Finally, after a one week, chapter 4 of Teen Matrix 2 is finally complete. And this one would be another short one so this would be a bit boring. Sorry about the long wait, I was doing a story for a website that's doing a contest. The thing is that I had to finish that story before the due date, so I had to do it quick so I could get back to work. Now that I'm all done, I can now get back to updating these stories for FanFiction. Now I have to admit that the last chapter was a little longer, but I had to put up some bios on the Teen Titans, not the ones on the TV series and comic books, but the ones I did before all this. But this one will be shorter then the last, so please R&R. And speaking of R&R, here's the response I got from you on the last chapter. I got one review from angela75 and the hit counter on the chapter is up to 23 hits. Not bad for a third chapter. Ask for angela75, she stated that I need to make a pairing for LM and Raven, since I did something in Nightfire's Origin's where they had a kid. Now Angela, I could understand that you want to see something like that. Well I'll do it, but not in this story. I'll put the pairing in another story when in the near future and progress it further with something I'm in the works on. Maybe have a deep pairing when I do part 3 of Teen Matrix. Who knows? Now in this chapter, LM heads back to Zion to take care of some personnel work. Of course he's going to meet an old friend of his back in his leadership days and a secret of Zion no one knew about except his teacher, Neo.

Chapter Notes

There's going to be one part about the last story I did called, "LM in Mumboland." If anyone here hasn't read that story yet, I suggest you go to my profile and click on the title of the story to read it. Otherwise, enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or the Matrix

Chapter Four: Return to Zion

After a serious chat from Robin, LM finally made to his room just to relax after a long night. But he couldn't rest just yet. He had to send the playing card he got from the dead Skull leader to Zion's Imaging Department so they could see whom it belongs to. So he approached his computer console where it had many screens showing both information and problems in the Matrix, or the Matrix code raining down to the bottom of the screens. He placed the card on a scanning machine that was next to the console and went to the desk to start typing down the sequence. When he was done with that, he used the wireless mouse next to the keyboard and dragged it to the "scan and send" icon at the top part of one of the screens. Once he clicked it, the scanner started to scan the card and the picture was sent directly to the Zion mainframe.

He was finished with the scan, but he slouched back and sighed. Though it's one thing to avoid the talks from Jackson and Robin, it's another to talk to Lock, the commander of Zion. Lock has always such a chip on his shoulder. Even after the Great War between Zion and the machines was over, he always strict on just about anything. But the commander takes out all his anger on LM the most due to his aggressive behavior and extreme stunts in the Matrix. The last thing he wants is an earful from the commander. LM looked at an antique phone sitting on top of a circular table, knowing that it leads to a direct route to Zion and sighed even harder.

LM: "I don't want to do this… But I guess I have no choice in the matter now do I."

He turns back to the computers and typed down another key sequence in the computer. When he typed the enter key, the process started and the phone began to ring. Knowing this is his exit; LM got off the chair and approached the phone. Looking at the phone ringing a couple times, he rolled both his head and eyes around.

LM: "Well… Here goes nothing…"

The rebel Titan picked up the phone and placed it to his ear. Within seconds, he fizzled out through Matrix code and vanished out of thin air, taking him back to the real world.

In Zion, the place was as busy as usual. People were walking around the multiple catwalks heading home, work, or the temple. But in the higher levels that were all military work is being held, LM was walking down the hallway to reach Commander Lock's office with a report file in his hand. Even if he was no longer from a Zion team, or a leader, he still has to deliver his Matrix report to Lock so he should check and see what's been happening. LM didn't like that, but it was a direct order from both Lock and the council ever since the end of the Great War. As he was thinking about it, he approached the door that would lead to Lock's office. He stops so he should take a deep breath before he could enter.

LM: "No turning back now."

The rebel knocked on the metal door to wait for a response. After a few seconds, he heard the gears on the inside moving around and unlocking the door. Knowing that it's now opened, LM turned the huge ship knob in the middle of the door and opened it. As he entered the office, someone was watching him enter. That someone was a good friend of his.

