Now on chapter eleven, LM learns one of Neo's techniques, stopping bullets. But in order for him to learn that skill, he must learn that there is no spoon. If you guys don't know what it mean, just read the chapter.

Chapter Notes: There are two parts from both Matrix one and Reloaded.

Narrative: Italics

Disclaimer: I don't own the Matrix.

Chapter 11: Stopping Bullets

LM: For the past two months, I've been going through Morpheus's basic training programs and I've seemed to be getting good at it. I've improved on my battle combat, target practice, jumping off from multiple buildings, the works. Even Morpheus said that my skills have been improving so much as of late. I knew that one day that Neo's going to teach me his specialties, his powers. But the truth is I don't know when he's going to train me. All I have to do is to wait and train until the time will come.

LM was at the shooting range program firing an M4 Assault Rifle at a picture of a person colored entirely in black with white circles in the middle of the body. Back in the real world, the real LM was sitting on the chair with the needle plugged in to his neck while Link and Morpheus monitored LM's progress. Neo then approached both the captain and operator.

Neo: How's LM doing today?

Link: For what I know, he's doing pretty well. He'd been in Zion for two months and so far, his performance on all the training programs are really impressive.

Morpheus: Indeed, LM has shown that he can be a soldier of Zion.

Neo: I see. Then I think it's time.

Back in the Matrix, LM continued shooting at the target when he ran out of ammo. He pushed a button on the side of his window box and the target paper moved forward. He then took it off its rack and observed it. The target had a large hole in the center of it and smaller holes around it.

Neo: Not bad, but it won't do any good against agents.

LM looked behind him and saw Neo.

LM: Neo, you scared me. What are you doing here?

Neo: I just want to see how you doing.

LM: Well for starters, I'm improving on all the skills here on the training programs, I'm made some friends at the orphanage, and I'm getting use to my surroundings.

Neo: I take it that your enjoying Zion then.

LM: Enjoy it? This is like a new kind of Tomorrow Land at The Magic Kingdom. It's amazing!

Neo: Glad you like it. Now the real reason I'm here is that I want you to do me favor.

LM: O.K.

Neo: First, I want you to reload your rifle.

LM grabbed one of the clips from the rack and inserted it to his rifle. Neo then entered the shooting range and approached LM's window. When LM finished reloading, he looked up and saw Neo standing where the target paper was.

Neo: O.K. LM, this is real simple for you. All you have to do is to shoot me.

LM: What?

Neo: Don't worry LM this is a test of trust and you trust me right?

LM: Yeah.

Neo: Then go ahead and shoot me!

LM: I don't know-

Neo: Come on LM; SHOOT ME!

LM shook the gun nervously and pointed it at Neo, still thinking that he's nuts.

Neo: DO IT!

LM closed his eyes tightly and pulled the trigger, firing the rifle at Neo. When the clip went empty, LM opened his eyes to see if Neo got killed. What he saw was Neo still alive holding his right hand up with the bullets frozen in their place in front of him. Neo then let his hand down, letting the bullets fall to the floor. LM stared at what happened both speechless and dumbfounded.

LM: How the- What the- Did you just- What did you do?

Neo: It's one of my special techniques called Bullet Stop. It's when with a hand; you can stop an arsenal of flying bullets. It's perfect when you are outnumbered and outgun.

LM: What's sweet! How did you do that?

Neo: It's quite simple. Come in here and I'll teach you.

With that, LM put his rifle away and entered the shooting range.

Neo: Now, this is by far the most difficult technique ever known. You have to do what you did at the Jump program, let go of all your fear and doubt. You must focus real hard in order to perfect this skill.

Neo then exited the range and headed to the window where LM was. He then took out a Glock 9mm pistol from the weapons rack as well as some bullet clips. That made LM nervous.

LM: Whoa, wait a sec. You're going to shoot me?

Neo: You have to learn about stopping bullets, and this is the only way. Don't worry kid, these are just rubber bullets, they don't kill you but they can sting you.

