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0010010110101000111010Neo Zion101000101010010101001000101001010
"Zion Control, this is the Nebuchadnezzar II on final approach to the city," Niobi said from the copilot's seat, "Requesting permission to enter Gates 3."
"Nebuchadnezzar II, this is Zion Control," responded a voice over the radio, "Stand by while the gates open … Nebuchadnezzar II you are cleared through Gate 3, and proceed to landing pad B. Door's open, bed's made, welcome home."
"Roger that, Zion Control, Nebuchadnezzar II coming in," Niobi said before turning toward the Pilot's seat, "Want me to take over, Kimmie?"
"Um, maybe you should take over. I crashed two out of three times in the Construct …" Kim said nervously.
Niobi smiled at her unofficial protégé and pressed a few buttons before gripping her own control wheel, "Ok, but watch what I do, ok?" Kim nodded, looking around in awe of the massive half mechanical half stone cavern the hovership was flying through.
The landing pads were in decent shape but much of the buildings and mechanical structures damaged so heavily some were barely standing.
The Neb II circled the inner walls of the massive spherical chamber before coming down to land on the large platform marked B. "Welcome to Zion, Kimmie," Niobi smiled, unbuckling herself, then standing up stretching.
Niobi and Kim walked out of the bridge to where Ghost, Morpheus, and Ron were all waiting, Ron barely standing under the weight of his, Niobi, and Kim's bags. "Thank God we're home," Niobi smiled, taking some weight off Ron's shoulders by grabbing her bag.
Kim started to reach for her's but Ron pulled back, "Don't worry, KP, I got it," He smiled and the group started walking down the gangplank.
"There are three parts to the City," Morpheus explained to Kim and Ron, "At first there was only one main area of the City, but it was heavy damaged during what has come to be called? "The Day or Reckoning", and became known as Old Zion. We left it mostly alone in honor of those who fell in that final battle, and use it only as a port and power supply. We then began construction on the east and west sides of the city. The hospitals, schools and the access cable straight to the Matrix is in Trin Zion and the living area, Temple, and Council Hall is in Neo Zion, which is what the whole city is sometimes referred to.
"Morpheus!" a voice spoke up, "I was afraid you wouldn't make it for the celebration."
"Mr. Barkin?" Kim asked as she and Ron stared wide-eyed at the man walking out on the landing pad.
"Captain Kid Barkin," Morpheus corrected, "I have heard good things of you and your ship. The 'Mad Dog' is it, old friend?"
"Yes, and I've heard you found him," Barkin said smiling, ignoring Kim and Ron, "So where is he, does he remember who he was or … hell, just where is he?"
"He's right here," Morpheus smiled, placing a hand on Ron's shoulder.
Barkin looked at the teen then chuckled a little, "Morpheus, you suck at telling jokes, now where's Neo?"
"It is official by the Oracle," Niobi said, "Ron is the One."
"Ha, well I'll be damned," Barkin laughed slapping Ron's shoulder, almost knocking him down, "Finally got out of your little girlfriend's shadow, did ya?"
Barkin laughed a moment longer before he got a good look in Ron's eyes and he recognized the strength and selflessness he had seen in another's eyes sixteen years earlier, "My God, you are him …"
"You mean Ron's the One?" another familiar feminine voice added. Kim looked up and narrowed her eyes as a bald Brick walked up with Bonnie who was looking at Ron in a way Kim did not approve of.
"Can ya really stop bullets and fly like Superman, Stoppable?" Brick asked, looking at Ron as if he was a god. "I've been out for a year now, and you wouldn't BELIEVE the stories I've heard of the One."
"I'm absolutely not surprised at all," Bonnie said with an uncharacteristic loving smile toward Ron, "only someone as great as Ron could be the One."
She then walked up and pushed herself between Ron and Kim and hugged his arm close to her, "I've been with Barkin on the Mad Dog for three months now. I've really missed you, Ronnie," Bonnie said, laying her head on Ron's shoulder.
"Ghost," Morpheus said simply and the two men grabbed Kim's arms to keep her from tackling Bonnie right then and there.
"Where's the rest of your crew?" Morpheus asked struggling to hold the girl back, "I think Kazaa and Napster would be useful right about now …"
"They're already in Neo Zion setting up their apartment, and Sparks is doing a once over on the Dog," Barkin stated, "But they should be getting back here in a few minutes." He then turned when he heard the whish of the door mechanical door opening, "Speak of the devils … literally."
