Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Matrix including- characters, aliases, places or patents. Each and every individual aspect associated with the Matrix belongs to the Wachowski brothers; Larry & Andy, and therefore are the rightful owners of this incredible flick. The only plausible thing in which I own in this fic would be the plot in which the story is based on. Thanks so much.

Wish Upon a Star

By: Dragon Demon

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Young and in love, Neo wants to show Trinity his world as he once knew it. But the blinded decision sets in motion a chain reaction of disastrous events. One in which may very well bring the end of a beautiful thing. Can the members of the Neb band together with the remaining ships of Zion in order to preserve that which matters most?

Welcome to the………

MATRIX

Neo stepped protectively in front of Trinity putting distance between her and the figure on the horizon. His eyes narrowed dangerously as a glint of anger and confusion flickered over his features.

"It's such a pleasure meeting you again- Mr. Anderson."

Trinity looked on, a trace of fear upon her face as she heard Neo answer the call.

"…Smith."

The agent smirked, "Glad you didn't forget me, Mr. Anderson. Because I'd never forget you."

Neo ground his teeth together, his anger rising. "What do you want, Smith?"

"Oh… nothing important, Mr. Ander-"

Neo sharply cut him off, "How many times do I have to tell you… My name is Neo," he emphasized.

Smith craned his neck as his grin widened. "Yes well… it seems many times just isn't enough. Now back to my reason of being here." Smith removed his sunglasses. "You know we have been watching you and your resistance for quite some time, Mr. Anderson. And I must say, it's gotten seriously out of hand."

"Yeah, well it ain't over yet," Neo threatened his lips forming a thin frown.

"Isn't it?' Smith asked confidently. "You've already lost Mr. Anderson; you just don't know it yet."

During the brief conversation, Trinity fought with herself to keep the desire to rip Smith's head off and shove it down his throat suppressed. But for some reason, something held her back. Her mind registered that something wasn't right with the situation. Smith wouldn't have gone this long without already having made a move, especially on some speech that sounded it had the potential to bore even the hell out of Barney.

"Neo," she whispered lightly. "What's going on? What's he talking about?"

Smith's altered hearing picked up the soft questions coming from behind Neo. "Why that's simple, my dear. I just came to introduce your precious Neo to my new… pet." He snapped his fingers and Neo could barely make out another figure cresting the hill through the light fog that had rolled in.

Trinity gasped as the figure came to a stop. Her eyes traveled the length of what appeared to be a sort of exoskeleton of a female AI. She stood hunched over and Trinity could see that her spineless frame allowed her to use all four limbs.

"What the hell is that!?" Trinity asked unbelievably.

The AI turned her head and eerily glanced at the young woman, her steely eye sockets boring holes into Trinity's own eyes. She felt as if her soul and mind had been exploited unwillingly at the sight she received from this machine. She shook her head and tried to clear her thoughts.

"It's not a what… but more of a whom," Smith replied to her outraged inquiry. He motioned towards the AI, his hand going in a sweeping motion to add emphasis to his observation. "Meet AIME… our new prototype droid."

Neo scrutinized the female look-alike protegee. "What is this about, Smith?"

Smith's chuckle infuriated Neo even more so than his sudden appearance. His urge to deliver a swift punch to the agents face flared but quickly died down again as he felt the woman behind him tenderly squeeze his arm.

"Neo," she started. "Let's get out of here." He made a soft movement indicating his agreement.

"I'm afraid that will be impossible. You see, AIME here, hasn't had the chance to get to know you yet. And it would be… quite rude for you to leave just yet," Smith opposed. He looked sideways at the machine, "AIME. Meet your new… playmates." He turned to walk away as the AI moved forward as on command.

The machine took a step towards the couple, a glint flashing across where it's eyes normally would have been. Trinity grasped Neo's arm tighter as he spoke, "Smith! This isn't over!"

"Oh, but it is Mr. Anderson," Smith replied calmly. "Don't you see, AIME, is an Artificial Intelligent Matrix Emulator. She can and will find you any-where you go inside the Matrix. And you can't escape, do you know why? Because as of now, our Sentinels have finished destroying your ship," he paused. "And it's crew. Any one that survived will not survive the next search. You're all alone now, Mr. Anderson."

