Jane took a deep breath and smiled as she entered a room full of kids all around the same age as her, they all looked unique and each had incredible powers like her.
Jeff stepped forward and stood next to Jane before speaking up, "So, anyone wanna step forward and introduce themselves?"
Almost instantly after Jeff spoke up, a young boy stood up and turned to face the other proxies with a disappointed look on his face, he spoke up, "C'mon guys, y'all are like living antimatter bombs and you can't stand up and introduce yourself to a cute girl?"
Jane blushed a little at the boy's comment and outstretched her hand as he came over to greet her, she said nervously, "H-hi, my name's Jane"
The boy gave her a warm smile as he shook her hand and said, "Hi Jane, it's nice to meet you, I'm Ben"
Just after Ben shook Jane's hand, a young girl stood up and looked directly at Ben as she spoke up, "Ben, what was that about 'cute girl'? You wouldn't be flirting with the new girl in front of me, right?"
Ben froze for a moment before looking back at the girl and replying calmly, "No, of course not, I was only trying to be nice. You're the only girl for me, I love you Sally"
Sally smiled as she came over and stood next to Ben before pulling him to her and kissing him, "I love you too babe, you're the only one for me."
Immediately after she spoke, Sally turned to face Jane, "Hi Jane, it's nice to meet you, I'm Sally."
Jane smiled as she shook Sally's hand. And immediately after, a girl slightly older than her, wearing a red dress, stood and spoke up, "Alright, I should probably introduce myself now, it's nice to meet you new girl, my name's Willow."
Jane shook Willow's hand and felt an unusual chill run down her spine, not because she was cold, but because the girl standing before her had such an overwhelmingly powerful aura about her. It was like Jane was standing before a war god, her body had instinctively reacted fearfully to the powerful being shaking her hand.
Willow chuckled lightly as she quickly noticed Jane's reaction and spoke up the break the tension, "You're afraid of me, aren't you? Don't worry, it happens to everyone, no hard feelings." And suddenly the powerful girl offered Jane a warm smile, and she found that she was no longer shaking. Jane responded after a brief moment of silence, "I'm sorry but I have to ask, just what are you?"
Willow almost laughed at the bluntness of Jane's question, "It's alright, I'll tell you. I'm the first Proxy, Slenderman chose me a long time ago, back then he didn't know just how much energy to grant a human, so I ended up being the strongest of all the Proxies." After a short pause, Willow turned to face Jeff before asking, "In fact, I'm actually as strong as Jeff, ain't that right buddy?"
Jeff chuckled as Willow put him on the spot with her question, "Yeah, Willow's as strong as I am, I sparred with her before and it was a tough fight."
Jane's eyes widened at the confirmation that Jeff was not the most powerful being in the room, but after a moment she paused in confusion before turning to Jeff and asking, "Wait, I'm confused, if you're as powerful as her, then why did my body freak out near her and not you? Shouldn't I have had the same reaction with you?"
Jeff smiled as he replied, "Why would you? You've known me for years." Jeff moved closer to Jane and held her hand, quickly causing Jane to blush, before continuing, "You didn't react to me because you have no reason to fear me, and don't worry, in time I'm sure that you'll be that familiar with everyone here."
Jane gave Jeff a shy smile and responded, "I think I'm gonna like it here."
Jeff smiled back at Jane and at the exact moment their prolonged eye contact became awkward, there was a knock on the door and Slenderman entered the room, "Well, it appears that introductions are going smoothly, I'm glad. On another note, I'm sorry to say that I must leave, something has come up and I may be gone for a few days; until I return, Jeff is in charge."
Jeff looked up at his father with a look of slight concern, not for himself being placed into a leadership position, but for Slenderman, worried about what could have bothered him so greatly that he had to take leave immediately. And Slenderman knew just how worried his son was, more than that, he felt it.
Before he left, Slenderman looked out at all the children, including his own son, who were visibly disturbed by his sudden announcement; and as he gazed upon their worried faces, he let out what sounded like a laugh before addressing their concern, "Will you all relax? There's just a minor disturbance over by Jupiter, I am going to investigate, it's likely that nothing serious will even happen and I'll come right back. I know you all would be lost without me."