Inside the office, LM slowly walked straight to the desk where low and behold, Commander Lock was sitting on the chair looking at the diagnostics on the docks that were still under repair after the machine's assault. The commander then peered his eyes to the left and saw LM walking in. He spinned his chair around to look at the Titans honorary member and chuckled.

Commander Lock: "Well, well, well… Look what the cat dragged in."

LM smirked about Lock's remark and giggled fakely.

LM: "Thanks for the compliment commander."

He quickly approached Lock and placed the folder on the desk.

LM: "Here's my report."

Lock took the folder, opened it, and looked through the paper work. As he was doing that, LM took a seat on one of the chairs and hope the commander would let him go. While he was doing that, Lock asked the Titan something he got word of today.

Commander Lock: "I believe you heard about the incident hours ago."

LM looked at Lock, a little confused at what he said.

LM: "Um… What incident?"

Lock looked at LM and answered.

Commander Lock: "The incident that involved a couple of car crashed throughout Metro City. The one you were mainly involve in. One of the sentient programs contact Zion officials of what happened and they reported it to me. So, care to explain what occurred during that time?"

The rebel Titan sighed, knowing that something like this would pop up and any moment. So he started explaining what just happened.

LM: "Well commander, it goes like this. You see, I was on this recon mission the Feds set me up for. I was gaining access the Merovingian's ship, figure out what he was up to and gather some evidence. Soon enough, one thing lead to another and…"

Commander Lock: "And you went off in the chase."

LM: "Well, if the Skulls haven't flee the scenes then I would've been in this mess in the first place. I had no other choice but to chase after them before they could escape. If I haven't, then they would've gotten away scot-free. But I managed to stop them before they could do that."

Commander Lock: "And created all those accidents in the process."

LM: "I had to do what was best. Sure, I made a couple of accidents here and there, but the Skulls caused most of the damage by taking me out. I had no choice but to fire back and-"

Suddenly, Lock stood up and pound on his desk in interrupt LM.

Commander Lock: "I don't care who started it! All I know is that you were involved in that chase and created havoc on the streets. Thanks to you, four people were killed in those accidents, meaning they woke up in the real world and have no idea what just happened."

LM blinked his eyes a few times and was a little surprised at this turn of events.

LM: "You're serious? It killed that many people?!"

Lock nodded for a yes. But LM slouched back, place his hands behind his head, smirked a little.

LM: "Those were less deaths then last time. I guess my skills have been approving as of late."

The commander shook his head and had an aggravated look on his face.

Commander Lock: "You don't seem to get it, do you? Those people that died weren't ready yet to know the truth about the Matrix. Now they're freaking out down in the interrogation room while my associates are trying to calm them down and reason with them. And guess who's pointing the blame on?"

Knowing that Lock's pointing the blame on him, LM did a gave up gesture and sighed.

LM: "All right, I admit. You got me. I suppose you want to punish me right now."

Commander Lock: "Oh I have every right to punish you. Of all the soldiers I put up with all these years, you are by far the worse! You are rebellious, dangerous, and by far out of control! I understand that your teacher was and legendary Neo, but your methods are far beyond his expectation! Though you might be apart of the Teen Titans, you're a soldier here in Zion. And as a soldier, you must respect my authority! Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

LM lowered his head and still had the smirk on his face. He then got up and dusted himself up, starting to explain something to his commander.

LM: "I would like to except whatever punishment you have cooked up for me, but I must concur. You see, I've sent an image of a play card a dead gang leader had to the imaging department where they would study and examine the origins of it. I'm getting close to whoever this terrorist organization Merovingian's working with is. Punishing me would be the worse decision you will ever made commander. For I know Merovingian more then any of your men. Any of your soldiers won't last ten seconds to get through Merovingian's men, let alone the terrorists that was working with him."

Lock listened in on this and had second thoughts about the punishment. He then looked at LM wondered something else.

