Who Is The Original

POLARIS

"You know what? That's impossible. Stop it now." He commented facing my back

I didn't bother to look at him and focus on the screens in front of me instead.

I rolled my eyes. "You know what? You're such a very supportive boyfriend."

" Let's just be true here, Polaris. This is the 13th time you're going to try your visionary project. You almost died with the first ones." He sounded irritated

I looked at him. " I will succeed this time, Rigel."

"That is exactly the same thing you've been saying for the past two years. You always end up with nothing but wounds and injuries." He turned my swivel chair so I can face him. " You're digging your own grave."

" That's better. The pit is there, you just have to bury me." I laughed sarcastically

His face darkened. " This is the last time you're going to do this thing, Polaris. Remember that."

I laid down on the table with a glass cover and the lights inside the machine started to blink.

If we can't change our story, let's rewrite it instead. L4rs is my invention to make it possible for anyone to rewrite and change the scenes of their life. With this, uncertainties and failures in life wouldn't ruin us anymore.

The machine will send you to another dimension where you can watch your life like a movie, likewise you can change scenes. It's also capable to make a clone of yours that acts voluntarily according to your insticts and stored memory, only that once the original is gone, all data stored in the clone will be deleted.

Thus, anyone with the custody of your clone can completely manipulate all your clones when you're gone.

" I'll press the button now."

I nodded with a hope that this time, L4rs would finally work.

Fingers tapping and a static sound.

" Re-do that scene. Polaris should fail again with her project. " a familiar voice greeted me

With my heavy eyelids, I opened my eyes only to see big screens and computer. But I can't understand why am I seeing myself on it.

It was my laboratory and my L4rs. The video played and the scene as I entered the machine started. It was me and Rigel as he helps me with my project.

Another person who looks exactly like me spoke. " Why don't we let her succeed this time? It's normal for her character to keep on doing what she likes."

I roam my eyes around the room. It looks like my laboratory but this is more equipped. There is only two people in the room and one of them is Rigel. I know it's him. I just don't know why he's here, and why am I seeing two of him.

" What? No way! Let's completely remove her from the story instead. I'm caught up of her numerous attempt of defying us."

Fear started to cover me when I realized that my hands are tied inside the machine. My body feels weak and I can only move my eyes.

" We could only remove her if we have the origi—"

" We have her here." He went to me with a grin in his face. " She looks so fragile here."

His angelic face turned demonic. I tried to speak but I can't even open my mouth. L4rs worked. My heart feels heavy as I realized what is happening.

" Yes dear. You're project worked. See? I can now control your life." He pointed the screen where I can see my whole life playing.
"Have you ever wondered why it took you thirteen attempts? I rewrote it so you failed instead of getting it at first try. Because why not? It's your invention, and you should know how it feels."

All my life was a lie. I tried hard wanting to free others when I can't even help myself from the people who are controlling my life.

" Y-you manipulated my m-machine. " I stutter

He nodded." Remember the second trial? I started there. When you tried to use the two features in synchronized, to have the clone and still get to that dimension. I realized that I can benefit from that, only if you're gone. So I did some taps. And when you tried it again. Boom! Your clone is here but the original you is sent to that place I modified, where I can control your world like a game."

"So that place isn't the real world. And this isn't a new dimension like you're thinking. I made it vice versa."

L4rs brought me back to the real world only to end my life. My own invention was used against me.

" But of course you're Polaris, that's why you'd be able to get back here." He sighed while pressing some buttons in the machine. " Unfortunately, this time I will end your story for good."

A single tear dropped as I realized that I can't escape here anymore.

" Goodbye Polaris, I'll take good care of your life and your clone." He smiled devilishly

A gas started to fill the machine as my eyes pooled with tears.

" You sure she's the original?"

And there I saw myself again, not on the screen, but infront of me, confidently facing the shocked face of Rigel.

"Y-you—"

" You've benefit from my invention already, Rigel. Isn't it enough? You still want to get rid of me permanently, huh? "

I didn't know how to react seeing myself infront of me, without a mirror.

" L4rs isn't made to meddle with anyone else's life. Guess it's time to rewrite some scene here."

" You can't get me just like that, Polaris." He laughed hysterically

And men came out of nowhere and effortlessly get her inside the same machine where I am placed.

Minutes passed and  he started laughing and celebrating with his men, completely ignoring that I exist.

" Now that Polaris is gone, I can make everyone obey me. The world will be under my control!"

I scoffed. " You know what? That's impossible. Stop it now."

I laughed mentally as I saw their face in shock while looking at me comfortably leaning on the machine where I was a while ago.

" Are you sure she's the original?"

They are about to get me when the door opened and revealed several clones— if they are all clones.

" I just rewrote some stuffs, Rigel. This is a guessing game. Wrong answer then you're out. So, who's the original now?"

:)