One last time, Junior was standing in front of the UN building. He looked up at the grey sky above and tried to take it all in, the noise of traffic, the smell of the East River, the feeling of the cold air on his face, the soft ground under his feet...
He closed his eyes, wanting to gather his thoughts.
He was about to embark on the journey of his life.
He was about to leave everything and everyone behind to venture into the unknown...
His head started spinning, overwhelming him. Just as he was about to fall backwards, gentle hands kept him steady.
SUN LI
Careful Junior! Don't want to hurt yourself today...
Junior opened his eyes and saw his companions joining him.
PAAYE
You okay Junior?
Said Paaye with a smile.
CLARA
We were starting to think you weren't coming...
JUNIOR
We had to make a few stops along the way...
KUMIKO
I know, right! I too wanted to spend as much time as I could with my family... it was so, soo emotional.
She wiped a tear from her face.
PAAYE
We'll be back someday...
Said Paaye, reassuringly.
SUN LI
Hopefully!
And finally...
IRINA
We'll definitely be back!
Junior smiled.
At the end of the selection it was only the six of them that had sufficiently demonstrated the willingness to work together, the abnegation necessary to undertake the journey and the mental strength required to survive under extreme stress.
X-466
Finally!
Said the clone, with his usual flair.
X-466
Took you long enough to join us!
Despite being used to X-466 belittling them, Junior was bewildered. For the first time he saw the clone smiling.
X-466
I'm glad you made it.
JUNIOR
WHAAAAT?! Is this a joke? Are you..
Everyone started laughing.
IRINA
I had same reaction!
CLARA
Hahaha! C'mon X-466, tell him!
The clone smiled again.
X-466
Once again, my apologies for treating you all so rudely during the selection.
JUNIOR
You ARE joking!
X-466
No Junior, I am not... R-328 and I were playing... how did you put it, Kumiko?
KUMIKO
Good cop, bad cop!
Junior put his hand up to his face.
JUNIOR
Un-be-lievable.
He said, exasperated.
X-466
Haha! I will take it as a compliment, Junior.
The clone replied, amused.
X-466
When Konos asked us to run the selection, R-328 and I thought to make it interesting for ourselves and have some fun for once... I'm glad we were successful in fooling you.
PAAYE
You enjoyed it too much!
The clone burst out laughing.
X-466
I guess that is true... Anyway, I hope you will find me a pleasant companion during the coming journey.
He said with a smile.
As they started walking inside the UN building, Irina approached him and whispered to Junior
IRINA
One less thing to worry about...
JUNIOR
Thankfully!
Standing in the lobby of the building were the Secretary General Miyamoto and
KONOS
Junior!
JUNIOR
Konos!
Junior ran towards him.
JUNIOR
It's so nice to see you again!
KONOS
Likewise.
JUNIOR
I bet you didn't expect me here!
KONOS
Quite the contrary... I expected nothing less of you!
He replied with a warm smile, as Junior beamed with happiness.
KONOS
But that's not all!
He clapped his hands once.
KONOS
It's so nice to finally meet each and everyone of you.