"Kimmie Cub!" Kim's father cried as he and Kim's mother ran down the steps to the landing platform. Kim looked up, temporarily forgetting Bonnie and Ron, and stared stupefied at her parents- outside of the Matrix and running toward her.
"MOM! DAD!" Kim cried out, jerking away from the men, and diving into her parents' embrace.
"You got out early," Kim's mother breathed over the growing stubble on her scalp.
"I thought … how did … you're here?" Kim said, not making sense even to herself, but not caring.
"We were freed when you were around three. The reconstruction of Zion needed scientists, doctors, and surgeons with actual 'experience' and not just programming from the Construct." Her mother explained, still holding her daughter tight.
"Now, young lady, we need to have a talk about what you are wearing into the Matrix. Just because you're on Morpheus' ship doesn't mean you have to keep the dress code tradition," her father said, while trying to keep a straight face.
"I'm so glad to see you free and here," Kim's mother then smiled up at Morpheus and Niobi, "You couldn't be in better hands."
"We've got some more work to do in Trin Zion. Here's the address and keys to the apartment for you and Ron," She said handing Kim a small packet. "I hope we have it to your liking, sweetheart," she then leaned in and kissed her cheek, "It's so good to see you out, baby."
They then walked away and Kim turned back, spotting Bonnie still holding on to Ron, who looked very close to having a stroke.
Kim then walked over coolly, as Morpheus, Niobi, Ghost and Link watched her carefully. "Hello, Bonnie, how long have you been freed?"
"Three months, Kimmie," Bonnie said, rubbing her cheek on Ron's arm.
"That's nice," Kim said. The girls then locked eyes, and one could swear to see lightening going back and forth between them.
"Having a bad hair day, Kimmie?" Bonnie asked, smirking, "Oh that's right you can't, it hasn't grown back out yet, I'm sorry. It's a shame your hair probably won't be as pretty as it was when you were inside the Matrix."
"Yeah, you've pretty well proven that it's almost impossible to get it as it was," Kim replied with narrowed eyes.
"What's it like, Kimmie?" Bonnie asked, ignoring Kim's comment, and snuggling against Ron's arm. "Finally being pushed out of the way by the sidekick you've held back for how many years?"
"You listen here, you little bi-" Kim started but Morpheus stepped between them.
"That's enough, ladies," Morpheus said, holding up his hands, "Now Bonnie, Brick, Capt. Barkin, we've to go into Neo Zion now, so we will meet again at the celebration tomorrow?"
"See you there, Morpheus," Barkin smiled, "Come along, Brick, Bonnie."
The three Mad Dog crewmen walked toward the exit, "Slut," Kim said under her breath, while glaring at Bonnie hatefully.
"Come along," Morpheus said and the group walked into the central area of the port. "This tram will take us to Neo Zion," he said, as he walked down into area that looked a lot like a subway station, "the left track goes to Neo Zion and the right goes to Trin Zion." Morpheus explained, as a train came to a stop at the left side of the station.
The group boarded the subway like train and took a seat. They rode in silence for several seconds before Morpheus turned to Ron, "Ronald, perhaps I should warn you," He said, patting Ron's shoulder lightly, "The One is … I guess the best way to say it, is considered somewhat a Messiah here, so expect a unusual welcome when we exit the Neo Zion station, all right?"
Ron nodded silently. A short while later the train came to a stop at another, much better kept station. Morpheus led them out of the train and up toward the exit. He grabbed the door handle and began to open, "Do not forget my warning, Young Ronald," Morpheus said before swinging it open. The group walked out to find the plaza full of countless people all watching the door way.
Ron walked out and looked around at the people, "Um … hi?" he said and all of the people there dropped to their knees.
"Hail Neo, Hail the One," they chanted softly as those in the middle moved out of the path, leaving behind colorful garments –possibly their best, Ron realized- covered the steel floor. Ron blinked in confusion then jumped when an old woman reached up and graved his sleeve, "Bless you, Neo," she said tears sliding down her aged cheeks, "You have finally returned to us …"
"I'm um …not Neo," Ron stuttered nervously, "My name's umm Ron …"
The people began to look at one another and whisper among themselves for a few moments, before they started chanting again, "Hail Ron, Hail the One"
"Ok … this is freaky …" Ron whispered to Kim, who was staring in just as much awe as he was.
