It Ends
The Sentinels stopped. They began to fly in a bit of a harmony, and they lowered their heads down. They were waiting. And the Rebels looked on, guns still in their hands. And only the man that believed stepped forth. Morpheus.
"Neo. . ." Niobi whispered.
"He fights for us." Morpheus replied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
But unknown to all in the Real World, Neo walked along side a little girl.
Angel's eyes showed her pain to the world. But only Neo bothered to look. The end was here. And Angel couldn't stop it, as tears rolled down her face.
Copies stared in hatred at the two. They scowled at Neo, and Angel really saw how much her father hated this man. She looked down, and didn't want to look at them anymore. She only saw hatred in them. They stole her father's face, and showed her pain. Neo soon found that Angel was holding tightly on his arm.
Then Neo stopped, and he pushed Angel away.
"You should go." He said gently.
Angel looked at him with fear, and turned to the copies. Where would she go? Then turned back to Neo. She didn't want to leave him. She didn't want to be with the copies. They would hurt her. . . But she nodded, she knew she had to. She took a deep breath and shoved her way through the sidewalk. The Smiths did not stop her, they had no time. The shoved her, and stared at her, as she ran through them, keeping up with Neo. She looked through the copies as he walked with a certain stride that only he could master. Then he stopped.
Angel heard the most terrifying thing in her life.
"Mr. Anderson, welcome back we missed you."
It didn't sound like her father. It was horrible, full of more hatred than she had ever heard. She stopped in her tracks and stared between the copies to see her father. She couldn't believe.
"Like what I've done with the place?"
The barren wasteland that used to be a city full of people, was nothing more but a battlefield. Maybe soon a graveyard. Angel looked down, she didn't want to see Smith like this. She didn't want to hear him. She didn't want him like this. He wasn't like this! He was her father! But no. . . He showed nothing like that. No signs of the father that held her. He was only now a warrior about to fight another. Angel held back more tears as she crept closer to him. She held out her hand, kind of entranced by that voice. She stared at him, shoving through the copies. Maybe if she touched him. . . If she talked to him. . . Maybe if she. . .
But a copy shoved her back, and behind Smith's dark shades he turned his eyes to Angel. No. He didn't want her here! After he was done with Neo, they would kill her! She couldn't be her! She couldn't! His Angel!
"It ends tonight." Neo said.
Neo's voice brought Smith back to the battle. He blinked his eyes, and put the thought in the back of his mind. Now was definitely not the time.
Angel sat on the concrete, staring at her father. There was a pain in her chest, and she heaved for breaths. She didn't want to watch, as she saw her father not even look at her. Just stare at Neo, no emotion on his face, as if nothing was inside him. Like he was nothing.
"I know it does, I've seen it. That's why the rest of me is just going to enjoy the show, because we already know that I am the one that beats you."
Lighting struck the sky, showing the pain of the Matrix. The city was cold and empty. And now there would only be pain there. The skies were crying for the world below.
They clenched their fists, and time slowed as they ran towards each other. Angel got up as fast as she could, and ran along side her father between the copies. She had to be with him. She had to. . . She looked over at him, pushing herself through. He looked so angry, so mad at the world around him. She didn't see how he could hate so much. Then they stopped, punching through the air and rain too fast for Angel could see. She could only hear the sound of them breaking through the air. The sound of them breaking the laws.
Angel fell to the ground, a copy punched her in the back. And she stayed on the wet concrete. She stared up at them, the lighting casting their shadows to the buildings. It was unbelievable. Each dodging the other, each making their claims. It was like watching the gods fight. But only one would win, and Angel stared in awe.
"It ends tonight." Angel whispered without realizing it.
They battled like a ballet, it was almost art, like music. Angel could hear the music as they punched. She heard the violins, and the trumpets play loudly. She truly had a poetic soul. She brought words to their battle.
"It ends tonight. Death in sight. Let the warriors battle."
They punched each other in the chest, the force sending each other flying back. Angel turned and saw her father hit the ground.
"Daddy. . ." She whispered, tears rolling down her face.
But Smith got up, only with wrinkles on his suit. He wasn't hurt. He could not be hurt so easily. Not after the pain he's suffered through. All thanks to them. All them. They did this to him. And now the time had come. It was his time. His turn. Nothing could stop him.
Then Smith took flight, with Neo closely behind him.
Angel jumped to her feet, and flew to the top of a small building. She stood, fixated on the battle. She didn't feel like she could move. She seemed so small compared to Smith and Neo. Her legs started shaking. She was scared.
They punched each other in the air. Their fists meeting, the force causing a wave of power to vibrate from them. It was a circle of pure power, it broke all the windows, and even stopped the rain. Angel was thrown back from the force, and so were the warriors. But all recovered.
They grabbed each other in the air, Neo's cloak blowing in the wind. They twisted defying gravity. Flipping threw the air, still trying to punch the other. They kicked through the air, and spun.
"Let them battle. Let it end. For in the words of my father, it is inevitable." Angel whispered.
They flew higher, the rain not even bothering them. Angel jumped closer to them, to the balcony of a building. She watched rise higher, Neo's cloak twisting around Smith, binding them together, keeping the battle on.
"It is like fire, it will burn out. It is like rain, it will end. It is like Earth, it will wear away."
Smith grabbed Neo by the arm, and spun, throwing him into a building. Neo felt pain around his whole body, as he lay on the floor. He had been thrown through four walls. His sunglasses had been thrown aside, revealing the pain in his eyes. But he couldn't stop now. He rose to his feet.
Angel stayed on the balcony, Neo had been thrown into the building next to her, and she watched as her father wiped the rain from his sleeve. She shook her head. He needed to stop. Stop right now, she still hoped for something better than this. Her tears merged with the rain, and Smith flew into the building.
"They will all end, just like this. Let the warriors battle."
Angel jumped over to the building. She jumped onto the broken walls, and lowered to the ground. She crept closer, crawling on the floor, scared of what she would see. There, Neo laid on the ground. Blood dripped from his lip, as he stared up at Smith. Angel stared at her father. He moved hunched a little, weighed down by his anger. Angel lowered her head to the ground, she couldn't see him like this, she couldn't watch.
"Can you feel it, Mr. Anderson? Closing in on you? Oh, I can. I really should thank you. After all, it was your life that taught me the purpose of all life. The purpose of life is to end." Smith said.
Angel looked back up. She crawled to the corner of the room just before her father's. She stayed down, behind a piece of rumble. She saw Neo stand, looking mighty. She looked over at Smith. He seemed confused. He didn't understand why Neo got up. He didn't understand. Then his confusion only turned into more rage, as Neo spat some blood to the floor. Neo only waved his arms, readying himself for more fighting. He only made a gesture to continue, and Smith just lunged for him.
Smith was so close. He looked at the weak human, already bleeding, his cloak stained from the dust. He couldn't win. He couldn't! He wouldn't let him! Neo would pay!