Commander Lock: "Do you know who the terrorist organization is?"

LM: "Not yet. But when I get the information, I'm going to report this to Smith, then get started on the mission."

Commander Lock: "Humph… A lot of good that will do."

LM then came up with something that would convince the commander to not blow his top.

LM: "All right then how about we make a bet."

Commander Lock: "A bet?"

LM: "That's right, a bet. When I get the identity of the mysterious partnership with Merv, I bust in, raise some hell, stop whatever the Frenchman is cooking, and stop this terrorist organization before they could pull something drastic. If I'm able to do all that, you get off my grill and I can do whatever I want in the Matrix."

Commander Lock: "And if you fail?"

LM: "If I fail, either you give me whatever punishment you have cooked up in that head of yours or I get killed. Whatever's the case, you win. So what's it gonna be?"

The commander gave that some thought about this bet. Indeed he wanted to punish LM for his extreme actions in the Matrix and teach him a lesson. But if he looses, he won't be able to mess with the rebel ever again. After thinking this through, Lock decided to give this a go, got up, and looked at LM to agree.

Commander Lock: "You're on!"

Both Lock and LM reluctantly shook hands with a hard grip as the two stared at each other. But the rebel gave his commander a devilish smirk.

LM: "Good luck commander."

But Lock had a smirk of his own.

Commander Lock: "Actually, I would be the one of say good luck to you. But if you loose this bet, you'll be spending the rest of your life scrubbing floors in Zion."

LM: "We'll see if that happens."

Commander Lock: "Yeah, we'll see. Now get out of my office. And don't come back until you completed your mission, if you complete it."

LM gave off a nod and a short salute, then walked back to the door and out of the office quick before Lock thinks of something else that would be useful as a reliable punishment. Once he exited the office, and lowered his head, rubbed his forehead with his fingers and gave off a low depressing sigh.

LM: "What did I get myself into now?"

Silent Night: "Having a rough time with the commander again sir?"

LM looked up and saw someone he haven't seen before leaning on the corner wall. Staring at the person, it was no doubt a seventeen-year-old girl that had long flowing black hair that goes down to her back, a pair of turquoise green eyes, and a face of a saint. Judging by her description, the rebel knew that this person was none other then a member of Last Hope and a good friend of his Silent Night.

LM: "Night, what are you doing here?"

Silent Night smirked and answered his question.

Silent Night: "Heard through the grape vine that you were back in Zion. I see you survived Lock's wrath."

LM rolled his eyes around and sighed.

LM: "Yeah I did. But I've made a bet with him to see if I complete my next mission. And if I loose, I'm going to be doing chores for the rest of my life."

Silent Night: "Bummer, that's such a drag…"

LM: "I know… I feel like I need to take a shower or two."

Silent Night: "Actually, I was thinking about something else. You're not doing anything?"

LM: "Well besides giving my report to Lock, nothing in particular. Why did you ask?"

Silent Night: "Nothing much. I was just thinking that maybe it would be a good idea to have something to eat and talk about what we did two months ago. You know, get to know the times we had with each other teams."

LM cocked his eyebrow at his friend and had a small grin on his face. He thought maybe a bit of old time anecdotes could make him feel better.

Half and hour later, the two were in LM's room enjoying their runny porage that everyone eats in Zion. While they were eating, the two told their stories about their team they've been with and were enjoying each other's company. When LM told Silent Night about the encounter with Mumbo Jumbo and rescuing the Teen Titans, Night was laughing at what the Titans had experienced.

Silent Night: "Get out of here! You mean to tell me that not only the Titans were powerless, they were turned into animals?! That's just crazy!"

The rebel Titan shook his head and was laughing as well.

LM: "You think that was bad, you should've seen Cyborg. Not only he was a bear, he was wearing a pink tutu! It was hilarious!!!"

The two laughed themselves to death after hearing the rebel's story. The two then calmed down and talked about some other things that had happened.