"Super freaky …" Kim added, looking around at the bowed heads.
"Ok, Your Worship," Link teased as Morpheus, Niobi and Ghost walked past them, "Your adoring public can wait, I've got a wife and kid waitin'."
They walked down the cleared isle, over the makeshift red carpet, and came to a stop at a long hall way. Ghost and Link went to the left, and Morpheus nodded for Ron and Kim to follow him, "Your parents arranged for your apartment to be next door to our home, I insisted. This way."
Morpheus and Niobi led Kim and Ron into a large oval shaped open area with doors and windows along the walls and several levels looking a lot like a hotel lobby. And in the center was a large statue of a man in a trench coat and sunglasses holding out his arms welcomingly. Kim looked at the statue then at Ron then back at the statue again. She then reached up and held her hands over Ron's ears. "Spike your hair up and lose the Dumbo ears and freckles and your twins," Kim stated in slight awe, "Maybe you are him reincarnated …"
"It's just up ahead," Morpheus said as he led them on down the open hallway to two large doors, "This is our home," Morpheus said motioning to the first apartment, "That is yours," he then placed his key in his door but it suddenly flew open and a small boy flew through the air knocking Morpheus backwards to a seated position on the ground.
"DADDY!!" A young voice squealed.
"Neo? Why are you not in school, young man?" Niobi asked, looking down at the nine year old in Morpheus' arms.
"Got out of school early today to get ready for the Celebration, Mom," a fourteen-year-old girl said, leaning against the door, smiling brightly at Morpheus and Niobi.
"Ronald, Kimberly," Morpheus said looking up from the ground, "These are our children. The rascal here is my son, Neo, and this lovely goddess to be is Trinity."
"What do you mean 'to be', Daddy," the girl smiled, winking at Ron.
"Reminds me of someone else I know," Ron smirked at Kim.
"No, Bonnie is much worse …" Kim mused, rustling Neo's hair.
"I wasn't talking about Bonnie, KP," Ron smiled, and she playfully slapped his arm.
"Well I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a nice warm soak in my own bath," Niobi said, walking into her family's apartment.
Morpheus stood up, his son still attached to his side. "I'll leave you two to make yourselves comfortable at your apartment." He then left them to enter his own home.
Kim and Ron then looked at each other, and Kim pulled out the key to the door. She quickly unlocked it and walked in and the two teens looked around the small apartment. It wasn't too small but wasn't too big either. It had a living area, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms.
"Booyah!" Ron exclaimed, running toward one of the bedrooms, "I call this one!"
"Fine by me, Ron," Kim said walking into her bedroom and throwing herself unceremoniously down on the bed. face down. "Oh, feather … nice …" She purred into the comforter.
"Hey, KP?" Ron said, knocking on the door.
"Yeah, Ron?" She asked, rolling over and sitting up on her elbows.
"I think I'll take a walk, wanna come?" Ron asked, leaning against the door.
"No thanks, Ron," Kim yawned, and laid back on her bed, "I think I'll take a nap. Want to train in the construct later?"
"Sure thing, KP," Ron smiled, "Be back after I get lost and un-lost." He then smiled when he realized she was already asleep. He pulled the blanket from the foot of the bed and pulled it over her, tucking her in gently. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, "See you in a few, KP," he whispered before leaving.
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Kim jumped slightly, and was startled to find herself in the broadcast chamber of the Neb II. "Hello, Kim," a voice to her side grabbed her attention.
Kim looked to the right and found a pretty woman in her early twenties, with short black hair, and deep yet sad blue eyes. she was wearing an old worn out gray jump suit and a comforting smile, "hey," She said softly.
"Who are you?" Kim asked, trying to sit up, but for some reason finding it impossible.
"I'm just a friend, Kim," the woman smiled, "I bet everything that's happened has unsettled you, but you're no where near afraid, right?"
Kim just stared in mild confusion, but she also felt a sense of comfort around this 'friend'.
"You've got one fear," the woman said, sitting beside her, "And you're going to have to face it very soon, but you won't be alone."
