Hi everyone! I'm glad so many of you still like this story so much, because
I'm still loving writing it! I must say, I never knew that everyone was so
fond of Jon, judging from all the sadness I've had in reviews that he's
dead – and he's definitely dead, he's not coming back. Sorry to all the Jon
fans out there.
Oh, and I've put up a new Matrix fanfic – 'Neo: The Owner's Guide and Maintenance Manual'. So far it's been very popular, but I just thought I'd say in case any of you might want to read it. *cough*
Yes, it is come, the chapter where you find out what's going on! And also, less emotional stuff in this one, more like the actual Matrix films. Which do you prefer – emotional chapters or action chapters? Anyway, enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 14 – Realization
Within two minutes, everyone was assembled on the main deck. Even though it was early in the morning, they were all wide awake when they heard Asha had found out what was going on.
"What is it?" asked Neo.
Asha didn't quite know how to put it into words. "Well, David told me that something was happening in the Matrix - something bad."
"Like what?" said Trinity, "What was it that happened in the film? Zion was about to be destroyed, you don't think that's happening, do you?"
Asha shook her head. "No, I don't think so... David wouldn't care so much about something like that, and I don't think the Architect would put that in the film if it was actually going to happen, do you?"
"Well, what do you think's happening?" asked Trinity.
"I think... I think the Matrix is being shut down."
There was a silence. Neo and Trinity looked at each other. Morpheus looked at Asha, looking thoughtful. No-one said anything. "I know it's unbelievable," she said.
"Why, though?" said Morpheus, "Why would they do that? They need humans to survive."
"I know," said Asha, "But remember, they also use a form of fusion for energy, don't they? Maybe they've improved on that so much the human power plants are redundant.
"Just hear me out," she said as Morpheus opened his mouth. But now she was started, she didn't want to stop. "David said something was happening, that was bad for humans but affected him as well. He said the plans had been brought forward, and that he wanted us to do something about it. Calypso's program was written to defeat us and then return to Zion and destroy that as well. Agent Smith was trying to stop us from preventing whatever's been happening. And he's been happier than I've seen him in ages, he must know he's getting out of here soon."
There was yet another silence. Asha looked at the crewmembers, all looking into space and looking thoughtful. "Come on, it would be good if someone said something now."
Neo looked up. "I think she's right," he said.
"It would explain why Agent Smith would allow her back into the Matrix," said Trinity, "If it was being shut down anyway."
"And the Oracle told me nothing lasts forever," said Falcon, speaking for the first time, "Maybe that's what she was talking about."
"But what can we do about it?" said Neo.
"Isn't that obvious?" said Falcon, "We have to get everyone out of the Matrix. Wake everyone up at once."
"But how?" said Morpheus. Again, everyone was silent. Finally, Asha spoke.
"I need to talk to David again."
"What?" said Neo, "Asha, you trust him? How can you?"
"Last time you went to meet him, you nearly ended up as a guy with a receding hairline and takes twice as long to say stuff as normal people," pointed out Falcon. Asha looked at everyone in the crew.
"Don't you get it? He's not out to hurt me anymore. For now, until we've done what he wants, he's on our side. He'll help us. And we need his help, he knows more about the Matrix than any of us."
Neo looked at her in disbelief. Asha rolled her eyes. "Look, I don't need your permission," she said, "I don't care whether you want me to or not. I'm going." She marched over to one of the chairs and leant back in it. Falcon came over to help her load herself in. She looked up at him. He smiled slightly.
"Be careful," he said, and slid the needle in. Asha felt the feeling of going along a waterslide, and opened her eyes in a dusty storeroom. She lifted up the ringing phone and said, "I'm in. Be back soon. Look, Neo, stay where you are, no coming to find me."
"Fine," she heard Neo say on the Nebuchadnezzar. Asha hung up and broke through a small window at the back. She emerged onto a busy street, and looked up and down it to check for agents. She then sent out thoughts in all directions. There – she could sense him in Central Park. She ran down the street towards there as fast as she could, but trying to look inconspicuous – no doubt the hunt for her would be redoubled after what had happened to Jon.