Smith lunged for Neo, but Neo only punched him, and Smith sunglasses fell off. The only things protecting the sadness of his blue eyes were gone. And Smith could see again. He saw his daughter. She was huddled up in the corner. Holding a piece of debris as if it would really protect her. She was watching him. She was watching him. She saw everything.
No. . .
She looked so sad. His Angel had fallen. Her eyes cried tears, and her cuts were bleeding again. She shivered from the cold, or maybe from fear. She was dead on the outside. He had to do something. Maybe hold her, tell her everything would be okay. . . But he knew none of that would work. He froze, his blue eyes staring at her. He couldn't move, her eyes stayed on him.
Then Smith felt a kick to his face. And he was brought back to his harsh reality. Back to the battle. And the thoughts of his Angel seemed to vanish. His face showed anger once again, as he step back, gaining his balance.
Angel stared at the warriors.
"Let it end. Just like fire burns, water rains, and Earth rumbles." She whispered.
Time slowed again, as they fought. Angel saw their silhouettes, like two shadows blending into one. Only the lighting revealed their faces. Neo's cloak made him seem like a wave in the darkness, and Smith only seemed like a demon. They were two shadows, dancing beside light. It was an amazing sight.
But the moment passed, and Smith was kicked out of the window. The world flew passed him as he stopped himself. He awaited Neo, and Neo came to him. Angel ran to the window, and saw them. Fighting in the air once again. She jumped to them. From building to building.
"Let the warriors battle. Let them fight. Let death come in sight. It ends tonight. Let the flame burn out! Have them shout!" Angel mumbled to herself jumping.
There was no purpose in her words. She didn't even know half the time what she said. They were just said, and the rain took them away. Taking the code of the words to blend with the rest of the Matrix. There was no purpose in them. But they were there all the same.
Smith and Neo continued to rise to the air. They flew higher than the tallest buildings, leaving Angel. She still tried though. She had to see. She didn't want to. But she had to. She had to be with her Daddy! She jumped to the highest, and closest building there. See watched. A flightless Angel stared at two warriors high above, like in the heavens. Even the sky did not bound them, as they flew around each other.
Neo tried punching Smith. But he only blocked, and punched Neo in the chest, sending The One flying higher into the air. Smith was so close. So close! No more pain!
They flew in a circle of each other all around the city. Smith flying faster than Neo. Then soon they met. A burst of power came from their meeting. It covered all of the city. The copies stood unfazed, but Angel had to put up her arms over her eyes. Her tears blew away from the wind, and her cloak blew madly. And then she looked up, her father still in the sky, and Neo beginning to fall.
"No. . .Daddy!"
Lighting struck the sky, and the Matrix cried.
Her father grabbed Neo, and they plummeted to the ground.
"No! No! Daddy!"
He couldn't! No! No! This couldn't happen!
Her screams were unheard by Smith, only Neo heard them. But Neo couldn't even move, as his body went numb. He didn't realize what was happening. His eyes were closed, and he felt the wind on his back. He didn't feel Smith grab him, he didn't feel the coming ground. He only saw his Trinity.
It was coming to an end. And Smith would win. He smiled at the ground coming towards him. It would be over soon, and he wouldn't have to fight anymore. No army could match him anymore! Let them try and defeat the Virus, Smith! He started to scream, his voice echoing through out everything.
She couldn't let him kill Neo! She couldn't let him do it!
"Daddy!" Her pleas went unnoticed.
She jumped from building to building, so fast it felt like flying. She fell from to the other, her arms extended, her tears flying into the air, her cloak acting as wings. Angel was sent from the skies. She was so close to her father now, she reached for him. . . She jumped, and he flew past her, and she looked down, as they hit the ground.
The entire Matrix could have shook. Windows shattered, and cars toppled over. Buildings were crushed, and in the end there was a crater, with a body lying in it. Everything fell with Angel. It broke just beneath her, and she flew with the shattered glass. And she saw her father staring down at Neo. Then everything fell to the ground, and Angel stood at the side of the crater. Her father didn't even look at her. He only stared, unbelieving, furious, at the still breathing Neo.
The copies began walking. The surrounded the crater, and pushed Angel aside. She stared at her father's back. She had a bad feeling. Something was going to happen, and it made her chest hurt even more.
"Let the warriors battle. Just like fire burns, and water rains. Just like wind blows, and Earth rumbles. Let it end. Let it end. . ." She whispered.
But then there was only silence, and the rain could be heard. Smith gently kicked Neo, and Neo moved his arm. Smith contained his anger, and titled his head.
Then all the hatred was said. All the things Smith denied was let out. The Agent was exposed.
"Why, Mr. Anderson? Why? Why? What are you doing? Why get up? Why keep fighting?" Smith said.
Angel took a step closer to the edge. She opened her mouth, ready to say something, but nothing came out. Her father didn't understand. He didn't realize what Neo was fighting for. He didn't understand. All this! He didn't understand. He asked why, not wanting to know. Her father was confused, and alone.
"Do you believe you are fighting for something? Something worth more than your survival? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know?"
Angel shivered at that voice. There was nothing but hatred, nothing but evil. That wasn't her father.
"Is it for freedom, or truth? Perhaps peace? Or could it be for love? Illusions Mr. Anderson! Vagaries and perceptions. Temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect, trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose! And all of them as artificial as the Matrix itself! Although, only a human mind could invent something as insipid as love."
"No. . ." Angel whispered.
Tears of an Angel fell to the ground. She shook her head. Her love wasn't an illusion! Love was there! Love was there! She wanted to scream. She wanted to jump into her Daddy's arms. She wanted to fly away. She wanted to be alone with him. She wanted her Daddy. Her Daddy loved her! He felt this love! They had a connection! He was lying! Her Daddy loved her!
Smith thought of Angel briefly, as he said those words. Maybe when this was over, maybe his emotions would go away. . . Did he really want that? Did he want his Angel to never come back?
"You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson, you must know it by now. You can't win! It's pointless to keep fighting! Why Mr. Anderson!? Why!? Why!? Why do you persist!?"
Neo rose to his feet, and Smith stared at him, jaded. How could he continue to fight. He could barely stand. But there, Neo stood, ready for battle. There was no purpose in this!
"Because I choose to." Was all Neo said.
"Daddy. . ." Angel whispered.
Smith twisted his head, he didn't understand. He had no choice! There was no choice. He was going to die, that was all. There was nothing you could do. Nothing! Why did Neo do this? Why did Neo fight? There was nothing left, he could barely stand! Why!? Why!?
Smith just didn't say anything, there was no use trying to understand. He made a fist, and punched through the air. But. But Neo blocked it. Then The One punched too fast for anyone to see, the rain barely moved, and Neo punched Smith right in the face. Smith stood for a moment, shocked of the pain in his face, then he realized he was in the ground.
"Daddy!"