There was a collective laugh throughout the room and looks of concern faded back to smiles. Slenderman faced his family one last time, "I promise I will come back, don't worry, I'll see you all later." And in an instant, Slenderman disappeared from everyone's sight and had moved from Earth to Jupiter through Quantum Movement.
When he arrived, he saw naught but devastation and emerald flames, as if the gases that comprised the outer planet were ignited by some outside force and the world detonated like gunpowder. The largest world in the solar system was obliterated, and as he gazed at the unsettling scene, Slenderman wondered what manner of being could have done this, and for what reason. He wondered why only one planet, the largest in particular, was destroyed while the others remained untouched; and that was when it hit him, this display of power was a threat, but from who?
Slenderman waved his hand and pulled the gas giant back together, atom by atom. After the planet was restored, Slenderman had an idea on how to identify the mystery destroyer; he employed Quantum Movement once more, but this time he moved through time rather than space, taking himself to the moment of Jupiter's destruction. And what he saw was only more unsettling...
At the moment of the planet's death, there was no one in sight, nor was anyone hiding with invisibility or even powerful illusions. Slenderman played the moment over and over, looking for some clue that he may have missed, something that would lead him to the culprit, but there was nothing.
Aside from the uneasiness creeping over him, the only other feeling that crossed Slenderman's mind was regret; as now he would have to stay out investigating longer than he first planned, which would undoubtedly make his family worry about him. After bringing his hand to his face and letting out a frustrated sigh, Slenderman walked through time once more and returned to the current age.
But as Slenderman investigated the unsettling mystery, forces were mobilizing back on Earth. In that very moment, the SCP Foundation was preparing for war...
"Alright everyone, we're heading into enemy territory; under no circumstances will any of you let your guard down, do not forget that we are at a disadvantage here! But you all have my word that if shit hits the fan, I will do my best to bring you home safely. We will all need to rely on each other if we hope to win, do I make myself clear?"
Dr. Kondraki's words had riled up everyone under his command, and he quickly received a thunderous response, "Sir, yes sir!"
"Suit up, we roll out in 10." Kondraki said as he turned away from the second floor balcony and walked towards the armory. Upon entering the spacious room, he immediately walked towards a two-handed longsword; Kondraki took the weapon off the wall and admired it for a moment, as the light shined on the immaculate blade, an engraving of the letter G was visible.
After realizing that he was the one taking forever to get ready when he just told everyone to hurry, Kondraki quickly sheathed the blade on his back and grabbed his trusty Atomic Revolver as he left the Armory. As he returned to the balcony, Kondraki was accompanied by his close friend Dr. Clef, who had already suited up in his advanced Telekill Armor; the two looked out over the balcony and saw their oddball team ready to fight.
Kondraki was the strike leader of a special task force within the Foundation, his group was known as the Thaumiel Operatives; and his unconventional but effective team was comprised of himself, Clef, a living weapon known as Monica Pinkston, an indestructible lizard known as SCP-682, a godlike teenager known as SCP-239, a plague doctor known as SCP-049, and a creature of living fire known as SCP-457.
"Roll call! If you're not ready to mobilize I'll personally kick your ass when we get back."
Suddenly everyone stiffened up where they stood as if they were at parade rest.
"Monica!"
"Sir, ready to roll out!"
"Levy!"
SCP-682 looked up at his commanding officer and answered, "Sir, I'm ready to fight."
"William!"
The Plague Doctor offered a slight bow and answered, "I am ready sir."
"Sigurros!"
A teenager with hair as purple as pure amethyst suddenly jumped before answering nervously, "S-sir, I'm ready."
"Inferno!"
The flaming man answered with a rumbling voice like smoke and brimstone, "Sir, I'm ready to fight."
A smile crept across Kondraki's face and he let out a faint chuckle before turning to Clef, "Well, I know you're ready, I don't even have to check."
Clef responded by lightly tapping his friend on the arm, but for a brief moment, a smile could be seen on his face.
Kondraki stepped forward and put his hands on the railing as he looked out at his team.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to war!"
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's NoteI must offer my sincerest apologies that this chapter took so long to be released, I know that I left this story at a cliffhanger in Chapter 1 and then took almost a whole year to continue it, but I promise that I will be putting forth more effort towards writing these chapters and the next will certainly not take as long as this one.
-Izreldan