"While physical examination of SCP-3396 has proven impossible," the Overseer began, "thaumaturgical scanning has yielded the only measurable result."
She continued reading from the report:
> "Instead of producing standard conceptual energy or thaumaturgical readings, the Foundation's prototype scanner repeatedly outputs a single word: 'Prosperity.'
The language changes with every scan.
The meaning remains unknown."
The Overseer sighed. "At present, there's no way to communicate with SCP-3396—or to suppress its influence."
Leon Lake leaned back, exhaling slowly. "So?"
The Overseer frowned. "You still don't understand the gravity of this situation."
Her expression hardened as she met his eyes.
"In the past month alone, we've lost two entire Sites—along with their personnel and SCPs—and two Mobile Task Forces, Eta-5 and Phi-2."
Leon blinked. "They're… gone?"
"Eta-5 suffered catastrophic losses while engaging a living mountain of SCP-3396 energy. No survivors. No data recovered."
Leon's gaze darkened. "And Phi-2?"
The Overseer hesitated, her voice low. "One member is confirmed dead. The rest… defected."
The livestream audience fell into stunned silence.
Then the comment feed exploded:
> "What the hell? An entire task force wiped out, and another one rebelled?"
"Even the Foundation's cracking?!"
"No wonder the Overseer's panicking—it's that bad!"
"SCP-3396's power is off the charts. No one could resist using it."
---
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
The agents exchanged uneasy glances.
Even they hadn't expected the Foundation—that monolithic, godlike organization—to be this close to collapse.
Nick Fury's one good eye narrowed as he stared at the screen.
Why did the Overseer keep insisting Leon join the Rebirth Plan?
What was it?
And why him?
---
Foundation Archives
The Overseer continued, her tone flat and weary.
"SCP-3396 was first discovered during an archaeological dig. Every member of the research team became an SCP-3396-01 instance—and within days, they had fully unearthed the entity."
"Foundation response teams weren't informed in time," she said bitterly. "No containment, no quarantine. The infected returned to populated areas, spreading the anomaly unchecked."
She sighed, rubbing her temple.
"Our current focus is on tracking and detaining SCP-3396-01 instances, while securing the central core of SCP-3396. But multiple organizations—the Global Occult Coalition, the Serpent's Hand, the Unusual Incidents Unit—are all interfering."
Her gaze hardened.
"We're not just fighting anomalies anymore, Doctor. We're fighting the world."
Leon was silent for a long time before asking, "How far has it spread?"
---
Global Broadcast
The Overseer took a slow breath before answering.
"Despite the Foundation's efforts, the emergence of SCP-3396 has caused unprecedented changes in global society.
Uncontained SCP-3396-01 instances are now using their anomalous abilities for everything—from murder and terrorism, to curing diseases and humanitarian work."
She paused, her voice steady but heavy.
"The Foundation still controls global media, keeping SCP-3396-01 cases out of public awareness. But containment has failed.
SCP-3396 has expanded beyond our reach.
Entire Groups of Interest now control their own SCP-3396-01s—and are deliberately spreading infection among their ranks."
Her tone dropped to a grave whisper.
"If SCP-3396 escapes completely and triggers a TPK-Class Thaumaturgical Proliferation Scenario, we'll have to activate Emergency Protocol 3396-Alabaster.
That means… the Foundation will take every step necessary to preserve what's left of humanity."
---
The livestream chat went wild.
> "Wait—TPK-Class? That's like total thaumaturgical collapse!"
"What do they mean by 'protecting the remaining human population'?!"
"They're seriously preparing for the end?"
"It's that bad?!"
Even S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents were speechless.
SCP-3396 didn't seem directly hostile.
So how could it threaten all of civilization?
Only Nick Fury seemed to understand.
That kind of power—a source capable of mass-producing superhumans—would drive every faction, every government, every god and monster insane with greed.
If it existed in his world, he thought grimly,
Earth would already be burning.
---
Foundation Command Room
Leon's expression turned unreadable.
The Overseer leaned forward. "The O5 Council has decided to expand the Alabaster Project. If it works, every available resource will be redirected toward containment—or neutralization."
Leon cut her off coldly.
"Placing most of the human population into camps and labs isn't containment—it's tyranny."
"That's why," the Overseer said firmly, "we must act before it comes to that. If we fail, humanity won't have a future."
Leon fell silent again.
He stared blankly ahead, the ticking of the clock echoing through the room.
Knock… knock… knock…
The sound of high heels on tile.
He slowly looked up. "So," he said quietly, "what do you need me to do?"
The Overseer didn't speak.
Instead, she handed him two things—
a thin list of names,
and a pistol.
"I need you," she said softly, "to be the final bell ringer."
---
The chat froze.
> "The what?!"
"A list and a gun?!"
"Don't tell me the Foundation's purging its own people!"
"Why give this job to Leon?"
"And what's this 'Rebirth Plan' really about?!"
---
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Natasha Romanoff frowned. "The final bell ringer? Sounds ominous. Are things really that desperate?"
Fury's face darkened.
A list. A gun. A final order.
He didn't need it spelled out.
It meant execution—cleanup—silencing.
But who?
And more importantly… why Leon Lake?
He stared at the screen, unsettled.
The words "Rebirth Plan" echoed in his mind like a ticking clock.
---
> Author's Note:
Sorry everyone, I'm feeling unwell fewday. Taking a short break.
Thank you for your patience.
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