Neo stood in the crater, the rain still falling on his head. His eyes looked as red as Angel's, as he panted for breath. Then he stared at all the copies. They showed no emotion, no worry of their fallen leader. They're barely even moved as they all stared at Neo. Angel through herself to the floor, she was scared. She didn't know what was happening, and only the rain and Neo's breathing could be heard. Angel looked up at Neo, and they stared at each other.
"Neo. . ." Angel whispered.
There was only silence. . . Then the lighting roared.
"This my world! My world!" Smith yelled.
Smith rose from the ground, like the Phoenix with flames in its eyes, it made Angel fly back from the edge. Neo only slightly moved his head, too weak to truly care.
Neo had to die now.
No matter what, Mr. Anderson had to die.
Smith flew down to Neo, and hit him to the ground, just where he belonged. Smith walked quietly to the fallen One. He stood above him savoring the taste of victory. He knew he would win. Smith slightly turned his head, to glance at Angel, and then back to Neo. Then something happened.
"Wait. I've seen this. This is it! This is the end!" Smith yelled.
There would be no more fighting. There would only be Smith. Only be his power. Only be his will, maybe he'd be able to have Angel. But for now, Smith only thought of the future. It would be his. There would be no more fighting! No more battles! No more! Only him!
"You were lying right there, just like that. And I stand here, right here!" Smith yelled, almost happily.
He needed to get things just right, just like his vision. He needed to. If he didn't then things would go wrong, Neo may live. He couldn't have that. Not under anything. He had to do this perfectly. Perfectly. Everything he did had a purpose. He didn't even know how he was acting.
Angel heard something in her father's voice. She didn't know what it was, but she was worried. He never talked like that. He never was like that. Something was wrong, she crawled closer to the edge again.
"I'm supposed to say something."
He couldn't remember what to say. But he had to! If he didn't, it would all go wrong! He would lose! He tried to remember his vision. He tried to remember. Tried to remember something long forgotten, try to find something long lost.
"I say. . .I say. . .Everything that has a beginning has an end, Neo."
That wasn't Smith! Angel sat up, tears still in her eyes, she looked so scared. She knew something was wrong. Her hands started shaking.
Neo opened his eyes, he too knew that wasn't Smith.
"What? What did I just say? No. . .No. . . This isn't right, this can't be right."
"Daddy. . ." She whispered.
There was something wrong. This wasn't right. Why was Neo standing up? Why? Why?! Smith was so close! So close! His victory blinded him of his behavior. He started walking back, and shaking his head, that wasn't right.
Neo stood.
No. Something was wrong! This couldn't be right! What did he do wrong!? Why wasn't Neo dead!? He had to be dead! He had to!
"Get away from me!" Smith yelled, Neo should have been dead.
"Daddy. . ." Never had Angel seen fear in her father.
"What are you afraid of?" Neo asked calmly, he knew what to do.
"It's a trick!"
"You were right, Smith. You were always right. It was inevitable."
Smith panted with fear. Then he saw. Neo held out his arms to him. Yes, it was inevitable. Now, it would be over. It would be over.
Smith walked over to Neo, and lunged his hand into him. The darkness went all over Neo, and he did not fight it this time. He knew what he had to do. Death was inevitable. Neo could feel it go up his neck, and looked to the Matrix sky. He looked to the heavens, and closed his eyes. He thought of Trinity.
"Neo. . ." Angel's eyes widened. "No. . ."
Then there was nothing. Just another soulless copy.
"Is it over?" Smith asked.
The copy nodded.
Smith sighed with relief. He turned his head, and closed his eyes. It was over. All of it was over. Never again. No more pain. No more fighting. No more. . . Just him. . . No more pain. . . Just him. And Angel.
Angel stared unbelieving. Her father won. . . She couldn't move. She should have been running, and hiding. The copies would soon take interest in her. But she couldn't move. She couldn't feel her legs. She only stared at her father.
"No. . ."
Then something happened. The copy twitched.
And in the Real World, Neo made his last stand. His body glowed, and he screamed to his death.
The copy turned its head, still showing no emotion. It was trying to hold back something. There was pain.
Smith stopped, still panting. He started shaking his head.
Angel then felt a pain in her chest. Something she'd never felt before. It hurt. She almost screamed, as she rose to her feet.
The copies' s blue eyes started to glow through the dark sunglasses. Smith only stared, and denied it. This couldn't happen. He had it. . . He had it. . . It was his. His world. His Angel. Why? Why? Then the pain got to him. Even more pain than he already had. This time nothing would make it go away.
"No. . . No. . . It's not fair, it's not fair."
Angel stood, her eyes began to shine, she looked at her father, she didn't know what was happening. She was scared, nothing was going to make it better. Nothing was going to help her. Nothing was going to protect her. Nothing would come. She felt something even greater than terrified. But then she stopped fighting it. She knew what was happening.
Smith looked over at her for the first time. His Angel. His beautiful Angel. He failed. He failed her. Smith still panted for breath, he shook his head at her. He didn't want this. He didn't want to die, he didn't want her to die. He never wanted this. He wanted her to know that. Angel looked only stared at him.
"I love you." She said not knowing if he heard.
Then Smith felt pain. It was allover him. The pain, it wasn't going away. Neo did this! Neo infected him! He went inside him! He held himself, trying to keep himself together. He could feel it, his code, it was going away. . . He tried to hold it together, he tried to stop it. He tried, to live. But the pain was too much. And the light grew brighter. The light that could have been from heaven, only brought death.
She did not scream when the time came. Angel stayed still, tears rolling down her face. She looked down at her hand, the skin beginning to crack, exposing the code beneath. The light was blinding, and her blue eyes shined through it. The rain could not be heard anymore, only the screams of her father. Even then, she didn't seem scared. She accepted death. She accepted the pain. She had felt things like it all her life. And now, maybe she wouldn't feel it anymore. Maybe she and her Daddy could be together. Happy.
It was only hope. But hope doesn't mean it will happen.
She watched him. Her Daddy. He held on tightly, trying to fight this. But Angel knew it was inevitable. She did not fight it. She did not even try. She only felt the blood drip down from her arm, and the pain spread through her chest down to her legs. And her Daddy still tried to live. Her Daddy.
Her Daddy lied to her. Her Daddy hit her. Her Daddy screamed at her. Her Daddy didn't listen to her. Her Daddy killed others. Her Daddy. . . Her Daddy loved her.
Death was coming, and she couldn't fight it.
She did not look away, or close her eyes. She did not look away from death. She stared at her father, until there was nothing.
His screams could be heard echoing through out the entire Matrix, and the light could be seen from anywhere. All the power that was Smith, was let out. And one tear fell to the ground. Then it was over.
He couldn't contain it. The pain was too much for him, and all around the city lights danced. The copies became oblivion in the light, and nothing should have lived.
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
It ends. . .
Then there was nothing for a long time. Only the rain. . .
