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01110010001010100001Land of the Awake01001000001101001
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"I keep having these weird thoughts lately … like … is any of this for real … or not?" –Sora, Kingdom Hearts
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A black sedan pulled down the streets of Middleton California before turning into the drive of a small two-story home. Both front doors and the passenger side back door swung open at the exact same time and three men, all with the same hairstyle and same clothing, black suit and tie and dark square rimless glasses stepped out; their shoes clicking on the paved drive.
The men walked up to the door and the lead quickly knocked. A tall skinny woman answered the door, "Hello?"
"Mrs. Stoppable?" the lead man said emotionlessly, "I am Agent Thompson, and these are my associates Agent Wilson and Agent Jackson. Would this be Ronald Stoppable's place of residence?"
"Yes, but he's gone to a friend's house right now," Mrs. Stoppable said nervously, "Is something the matter?"
"No, we just have a few questions for him," Agent Thompson stated, "We will return on a later date. Thank you very much for you assistance, Mrs. Stoppable, and Happy Hanukah."
She nodded and closed the door as the three men turned and walked toward the car.
"Confirmed," Agent Jackson stated.
"Target moving south, bound for the residence of the Possibles," Agent Wilson spoke emotionlessly.
"Proceed with caution," Agent Thompson instructed, "Target should be considered highly dangerous."
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Kim sighed as she threw herself back on her bed. A week before Christmas and Ron's birthday, and Kim had yet to even start Christmas shopping.
"Too bad Ron's parents don't believe in Christmas," Kim smiled, "He'd rack up on gifts, seeing as his birthday and Christmas are the same day."
The thoughts of Ron once again went back to their last mission the weekend before. "I had to be hallucinating," Kim shook her head as she sat up, "Ron was like in two places at once and Shego was in a hole in the wall that wasn't there before. It just didn't make sense! Probably just some trick of Drakken's…"
"Hey, KP?" Ron's voice called from the other side of her door, "You decent?"
"Yes, c'mon in, Ron," Kim yelled so her friend could hear.
Kim turned to the door to see her best friend walk in with a wrapped package, "I know it's early but I thought I'd go ahead and give you your Christmas present."
"Christmas present?" Kim asked as Ron handed her the package, "But you're Jewish, Ron, I thought you didn't believe in Christmas?"
"I don't," Ron shrugged with a shy smile, "But you do, so that's good enough for me."
"That's sweet, Ron," Kim said standing up to give her best friend a hug, "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet, open it first," Ron said nodding toward the gift, "I thought you might use it since it's finally started to get cold."
Kim nodded before picking up the gift. She started to pull at the ends before losing patience and tearing the wrapping to shreds. "Oh, Ron, I love it!" Kim exclaimed as she pulled a long leather trench coat from the box, "Thank you!"
She started to hug him again when the Kimmunicator beeped. "What's the sitch, Wade?" Kim asked pulling out the device.
"Got a lead on Drakken," Wade responded, "he's set up just north of Middleton. I'll send you the directions."
"Sweet, we're on top of it, Wade," Kim smiled before closing up her Kimmunicator. Then pulled on her new trench coat, "Ready to go, Ron?"
"Ready and waiting," Ron winked with a thumbs up.
Rufus popped up from Ron's pocket mimicking his master's actions, and squeaked, "ready, waiting,"
The two ran out of the room, and Kim waved to her mother and with an explanation of "Mission!" the two were out the door.
"Good luck, and be careful!" Mrs. Possible yelled behind them before going back to cleaning her dishes.
After around five minutes a knock came from the front door.
Mrs. Possible answered the door, "Did you forget something or … oh my …"
"Hello, Representative Possible," Agent Thompson said with no emotion, "Is your daughter Kimberly, or her friend Ronald present?"
"What do you want with them?" Mrs. Possible asked, fear evident on her face.
"Your daughter? Nothing at all, only information on the whereabouts of Mr. Stoppable," Agent Thompson stated, "We require Mr. Stoppable for questioning. Any information on his location would be greatly appreciated."
"I don't know why you're back, and I really don't care," Mrs. Possible snarled, "But if you want to get to either of those kids you won't get any help from me! Ron's going to be freed in a week and Kim will follow in three months, what threat could they be to you?"
"Being a Zionite, we have no real authority over you, Mrs. Possible, other then your access to the Matrix, but your help is not mandatory," Thompson stated, "Your resistance only postpones the inevitable, we will find Mr. Stoppable in a matter of time, even without your help."
