Notes: thanks for the reviews. In response I think it's worth pointing out that if you watch Reloaded, the Architect doesn't actually say that the Oracle is the Mother, all he says is 'please', rolling his eyes. It gave me the idea that maybe the Oracle wouldn't have to be the Mother at all. Thank you anyway! Please stick with me on this story. I'm sorry it often takes me a while to update, but it will actually get finished!

For a moment Neo stared directly at her. He could tell that this was no longer a game. She was serious, and shaking his head in amazement at himself for never seeing it before, he finally began to realise the obviousness of it all. The Architect had described her as a program designed to investigate certain aspects of the human psyche, and had that this program had also been responsible for adding the element of choice to the Matrix that allowed it to function.

His mind flicked back to the choice she had given him. Kiss her and she'd give them the Keymaker, or leave without the Keymaker. He hadn't thought of it this way before. He'd automatically assumed that the Architect was speaking of the Oracle. Persephone had not even crossed his mind.

"Is that why you gave us the Keymaker? To reaffirm the 'system of control' that was being exerted over me?"

"Yes. My husband knew that he was supposed to do so, but he refused. He has agendas of his own, shall we say."

"Why are you telling me this?" his tone was unnecessarily demanding, but in so few hours, he felt as if he'd been hit with too many surprises. He was coming to the end of his tether.

"Because you need to know, Neo." As she spoke she reached into her snakeskin purse, retrieving a golden tube of lipstick. For such a serious situation, her actions seemed a little relaxed, as if this was simply a social conversation.

"Why?"

"I'm here to help you. I don't believe you realise what is going on here, do you?" Neo shook his head at her, as she looked at him sternly, before expertly applying her lipstick. There was silence as she did so, and then she continued. "I'm afraid I have to offer you another choice, Neo. I believe my husband has been filling your head with ideas of rebellion?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you really think it wise to trust my husband?"

Neo did not know what to say. He felt as if he were in another impossible situation and subconsciously he was praying that this new choice would not involve Trinity's life. He couldn't bare it again.

"When I spoke to the Architect, how much of what he told me was true, and how much was simply just a way of keeping me controlled?"

Persephone paused. She hadn't expected such a question. "You made the unexpected choice, Neo. It was assumed that you would sacrifice Trinity's life, despite your love for her, to save Zion and your people. To an extent, you have thrown the system into turmoil. The system and the 'Prophecy' no longer control you. In answer to your question, all that he told you about the origins of the Matrix, and what will occur as a result of the choice you made, is true."

"So is this new choice you want to give me another way of controlling me? Is this the response of the Architect to my choice?"

"No." Persephone sifted in her seat, lowering her eyes, as if she felt awkward for a moment. "This is a result of what my husband is doing. I can't tell you a lot Neo, and we don't have a lot of time, so I'm afraid I will just have to offer this to you directly. I can not explain to you anything about these choices, and why you must make them. It is a decision you must make for yourself." Neo nodded, signalling that he understood.

"Very well," a smile lit up her face, and Neo noticed the glint in her eye. Her sultry looks were overpowering, and she knew how to play on this feature. "Option one: You can do as my husband wishes, and allow the Smith virus to take over every human connected to the Matrix. However, I must warn you that this option will comply with the wishes of my husband, and the eventuality of this decision will lead you to be in direct conflict with him. If you win, you will lead the Rebels Humans to victory. If he wins, every human life inside that Portal will be at risk. Including the life of your beloved Trinity."

"Option two: You can fight the Virus. This will lead to all humans inside the Portal being transferred back to the matrix if you win. My husband will lose. His plan will have failed. You will allow the destruction of Zion, and then do as the Architect suggested, choosing a selection of men and women to rebuild Zion. And you will have power. You will stay within the Matrix forever, never leaving, and you will be given all the power you could ever want, on the condition that you do comply with the regulations of the machines."

She paused, allowing Neo to think this through.

"However, one of these regulations is that, although their lives will be spared, you may never have any contact with any of the Rebels again. Including Trinity."

She flicked her silky hair back over her shoulders. "I pity you for being in love."