But there was something.
"Angel. . ." Smith mumbled.
There in the middle of the crater he had created, lay Agent Smith. He lay on his back, the rain falling onto his eyes. He shook his head. He couldn't move, he could hardly breath. Too weak to move, too weak to open his eyes. Only strength for one last thought. On strength for his daughter.
"Daddy."
Smith opened his eyes.
There above him stood his daughter, she was shaking all over, and still crying. She was bleeding, and heaving. But she was alive. Smith stared up at her. Too happy to form words. He shook his head, and tried moving his arms.
Down her arm, Angel's blood dripped from her hand. The blood fell with her tears, onto Smith's suit. The blood stained his white shirt. He looked at it. The stain would never come out.
He breathed almost gasping for air.
"Come here." He said, finally getting his arms up.
Angel couldn't move either. She just fell into his arms. He held her tightly, as she cried from the pain.
Smith grabbed his jacket, and tried pulling it off. He wasn't an Agent anymore, why should he wear an Agent's jacket. He wasn't a Virus anymore, why wear the jacket of a virus? But he couldn't do it. He wanted it off. He didn't want to die with it on. But he couldn't. He was too weak.
"It hurts. . ." Angel whispered.
Her words hurt him. It was like a stab to the heart. Smith could feel tears.
"I know. . .I know. . ."
He held her tighter. He tried to make the pain go away. He tried. . .
Smith could feel it. His code. He could feel it. One by one they were being deleted. Slowly, the pain grew, and their strength weakened. There was an erupting pain in his chest. Something was inside him destroying him. He knew Angel felt that too. He couldn't let her though. She didn't deserve this pain, this slow death. She was his Angel. He couldn't let this happen.
But it was inevitable. They had survived for these moments, only because of their will, and their wills were vanishing with their codes.
Smith held his daughter tightly. Her cloak covered his legs, and she buried her head in his chest, trying to escape the pain. He rubbed her arms, trying to give her warmth, like it would make her live. He squeezed her, like it made any difference keeping them alive.
Then he felt it. Her heartbeat. His little girl's heartbeat. . .
This wasn't right. They shouldn't have been there. They shouldn't die. It wasn't fair. He didn't want this. He never wanted this. If he could only change it. If he could only. . .
He never wanted to give her this pain.
Angel felt it. Death. She grew colder, and shivered in her father's arms. But he only held her tighter. She grabbed his shoulder tightly, and cried on his chest. Cried over his beating heart. Her blood continued to stain Smith's suit. And Angel only felt better, knowing she was in her Daddy's arms.
He didn't want this though. He never want Angel to feel this. He never wanted this. He never wanted her to know such pain and hatred. How could he have done this to her?
"I'm sorry. . . I'm so sorry. . ." He said.
"Daddy. . ."
She looked up at him, and he laid his head on hers. Forehead to forehead. He saw her blue eyes, she saw his.
"I'm so sorry. If I had only listened. . . If I had never pushed. . . It wouldn't be like this. It wouldn't."
A tear went down Smith's face.
"Daddy."
Angel moved closer to him. She laid better on his chest, and Smith turned his head to the sky, crying.
He never wanted this. And he saw now, everything he ever did was wrong. He saw all those times he ever killed someone. All their names he knew. All their families. He remembered everything he ever said. Everything full of pain. Everything full of hatred. Everything. He didn't want this anymore. Everything he ever did was wrong. Everything. He didn't want to hate Neo anymore. . . He wanted only Angel.
He brushed his daughter's hair, and turned this side towards her. He held her tighter now. She was right. He didn't need to fight. He didn't need all this. He just needed her. And now he had failed. And they both had to pay.
"I just want another chance. Everything would be different. Everything would be better, Angel. . ." He said.
"I know. . ."
He was asking for her forgiveness.
Smith held her tighter, trying to keep them alive at least for another minute. Tears came from his eyes, he just wanted something better. He wanted to be her Daddy. He didn't want to be this anymore. He wanted so much. He wanted his daughter. He wanted to be happy. He wanted to laugh.
"I didn't mean anything. . . I didn't! I didn't. . ." He pleaded, crying.
There was love. There was love. There was. That is what he wanted to feel. That's all. No more pain. No more! Get the pain away! Leave us alone!
But the pain didn't leave.
He only wanted more time. He wanted his Angel.
"You're my Angel. You're mine. You told me what was right, and I never listened! My Angel! My guardian Angel!" He yelled.
"Daddy. . ."
Angel was where she should have been all this time. She smiled through her pain, and tears. She grabbed her father tightly. She wasn't going to get pulled away, no one was going to take her away from her Daddy. She was with him. She was in his arms. She could hear his heart. That's all she wanted. She smiled and closed her eyes.
Death was so close. . . He could feel it, his breath were becoming weaker now. His grip on Angel was loosening, but he wasn't going to let go. He would never let go.
Her blood mixed with the mud on his suit, and then their tears. Her cloak covered them both, and Smith laid his cheek on her forehead, still rubbing her arms. Still trying to keep going. Still trying to escape the inevitable.
But the pain never left them. They couldn't take it much longer.
He kissed her on the forehead and she smiled. He smiled back at her. Her eyes were so blue, unlike any other. Almost like his. Her blue eyes. The eyes that stared at him long ago. His beautiful Angel.
He felt her weakening body. Her breathes becoming smaller, her heartbeats become slower. Their lives were leaving them. His daughter's precious life would leave them both.
There was no more hatred.
There was only love.
"I love you." Smith said, kissing her again.
Angel smiled, and rubbed her head in his chest.
"I love you too, Daddy." She said.
They cried together.
Agent Smith was a father. Angel Smith was his daughter. They were together now. And nothing else mattered. Agent Smith loved his daughter. She loved him. The rain fell, and the lighting showed light in the darkness, but that doesn't matter. Smith and Angel were together. Father and Daughter. Nothing could change that. Nothing could change their connection, their love. Smith continued to try. He tried to keep the going, keep the breathing, just another moment. Just another second. He held her. They were together to the end.
Angel smiled in her father's arms. Her Daddy loved her. Her Daddy loved her. Her Daddy held her. She smiled at him. Then she rested her head on his chest, holding tightly to him. She smiled. She was where she always wanted to be, where she should be. She was so happy. Then Angel's grip loosened, and her body went limp. She closed her eyes, and the pain went away.
Smith didn't say anything. He only held her tighter. She was gone, his Angel left him, and she wasn't coming back. He held her tighter, and cried. Her blood still dripped, and she still lay on his chest. But she wasn't there, and Smith huddled up with her, and cried harder than ever before. He only wanted something better.
He only wanted love.
"I love you. . ."
Smith closed his blue eyes.
