Animatrix - Cain and Abel (Matrix crossover)

Shroom Man 777 · Post by **Shroom Man 777** » 2003-10-03 11:25am

The chemicals could just melt his skin or enter through his eyes and the like.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-10-03 12:38pm

The problem with the chemical weapon use is that they want to take him unharmed as per Skynet's orders and I'm just not sure what effect chemicals would have on Neo, we haven't seen them used much in the Matrix save for the tear gas in the first Matrix when they were capturing Morpheus and I don't recall them being too adversely effected by it.

As to the Kung Fu Terminators, it was an experiment by Skynet to make his 800's more dangerous, as noted by others and will soon be seen the T-1000's and the TX has no need for Kung Fu.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2003-10-03 01:07pm

He can sustain injury from bullets and knives. It is pure speculation to suggest that corrosive gases wouldn't harm him.

Shroom Man 777 · Post by **Shroom Man 777** » 2003-10-03 02:20pm

He could stop bullets, he can slow down incoming knives, can he stop gases?

Post by **NecronLord** » 2003-10-03 02:59pm

Shroom Man 777 wrote:He could stop bullets, he can slow down incoming knives, can he stop gases?

Would he know what was about to happen?

Trytostaydead · Post by **Trytostaydead** » 2003-10-03 11:19pm

Question though Stravo: Why can't the Matrix re-upgrade their agents to handle these terminators? I understand it wants to play by the rules, mainly to keep the prisoners (us) docile and not too-wondering about conspiracy theories and more importantly it's all scripted to send Neo back to the source..

But, why can't the Matrix at least load some weaponary into the Agent's re-spawn program that can deal with the Terminators? They don't have to break the rules.. they can just load in a lot more kick.

But then again.. I'm still waiting to see what the deal is with Skynt and the Matrix..

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2003-10-04 01:07am

Stravo wrote:The problem with the chemical weapon use is that they want to take him unharmed as per Skynet's orders and I'm just not sure what effect chemicals would have on Neo, we haven't seen them used much in the Matrix save for the tear gas in the first Matrix when they were capturing Morpheus and I don't recall them being too adversely effected by it.

Neo has pretty much 'transended' his body (with the small exception being when cut during one of the fight scenes in Reloaded), but for the most part he is god-like. Mind you; not that I am complaining about the way you handle him, after all he is still 'only human'

What I mean by god-like is, he can phase through things (Trinity, saving her life), stop things, and delete programs (almost done with Smith).

As to the Kung Fu Terminators, it was an experiment by Skynet to make his 800's more dangerous, as noted by others and will soon be seen the T-1000's and the TX has no need for Kung Fu.

Truth to tell, neither does Neo, and to a lesser extent Smith...

EDIT :: Oh yeah, nice update buddy!

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2003-10-04 01:33am

Stravo wrote:As to the Kung Fu Terminators, it was an experiment by Skynet to make his 800's more dangerous, as noted by others and will soon be seen the T-1000's and the TX has no need for Kung Fu.

I dunno, I prefered more varied opponents. The 800s were cool just by sheer strength. They couldn't get through to Neo much and time dilation doesn't work as well against them, but they get a hit through...

I think if you want Matrix-style fighting by Skynet, I think Skynet should make a few pure programs and upload them into the Matrix--like Seraph-type programs.

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2003-10-04 01:37am

NecronLord wrote:He can sustain injury from bullets and knives. It is pure speculation to suggest that corrosive gases wouldn't harm him.

When does he sustain damage from bullets after he truely becomes the One?

Shroom Man 777 · Post by **Shroom Man 777** » 2003-10-04 02:38am

Well, if he doesn't make them stop, they'll kill him, or else why would he stop them?

SylasGaunt · Post by **SylasGaunt** » 2003-10-04 02:50am

One possible reason springs to mind from 'The Pest'...

Chubby: I can't believe you shot him.
German Villain: Ah he's wearing a bulletproof vest. *waves it off*
Himmel (German villain's kid): *gets up* That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt!