LM: "So… How are things going with Last Hope?"

Silent Night: "Pretty well, I think. We've done a few missions in Metro, helped out other teams that needed assistance from viral armies, saved some programs from being deleted, you know, the usual stuff."

LM: "Sounds like you're leading the team quite well ever since I became a Titan."

Night's smile faded when she heard that and bowed her and in shame.

Silent Night: "Gee, you think?"

LM noticed his friend's look of concern and wondered what the problem is.

LM: "What's wrong Night? It doesn't look like you're in the vibe."

Night decided to explain about the situation before LM gets suspicious. So she looked up at him and told him.

Silent Night: "Well, when you became an honorary Titan, the council had chosen me as the new leader of Last Hope."

LM: "And is that a problem? You should be proud of being promoted."

Silent Night: "That's the problem. I don't feel proud of that. I know being a leader is a big responsibility and all, but I don't have the experience in leadership. Sure we we're able to stop virus's and faulty programs at first, but just when I thought we we're going to succeed, we walked straight into a trap and almost got killed. I don't even know if I could make it in another mission."

LM: "So what you're saying is that you're not doing good as a leader as of late?"

Night nodded her head to take it as a yes.

LM: "I see… Well I can't blame ya for it. Some people have a hard time being a leader for the first few months. But give it some time, I'm sure that you'll be a great leader."

Silent Night suddenly stood up and was a little ticked off.

Silent Night: "It's been three months since you became an honorary Titan and you haven't seen us since. Shouldn't you come back being a leader and a Titan at the same time?"

LM: "Sorry Night, but I can't. I mean I do want to be back to Last Hope and become the leader. But that would get in the way of me being an honorary Titan. And you know doing two things at the same time could be really tiresome. Why don't you let someone else on the team be the leader?"

Silent Night sat back down and took a breather before she starts to loose it.

Silent Night: "I don't know who I would pick to be the leader. Connecter has his hands full in hacking, Night Owl is a tad shy, Max Speed has no idea how being a leader is, and Kid, well he's our operator. His chances of become a Last Hope leader is slim to none."

LM: "What about Kill Switch? Why don't you make him the leader?"

Silent Night: "Ugh… Don't make me get started on him. That guy has some serious issues. Even the name alone speaks for itself. If he gets to be the leader, he would go on a killing spree without giving out any orders. He's a complete nutcase in action"

LM: "Oh yeah… Almost forgot about him. That guy certainly has his way on letting his aggression out. You should at least take him to anger management or something."

Silent Night: "Last time we took him to an anger management course, he redecorated the place with a steel pipe. Ain't no way I'm going to put him back there again."

LM: "Then if all else fails, you should remove him from the team."

There was a brief silence for a moment as the two starred at each other. Then seconds later, the two burst out in laughter. They know that can't remove Kill Switch on the team because he's the difference maker in the battle. And the last thing they want is for him to be extremely pissed off.

Silent Night: "Yeah right. That would make him angrier then before."

LM: "I hear ya."

The two then calmed down as LM gave his friend some words of wisdom.

LM: "Look Night, I know that it's hard for you becoming a leader of Last Hope. I mean being a leader in three months could run its toll on you. But look at me. I became a leader and had a bad start at first. But I didn't give up on that. I worked hard to become the leader, and look where it got me. It takes a lot of work to get to where you are. But if you focus hard and put your failures in the past, then you can succeed in just about everything. Don't let your happenings destroy your happiness."

Silent Night shook his head and snickered a bit.

Silent Night: "You sound like Rev Run doing those words of wisdom."

But LM was a little annoyed about that remark. So he rolled his eyes and sighed.

LM: "Thanks for that reminder."

Night then laughed a little more listening to LM embarrassing statement. She then calmed down and stood up, about to leave.

Silent Night: "Anyways, thanks for the advice. I'll try to remember that."

Night left the table after having her meal and headed to the door to exit the room. But before she leaves, she turns around and looks at her friend and former leader of Last Hope and gave him a small reminder.