"Why do you want him?" Mrs. Possible questioned worriedly.
"That … is none of your concern," Agent Thompson said turning his back on the woman, "but your daughter will remain unharmed, the truce will be kept." The Agent said before the three returned to their car.
Mrs. Possible watched them go before pulling a cell phone. "Sparks," She spoke into the phone, "This is Kazaa. I need to get a message to Morpheus on the Nebuchadnezzar II ASAP."
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"It's too soon," Drakken said from his lair, looking over the device he stole from Merovingian, "The sixth came sixteen years ago. There is a One every five hundred years. Shawn cannot be the One. It just doesn't make any sense!"
"I believe his name is Ron, Sir," Shego smirked as she studied the hardware of the device.
"Ron, Shawn, what's it matter, he SHOULDN'T be able to do THAT!"
"Breathe, ok?" Shego said not even looking up, "Probably just a glitch or something. That does happen sometimes. Remember that runner from a few Reloads ago? Maybe the third Reload. He touched the Source by mistake and the muscles in his legs almost blew up. * I had front row seat for that one. It happens, so don't worry about it."
"Even if this kid is the next One," Drakken shrugged, feeling slightly better, "He's a simpleton. He can't possible be as much trouble as that Neon."
"Neo, Sir,"
"Whatever." Drakken shrugged, "How's the study on our new toy coming, Shego?"
"The study was just concluded," a voice from the skylight said as it shattered and Kim and Ron flipped, (fell face first in Ron's case) on to the floor of the base.
"Well, Kim Possible, nice to see you again so soon!" Drakken laughed, "Been seeing any green lately, Sidekick?" he asked smirking at Ron.
"I … don't know what you're talking about," Ron spoke up quickly, "But I know I'll be seeing you behind bars soon."
"You've been around your little girlfriend too long, Tom," Drakken stated with his trademark smirk, "Sounding all overly superheroishly dramatic!"
"That's Ron, sir," Shego corrected stepping up, her gloves glowing.
"Whatever, Shego, kill them both!" Drakken ordered while he began reloading the weapon on a bed of a truck.
Shego smirked as she jumped at Kim ready to fight, but this time keeping a wary eye on Ron.
Ron watched the fight, trying to stay out of the way, when a feeling struck his spine. Something wasn't right; something was coming.
"KP, watch it!" Ron called, as the front door of the base was kicked open and in walked the three Agents. Ron looked to them and his eyes widened slightly at what he saw. There was only a green outline of the men in suits covering a cubby man in a tee shirt and boxers, a little girl in a jogging suit, and a woman in a business suit.
They drew their guns and began to fire at Drakken, Shego and Ron, but not a one targeting Kim.
"Ron, we've gotta get out of here!" Kim cried, grabbing his wrist not noticing his lack of attention.
"Delete the two Exiles and the anomaly," Thompson stated, "The girl is not to be harmed … seriously."
"Anomaly is prime objective, Exile Programs secondary objective," Wilson stated.
"Moving in," Jackson said as the three started to run after Kim and Ron.
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"Ok, these guys are new," said Kim as she and Ron ran through the halls of Drakken's base, with the three men in hot pursuit.
"I've seen them before, KP," Ron said glancing back, "I know I have …"
"Think later, run now," Kim said, looking up to see a fork coming, "You go one way, I'll go the other, maybe we can split them up."
The two split at the fork, and Kim ran several yards before stopping, realizing she wasn't being followed anymore, "They're after Ron?" she asked as she turned and ran back toward the path Ron took.
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Ron hit the back wall, and pressed against it, as the three men drew their guns. "You are not meant to exist, Mr. Stoppable," Agent Thompson said emotionlessly.
Fear gripped Ron's whole body. He could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears just before a blinding flash covered his vision, replacing the world around him with an outline of green code yet again. He could feel the three 'men' and their weapons. He reached out his hand, and willed the weapons out of the Agents' hands before field-stripping them in mid air.
"His powers have awakened." Thompson said in surprise.
"This is not good," Wilson added.
"We should fall back," advised Jackson, "We can not risk another Smith Syndrome."
Before any of the Agents could move, shots rang out. Two of the Agents went down - but it was a woman dressed in a business suit and a man in underclothes that hit the floor. The last Agent, Thompson, turned to see a man armed with an assault rifle run up. The Agent hissed in recognition. "Morpheus."
"I've gotten better, Thompson," Morpheus stated, "I can take one Agent now."
"One maybe," Thompson said, as Kim ran to stand next to Ron, eyeing the scene in confusion, "But two?"