Finally she entered the park. She saw him on a bench reasonably close to the entrance, looking at her with no surprise evident on his face. She walked over, trying not to look like she was hurrying.
"You've worked it out, haven't you?" said David, a slight smile playing on his face as she sat down, "I guessed you would. And you want my help? How does wonder-boy feel about this?"
"Neo's fine with it," said Asha.
"So what are you planning to do?"
"Well..." Asha paused. How did she know their plan was what David wanted them to do? "We're, um, we were thinking of... waking everyone up in the Matrix?"
David looked straight ahead, but not seeing anything. "And where does that leave me?"
"You can escape the Matrix," said Asha, "Leave it, like you did when you came to get me, and come to Zion."
"I won't be welcome there," said David, "Not after what I did."
"Yes you WILL," insisted Asha, "We just... we just need to know how to do it."
"Well, you'd need to go to the Matrix mainframe," said David, turning business-like, "Get to the section dealing with the power stations. If you sent a strong enough charge to each pod, it would wake up the people, and deactivate the machines in that area as well, so you could escape."
He made it sound so easy that for a moment Asha thought it would be plain sailing. But then she thought about the details. "How would we get there?" said Asha, "I mean, Neo in the Matrix: Reloaded does it by getting a key off the Keymaker. I doubt he's around?"
David shook his head. "You'll have to find another way. But I hope you realise what you're getting yourself into." He was looking at her very seriously. "Millions of people, suddenly waking up, finding out that all they thought was real was fake? Some of the older ones won't make it, Asha. I hope you understand that."
Asha nodded, feeling slightly overwhelmed. "We'll cope somehow."
Her phone rang. She rolled her eyes and pulled it out. "Hello?"
"Get back here," said Tank, "Sentinels."
"Damn," said Asha, turning her phone off.
"Sentinels?" said David.
"This could be more than a coincidence," said Asha, "They could know I'm here... I've got to go, see you around, OK?"
"Good luck," said David, and Asha set off at a sprint.
* * * * *
"Charge the EMP," said Morpheus. Trinity was looking over Tank's shoulder at the screen as Asha raced back to the phonebox.
"What if she doesn't get out?" she said worriedly.
"What would stop her?" said Tank. Trinity shook her head, then froze as she caught sight of something on the screen.
"That," she said. Tank swore loudly, using a word he would never say in front of Asha, and dialled her number again.
"What?" said Asha over the phone.
"Asha, you don't have time to get out of there using a phone, just leave in that other way you do."
"Why?"
"Because-" Suddenly there was the sound of a small shriek from Asha, a clatter suggesting that it had hit the ground, and then nothing. "Asha? Asha?"
For a moment there was nothing. Then a new voice came onto the line, sounding cold and amused. "I'm sorry, Asha can't come to the phone right now. I'll make sure she gets your message." The line went dead.
"Smith," muttered Neo. He turned to Tank. "Get me in there!"
***
Sorry this chapter was slightly short. And – though I'm sad to say – this fanfic is nearing an end. Next chapter is the last chapter, but! This story is following the tradition of all my favourite films and things and is going to be trilogy! Coming soon – the third and final part of Asha's story, 'A Prophecy Fulfilled'. But I might change that title if I can think of a better one. And onto callouts!
Im a Brandybuck – Heart-wrenching! Yay, I achieved heart-wrenching! BOO-YA! Ahem, I mean, yes, it is a very emotional time Asha's going through. And as you can see, it's not getting much better...
Theshiz – Well, at cinemas in England all the screens are in a row behind where you give in tickets, and it's amazingly easy to sneak into older films. My friend did it to get into the Matrix Reloaded, when she stupidly told the ticket person she was 14 when it was a 15. She bought a ticket for 'Johnny English' and snuck in just as it began.
Greenapples – Sorry, Jon's definitely gone. And besides, the cheesiness would go off the chart. See? (points to chart, and where it is labelled 'Asha and Jon got married' the red line shoots off the graph, up the wall and through a hole in the ceiling)
Alocin – She could hit Neo with a spoon... I suppose... I'll try and fit it into the next one! That's my mission! Doubt I'll succeed, but whatever. Always good to have a mission.
