dead? You know the answer to that already don't you?" The oracle gave him an amused glance as they walked toward a wooden bench in the shade of a tree. She sat but he stood facing her.
"He was a machine and they don't truly die."
"Bingo," she casually lit a cigarette. "But he is gone, as gone as anything can ever be."
"But how? I don't remember anything except this intense light."
"Like I said before, it's the hardest thing, to look past choices we can't understand. For the life of him, he couldn't understand your choice to keep fighting. He couldn't understand what drove you, against all odds, to defy him. He didn't expect you, Neo. You are after all, an anomaly."
"And me? Am I dead?"
"Yes and no. You can't go back, that's for sure. There is nothing left there for you anyway. And yet here you are talking to me. All I can say is that you are as alive as you want to be."
Neo removed his sunglasses and sat down next to her. For awhile they just sat in companionable silence. "So, what happens now?"
"Oh, life will go on. The humans will get along as best they can. Beyond that, who can say? But of course that's not really what you were asking."
"No, I suppose not." Neo smiled slightly as the Oracle laughed.
"Listen Neo, what lies ahead, I cannot say. That is no longer my purpose, just like it is no longer your purpose to worry about the Real World. We are both breaking new ground here. But I can tell you this, you are still The One. The world is what you make of it that will never change. You can choose your own path. And I think you'll find that nothing ever really stays lost as long as you're looking for it."
"What does that mean? Can't you give me a real answer for once?"
The oracle sighed. She fished inside her purse and removed a piece of hard red candy, which she pressed gingerly into his hand. "Here, eat this. I promise by the time you finish eating it, you'll feel better."
And with that she stood and walked away.
Neo stared solemnly down at the candy; it seemed to be but a cold comfort.
"What the hell."
As he chewed, he became aware of a familiar sensation. It was hazy at first, but became clearer as he focused.
He continued to focus on the object at the edge of his awareness. It was embedded in the background code of the matrix; it was like a half-forgotten memory, an imprint of something that used to be. He could feel the object become more solid and distinct
He swallowed the last piece of the candy. As he did so he realized that someone had stepped in front of him blocking out the sun. A figure was silhouetted in the dazzling light. Neo stood, shaded his eyes, and squinted.
"Oracle? Is that you?"
Slowly he began to make out more details.
High black boots.
A leather body suit.
Sunglasses.
A teasing smile.
"I told you, you wouldn't lose me."
After all, nothing ever really stays lost as long as you're looking for it.