The moment the vote for the Time Stone concluded and The Watcher secured his new cosmic authority, the room didn't fade into silence. No—if anything, the atmosphere thickened.
Because the next topic on the agenda had the potential to reshape the Foundation permanently.
Recruitment.
Expansion.
The resurrection—or reinvention—of the full O5 Council.
The moment I brought up the topic, every projection straightened. Even The Watcher, still basking in the residual glow of wielding the Time Stone, grew quiet and analytical.
I folded my hands."Originally, the O5 Council had thirteen members. But the five of us… we've consolidated a lot of power. Too much, arguably. So the question stands: do we expand the Council? Or do we maintain an oligarchy of five?"
Cleopatra was the first to speak. "The entire purpose of the original thirteen was balance. Thirteen political pillars. Thirteen philosophies. Thirteen chains restraining one another."
"Thirteen opportunities for backstabbing," Julius muttered.
I nodded toward him. "Exactly. And that's why we cannot simply restore the system as it once was. We've agreed before—our council must remain centered. Unified. Not splintered into chaos."
Sun Tzu's projection leaned forward. His presence always carried the weight of a calculated battlefield."So what do you propose, Administrator?"
"A new model," I said."A system of five political fronts, each governed by one of us original O5 members."
The others murmured.
I continued.
"Each of us becomes the head of a political faction. Not in the sense of rebellion or conflict—but as an organized structure for influence and governance. Anyone recruited into the Council is aligned under one of us. That way, no new member ever threatens the balance, and the power structure remains contained within five cores."
The Watcher's projection smirked. "A pentagonal oligarchy. Interesting."
Cleopatra raised a brow. "And how do we prevent infighting between the five factions?"
"Oh, there'll still be infighting," Julius snorted. "We all know that."
"Yes," I said calmly, "but the chaos shrinks from thirteen competing agendas… to five. And more importantly—any major decision still requires majority vote. Three out of five."
Sun Tzu tapped the table. "And for new recruits? How shall they be judged?"
I projected a holographic list above the table.
"To become an O5, a candidate must:
Serve the Foundation loyally for an extended period.
Accumulate significant accomplishments—containments, research breakthroughs, strategic victories, or other critical contributions.
Demonstrate stability, secrecy, and political reliability.
Earn unanimous approval from the five of us.
And finally—secure majority alignment with one of the five political fronts."
Cleopatra nodded slowly. "Good. They must choose a side. The days of unattached wildcard council members are finished."
The Watcher folded his arms. "We'll need to observe potential candidates over decades."
"Of course," I said. "This isn't medieval politics—this is survival. Anyone who sits in our circle must be unshakable."
Julius cracked his knuckles. "I already have a few people in mind. Warriors capable of handling Keter-level anomalies without pissing their pants."
Cleopatra rolled her eyes. "Yes, Julius, your faction will undoubtedly be full of glorified attack dogs."
Julius glared. "And yours will be accountants and politicians."
"And mine will be spies," The Watcher said with pride. "Assassins. Information brokers. Web-weavers."
Sun Tzu smiled faintly. "Strategists, tacticians, and generals shall form my faction."
And then all eyes turned to me.
"Administrator?" Cleopatra asked sweetly. "What will your faction be?"
I smirked."Scientists. Reality benders. Innovators. Visionaries. And anyone whose intelligence can reshape the world."
The Watcher laughed under his breath. "Of course."
Sun Tzu cleared his throat. "And the total number?"
"We will not reach thirteen," I declared. "Not for a long time. Not until every candidate proves their worth. Our Council will be expanded carefully. Slowly. Intentionally."
Julius nodded. "Better five stable branches than thirteen unstable ones."
"Exactly," I said."This is the new structure of the Foundation's command."
The room fell silent.
A heavy, decisive silence.
Because we all understood that this wasn't merely a bureaucratic decision.
This was the moment history split.This was the birth of a new era.The five of us were no longer just the ruling council.
We were the Five Thrones.
Five centers of power.
Five ideologies.
Five leaders who would shape the future of the most influential organization on Earth.
The Watcher broke the silence. "Then it's settled."
Cleopatra nodded. "The vote?"
"Unanimous," Sun Tzu said, glancing around.
Julius grinned. "Let's start looking for candidates. Damn shame we can't clone ourselves."
"Actually…" I began.
"NO," Cleopatra snapped immediately.
I shrugged. "Just offering options."
The council dissolved into muted laughter.
And with that, the projections faded one by one, our minds returning to our bodies across the globe.
The SCP Foundation had just evolved.
Not thirteen rulers.Not one tyrant.Not chaotic democracy.
But five pillars.
Five factions.
Five absolute powers.
And I sat upon the first throne