Deity of Sorrow – OK! Thanks!
Hogwarts-Drama-Queen – They will? Oo-er. I don't want to be haunted by cliffhangers... what can I do? Maybe I could stop writing them – wait, I know! I'll train my Wob-Wobs in exorcism! Or maybe hire Gandalf...
TBI – Yes, he was, sadly. It would have probably been him, Falcon or Morpheus – and in the end, he was the best person. Save the rest of the killing off for the next part! (cackle)
Sci-freak GrodySpork – You know I was sent 84 copies of your review? Fanfiction went all weird. But as I said to greenapples, Jon's definitely gone, bringing him back would mean I'd need a MUCH bigger cheesiness chart... like, as big as that diamond they found in space... It's the size of America! How cool is that? A diamond that big! Ahem, rambling now. Anyway. Onto the next callout.
Kit19 – (sees Asha huggling Kit back) Oi! You're supposed to be in the story being attacked by Agent Smith!
Asha: Aw, but he's so boring!
Get in there! (Asha walks off sulkily) Sorry, she really does appreciate the hugs. Doesn't get all that many. Anyway, I suppose she could have hit Agent Smith with the spoon... except she hadn't had vanilla coke in the past few days, so there would be no reason for such strangeness...
Sirocco.flow – No, I had that problem too. Sorry that Jon's dead. He's gone to a better place and all that... Yes, no cliffie! First step on the path to recovery! I wonder how long it'll be in the next part until there's a cliffie? (checks first few chapters) Oh, there's one at the end of the second chapter. Fab. I really do have a problem with this...
MollyJean – Sorry I make you wait so long. If I had my way, I'd get to write stories and update all day, but sadly there's this place I sort of have to go to called school... dagnabbit...
Becca and everyone else – Hmm. When I face that problem with a story, if it's a parody or spin-off I watch the film it was based on again and go out for a walk to somewhere I don't go often. Like the railway bridge at the end of my road. I stood there for ages watching trains go past with this blank expression... I think my neighbour who walked past was slightly worried... Hope that helps. Say hi to Claire for me!
Oh, and I've put up a new Matrix fanfic – 'Neo: The Owner's Guide and Maintenance Manual'. So far it's been very popular, but I just thought I'd say in case any of you might want to read it. *cough*
Yes, it is come, the chapter where you find out what's going on! And also, less emotional stuff in this one, more like the actual Matrix films. Which do you prefer – emotional chapters or action chapters? Anyway, enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 14 – Realization
Within two minutes, everyone was assembled on the main deck. Even though it was early in the morning, they were all wide awake when they heard Asha had found out what was going on.
"What is it?" asked Neo.
Asha didn't quite know how to put it into words. "Well, David told me that something was happening in the Matrix - something bad."
"Like what?" said Trinity, "What was it that happened in the film? Zion was about to be destroyed, you don't think that's happening, do you?"
Asha shook her head. "No, I don't think so... David wouldn't care so much about something like that, and I don't think the Architect would put that in the film if it was actually going to happen, do you?"
"Well, what do you think's happening?" asked Trinity.
"I think... I think the Matrix is being shut down."
There was a silence. Neo and Trinity looked at each other. Morpheus looked at Asha, looking thoughtful. No-one said anything. "I know it's unbelievable," she said.
"Why, though?" said Morpheus, "Why would they do that? They need humans to survive."
"I know," said Asha, "But remember, they also use a form of fusion for energy, don't they? Maybe they've improved on that so much the human power plants are redundant.
"Just hear me out," she said as Morpheus opened his mouth. But now she was started, she didn't want to stop. "David said something was happening, that was bad for humans but affected him as well. He said the plans had been brought forward, and that he wanted us to do something about it. Calypso's program was written to defeat us and then return to Zion and destroy that as well. Agent Smith was trying to stop us from preventing whatever's been happening. And he's been happier than I've seen him in ages, he must know he's getting out of here soon."