"I'm not afraid of anything," Kim replied shakily. "If you're talking about what the Oracle said about me dying after learning who I love, I'm not afraid of death."
"Cute, but I'm not talking about that," the woman chuckled, "There will come a time when you will have to let go. Let go of yourself, let go of control, and let go of your one, and there will be nothing you can do but have faith. I only wanted to warn you, Kim."
"That won't happen," Kim shook her head, "I would never let myself get in that position, never."
"Never say never," the woman smiled, "And … KP, What are you doing on the floor?"
Kim blinked several times before she realized Ron was looking down at her. "R-Ron?" She looked around and realized she was laying in a tangled mess of her blankets on the floor of her new bedroom. "I guess I rolled off the bed …" She said sheepishly as Ron helped her to her feet.
"Oh! What time is it? You still want to go train, Ron?" Kim asked, noticing he had changed clothes.
"Sorry, KP, change of plans, training in the morning good for you?" Ron asked, smiling a little more giddily then usual.
"Sure, why the change?" Kim asked, running her hand over her stubble covered scalp.
"You will NOT believe what happened while I was out, KP," Ron exclaimed happily, "Never in a thousand years would the Ron-Man've seen this coming!"
"The Ron-Man huh?" Kim quirked an eyebrow, "Must be big for you to talk in third person."
"Get this, KP," Ron said, sticking out his chest, "Bon-Bon asked me, ME, Ron Stoppable, on a date in the Construct!"
Kim froze solid as the words Ron said registered in her mind. Bon-Bon = Bonnie. Me, ME, Ron Stoppable = Ron. Bonnie + Ron + date in Construct = Error in math.
"Ron, you didn't say yes, did you?" Kim asked, staring at Ron with wide eyes.
"KP, Kim, you should know me by now," Ron smiled reassuringly.
"You said yes, didn't you …" Kim sighed and rubbed her temples, "Ron you have to know she's up to something, if nothing else she wants to be with 'The One'!"
"Oh I see now," Ron smiled smugly, "You're jealous." As soon as the words left his mouth Kim's eyebrows began to flinch menacingly.
"Jealous? JEALOUS? Of BONNIE ROCKWALLER??" Kim yelled, growing louder with every word.
"So not the drama," Ron said, mocking her voice.
"One. Do not mock me and steal my catch phrases," Kim growled, "Two. The Agents. The most powerful and feared programs in the Matrix are after your head. And you want to blow off necessary training to go on a date with 'Princess Bon-Bon'?"
"Well …" Ron started, blushing lightly, "That's pretty much it, but it's no bi- nothing major. Just one date, KP."
"Don't 'just one date, KP' me, Ronald," Kim growled, grabbing his wrist. "Come with me. If you won't listen to me, I know someone who you will listen to."
Kim dragged him out of the apartment, and knocked roughly on Morpheus and Niobi's door.
"Is there a problem, Kimberly, Ronald?" Morpheus said as he and Niobi answered the door, both in bathrobes.
"Yes, there definitely is a problem," Kim stated, not noticing a slightly irritated look from Niobi.
"Ron and I had earlier agreed to practice tonight to help him learn to control his abilities better," Kim explained, "He needs as much practice as he can so he can be his best, BUT he's decided to blow off the practice to go off on a date with a girl who only wants to be around him because of what he is and not who he is." She stated, spitting out the word 'date'.
"Ok," Morpheus nodded, taking in the information. "First off, you are right, Kimberly, Ronald needs to have his abilities mastered as soon as possible. But I do not see the harm in him having a night of rest with a friend. And she might not be as shallow as you think."
"Not as shallow … friend …" Kim forced out before she released a groan of frustration. "OK, Fine." She then turned to Ron, and jabbed her finger into his chest, "Go on, Go and have fun with your little Bon-Bon! I really don't care, and when you have Agents breathing down your neck you can have your little Bon-Bon help you, because you won't get any help from me. Good Night." She then stomped back into her apartment and an almost demonic hiss of 'men' could be heard before the door slammed loudly.
"For someone so obsessed with the future and prophesies," Niobi chuckled disappointedly toward Morpheus, "You can be blind as a bat sometimes. For that little display, Morpheus, you can sleep on the Neb."
She then walked in and slammed the door and turned the lock leaving Ron and Morpheus on the outside walkway. The two looked at one another and asked in unison, "What was that?"
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