Ron then jumped as Kim gasped and jerked away from him. His eyes widened as she began to shake rapidly and change into something else. What that something was he didn't want to wait and find out. "Kim! No!" Ron gasped holding out his hand to her, somehow forcing out the invading 'code'. Kim then dropped to her knees holding her head.
Thompson stared in shock, "It appears we have missed our window of opportunity. We will meet again, Mr. Stoppable," he stated before glowing slightly, and morphed back into a little girl, who dropped to the ground asleep.
"Are you two all …" Morpheus started before getting a good look at Ron, and making a double take. He jerked off his armless sunglasses and just gawked at Ron who was more concerned about Kim at the moment. Morpheus had thousands of questions to ask, but only one word could escape his lips. "Neo?"
"What's a Neo? That sounds familiar though … Do I know you? You look familiar too," Ron said looking at the stranger, who he, for some reason, felt a sense of safety around.
"I am Morpheus, perhaps we can go somewhere, where we can talk," Morpheus stated, "I think I understand now why those men were after you."
"They weren't men," Ron stated, "They were different, I can't really explain how I know, but I just know. And the name's Ron and this is Kim."
"Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable?" Morpheus questioned, "I've heard of you. Come along before they come back. We can talk shortly."
Ron looked up, then back down at the still dazed Kim, before
scooping her up in his arms, carrying her behind Morpheus.
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"I see what they're afraid of," Morpheus said holding the cell phone to the side of his head, and glancing back at the two sleeping teens in the back seat of his Charger. Kim was already half gone after her episode with the Agents and Ron lasted till the engine stated.
"Well out with it, Morpheus," Niobi stated on the other end, "Why are they so shaken up?"
"I found him, Niobi," Morpheus stated proudly.
"Found who?"
"You will never believe me if I told you over the phone," Morpheus smiled to himself, "You will see when I arrive at the post. You and Ghost have a set up ready for two removals, both are around sixteen so shouldn't be any trouble removing them. Neither appears be safe in the Matrix any longer."
Morpheus drove for almost an hour before pulling up to an old warehouse. "Wake up, you two," he said opening the back door, "We're here."
"What … happened? What happened to those men?" Kim asked coming back to consciousness.
"It's hard to explain right now, Ms. Possible, but if you come with me, I'll attempt to explain things more clearly," Morpheus stated holding out his hand for the girl.
"I don't even know who you are, and you expect me to come with you?" Kim snapped, "Get real!"
"His name's Morpheus. You can trust him, KP," Ron stated from the other side of the car already climbing out, "Believe me."
Kim looked over to Ron, and the expression on his face told her he was dead serious. So she nodded and let the man help her out of the car.
Morpheus led them into a small office with three chairs set up in a semicircle. "Please have a seat," Morpheus requested as he sat down and crossed his legs.
Kim and Ron looked at each other before sitting down, looking at Morpheus expectantly. "I have found you at last," Morpheus smiled, before leaning over stretching out a hand to Ron, "I am pleased to meet you once again, Neo."
"Um, my name's Ron, but I'm honored to meet you, Sir," Ron replied nervously, taking his handshake.
"As before, my friend," Morpheus smiled, "The honor is all mine."
With that Ron took a strange expression that Kim didn't recognize, "I've heard that before …"
"I do not fully understand why you are here, but I do recognize you and your friend are in danger, and I would like to help you if you'd like." Morpheus started before Kim could question Ron's expression.
"How can you help us?" Kim inquired, eyeing the man carefully.
"Have you ever had a dream, Kim, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream?" Morpheus asked.
"How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?" Ron finished, his eyes narrowed, trying to put the loose pieces together in his mind, "Man, what dajavu … You're going to make a reference to Alice in Wonderland now, aren't you?"
Kim just stared at Ron, "How did you know that?" she asked, her green eyes blinking rapidly.
"I have no idea …" Ron shrugged, before turning to Morpheus, "So, Alice in Wonderland?"
"Yes, I was about to say that I would assume you both feel like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole," Morpheus stated, smirking slightly at Ron, "Some more then others."
"This is about the Matrix?" Ron asked looking up, "That keeps popping up in my mind for some reason. What is it?"
"The Matrix? That's just an urban legend," Kim half-laughed, "only crazy paranoid people believe in that."
"Wrong, Ms. Possible, The Matrix is very much real," stated Morpheus, "And it is unreal. It is all around us now, and it is nowhere."
