It was once the elevator had reached the top of its shaft that the clones of the group realized where they were. Apparently, that large courtyard of Chronos’ face hid a large secret, that being that it was an additional entrance to the underground caverns this entire time. Several Sapphire guards walked on to the platform from their station around the courtyard, gathering all of the originals and clones in a single line (Two guards were courteous enough to stand in line holding the Spencer and Lindsay Clone’s heads).


    From the group of guards standing watch, who would happen to walk out into the crowd but Azure, from the magic show earlier in the day. He had traded out his magician’s uniform for an all-white suit, which clashed horribly with his dark blue hair. “Well, well, well. Look’s like we have a couple of troublemakers in the park.”
    “Eat shit!” Lindsay said, spitting at him. This earned her a smack across the head from the buff Sapphire guard behind him, but Azure just laughed.
    “Oh, don’t worry about her. Let them get what little joy they can out while they still can.” He paced in front of the group, examining them.
    “What are you going to do to us?” Heather’s clone asked.
    “All in good time, my dear,” Azure walked over gripping, Heather’s chin in his hand, “I’m just waiting for one more call, and then I’ll start explaining every little thing your heart could ever desire to know.” As soon as he finished saying this, Azure felt a buzzing in his pocket. Pulling out a simple white cell phone, he answered it, saying some agreements, before beaming brightly.

   Hanging up the phone, he turned to the group and said, “Well folks, you are now looking at the new Head of Eternity Cosmetics!” The Sapphire army cheered, while the group and their clones looked on in confusion.
    “Now then, the show can finally go on!”

    “Now, some of you might be confused as to how I am the new head of Eternity Cosmetics, seeing as how, according to most legal records Jebediah White left his company and his estate to his offspring or next of kin, and he never had a kid. That was the whole reason behind his shift from cosmetics towards cloning after all, to either extend his life cycle or create an heir to pass on his genes. Sadly, the old fool was very cautious about his amazing new discovery, and refused to use it on himself until his bean counters were 100% certain they could produce a clone that would live at least a normal life span.
   Of course, what he had not planned for, was the possibility that through all of his sleeping with various clones, one of them might actually get pregnant,” Azure smiled an all-knowing smile, “Which just so happens to be me. Now, I might look about twenty to all of you, but the truth of the matter is I’m about four months old. So, now when the media attention is put upon the famous death of a billionaire, I’ll be able to claim his fortune with a single DNA test.
    So, let’s see. I have the company now. Ah, but what about the clones? What shall I ever do now that my precious clones have been locked away behind someone else’s thumb?” He made a gesture, the buff Sapphire clone behind her grabbing Echo’s clone’s thumb and detaching it from her body. passing it to Azure. “There’s that. Ah! But what about the computer with all our precious data? Or the Re-Education center?” He snapped his fingers, another buff Sapphire guard walked out from the crowd, wielding an iPad like device, which was displaying security camera footage of Echo and Susan’s actions, “Thankfully, we made sure to have backups,” The guard swiped left, showing off a completely working computer and Re-Education center.
    “All that leaves is the big question in the room then. Why? Well, it’s rather simple, because you see Clones are the future of humanity. Think about it, we are nearly indestructible, can change anything about us that we like on a whim. The only downside is the short lifespan, which we are surely only days away from solving. Taking over the world, while primarily my old man’s plan, is just a sweet bonus in ushering in the true master race.” Again, massive cheers from the crowd of guards. “So, now what you might be asking? Why bother telling you all of this? Simple really. You see, a couple of days ago, my personal number crunchers, who even my father wasn’t aware of, created a new serum that completely disconnects all autonomy from clone body parts. I’m sure Heather over here knows what I’m talking about,” Heather’s clone grimaced, now realizing what happened to her second body. “And as for the human versions of you, well… There’s not really any reason that I see to keep them alive.” The originals of the group gulped.

    “Well, I’ve been rambling for far too long. So, any last words?”
    “I have a few,” Sapphire said, clocking Azure in the mouth, sending him to the floor. “I have a couple of ideas that aught to stop you.”

    Choose a Sapphire Ex Machina:
    1.) Original Sapphire to the Rescue
    2.) Old Clone Sapphire to the Rescue
    3.) One-Legged Sapphire & Others to the Rescue