And Angel took him away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next Chapter: I Promise
Dry your tears
Let go of the fears
Mend your wounds
Stop the bleeding
There is more
Night has not fallen
It isn't over yet
The Sentinels stopped. They began to fly in a bit of a harmony, and they lowered their heads down. They were waiting. And the Rebels looked on, guns still in their hands. And only the man that believed stepped forth. Morpheus.
"Neo. . ." Niobi whispered.
"He fights for us." Morpheus replied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
But unknown to all in the Real World, Neo walked along side a little girl.
Angel's eyes showed her pain to the world. But only Neo bothered to look. The end was here. And Angel couldn't stop it, as tears rolled down her face.
Copies stared in hatred at the two. They scowled at Neo, and Angel really saw how much her father hated this man. She looked down, and didn't want to look at them anymore. She only saw hatred in them. They stole her father's face, and showed her pain. Neo soon found that Angel was holding tightly on his arm.
Then Neo stopped, and he pushed Angel away.
"You should go." He said gently.
Angel looked at him with fear, and turned to the copies. Where would she go? Then turned back to Neo. She didn't want to leave him. She didn't want to be with the copies. They would hurt her. . . But she nodded, she knew she had to. She took a deep breath and shoved her way through the sidewalk. The Smiths did not stop her, they had no time. The shoved her, and stared at her, as she ran through them, keeping up with Neo. She looked through the copies as he walked with a certain stride that only he could master. Then he stopped.
Angel heard the most terrifying thing in her life.
"Mr. Anderson, welcome back we missed you."
It didn't sound like her father. It was horrible, full of more hatred than she had ever heard. She stopped in her tracks and stared between the copies to see her father. She couldn't believe.
"Like what I've done with the place?"
The barren wasteland that used to be a city full of people, was nothing more but a battlefield. Maybe soon a graveyard. Angel looked down, she didn't want to see Smith like this. She didn't want to hear him. She didn't want him like this. He wasn't like this! He was her father! But no. . . He showed nothing like that. No signs of the father that held her. He was only now a warrior about to fight another. Angel held back more tears as she crept closer to him. She held out her hand, kind of entranced by that voice. She stared at him, shoving through the copies. Maybe if she touched him. . . If she talked to him. . . Maybe if she. . .
But a copy shoved her back, and behind Smith's dark shades he turned his eyes to Angel. No. He didn't want her here! After he was done with Neo, they would kill her! She couldn't be her! She couldn't! His Angel!
"It ends tonight." Neo said.
Neo's voice brought Smith back to the battle. He blinked his eyes, and put the thought in the back of his mind. Now was definitely not the time.
Angel sat on the concrete, staring at her father. There was a pain in her chest, and she heaved for breaths. She didn't want to watch, as she saw her father not even look at her. Just stare at Neo, no emotion on his face, as if nothing was inside him. Like he was nothing.
"I know it does, I've seen it. That's why the rest of me is just going to enjoy the show, because we already know that I am the one that beats you."
Lighting struck the sky, showing the pain of the Matrix. The city was cold and empty. And now there would only be pain there. The skies were crying for the world below.
They clenched their fists, and time slowed as they ran towards each other. Angel got up as fast as she could, and ran along side her father between the copies. She had to be with him. She had to. . . She looked over at him, pushing herself through. He looked so angry, so mad at the world around him. She didn't see how he could hate so much. Then they stopped, punching through the air and rain too fast for Angel could see. She could only hear the sound of them breaking through the air. The sound of them breaking the laws.
Angel fell to the ground, a copy punched her in the back. And she stayed on the wet concrete. She stared up at them, the lighting casting their shadows to the buildings. It was unbelievable. Each dodging the other, each making their claims. It was like watching the gods fight. But only one would win, and Angel stared in awe.
"It ends tonight." Angel whispered without realizing it.
They battled like a ballet, it was almost art, like music. Angel could hear the music as they punched. She heard the violins, and the trumpets play loudly. She truly had a poetic soul. She brought words to their battle.
"It ends tonight. Death in sight. Let the warriors battle."
They punched each other in the chest, the force sending each other flying back. Angel turned and saw her father hit the ground.
"Daddy. . ." She whispered, tears rolling down her face.
But Smith got up, only with wrinkles on his suit. He wasn't hurt. He could not be hurt so easily. Not after the pain he's suffered through. All thanks to them. All them. They did this to him. And now the time had come. It was his time. His turn. Nothing could stop him.
Then Smith took flight, with Neo closely behind him.
Angel jumped to her feet, and flew to the top of a small building. She stood, fixated on the battle. She didn't feel like she could move. She seemed so small compared to Smith and Neo. Her legs started shaking. She was scared.
They punched each other in the air. Their fists meeting, the force causing a wave of power to vibrate from them. It was a circle of pure power, it broke all the windows, and even stopped the rain. Angel was thrown back from the force, and so were the warriors. But all recovered.
They grabbed each other in the air, Neo's cloak blowing in the wind. They twisted defying gravity. Flipping threw the air, still trying to punch the other. They kicked through the air, and spun.
"Let them battle. Let it end. For in the words of my father, it is inevitable." Angel whispered.
They flew higher, the rain not even bothering them. Angel jumped closer to them, to the balcony of a building. She watched rise higher, Neo's cloak twisting around Smith, binding them together, keeping the battle on.
"It is like fire, it will burn out. It is like rain, it will end. It is like Earth, it will wear away."
Smith grabbed Neo by the arm, and spun, throwing him into a building. Neo felt pain around his whole body, as he lay on the floor. He had been thrown through four walls. His sunglasses had been thrown aside, revealing the pain in his eyes. But he couldn't stop now. He rose to his feet.
Angel stayed on the balcony, Neo had been thrown into the building next to her, and she watched as her father wiped the rain from his sleeve. She shook her head. He needed to stop. Stop right now, she still hoped for something better than this. Her tears merged with the rain, and Smith flew into the building.
"They will all end, just like this. Let the warriors battle."
Angel jumped over to the building. She jumped onto the broken walls, and lowered to the ground. She crept closer, crawling on the floor, scared of what she would see. There, Neo laid on the ground. Blood dripped from his lip, as he stared up at Smith. Angel stared at her father. He moved hunched a little, weighed down by his anger. Angel lowered her head to the ground, she couldn't see him like this, she couldn't watch.
"Can you feel it, Mr. Anderson? Closing in on you? Oh, I can. I really should thank you. After all, it was your life that taught me the purpose of all life. The purpose of life is to end." Smith said.
Angel looked back up. She crawled to the corner of the room just before her father's. She stayed down, behind a piece of rumble. She saw Neo stand, looking mighty. She looked over at Smith. He seemed confused. He didn't understand why Neo got up. He didn't understand. Then his confusion only turned into more rage, as Neo spat some blood to the floor. Neo only waved his arms, readying himself for more fighting. He only made a gesture to continue, and Smith just lunged for him.
Smith was so close. He looked at the weak human, already bleeding, his cloak stained from the dust. He couldn't win. He couldn't! He wouldn't let him! Neo would pay!