Ron and Kim looked at each other, then to Morpheus curiously. "Do you wish to learn about the Matrix?" Morpheus asked, reaching into his coat pocket. Pulling out a container, he popped it open and removed four pills, two in each hand then held them out to the two teenagers. "Take the blue pill, and you will go back to your home, and you will forget all this has happened, though I feel you have not seen the last of the Agents," Morpheus then motioned toward the red pills, "Take the red pills and …"
"We'll see how deep the rabbit hole goes …" Ron finished rubbing his temples, "I feel a migraine coming on …" he then glanced over at the nervous looking Kim who was rubbing her arms, "What do you say, KP?"
"You said we can trust him, Ron," Kim said softly, staring at the red pills, "That's good enough for me…" she then grabbed the red pill and placed it in her mouth.
"Always the daredevil," Ron smiled, taking the other red pill and following suit.
"Excellent," Morpheus smiled, "Now come with me."
Morpheus lead the two teens into a back room where several seemingly jury-rigged machines were placed around two leather examination chairs. "This is Niobi and Ghost," Morpheus said pointing toward the shocked man and woman standing beside the two chairs staring at Ron. "Now have a seat and relax."
"Morpheus, are you sure about this?" Niobi whispered walking toward him, "I mean … if the Machines want him dead that badly and they find out we're helping him. This could jeopardize the truce."
"Is that truce really worth sacrificing his life for a second time?"
"And how are you so certain that's him?" Niobi questioned.
"Look at him, Niobi," Morpheus instructed, pointing toward the boy who was looking nervously toward Kim, "Look at how he is looking at her. That alone is evidence, he has the exact same expression as Neo had when he gazed at Trinity."
"There is a resemblance, I just don't know, but if you ever turned down a crazy stunt, I would think there was something wrong with you," Niobi sighed, "Lets do this."
Morpheus nodded, and pulled out a cell phone, "Link, do you have their location yet?"
"Searching now, Sir," Link said from the other end.
Morpheus then looked to the two frightened teenagers, or at least one frightened teen, Ron looked more nervous and in thought.
"The pill you took is part of our trace program," Morpheus explained, "It disrupts your input/output signal so our systems can locate you."
"Locate us?" Kim asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"You'll see soon enough," Morpheus said, as his phone rang.
"Found them, and you're not going to believe this," Link said from the cell phone, "They're at the Release Center we're docked at. One's scheduled for release next week and the other in three months."
"This was fate," Morpheus stated, "Now relax, you're going to feel a moment of discomfort, but it we will be there waiting for you."
Ron glanced over at Kim and the two made eye contact before Ron felt a strong pull at the back of his head where his skull met his spine, and felt like he was being pulled into the chair. He tried to scream, but suddenly found himself attached to a platform in a tank of red slimy fluid.
Ron felt the platform he was lying on raise out of the tank. Something was yanked out of his throat, leaving a strangely familiar burning ache behind. Shapes moved toward him, and he looked up to see metallic arms reaching for him, reaching for the tubes and wires that he now realized were sprouting from his own body. The metallic arms began ripping the tubes free, and he was hit with a sudden feeling of dajavu.
After the machines were finished, he just laid there finding it difficult to even breath. Then one last arm came down and wrapped around his head, pulling him up, before he felt a half tickle, half painful and familiar feeling of something being unscrewed from the back of his head. The feeling stopped as he felt something pulled out before the arm let go and he dropped back down to the platform limply.
His weak sore eyes then glanced to the side when he heard footsteps to his right. He turned his head to see Morpheus and Ghost in raggedy, slightly dirty clothing and another man who he didn't recognize walking toward him.
"Man, he really does look like him." the other man gasped at seeing Ron.
"I know, Link, did I not tell you," Morpheus smiled before running his hand over the blonde stubble on the top of Ron's head, "How do you feel, Ronald?"
"Kim? Where's … KP?" Ron asked hoarsely, finding it difficult to speak.
"Kimberly is fine, Niobi is with her now," Morpheus smiled, "You've been in a release tube for the last year. It was slowly preparing your body for the outside world, the real world. We've got to get you cleaned up, clothed and re-taught your muscle control, and then we will take you to your friend."
"The real world?" Ron questioned trying to keep from coughing.
"Yes, my young friend," Morpheus stated, "Welcome to the land of the awake."
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A/N: * = See: The Animatrix: World's Record
A/N2: Special thanks to Mondomage for Beta Reading for me, thanks man! Shadow Snake, if all goes well, will be updated tonight, Wednesday at the latest. Be on the look out for it. And don't forget to leave a review!