Neo closed his eyes in disbelief. The Neb destroyed? Morpheus. Link. No, it's just not possible… is it? It can't be. It just can't. "I don't believe it!"

Smith stopped and turned halfway. "Don't you? Would you care to see proof, Mr. Anderson?"

Neo gave him a face, "Ha! How can you offer proof when you can't even get out of the Matrix into the real world! What proof can you possibly give me that would change my mind otherwise? What can you possibly show."

As if in response, a small object landed mere feet from Neo and Trinity.

"Neo! That's-" Trinity almost blurted out.

Neo looked away in disgust. "I know, Trinity. I know."

Before them lay a mangled piece of silver in the shape of a pendant on a chain. Both recognized it as the chain Link wore around his neck, the symbol of his promise to return to Zion and his love. And here it lay, twisted, chipped and tarnished.

Neo felt his drink rising in his throat and he fought to keep it down. Smith was right. But how? Why?! What made this time against the Sentinels so different?! The EMP usually destroys anything in its ran- Neo's thoughts careened off track as the reality of it hit him hard. The EMP…

"It seems you are rendered speechless Mr. Anderson. Perhaps the cat's got your tongue. Or perhaps… your anger is just blinding you from the truth. Either way, you'll soon join your friends and then none of this will even matter," Smith taunted. "AIME… play nice now." With that said, he disappeared back into the fog leaving Neo and Trinity alone with AIME.

Trinity's chest hurt and her eyes stung. It was a matter of moments before she realized she was holding her breath. She exhaled. "Neo… we can't stay here. We have to leave," she urged gently.

Neo just nodded, his shock preventing him from speaking. In the distance he could see the machine known as 'AIME' slowly approach them once again. He quickly snatched up the pendant from the ground, feeling the cool medal in the palm of his hand. "Let's go," he ordered as he took Trinity by the arm and led her away.

They broke into a run across the knoll trying to outrun the machine that was close on their heels. Tears stung Neo's eyes as he replayed the events over in his mind. The Neb was gone, everyone aboard presumed dead. Any survivors couldn't last outside the ship alone with protection from the EMP. It was of course, their only means of defense against the Sentinels.

Trinity glanced back as she fled with Neo from AIME. The AI was rapidly gaining on them, and Trinity could see that the machine was holding back, allowing the prey the chance to escape. But Trinity knew, escape was not possible, and the only way it would be, was in death.

She focused on her running but her mind continued to wander back to the revelation that the Neb was destroyed. Morpheus. Link. I'm so sorry guys. I just can't believe you're gone. If only we had known…

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Author Alert: Whoo, suspenseful chapter, yes? (looks to see if everyone is on the edges of their seats) Ok… so this chapter seems a bit more, what's the word, confusing? Yes! But rest assured the answers shall come. They will find you… Remember, 'It's the question that drives us. You know the question…'

Do you know the question? We'll see….

All right, I know that things seem a bit slow or forward, but trust me, it's for the stories own good. And if you don't believe me, then go find the twit that wrote this shit. They'll tell you what you want to know. J

I'm sure many of you have guessed how the Neb was destroyed, and if not, then what can I say… except that the truth shall be revealed. Remember that all I'm offering is the truth. So you can either-

1) Leave a review biting my head off saying how this is a bunch of bull-fecal matter and that you don't know why you wasted your time reading it (yet you wasted your time reviewing on it. Hmm, fascinating!) And you can go on your merry little way and leave things the way they are or…

2) You can review saying update soon, how much you loved the story, state the answers/reasons discerning this chapter and I'll write another chapter for you to enjoy and I'll show you just how things happened as you continue to explore what lies in the Matrix of the Dragon's Realm.

Now wouldn't it be cruel of me to say that the only way you can read the next chapter was if you visited my website, cause that's where I'll be posting the rest of this story?! Man… talk about the lynching going on then!

All right enough ramble… chapter 4 is soon to come, I hope. And I hope you all enjoyed this segment. And thanks to everyone who reviewed. Your kind words are more than I can ask for, and it's those that makes my writing worth while. (Cause 'member, this is just a bunch of bull-fecal matter. J )

-Dragon Demon 6/26/2003