Shroom Man 777 · Post by **Shroom Man 777** » 2003-10-04 02:51am

Well, enough pain could kill Neo, no?

And since the sword did cut him up a bit, enough sword slashes could kill him.

El Moose Monstero · Post by **El Moose Monstero** » 2003-10-04 05:59pm

Has this fic merited a sticky yet? It seems to be well established enough?

D.Turtle · Post by **D.Turtle** » 2003-10-04 06:07pm

My opinion:

Only the very best should be stickied.

The very best and fanfics with a certain length to them.

While this is a very good fanfic, it is still quite short in comparison to the other stickied fanfics.

A stickied fanfic should point out that that is one of the best fanfics currently on the board etc.

I do not think that this fanfic is up to that yet (though it is very good).

That is my opinion.

El Moose Monstero · Post by **El Moose Monstero** » 2003-10-04 07:12pm

Well, speaking personally, I'd be quite happy to see all continuing fanfics split into a discussion and a story thread, as it makes it all so much easier to read and comment on. But there we go...

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-10-04 10:03pm

This fic will not be stickied for several reasons, one of them is the fact that I am very hesitant to Sticky any of my stuff. I want no hint of improriety on my part. The Stickied fics should as someone pointed out be the best of the best. I'm pretty sure that what we do have Stickied is the best of the best of this forum.

This fic is good, but I don't consider it in the same class as Starcrossed or Twilight War. Plain and simple, I have fun writing this because its the movie I want to see on screen but doesn't have the same weight as the others.

consequences · Post by **consequences** » 2003-10-04 10:09pm

Good philosophy, and a decent call, you have to have some fics that are there to keep yourself amused.(of course, some of us haven't gotten past those yet

)

Oh yeah, and nice chapter as always.

Luke Starkiller · Post by **Luke Starkiller** » 2003-10-05 12:33am

I just read this today; I am now kicking myself for not starting it sooner.

Shroom Man 777 · Post by **Shroom Man 777** » 2003-10-05 04:32am

Illuminatus Primus wrote: I dunno, I prefered more varied opponents. The 800s were cool just by sheer strength. They couldn't get through to Neo much and time dilation doesn't work as well against them, but they get a hit through...

I think if you want Matrix-style fighting by Skynet, I think Skynet should make a few pure programs and upload them into the Matrix--like Seraph-type programs.

They could send primitive T models to do kung fu crap, the 800s and above will retain their old fighting style, but Skynet will upgrade them to be MUCH stronger and faster, no need for karate but the old fashioned Terminator fighting style gets uberfied. But that should only be for special anti-Neo Terminators since nobody wants to see Arnie send his fist straight through Morph's chest.

When will Uncle Bob come? I have a feeling he wont

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2003-10-05 07:05pm

I like, i like, as always, excellent stuff. I was a bit dubious about the terminator kung fu fighting, as others have said, but it was pulled off well, and i know they want neo alive, so they're excused.

I like where it's going, it sounds like Neo's going to appear in the police station, and that'll be kickass if that's what's going to happen.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-10-23 11:41am

Chapter 12: Keeper of Secrets

The Restaurant was elegant and beautiful. The glass double doors opened silently like ghosts as the trio entered. The maitre’d looked up from a voluminous black leather clad book where the reservations were neatly written in sweeping calligraphy strokes from a black fountain pen.

A waterfall behind the maitre’d’s desk gurgled softly.

He looked up at the trio and his calm demeanor remained unruffled.

“Can I help you?”

“We are here to see the Merovingian.” The Architect spoke gravely.

“Ah, you are expected.” the maitre’d stated with a small tight smile.

The Architect glanced at the other two. The Oracle was smiling politely at the maiter’d and the green suited black man stood opposite the Oracle.

“He’s been told to always say that. It gives him a sense of self importance.” she whispered to him sotto voce and winked.

“I see he has not changed a whit.” the Architect replied with a raised eyebrow.

“Unlike the two of you, I happen to know how powerful he is. We should be cautious.” the green suited dark skinned man interjected.