Smith lunged for Neo, but Neo only punched him, and Smith sunglasses fell off. The only things protecting the sadness of his blue eyes were gone. And Smith could see again. He saw his daughter. She was huddled up in the corner. Holding a piece of debris as if it would really protect her. She was watching him. She was watching him. She saw everything.
No. . .
She looked so sad. His Angel had fallen. Her eyes cried tears, and her cuts were bleeding again. She shivered from the cold, or maybe from fear. She was dead on the outside. He had to do something. Maybe hold her, tell her everything would be okay. . . But he knew none of that would work. He froze, his blue eyes staring at her. He couldn't move, her eyes stayed on him.
Then Smith felt a kick to his face. And he was brought back to his harsh reality. Back to the battle. And the thoughts of his Angel seemed to vanish. His face showed anger once again, as he step back, gaining his balance.
Angel stared at the warriors.
"Let it end. Just like fire burns, water rains, and Earth rumbles." She whispered.
Time slowed again, as they fought. Angel saw their silhouettes, like two shadows blending into one. Only the lighting revealed their faces. Neo's cloak made him seem like a wave in the darkness, and Smith only seemed like a demon. They were two shadows, dancing beside light. It was an amazing sight.
But the moment passed, and Smith was kicked out of the window. The world flew passed him as he stopped himself. He awaited Neo, and Neo came to him. Angel ran to the window, and saw them. Fighting in the air once again. She jumped to them. From building to building.
"Let the warriors battle. Let them fight. Let death come in sight. It ends tonight. Let the flame burn out! Have them shout!" Angel mumbled to herself jumping.
There was no purpose in her words. She didn't even know half the time what she said. They were just said, and the rain took them away. Taking the code of the words to blend with the rest of the Matrix. There was no purpose in them. But they were there all the same.
Smith and Neo continued to rise to the air. They flew higher than the tallest buildings, leaving Angel. She still tried though. She had to see. She didn't want to. But she had to. She had to be with her Daddy! She jumped to the highest, and closest building there. See watched. A flightless Angel stared at two warriors high above, like in the heavens. Even the sky did not bound them, as they flew around each other.
Neo tried punching Smith. But he only blocked, and punched Neo in the chest, sending The One flying higher into the air. Smith was so close. So close! No more pain!
They flew in a circle of each other all around the city. Smith flying faster than Neo. Then soon they met. A burst of power came from their meeting. It covered all of the city. The copies stood unfazed, but Angel had to put up her arms over her eyes. Her tears blew away from the wind, and her cloak blew madly. And then she looked up, her father still in the sky, and Neo beginning to fall.
"No. . .Daddy!"
Lighting struck the sky, and the Matrix cried.
Her father grabbed Neo, and they plummeted to the ground.
"No! No! Daddy!"
He couldn't! No! No! This couldn't happen!
Her screams were unheard by Smith, only Neo heard them. But Neo couldn't even move, as his body went numb. He didn't realize what was happening. His eyes were closed, and he felt the wind on his back. He didn't feel Smith grab him, he didn't feel the coming ground. He only saw his Trinity.
It was coming to an end. And Smith would win. He smiled at the ground coming towards him. It would be over soon, and he wouldn't have to fight anymore. No army could match him anymore! Let them try and defeat the Virus, Smith! He started to scream, his voice echoing through out everything.
She couldn't let him kill Neo! She couldn't let him do it!
"Daddy!" Her pleas went unnoticed.
She jumped from building to building, so fast it felt like flying. She fell from to the other, her arms extended, her tears flying into the air, her cloak acting as wings. Angel was sent from the skies. She was so close to her father now, she reached for him. . . She jumped, and he flew past her, and she looked down, as they hit the ground.
The entire Matrix could have shook. Windows shattered, and cars toppled over. Buildings were crushed, and in the end there was a crater, with a body lying in it. Everything fell with Angel. It broke just beneath her, and she flew with the shattered glass. And she saw her father staring down at Neo. Then everything fell to the ground, and Angel stood at the side of the crater. Her father didn't even look at her. He only stared, unbelieving, furious, at the still breathing Neo.
The copies began walking. The surrounded the crater, and pushed Angel aside. She stared at her father's back. She had a bad feeling. Something was going to happen, and it made her chest hurt even more.
"Let the warriors battle. Just like fire burns, and water rains. Just like wind blows, and Earth rumbles. Let it end. Let it end. . ." She whispered.
But then there was only silence, and the rain could be heard. Smith gently kicked Neo, and Neo moved his arm. Smith contained his anger, and titled his head.
Then all the hatred was said. All the things Smith denied was let out. The Agent was exposed.
"Why, Mr. Anderson? Why? Why? What are you doing? Why get up? Why keep fighting?" Smith said.
Angel took a step closer to the edge. She opened her mouth, ready to say something, but nothing came out. Her father didn't understand. He didn't realize what Neo was fighting for. He didn't understand. All this! He didn't understand. He asked why, not wanting to know. Her father was confused, and alone.
"Do you believe you are fighting for something? Something worth more than your survival? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know?"
Angel shivered at that voice. There was nothing but hatred, nothing but evil. That wasn't her father.
"Is it for freedom, or truth? Perhaps peace? Or could it be for love? Illusions Mr. Anderson! Vagaries and perceptions. Temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect, trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose! And all of them as artificial as the Matrix itself! Although, only a human mind could invent something as insipid as love."
"No. . ." Angel whispered.
Tears of an Angel fell to the ground. She shook her head. Her love wasn't an illusion! Love was there! Love was there! She wanted to scream. She wanted to jump into her Daddy's arms. She wanted to fly away. She wanted to be alone with him. She wanted her Daddy. Her Daddy loved her! He felt this love! They had a connection! He was lying! Her Daddy loved her!
Smith thought of Angel briefly, as he said those words. Maybe when this was over, maybe his emotions would go away. . . Did he really want that? Did he want his Angel to never come back?
"You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson, you must know it by now. You can't win! It's pointless to keep fighting! Why Mr. Anderson!? Why!? Why!? Why do you persist!?"
Neo rose to his feet, and Smith stared at him, jaded. How could he continue to fight. He could barely stand. But there, Neo stood, ready for battle. There was no purpose in this!
"Because I choose to." Was all Neo said.
"Daddy. . ." Angel whispered.
Smith twisted his head, he didn't understand. He had no choice! There was no choice. He was going to die, that was all. There was nothing you could do. Nothing! Why did Neo do this? Why did Neo fight? There was nothing left, he could barely stand! Why!? Why!?
Smith just didn't say anything, there was no use trying to understand. He made a fist, and punched through the air. But. But Neo blocked it. Then The One punched too fast for anyone to see, the rain barely moved, and Neo punched Smith right in the face. Smith stood for a moment, shocked of the pain in his face, then he realized he was in the ground.
"Daddy!"