Silent Night: "Listen Luis, I heard Lock saying that you're becoming a little extreme on a mission through the door. Now I know you like to do solo missions half the time, but you have to be with a team that would help you incase you get into a serious situation, even if it's Last Hope or Teen Titans. Long story short, every needs help sometimes, even you."

When she was done saying that, she opened the door and left the room, leaving LM alone on the table. Hearing that, he lowered his head down and sighed.

LM: "Everyone needs help huh? Sounds like someone that wants help so badly. Oh well…"

He then finished up his meal, cleaned himself up, and went straight to bed.

A few hours later, LM was sleeping peacefully in his bed. But wasn't dreaming at all, as he was tossing and turning on his bed. After a much-failed attempt, he got out of his bed and rubbed his eyes. He then turned his head to see the clock and looked at the time. Noticing that it's 2:30 in the morning, he groaned and went back to bed, putting a pillow over his head.

LM: "Arrghhh! How do these people stay in the Matrix 24/7 and go to sleep in the real world? This is getting too tiresome."

He was thinking about going back to sleep again, but he decided to relax himself before he gets too impatient. And what better place to calm down was a breather outside. So he got out of bed and headed to the door to leave his suite. When LM opened the door, went through it, and closed it from behind, he walked to the edge of the bridge like sidewalk and observed the outside of Zion. Course the view from Zion is wonderful, but when he looked up, he saw the glitter-like sky emanating from above him. Sure it was a bunch of bright white lights attached to the bottom rows of catwalks lighting the way for people in the dark. But when you look at it hard enough, it almost like a dark sky with stars dotted all over it, like an artificial night if you will. LM always enjoys this view; it makes everything so calm and soothing. But just as he was going to get some relaxation…

Councilor Hamann: "Enjoying the view LM?"

The rebel Titan got startled at first when he heard that, but calmed down before he screams and wake some of the neighbors up. After he calmed himself, he turned his head to the left to see who surprised him. Turns out, the person that interrupted his moment was none other then Hamann, one of the councilors from the main council board.

LM: "Councilor Hamann? What brings you here?"

Councilor Hamann: "Just going out on a walk. Can't be stuck in an office signing paper work all day now can't I. Why are you up so late?"

LM: "Couldn't sleep. Having a hard time doing so."

Councilor Hamann: "Being in the Matrix too long that you never have enough sleep?"

LM nodded his head for a yes, like the councilor knew about it the whole time. The Councilor sighed and approached the rebel Titan.

Councilor Hamann: "I never sleep. It's a bit inaccurate for someone saying that. But being a councilor, you have to stay awake when ever there's important business to discuss."

He then was next to LM as he looked at the night-like sky above them.

Councilor Hamann: "Beautiful isn't it?"

LM looked at the councilor and was a little confused at what he meant.

LM: "What?"

Councilor Hamann: "This view. Sure it doesn't look real, but it makes Zion all peaceful and soothing."

The Titan looks back at the view and couldn't help but to agree with Hamann.

LM: "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Hamann looked at the rebel and could tell that he seemed a little bored at what he saw. So he came up with an idea.

Councilor Hamann: "Do you want to see something interesting?"

LM looked back at the councilor and wondered what he's up to this time.

After a few minutes, the two were in the elevator shaft heading down. One floor after another, LM tried to piece together why Hamann is bringing him down for. The elevator continued to go deeper and deeper as it passed the Temple floor, then the Gardens. Finally, the elevator came to a complete stop as the doors opened up. When LM exited the elevator, what he saw he couldn't believe. From a small balcony, what he saw was some kind of factory. There were cranes moving around, transporting items, huge air fans spinning really fast, water being stored and cycled, generators a humming, oil pumpers pumping, turbines spinning, huge hammers hammering, almost anything and everything working or processing. LM just starred in awe in all of this as Hamann exited the elevator and joined him.

Councilor Hamann: "Now this is beauty."

LM: "What is this?"