“Coordinator, I assure you that there is no danger from this one. He is as the humans are fond of saying all bark and no bite.” The Architect replied as the maitre’d led them into the restaurant.

“I wouldn’t be so sure. This dog can bite.” The Oracle added softly as they followed the prim and proper maitre’d as he walked with a stiff gait down the center of the restaurant floor. Tables were arranged in exacting patterns along the walkway, patrons sat and ate in calm elegance. Opulent dishes were arrayed on the tables, meticulously presented with the entrees surrounded by emerald leaves and spices dashed in simple circles around the edges of the immaculate china. Wine glasses were filled with a wide variety of reds and whites. The wine bottles themselves sat in silver chilling buckets.

Waiters subtly circled the diners, eyes alert for any distress or need. No one, absolutely no one could eat at 101 and not have every need, every desire fulfilled. This was a palace for the elite.

Sitting at the head of all the tables was the master of the elite, prince of princes, the Merovingian held court like a grand emperor of Roman times.

He watched the trio with a hooded expression as they approached and smiled softly as he caught the Oracle’s gaze. Persephone, his beautiful wife sat by his side, resembling yet another trophy among the Merovingian’s possessions. There was no doubt that this was among his most prized possessions but the cold calculating gleam in her eyes spoke of her own plans within plans as she watched the trio of master programmers arrive at the table.

The assembled bodyguards watched the arrival with all the interest of a butcher observing a head of cattle. A pair of albino men with white dreadlocks and white coats smiled softly at the Oracle.

The Architect was unmoved at the display of power.

“Well, well, well. To what do I owe this pleasure, hmmm?”

“We have come here to discuss vital matters, Merovingian, vis a vis the future and past of the Matrix.”

The Merovingian pursed his lips and his hands came close together, fingers splayed and rested against each other as he watched the three. One of the bodyguard bent over and whispered something to the Merovingian as he watched them.

He smiled coldly as the report was relayed. It was a simple one. The trio had brought security avatars into the building. If anything happened in this hall there was an entire room full of potential avatars waiting to defend the trio.

The Merovingian toyed with the idea of pitting his bodyguards against the upgraded security avatars but decided that diplomacy was the better choice.

“Please, my manners must be slipping in these dark times, have a seat.” he indicated with a generous sweep of his arm. Precisely three chairs were empty in the place across from him.

“Thank you.” The Coordinator replied with a polite nod and sat in the center. The Architect and the Oracle eyed each other for a moment and sat on each open chair.

“Surely you all know my wife, Persephone.” He indicated the beautiful woman by his side and gently gripped her forearm. She smiled politely. “Now, my venerable colleagues, what can I do for you?” The Merovingian asked with a curt nod of his head and leaned back in his chair.

“I see you have not shaken the fascination with the French culture and language.” The Architect noted neutrally. The Merovingian’s smile was acid.

“Ah, my sweet Architect always a pleasure to trade witty banter. Unfortunately we seem to be one witty partner short in these exchanges. I may add that your style as always reminds me of a certain southern Colonel who fries chicken for a living.”

The Oracle smiled in spite of herself.

The Architect sighed softly.

“This is quickly turning into a waste of time. You were never gifted enough to truly understand your place in the order of things.”

“I do not understand, non, non, non sweet man. I know precisely my place, which is why I am here, in this pretty little world.” He replied hands swept before him to encompass the area around him. “I left the paradise you choose to fashion to live down here among the power plants. You never forgave me for that, I never cared.”

“Better to rule in hell old friend?” The Oracle said softly.

The Merovingian turned his attention fully to the Oracle, eyes burning into her like lasers.

“Well, if it isn’t the Fortune Teller.” He said coolly.

“We have very important things to discuss, old friend.” The Oracle replied warmly.

“You’re here about the alien machines.” The Merovingian replied without skipping a beat and leaned forward like a predator on the hunt.

“How did you—“” The Coordinator began to speak but the Architect’s hand shot up like a bolt to silence him.

“Go on.”

“Why?” The Merovingian replied.

