SCP-096 Vs. SCP-173: Who Would Win?
Alright, guys, let's dive into a major showdown in the SCP universe: SCP-096, the Shy Guy, versus SCP-173, the Peanut. This is a battle that's been debated across countless forums and late-night discussions, and for good reason. Both SCPs are incredibly dangerous and possess unique abilities that make them formidable opponents. So, who would actually come out on top? Let's break it down.
Understanding SCP-096: The Shy Guy
When we talk about SCP-096, we're dealing with one of the most terrifying and relentlessly aggressive entities in the SCP Foundation's roster. Often referred to as "The Shy Guy," SCP-096 doesn't pose an immediate threat. It's when someone views its face—whether directly, through a video recording, or even a photograph—that all hell breaks loose. This triggers SCP-096 into a state of extreme distress and rage. It will stop at nothing to find and kill whoever saw its face. No terrain, no obstacle, and absolutely nothing can stand in its way. Imagine accidentally seeing a picture online and then suddenly having an unstoppable, screaming figure hurtling toward you from hundreds or even thousands of miles away. That's SCP-096 for you.
What makes SCP-096 so terrifying is not just its appearance (which is generally kept classified, for obvious reasons), but its unmatched speed and strength when triggered. It can traverse vast distances at incredible speeds, ignoring physical damage that would cripple or kill almost anything else. Think about the implications: bunkers, tanks, entire military installations – they're all just minor inconveniences to SCP-096 when it's on the hunt. The Foundation's containment procedures for SCP-096 are elaborate and focus entirely on preventing anyone from seeing its face. This involves covering its containment cell with opaque materials and employing sensors to detect any visual contact. Even accidental glimpses are treated as catastrophic containment breaches, requiring immediate and severe responses.
Containment breaches involving SCP-096 often result in significant casualties and widespread panic within the Foundation. The sheer difficulty in re-containing it once triggered underscores just how dangerous it is. There have been numerous proposals for neutralizing SCP-096, but none have proven effective. Its resilience to damage is almost supernatural, making conventional weaponry useless. The only reliable method of dealing with SCP-096 is to prevent visual contact in the first place, highlighting the critical importance of information control and rigorous adherence to containment protocols. SCP-096 serves as a chilling reminder of the unpredictable and often insurmountable challenges faced by the SCP Foundation in its mission to secure, contain, and protect humanity from the anomalous.
Analyzing SCP-173: The Peanut
Now, let's talk about SCP-173, affectionately (or perhaps fearfully) known as "The Peanut." This SCP is a Euclid-class object, meaning it's more predictable than some of the more esoteric anomalies but still requires careful handling. SCP-173 is a statue composed of concrete, rebar, and traces of Krylon spray paint. It's inanimate and harmless as long as it's being directly observed. However, the moment direct eye contact is broken, even for a split second, SCP-173 moves with incredible speed to snap the neck of whoever is closest. The phrase "you blink, you die" is practically synonymous with SCP-173.
The method of SCP-173's attacks is brutally efficient. It doesn't maul or dismember; it goes straight for the neck, causing immediate death. This makes containment procedures revolve around ensuring constant observation. Usually, this involves at least three personnel entering its containment cell, with strict instructions to never blink simultaneously. The cell itself is kept relatively simple, but the walls are mysteriously stained with a substance identified as blood and fecal matter, the source of which is still unknown. This adds an extra layer of unsettling mystery to SCP-173.
The Foundation's approach to SCP-173 is one of constant vigilance. Regular rotations of personnel are necessary to maintain alertness and prevent accidental simultaneous blinks. The psychological toll on those assigned to SCP-173 is significant, with many reporting paranoia and anxiety related to the constant need to watch and be watched. Despite its relatively simple method of attack, SCP-173 has proven to be one of the most enduring and iconic SCPs, capturing the imagination (and fears) of countless fans. Its existence poses a fundamental challenge: how do you contain something that requires constant observation without driving those tasked with containing it to the brink of madness? The mystery surrounding its origins and the unsettling nature of its attacks ensure that SCP-173 remains a fixture in the SCP Foundation's canon, a constant reminder of the bizarre and deadly anomalies they face.