Councilor Hamann: "Some people call it the Factory. Here is where all of Zion is operated. This is where all the lifetime supply of water is stored; all the electricity is powered, where just about anything is functioning. Without all this, Zion would be in the dark ages."

LM: "How was all this created? Did the people who founded Zion build this?"

Councilor Hamann: "Normally, that's what everyone thought. But the reality was that they never created it. It was like this when the first people founded Zion. They had no idea how it works, but they just know it works. So they decided to build Zion over this floor so they would have an unlimited supply for their future offspring."

LM: "So you mean to tell me that the machines created this?"

Councilor Hamann: "From what we could understand, yes. It kind of sounds ironic, don't you think? Before a peace was made, machines wanted to kill us while these machines want to save us. Now that's bizarre."

LM: "Yeah, it does… Does anyone one else know about this besides me?"

Councilor Hamann: "Well, I sent your teacher here once before he left."

LM immediately turned his head to the councilor and was surprised at what he heard.

LM: "Neo? You mean you took him here?"

Councilor Hamann: "Indeed. He had the same reaction you have when he first saw this. And he was quite impressed by it all."

LM: "Wow, never expect something like that."

The rebel Titan turned his head away from the Hamann and continued to stare at the view of the Factory, watching the gears and machines moving about. While he was doing that, Hamann wanted to know something.

Councilor Hamann: "You know… I've heard rumors about what you did."

LM turned back to the councilor, wondering what he meant.

LM: "About what?"

Councilor Hamann: "About you being a little reckless in the Matrix."

The rebel gave a real deep sigh while rolling his eyes around when he heard that.

LM: "It too, Hamann?"

Councilor Hamann: "I'm not blaming you. I just want to know what happened to you."

LM thought about this for a moment. Normally, he would keep his mouth shut unless he talks about his problems to the Oracle. But since this is Hamann, he would help him out on his problems. So he decided to tell his side of the story.

LM: "Well, let's just say that I had the worst day of my life. I was chasing down a group of thugs that had a briefcase containing some super powered fuel. I did stop them, but it wasn't that easy since I killed a few innocent bystanders. And just when I thought I could get some insights, someone snipped their leader in the head and the briefcase was suddenly missing. Now because of this, Jackson, one of the sentient programs thinks I'm becoming too aggressive, Robin, the Titan leader, thinks that I can't do all this alone, and Commander Lock thinks that I have to control myself. And to top it all off, my friend Silent Night, is having a hard time trying to be the leader and thinks I should head back to Last Hope while I be a Titan. Quite frankly, I don't know what to do."

Hamann listened to every word the rebel said and could understand some of it. So he does what he could to make him feel a little better.

Councilor Hamann: "Sounds like you are in a mighty tight pickle. From what I could understand, you seem to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Now don't take it too hard, but I've seen this type of problem before."

LM: "You have?"

Councilor Hamann: "Oh yes. When soldiers either get promoted or demoted to the team, they always feel upset, bored, or sometimes in so much pain that they want to come back so badly. But if they could believe in themselves, they might do what is right for them. I know you must be having a hard time. But you can't let all that get in the way of what you love to do. Don't let what happened today destroy your life. Do what you think it's best for both you and your friends. Now I don't know what Neo taught you before his demise, but I know somewhere in your heart, I hope you do the right thing."

LM understood what Hamann stated and nodded in approval. He then went back to the view and slouched a little, watching the machines do its work.

LM: "Yeah… I guess you're right."

The two then watched the Factory at work for hour, letting LM figure out what's right for him.

End of chapter 4. Yet some more talking going on and not enough action. But let me assure you, that the good stuff will start soon, so be patient until we get there. Ask for the chapter itself, what I say I did a good job. Interesting, yes. Confusing, maybe. Dramatic, definitely. I hope you enjoyed it all. Now on the next chapter, LM now learns the identity of the terrorist organization that's working with Merovingian. Who could it be (like we all know already)? Please Review.