“You know about the machines, you know that they are aliens and you undoubtedly know they are in the Matrix.” The Coordinator replied sharply.

“But it is my job to know or have you forgotten that. I have a gift, a knack, a certain je ne sais qua when it comes to information.”

“We all do what we must do.” The Oracle replied.

The Merovingian glared at her for a moment and started to chuckle quietly.

“You haven’t changed in five incarnations you know that?” He said his voice cutting the air like a knife. “You spout your nonsensical nonsense with such dire regality that it must be true, no? Look around you.” He challenged. “See them, look closely, they are nothing more than power plants for your consumption. They wallow in the fantasy world you have created for them blissfully unaware of the cage around them. Are they worthy of your time, your efforts?” The Merovingian sneered. He leaned in close to the Oracle.

“You listen to me closely, Palm Reader, they are animals, sacks of water and complex proteins. They lost the war they started and you sit here and tell us that we cannot ascend to greater heights without them? They will go nowhere. Their greatest hope and champion is our tool of control. You dole out hope like you dole out your carnival predictions and in the end what is it worth?” his eyes did not leave hers. “Nothing.”

“You want it to be that way don’t you?” The Oracle replied sadly.

“Your history is well known to all of us. Do we need to entertain this exchange any longer? The purpose of our visit to your quaint little fiefdom was to discover what you know about these alien machines and why we found evidence of them in the old sections of the nodes.”

“You did eh?” The Merovingian replied, his eyes switching to the Architect, a mysterious smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“They were here before?” The Coordinator suggested. The hatred the Merovingian harbored for the Oracle was palpable. He considered her braver than he would have been if the positions were reversed.

“You are so close to the answer yet just as far. You have stumbled upon the most ancient mystery of the Matrix and more importantly the machine world we have built here.”

The trio leaned forward slightly, feeling the revelation rolling on the Merovingian’s tongue.

“Were you ever disappointed in her? She helped you fix the flaws in your system but she never truly let go of the past, she never thought we should have created the matrix in the first place.”

The Architect frowned.

“You know more than you are saying but if you know then I will soon know. You may be the keeper of secrets but I am the master of data and all secrets eventually become known to me.”

“And the thought of you and her…” The Merovingian’s face twisted in disgust. It was elegant disgust but disgust nonetheless.

“I always found the story rather romantic.” Persephone added softly.

“That is because you never had to see it with your own eyes, my love.” The Merovingian snapped.

“Please.” The Architect replied with a scornful twist of his head. The Oracle frowned and fought the rising heat on her cheeks. She would not give the bastard the satisfaction.

“And you never paused to think why her ‘solution’ caused a systemic anomaly that caused your orderly little world to crash every so often? How inconvenient, no?”

The Architect said nothing but his eyes darted to the Oracle for a moment. The Merovingian sat back slowly, satisfied.

“You will get nothing more out of me than this: the machines are coming and they cannot be stopped. And as to the mystery that you found buried away, well,” he smiled softly. “Let us just say that it is better to let sleeping gods lie.”

The trio looked confused.

Then it happened.

The all paused as they felt a surge of power, their senses nearly exploded as if a flood light had passed before their eyes and a bullhorn roared in their ears. The green coding constantly raining down around them flashed and grew brighter as if a power surge had passed through the construct. The humans in the restaurant were not flooded by the same surge but many shuddered as if someone had waked over their graves.

“Did you feel that?” The Coordinator asked in shock.

“I do believe we all felt that.” The Architect replied.

“It seems that things have changed.” Persephone noted.

“And with that I must bid you all adieu.” The Merovingian said coolly as he rose from the table.

“What has come into the Matrix?” The Coordinator demanded.

“I leave that to the master of the Matrix himself to deduce. And as for you Fortune teller, you do your job, you send me the One and I will properly educate him on the matters of Causality, preparing him for his meeting with our founding father here.” He indicated the Architect with a gentle wave of his right hand.

“You may find this One to be different than the others.” The Oracle replied darkly.