There was yet another silence. Asha looked at the crewmembers, all looking into space and looking thoughtful. "Come on, it would be good if someone said something now."
Neo looked up. "I think she's right," he said.
"It would explain why Agent Smith would allow her back into the Matrix," said Trinity, "If it was being shut down anyway."
"And the Oracle told me nothing lasts forever," said Falcon, speaking for the first time, "Maybe that's what she was talking about."
"But what can we do about it?" said Neo.
"Isn't that obvious?" said Falcon, "We have to get everyone out of the Matrix. Wake everyone up at once."
"But how?" said Morpheus. Again, everyone was silent. Finally, Asha spoke.
"I need to talk to David again."
"What?" said Neo, "Asha, you trust him? How can you?"
"Last time you went to meet him, you nearly ended up as a guy with a receding hairline and takes twice as long to say stuff as normal people," pointed out Falcon. Asha looked at everyone in the crew.
"Don't you get it? He's not out to hurt me anymore. For now, until we've done what he wants, he's on our side. He'll help us. And we need his help, he knows more about the Matrix than any of us."
Neo looked at her in disbelief. Asha rolled her eyes. "Look, I don't need your permission," she said, "I don't care whether you want me to or not. I'm going." She marched over to one of the chairs and leant back in it. Falcon came over to help her load herself in. She looked up at him. He smiled slightly.
"Be careful," he said, and slid the needle in. Asha felt the feeling of going along a waterslide, and opened her eyes in a dusty storeroom. She lifted up the ringing phone and said, "I'm in. Be back soon. Look, Neo, stay where you are, no coming to find me."
"Fine," she heard Neo say on the Nebuchadnezzar. Asha hung up and broke through a small window at the back. She emerged onto a busy street, and looked up and down it to check for agents. She then sent out thoughts in all directions. There – she could sense him in Central Park. She ran down the street towards there as fast as she could, but trying to look inconspicuous – no doubt the hunt for her would be redoubled after what had happened to Jon.
Finally she entered the park. She saw him on a bench reasonably close to the entrance, looking at her with no surprise evident on his face. She walked over, trying not to look like she was hurrying.
"You've worked it out, haven't you?" said David, a slight smile playing on his face as she sat down, "I guessed you would. And you want my help? How does wonder-boy feel about this?"
"Neo's fine with it," said Asha.
"So what are you planning to do?"
"Well..." Asha paused. How did she know their plan was what David wanted them to do? "We're, um, we were thinking of... waking everyone up in the Matrix?"
David looked straight ahead, but not seeing anything. "And where does that leave me?"
"You can escape the Matrix," said Asha, "Leave it, like you did when you came to get me, and come to Zion."
"I won't be welcome there," said David, "Not after what I did."
"Yes you WILL," insisted Asha, "We just... we just need to know how to do it."
"Well, you'd need to go to the Matrix mainframe," said David, turning business-like, "Get to the section dealing with the power stations. If you sent a strong enough charge to each pod, it would wake up the people, and deactivate the machines in that area as well, so you could escape."
He made it sound so easy that for a moment Asha thought it would be plain sailing. But then she thought about the details. "How would we get there?" said Asha, "I mean, Neo in the Matrix: Reloaded does it by getting a key off the Keymaker. I doubt he's around?"
David shook his head. "You'll have to find another way. But I hope you realise what you're getting yourself into." He was looking at her very seriously. "Millions of people, suddenly waking up, finding out that all they thought was real was fake? Some of the older ones won't make it, Asha. I hope you understand that."
Asha nodded, feeling slightly overwhelmed. "We'll cope somehow."
Her phone rang. She rolled her eyes and pulled it out. "Hello?"
"Get back here," said Tank, "Sentinels."
"Damn," said Asha, turning her phone off.
"Sentinels?" said David.
"This could be more than a coincidence," said Asha, "They could know I'm here... I've got to go, see you around, OK?"
"Good luck," said David, and Asha set off at a sprint.
* * * * *
"Charge the EMP," said Morpheus. Trinity was looking over Tank's shoulder at the screen as Asha raced back to the phonebox.
"What if she doesn't get out?" she said worriedly.