The Hypothetical Showdown: SCP-096 vs. SCP-173
Okay, here's where it gets interesting. Imagine a scenario where SCP-096 and SCP-173 are placed in the same containment area. What would happen? This isn't a straightforward fight due to their unique conditions for activation.
Initial Conditions
Let's assume someone accidentally views SCP-096's face in a surveillance feed within the containment area. This triggers SCP-096's rage state. At the same time, SCP-173 is present in the same space, subject to its usual "blink and you die" rules.
SCP-096's Advantage
- Speed and Strength: Once triggered, SCP-096 possesses incredible speed and destructive power. It can tear through almost any material to reach its target.
- Relentlessness: SCP-096 will not stop until it reaches the person who saw its face, ignoring any other threats or obstacles.
SCP-173's Advantage
- Immobility When Observed: SCP-173 is completely immobile when directly observed. This means that as long as SCP-096 or anyone else is looking at it, it cannot move or attack.
- Instant Kill: When not observed, SCP-173 can move at an incredible speed to snap necks, providing an instant kill.
The Battle
Here's how the encounter might unfold:
- Initial Trigger: SCP-096 is triggered and enters its enraged state, focusing on the individual who saw its face.
- Chaos Ensues: As SCP-096 rampages, its movements and the destruction it causes would likely disrupt any direct line of sight on SCP-173. This is crucial because it creates opportunities for SCP-173 to move.
- SCP-173's Attacks: During the brief moments when SCP-096 isn't directly observing SCP-173 (due to its rage-fueled movements or environmental obstructions), SCP-173 can potentially move to attack.
- The Standoff: If SCP-173 manages to get close to SCP-096, it could attempt to snap its neck. However, SCP-096's durability is incredibly high, and it's not clear if SCP-173's attack would be effective.
Who Wins?
This is where it gets tricky. Given SCP-096's extreme durability and relentless nature, it's unlikely that SCP-173 could inflict significant damage. SCP-096 has withstood extreme levels of physical trauma, and it's debatable whether SCP-173's neck-snapping attack would be effective against it. On the other hand, SCP-173 only needs a fraction of a second of non-observation to move, and SCP-096 is unlikely to maintain constant, unbroken eye contact while in a rage state. It is highly possible that SCP-173 could take advantage of SCP-096 being distracted to attack and kill anyone that is with SCP-096 in the room.
However, considering SCP-096's primary objective is to eliminate whoever saw its face, it's more probable that SCP-096 would simply ignore SCP-173 as an obstacle and continue its pursuit. In the chaos and destruction, SCP-173 might get caught in the crossfire, but it's unlikely to be a primary target. Therefore:
- Likely Outcome: SCP-096 continues its rampage, focused on its target, while SCP-173 remains a secondary threat. SCP-096 is more likely to cause widespread destruction and eliminate its target, while SCP-173 poses a threat to anyone else in the vicinity but is unlikely to stop SCP-096.
In conclusion, while SCP-173 is incredibly dangerous, SCP-096's unstoppable rage and resilience give it the edge in this hypothetical showdown.
Implications and Further Considerations
This hypothetical battle raises some interesting questions about the nature of containment and the interaction between different SCPs. Here are a few additional points to consider:
- Environmental Factors: The layout of the containment area could significantly impact the outcome. A maze-like environment might favor SCP-173, while an open space would benefit SCP-096.
- Intervention: If the SCP Foundation attempted to intervene during the encounter, their actions could sway the outcome. However, intervening in a battle between two highly dangerous SCPs would be incredibly risky.
- Unpredictability: The SCP universe is full of unpredictable anomalies. It's always possible that some unforeseen factor could alter the course of the battle.
Ultimately, the battle between SCP-096 and SCP-173 is a fascinating thought experiment that highlights the unique dangers and challenges posed by these iconic SCPs. While SCP-096 likely has the upper hand due to its relentless nature and extreme durability, SCP-173's ability to move when not observed makes it a constant threat. This is a fight that would be chaotic, destructive, and likely result in significant casualties, regardless of who ultimately "wins."
So, what do you guys think? Who would you bet on in this crazy SCP showdown?