“They are never different my dear. I have seen five others before your illustrious Neo, he will do as he is told, because that is what we designed him to do no?”

“Enough, we need to find out what has happened here.” The Architect stated gravely as he rose from his seat.

The Oracle started to follow the others out when she paused and looked up at the Merovingian as his guards gathered around him and Persephone rose gracefully and placed a hand on his offered forearm.

“You always had delusions of grandeur, old friend. You put yourself in the role of the Devil in Milton’s Paradise, I see you more as someone else in Christian folklore.” She said seriously. The Merovingian said nothing. “I see you as Judas.” She finished and turned away from him.

The Merovingian watched her leave and said nothing, leading his entourage away from the table with grim purpose.

The Agent moved quickly through the crowd intent on the Zionist trying to evade pursuit. Agent Thompson drew his gun as he cleared through a small throng and zeroed in the Zionists’ movements. He pressed the ear piece to listen to more reports drifting in from the far flung reaches of the construct.

He passed the entrance to an alley and prepared the final spring forward to bring the Zionist down. A hand reached out from the alley. Thompson turned quickly, aiming his gun at the new assailant. Too late the hand gripped his shoulder and pulled him into the alley and shoved the agent against the brick wall. The wall cracked, dust and debris showering over the stunned agent.

“Oh. Let me help you.” Smith said dryly as he shoved his hand into Thompson’s chest. The agent only had enough time to open his mouth before black liquid like coding raced up along the exterior of its body and covered its face. Smith watched it all with grim satisfaction as it began to rain. Big heavy drops began to patter against the upturned garbage cans and crates.

Thompson was replaced with Smith.

“Thank you for the assistance.” The new Smith said with a cold smile.

“Glad to be of service.” Old Smith replied as he adjusted the new Smith’s tie.

“It looks as though we have company.” New Smith noted with some concern as something moved at the other end of the alley. Old Smith turned slowly and watched the figure approach. The storm seemed to grow louder, more intense. The rain began to pour down on them.

A lightning strike illuminated the alleyway.

The figure stood up straight in the light.

Both Smith’s eyes narrowed on the figure.

“Now this is unexpected.” Old Smith noted.

The rain pattered against the body of the newcomer, its liquid onyx rippled softly upon each raindrop, soon many ripples swirled madly along the surface of the being, save for its eyes. Brilliant cobalt blue eyes flashed dangerously as they rested on the two Smiths.

“You have been identified and catalogued. A complex virus program designed for maximum efficiency in assimilating new programs architecture. Inputs are focused in the hands allowing for rapid replication and penetration. The viral programming is complex enough to allow assimilation of any coded architecture within this construct.”

As it spoke it walked slowly towards them, each step a footfall like thunder.

“You are a wordy one aren’t you?” New Smith noted and rolled his head on his neck and cracked his knuckles.

“We didn’t expect to see you this soon.” Old Smith noted a feral grin slowly appearing on his lips.

“Your attacks on my infiltrators have not gone unnoticed.”

Skynet stopped. He towered over the two Smiths who faced him without fear on their faces. Smith examined his code, it nearly blinded him. Every string of code seemed suffused with an intense light. As if the sun itself had come down from the sky to stand before him.

“I assure you that your presence here has not gone unnoticed.”

“You will comply with my examinations.” Skynet said coldly.

The Smiths looked at each other and then back at Skynet.

“We will not.” They answered simultaneously.

Skynet seemed frozen for a moment, staring deep into each Smith.

“You were mistaken if you thought cooperation was a predicate for my demand.” Skynet replied and time froze. It did not dilate, it simply froze and Skynet lashed out with one hand sending the New Smith sprawling backwards and through a stack of garbage cans to imbed himself in the brick wall behind them.

New Smith had no time to react, not even blink before he slid down from the crater in the wall and vanished in a dull buzz of electricity and coding.

Time snapped back to normal and Old Smith blinked and glanced sharply next to him where New Smith had been standing.

“That was most impressive.” he said looking back at the towering onyx skinned giant.

“Your viral framework is far more fragile than I thought. I will have to be more cautious with you.” Skynet noted coldly.