Neo stood in the crater, the rain still falling on his head. His eyes looked as red as Angel's, as he panted for breath. Then he stared at all the copies. They showed no emotion, no worry of their fallen leader. They're barely even moved as they all stared at Neo. Angel through herself to the floor, she was scared. She didn't know what was happening, and only the rain and Neo's breathing could be heard. Angel looked up at Neo, and they stared at each other.
"Neo. . ." Angel whispered.
There was only silence. . . Then the lighting roared.
"This my world! My world!" Smith yelled.
Smith rose from the ground, like the Phoenix with flames in its eyes, it made Angel fly back from the edge. Neo only slightly moved his head, too weak to truly care.
Neo had to die now.
No matter what, Mr. Anderson had to die.
Smith flew down to Neo, and hit him to the ground, just where he belonged. Smith walked quietly to the fallen One. He stood above him savoring the taste of victory. He knew he would win. Smith slightly turned his head, to glance at Angel, and then back to Neo. Then something happened.
"Wait. I've seen this. This is it! This is the end!" Smith yelled.
There would be no more fighting. There would only be Smith. Only be his power. Only be his will, maybe he'd be able to have Angel. But for now, Smith only thought of the future. It would be his. There would be no more fighting! No more battles! No more! Only him!
"You were lying right there, just like that. And I stand here, right here!" Smith yelled, almost happily.
He needed to get things just right, just like his vision. He needed to. If he didn't then things would go wrong, Neo may live. He couldn't have that. Not under anything. He had to do this perfectly. Perfectly. Everything he did had a purpose. He didn't even know how he was acting.
Angel heard something in her father's voice. She didn't know what it was, but she was worried. He never talked like that. He never was like that. Something was wrong, she crawled closer to the edge again.
"I'm supposed to say something."
He couldn't remember what to say. But he had to! If he didn't, it would all go wrong! He would lose! He tried to remember his vision. He tried to remember. Tried to remember something long forgotten, try to find something long lost.
"I say. . .I say. . .Everything that has a beginning has an end, Neo."
That wasn't Smith! Angel sat up, tears still in her eyes, she looked so scared. She knew something was wrong. Her hands started shaking.
Neo opened his eyes, he too knew that wasn't Smith.
"What? What did I just say? No. . .No. . . This isn't right, this can't be right."
"Daddy. . ." She whispered.
There was something wrong. This wasn't right. Why was Neo standing up? Why? Why?! Smith was so close! So close! His victory blinded him of his behavior. He started walking back, and shaking his head, that wasn't right.
Neo stood.
No. Something was wrong! This couldn't be right! What did he do wrong!? Why wasn't Neo dead!? He had to be dead! He had to!
"Get away from me!" Smith yelled, Neo should have been dead.
"Daddy. . ." Never had Angel seen fear in her father.
"What are you afraid of?" Neo asked calmly, he knew what to do.
"It's a trick!"
"You were right, Smith. You were always right. It was inevitable."
Smith panted with fear. Then he saw. Neo held out his arms to him. Yes, it was inevitable. Now, it would be over. It would be over.
Smith walked over to Neo, and lunged his hand into him. The darkness went all over Neo, and he did not fight it this time. He knew what he had to do. Death was inevitable. Neo could feel it go up his neck, and looked to the Matrix sky. He looked to the heavens, and closed his eyes. He thought of Trinity.
"Neo. . ." Angel's eyes widened. "No. . ."
Then there was nothing. Just another soulless copy.
"Is it over?" Smith asked.
The copy nodded.
Smith sighed with relief. He turned his head, and closed his eyes. It was over. All of it was over. Never again. No more pain. No more fighting. No more. . . Just him. . . No more pain. . . Just him. And Angel.
Angel stared unbelieving. Her father won. . . She couldn't move. She should have been running, and hiding. The copies would soon take interest in her. But she couldn't move. She couldn't feel her legs. She only stared at her father.
"No. . ."
Then something happened. The copy twitched.
And in the Real World, Neo made his last stand. His body glowed, and he screamed to his death.
The copy turned its head, still showing no emotion. It was trying to hold back something. There was pain.
Smith stopped, still panting. He started shaking his head.
Angel then felt a pain in her chest. Something she'd never felt before. It hurt. She almost screamed, as she rose to her feet.
The copies' s blue eyes started to glow through the dark sunglasses. Smith only stared, and denied it. This couldn't happen. He had it. . . He had it. . . It was his. His world. His Angel. Why? Why? Then the pain got to him. Even more pain than he already had. This time nothing would make it go away.
"No. . . No. . . It's not fair, it's not fair."
Angel stood, her eyes began to shine, she looked at her father, she didn't know what was happening. She was scared, nothing was going to make it better. Nothing was going to help her. Nothing was going to protect her. Nothing would come. She felt something even greater than terrified. But then she stopped fighting it. She knew what was happening.
Smith looked over at her for the first time. His Angel. His beautiful Angel. He failed. He failed her. Smith still panted for breath, he shook his head at her. He didn't want this. He didn't want to die, he didn't want her to die. He never wanted this. He wanted her to know that. Angel looked only stared at him.
"I love you." She said not knowing if he heard.
Then Smith felt pain. It was allover him. The pain, it wasn't going away. Neo did this! Neo infected him! He went inside him! He held himself, trying to keep himself together. He could feel it, his code, it was going away. . . He tried to hold it together, he tried to stop it. He tried, to live. But the pain was too much. And the light grew brighter. The light that could have been from heaven, only brought death.
She did not scream when the time came. Angel stayed still, tears rolling down her face. She looked down at her hand, the skin beginning to crack, exposing the code beneath. The light was blinding, and her blue eyes shined through it. The rain could not be heard anymore, only the screams of her father. Even then, she didn't seem scared. She accepted death. She accepted the pain. She had felt things like it all her life. And now, maybe she wouldn't feel it anymore. Maybe she and her Daddy could be together. Happy.
It was only hope. But hope doesn't mean it will happen.
She watched him. Her Daddy. He held on tightly, trying to fight this. But Angel knew it was inevitable. She did not fight it. She did not even try. She only felt the blood drip down from her arm, and the pain spread through her chest down to her legs. And her Daddy still tried to live. Her Daddy.
Her Daddy lied to her. Her Daddy hit her. Her Daddy screamed at her. Her Daddy didn't listen to her. Her Daddy killed others. Her Daddy. . . Her Daddy loved her.
Death was coming, and she couldn't fight it.
She did not look away, or close her eyes. She did not look away from death. She stared at her father, until there was nothing.
His screams could be heard echoing through out the entire Matrix, and the light could be seen from anywhere. All the power that was Smith, was let out. And one tear fell to the ground. Then it was over.
He couldn't contain it. The pain was too much for him, and all around the city lights danced. The copies became oblivion in the light, and nothing should have lived.
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
It ends. . .
Then there was nothing for a long time. Only the rain. . .