LM was relieved about the pistol.

Neo: Let us begin. Try to free your mind and let go of any thoughts about you getting killed. Try to believe.

LM nodded and readied himself for the gunshots. Neo loaded the first clip into the pistol and pointed it at LM, who had his hand held up in front of the face. Neo then started to open fire on LM. Half of the rubber bullets stopped but the other half just hit his body, stinging him. LM went on one knee feeling the stings on the arms and body. Neo hurried back into the shooting range to check on LM.

Neo: Are you O.K.?

LM: Yeah, but I guess I have a lot more to learn then I thought.

Neo: Maybe, but I think I can show you another way that can help you.

Neo opened his black Japanese trench coat and put his hand inside his pants pocket. When he took it out, he had a silver spoon in his hand. LM starred at it with a strange confusion in his face.

LM: A spoon? What would that have to do with my training?

Neo: Listen LM, in the Matrix, not only you can break the rules, but you can bend reality as well. Someone once told me not to bend the spoon with your hands. Instead, only try to realize the truth.

LM: What truth?

Neo: That there is no spoon. Then you see that it's not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.

Neo then concentrated on the spoon and in an instant, the spoon twisted and turned into different directions. LM was amazed when Neo turned the spoon back to its original form and handed it to him.

Neo: Now it's your turn LM. Try and concentrate, focus your strength and energy on the spoon.

LM nodded and looked at the spoon. He kept starring at it, concentrating hard to bend the spoon. After a few minutes of trying, the spoon finally bended slightly to the left. LM looked at it and couldn't believe it while Neo was satisfied at what he sees.

Neo: Not bad, but we have much to do.

For half an hour, LM concentrated on the spoon some more, turning it one way and twisting it another. He bended the spoon in different directions and shaped them into different angles. When he was ready he was standing at the shooting range looking at Neo, who was holding the pistol.

Neo: All right, let's try this again. Try to believe in yourself, free your mind.

Neo then pointed the gun at LM while LM closed his eyes and focused on the task at hand, whispering to himself.

LM: (whispering) There is no spoon… There is no spoon…

LM then opened his eyes and held his hand up in front of him. Neo fired his pistol at LM with rubber bullets. LM then stopped all the bullets with one hand unlike last time. Neo was pleased at what he saw and decided to take it to the next level.

Neo: Nice work LM. I think it's time we take it up a notch.

He then approached the weapons rack and took out an automatic MP5 rifle and loaded it with real bullets. He then approached the window where LM was standing on the other side. Neo pointed the rifle at LM and started firing. LM luckily stopped the real bullets with one hand. Once it was over, LM dropped his hands, sending all the bullets to the floor.

Neo: Congratulations LM, it seems that you proved that you could be a brave soldier in the future.

LM: Thanks Neo.

Neo: Your welcome. Looks like we're done here.

Neo put the rifle down, but the rifle then caused a malfunction and was shaking violently. Neo looked back and notices the gun acting up. He even notices LM walking away from the window, not knowing the gun was still pointing at him.

Neo: LM, LOOK OUT!

LM turned around and saw the gun firing the rest of the bullets inside the clip. LM was going to die but, without warning, he bended backward with his arms spinning around and dodged all the bullets, leaving only scratches on his legs and arms. He landed on the ground on his back and Neo rushes into the range to see if he's O.K

Neo: LM, are you hurt?

LM: Nah, I'm cool. What happened?

Neo: The rifle went crazy and started to fire bullets at you automatically. You somehow dodged the bullets with another one of my techniques. How did you do that?

LM: I don't know; guess I was taught by the best.

Neo: Maybe you're right. And you know what, I think you're starting to act like me.

LM gave a warm smile then a laugh. But he knew Neo's right, he is starting to act like him.

End of Chapter 11. Next chapter's going to be when LM meets Commander Lock and gets assigned to a team. Please Review.