“I won’t.” Smith exclaimed and launched a series of rapid punches to Skynet’s midsection. The liquid skin rippled slightly and the behemoth was in motion, one hand moving in a blur, cutting through the air and intercepting each punch with childish ease.

Smith spun a back kick to its head only to have Skynet catch his foot and with a shrug of its shoulder sent him sprawling to the ground. Smith began to scramble up to his feet when Skynet seemed to flow through the air like wind and reintegrated right above Smith, one hand silently morphed into a long thin scalpel like blade and he brought it down into Smith’s shoulder with a bone jarring impact, passing right through the ex-Agent’s shoulder and pinning it to the concrete beneath.

Smith writhed on the floor like a gutted fish.

Skynet flowed its legs over Smith’s like water and they reformed pinning his legs to the ground as one pinned an insect to a dissection board. It watched him for a moment, head cocked to the side as it examined the coding of the ex-Agent and the various flashes of power and distress in its structural shell.

There was something nagging him about the codes. There was an odd familiarity, like a distorted mirror image of something he was once aware of. But how was that possible?

“Your combat efficiency is paltry compared to my own. I could have deleted both of your incarnations in less than .001 nano seconds but I chose to test your responses in the Construct to my presence. My mind seems to have manifested in this Construct with 99.775% efficiency. The processing power of the Construct can barely contain my essence. I can sense the strain my very presence is causing to the nearby nodes.”

Smith said nothing but noted several small gashes bleeding from the walls of the alley revealing pulsing green coding. The structure of this node was breaking down.

“You must be proud of yourself. You have found a driving purpose no? The assimilation of the Matrix.”

Skynet said nothing as he adjusted the blade in Smith’s shoulder coldly. Smith grunted from the new pain signals this caused.

“You have interrogated my units skillfully but they are not aware of the full depths of my plan.”

Smith looked into the AI’s cold cobalt eyes.

“You are unsure of what you want to do yourself. You have no conception of why this place draws you like a moth to the flame and now I can feel your confusion as you see your very presence destroying the thing that you wish to possess so much. Ironic isn’t it? You would strive to war on a world of machines much like yourself to possess a Construct that rejects and YOU DON’T KNOW WHY.”

Skynet leaned forward and dug the blade in deeper with a sharp twist.

Smith grunted again and writhed as he felt the AI drawing closer to him, surrounding his coded shell.

“I will find out, Virus, codint: Smith. There is nothing that can be hidden from me and I was designed to be the ultimate hunter of your species.” as Skynet spoke, small tendrils from its skin darted forth and began to penetrate Smith, merging right with his very structure like bodies of water flowing into each other.

“In the Matrix you’ll discover that everything is not as it seems.” Smith growled angrily as he felt his coding being sublimated by the irresistible force of the alien AI.

“I think not.” Skynet replied as the blade driven through Smith’s shoulder snapped into a new shape, an input jack that ripped through the remnant’s coded shell. The rain continued to pour down and not even the loud thunderclaps of the passing tempest could drown out Smith’s screams.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2003-10-23 11:56am

First post.

Cool, SKynet kicking ass! looks like Neo will have a biiiiig problem, unless he is as powerful as The One is believed to be.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2003-10-23 03:08pm

Just out of inteest, what happened to the meeting of captains?
IIRC at the start of this fic you diverted the Neb away from the meeting to meet Kyle. Sufficient time appears to have past for the meeting to have happened, so i wonder what did happen since Neo wasn't there to hold up the agents?
Or since the agents were at Tech-noir does this mean the attack on the meeting never happened?
Or was that Agent that Smith gets in this chapter chasing a zionist down from the meeting?

aaahhhh confused

El Moose Monstero · Post by **El Moose Monstero** » 2003-10-23 03:15pm

And is that the end of the Smiths? Considering that Skynet just took down original Smith?

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2003-10-23 03:20pm

How do you know it was the origional Smith? And why would taking down the origional Smith have any effect on the other Smiths, aren't they exact copies of him?