But there was something.
"Angel. . ." Smith mumbled.
There in the middle of the crater he had created, lay Agent Smith. He lay on his back, the rain falling onto his eyes. He shook his head. He couldn't move, he could hardly breath. Too weak to move, too weak to open his eyes. Only strength for one last thought. On strength for his daughter.
"Daddy."
Smith opened his eyes.
There above him stood his daughter, she was shaking all over, and still crying. She was bleeding, and heaving. But she was alive. Smith stared up at her. Too happy to form words. He shook his head, and tried moving his arms.
Down her arm, Angel's blood dripped from her hand. The blood fell with her tears, onto Smith's suit. The blood stained his white shirt. He looked at it. The stain would never come out.
He breathed almost gasping for air.
"Come here." He said, finally getting his arms up.
Angel couldn't move either. She just fell into his arms. He held her tightly, as she cried from the pain.
Smith grabbed his jacket, and tried pulling it off. He wasn't an Agent anymore, why should he wear an Agent's jacket. He wasn't a Virus anymore, why wear the jacket of a virus? But he couldn't do it. He wanted it off. He didn't want to die with it on. But he couldn't. He was too weak.
"It hurts. . ." Angel whispered.
Her words hurt him. It was like a stab to the heart. Smith could feel tears.
"I know. . .I know. . ."
He held her tighter. He tried to make the pain go away. He tried. . .
Smith could feel it. His code. He could feel it. One by one they were being deleted. Slowly, the pain grew, and their strength weakened. There was an erupting pain in his chest. Something was inside him destroying him. He knew Angel felt that too. He couldn't let her though. She didn't deserve this pain, this slow death. She was his Angel. He couldn't let this happen.
But it was inevitable. They had survived for these moments, only because of their will, and their wills were vanishing with their codes.
Smith held his daughter tightly. Her cloak covered his legs, and she buried her head in his chest, trying to escape the pain. He rubbed her arms, trying to give her warmth, like it would make her live. He squeezed her, like it made any difference keeping them alive.
Then he felt it. Her heartbeat. His little girl's heartbeat. . .
This wasn't right. They shouldn't have been there. They shouldn't die. It wasn't fair. He didn't want this. He never wanted this. If he could only change it. If he could only. . .
He never wanted to give her this pain.
Angel felt it. Death. She grew colder, and shivered in her father's arms. But he only held her tighter. She grabbed his shoulder tightly, and cried on his chest. Cried over his beating heart. Her blood continued to stain Smith's suit. And Angel only felt better, knowing she was in her Daddy's arms.
He didn't want this though. He never want Angel to feel this. He never wanted this. He never wanted her to know such pain and hatred. How could he have done this to her?
"I'm sorry. . . I'm so sorry. . ." He said.
"Daddy. . ."
She looked up at him, and he laid his head on hers. Forehead to forehead. He saw her blue eyes, she saw his.
"I'm so sorry. If I had only listened. . . If I had never pushed. . . It wouldn't be like this. It wouldn't."
A tear went down Smith's face.
"Daddy."
Angel moved closer to him. She laid better on his chest, and Smith turned his head to the sky, crying.
He never wanted this. And he saw now, everything he ever did was wrong. He saw all those times he ever killed someone. All their names he knew. All their families. He remembered everything he ever said. Everything full of pain. Everything full of hatred. Everything. He didn't want this anymore. Everything he ever did was wrong. Everything. He didn't want to hate Neo anymore. . . He wanted only Angel.
He brushed his daughter's hair, and turned this side towards her. He held her tighter now. She was right. He didn't need to fight. He didn't need all this. He just needed her. And now he had failed. And they both had to pay.
"I just want another chance. Everything would be different. Everything would be better, Angel. . ." He said.
"I know. . ."
He was asking for her forgiveness.
Smith held her tighter, trying to keep them alive at least for another minute. Tears came from his eyes, he just wanted something better. He wanted to be her Daddy. He didn't want to be this anymore. He wanted so much. He wanted his daughter. He wanted to be happy. He wanted to laugh.
"I didn't mean anything. . . I didn't! I didn't. . ." He pleaded, crying.
There was love. There was love. There was. That is what he wanted to feel. That's all. No more pain. No more! Get the pain away! Leave us alone!
But the pain didn't leave.
He only wanted more time. He wanted his Angel.
"You're my Angel. You're mine. You told me what was right, and I never listened! My Angel! My guardian Angel!" He yelled.
"Daddy. . ."
Angel was where she should have been all this time. She smiled through her pain, and tears. She grabbed her father tightly. She wasn't going to get pulled away, no one was going to take her away from her Daddy. She was with him. She was in his arms. She could hear his heart. That's all she wanted. She smiled and closed her eyes.
Death was so close. . . He could feel it, his breath were becoming weaker now. His grip on Angel was loosening, but he wasn't going to let go. He would never let go.
Her blood mixed with the mud on his suit, and then their tears. Her cloak covered them both, and Smith laid his cheek on her forehead, still rubbing her arms. Still trying to keep going. Still trying to escape the inevitable.
But the pain never left them. They couldn't take it much longer.
He kissed her on the forehead and she smiled. He smiled back at her. Her eyes were so blue, unlike any other. Almost like his. Her blue eyes. The eyes that stared at him long ago. His beautiful Angel.
He felt her weakening body. Her breathes becoming smaller, her heartbeats become slower. Their lives were leaving them. His daughter's precious life would leave them both.
There was no more hatred.
There was only love.
"I love you." Smith said, kissing her again.
Angel smiled, and rubbed her head in his chest.
"I love you too, Daddy." She said.
They cried together.
Agent Smith was a father. Angel Smith was his daughter. They were together now. And nothing else mattered. Agent Smith loved his daughter. She loved him. The rain fell, and the lighting showed light in the darkness, but that doesn't matter. Smith and Angel were together. Father and Daughter. Nothing could change that. Nothing could change their connection, their love. Smith continued to try. He tried to keep the going, keep the breathing, just another moment. Just another second. He held her. They were together to the end.
Angel smiled in her father's arms. Her Daddy loved her. Her Daddy loved her. Her Daddy held her. She smiled at him. Then she rested her head on his chest, holding tightly to him. She smiled. She was where she always wanted to be, where she should be. She was so happy. Then Angel's grip loosened, and her body went limp. She closed her eyes, and the pain went away.
Smith didn't say anything. He only held her tighter. She was gone, his Angel left him, and she wasn't coming back. He held her tighter, and cried. Her blood still dripped, and she still lay on his chest. But she wasn't there, and Smith huddled up with her, and cried harder than ever before. He only wanted something better.
He only wanted love.
"I love you. . ."
Smith closed his blue eyes.
And Angel took him away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Next Chapter: I Promise
Dry your tears
Let go of the fears
Mend your wounds
Stop the bleeding
There is more
Night has not fallen
It isn't over yet