"What would stop her?" said Tank. Trinity shook her head, then froze as she caught sight of something on the screen.
"That," she said. Tank swore loudly, using a word he would never say in front of Asha, and dialled her number again.
"What?" said Asha over the phone.
"Asha, you don't have time to get out of there using a phone, just leave in that other way you do."
"Why?"
"Because-" Suddenly there was the sound of a small shriek from Asha, a clatter suggesting that it had hit the ground, and then nothing. "Asha? Asha?"
For a moment there was nothing. Then a new voice came onto the line, sounding cold and amused. "I'm sorry, Asha can't come to the phone right now. I'll make sure she gets your message." The line went dead.
"Smith," muttered Neo. He turned to Tank. "Get me in there!"
***
Sorry this chapter was slightly short. And – though I'm sad to say – this fanfic is nearing an end. Next chapter is the last chapter, but! This story is following the tradition of all my favourite films and things and is going to be trilogy! Coming soon – the third and final part of Asha's story, 'A Prophecy Fulfilled'. But I might change that title if I can think of a better one. And onto callouts!
Im a Brandybuck – Heart-wrenching! Yay, I achieved heart-wrenching! BOO-YA! Ahem, I mean, yes, it is a very emotional time Asha's going through. And as you can see, it's not getting much better...
Theshiz – Well, at cinemas in England all the screens are in a row behind where you give in tickets, and it's amazingly easy to sneak into older films. My friend did it to get into the Matrix Reloaded, when she stupidly told the ticket person she was 14 when it was a 15. She bought a ticket for 'Johnny English' and snuck in just as it began.
Greenapples – Sorry, Jon's definitely gone. And besides, the cheesiness would go off the chart. See? (points to chart, and where it is labelled 'Asha and Jon got married' the red line shoots off the graph, up the wall and through a hole in the ceiling)
Alocin – She could hit Neo with a spoon... I suppose... I'll try and fit it into the next one! That's my mission! Doubt I'll succeed, but whatever. Always good to have a mission.
Deity of Sorrow – OK! Thanks!
Hogwarts-Drama-Queen – They will? Oo-er. I don't want to be haunted by cliffhangers... what can I do? Maybe I could stop writing them – wait, I know! I'll train my Wob-Wobs in exorcism! Or maybe hire Gandalf...
TBI – Yes, he was, sadly. It would have probably been him, Falcon or Morpheus – and in the end, he was the best person. Save the rest of the killing off for the next part! (cackle)
Sci-freak GrodySpork – You know I was sent 84 copies of your review? Fanfiction went all weird. But as I said to greenapples, Jon's definitely gone, bringing him back would mean I'd need a MUCH bigger cheesiness chart... like, as big as that diamond they found in space... It's the size of America! How cool is that? A diamond that big! Ahem, rambling now. Anyway. Onto the next callout.
Kit19 – (sees Asha huggling Kit back) Oi! You're supposed to be in the story being attacked by Agent Smith!
Asha: Aw, but he's so boring!
Get in there! (Asha walks off sulkily) Sorry, she really does appreciate the hugs. Doesn't get all that many. Anyway, I suppose she could have hit Agent Smith with the spoon... except she hadn't had vanilla coke in the past few days, so there would be no reason for such strangeness...
Sirocco.flow – No, I had that problem too. Sorry that Jon's dead. He's gone to a better place and all that... Yes, no cliffie! First step on the path to recovery! I wonder how long it'll be in the next part until there's a cliffie? (checks first few chapters) Oh, there's one at the end of the second chapter. Fab. I really do have a problem with this...
MollyJean – Sorry I make you wait so long. If I had my way, I'd get to write stories and update all day, but sadly there's this place I sort of have to go to called school... dagnabbit...
Becca and everyone else – Hmm. When I face that problem with a story, if it's a parody or spin-off I watch the film it was based on again and go out for a walk to somewhere I don't go often. Like the railway bridge at the end of my road. I stood there for ages watching trains go past with this blank expression... I think my neighbour who walked past was slightly worried... Hope that helps. Say hi to Claire for me!