"Pretty cool right? You guys have no idea how much I've spent my whole lifetime on this thing."
Meme patted the machine. I stood here watching in the corner, I wanted to give Meme a moment to shine. Because it's been a long time since Meme has impressed anyone.
"Is... is that a portal??? Does it work? Because if it does, I WANNA GO IN FIRST!"
Blaza shouted, calling dibs.
"No, I'M GOING IN FIRST."
Nadwe yelled competitively. Joocie tries to calm him down but Nadwe's carefreeness has expectedly won. "It's not easy to control people with such young youth." I remembered what one of my colleagues from work used to say.
"Don't get too excited yet, I'm letting Laff in first."
Meme announced, making things clear for everyone. Some groans came from the group, most likely from Blaza and Nadwe.
"But first..."
Meme put his hand through the portal, the portal rippled as he stuck his hand into it. Moments later, he pulled his hand out of the portal.
"Okay, everything is good. It didn't cut my hands off."
Meme reported.
"WHAT-"
Joocie tensed, feeling alarmed from the report.
"I was kidding! I was kidding! Everything will be fine once you listen to Laff's instructions! Right Laff?"
Everyone turned to look at me and I nodded.
"As long as you don't do anything idiotic, you'll all be back in one piece mates."
I replied with a bit of humor.
"LAFF! That's not helpful!"
I heard Meme call out. I couldn't help but smile behind my gas mask. It's fun when you get to mess around with your friends a bit.
"Don't mind on what Laff said. This is veryyy safe, okay?"
Meme tried to reassure everyone. Joocie and Tbh still looked slightly worried while Socks, Blaza, Nadwe, and Muffin could care less of the possible dangers.
"Anyways, I call this invention the R.V.G.I.,"
Meme continued introducing the machine. Everyone set their attention to the R.V.G.I. Looking at it in absolute awe or curiosity, perhaps both.
"R.V.G.I. stands for: Realistic Video Game Interaction."
Meme explained.
"So judging by the name, it means that if we go through that portal,"
Joocie pointed at the glowing blue portal.
"It'll take us to a certain video game?"
Joocie guessed easily, his red straw hitting against the brim of his cup head.
"Ding ding ding! Correct!"
Meme confirmed in a dramatic like tone.
"That sounds pretty cool!"
Joocie complimented.
"It is, but since I don't want to hold you guys up any longer. Let's just get to the part where you guys all go through the portal."
Meme gestured his hands towards the portal, giving me a sign to go in. I grabbed the cardboard box that was below me and walked in front of the portal.
"Oh, and also, there's going to be some surprises for you guys to see through the portal."
Meme added mischievously. Now I don't remember him adding these 'surprises' through that portal. I'll have to make sure it doesn't get out of hand. I sighed at the thought. I always had to watch out for Meme for goodness sake.
"I like surprises but I don't like your kind of surprises Meme."
Socks grumbled, his arms crossed. Every time someone accepts Meme's invitation to play or do something, Meme will always have some trick up his sleeves to troll. Whether it's tricking you into thinking something in a funny manner or simply making you feel annoyed and frustrated. But that's just Meme's way to entertain people.
"This time it's different. And after today, I think you'll thank me for letting you in through that portal Socks."
Meme reassured.
"We'll have to see about that."
Socks replied, raising an eyebrow. Still feeling distrust.
"Aight, I'll be heading in then."
I announced, not wanting to waste anymore time on waiting. I held the box firmly with my gloved hands and looked at everyone around me, watching me. I gave everyone a slight nod and hurled myself in.
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I felt my whole body being coated with some slimy but cool light substance for a brief moment. This sensation feels... surreal. That's the best way that I can describe it. Even though I've already experienced it a couple of times before, this new world through the portal feels different on each experience. Meme and I called this world the "SMP", a world with several Minecraft mechanics but can also be manipulated to make your fantasies and ideas into 'reality'. I don't know about this SMP as well as I should. And I have to admit, Meme undoubtedly knows more about this SMP than me. It's no surprise that it is. This is his invention that created the SMP after all. I stood in front of the portal and made space for the others to come in. I opened up the box's led, the box was filled with many custom mechanical watches for the others. I stood on the peaceful sandy hill (for now). I could feel my shoes slightly sinking into the sand, the sky was as clear as ever, and the wind was blowing in a steady flow. I could see all of this clearly despite my mask.
"This man has defeated THE Mr. Blaza in rock paper SCISSORSSSS!"
Nadwe bursted out of the portal in victory. Whatever happened on the other side, I would not want to question it.
"Whoo hoo! We're one of the first!"
Muffin celebrated as he also came out of the portal along with Joocie.
"You're pretty good at rock paper scissors."
Joocie praised Nadwe. Nadwe and Muffin were the only ones who were the youngest in the group. Joocie usually looked out for those two. So it was up to his job to take responsibilities on Nadwe and Muffin. Though Nadwe isn't his adopted son like Muffin, Joocie still treats him like he is. I believe that there was some history between Meme, Joocie, Muffin, and Nadwe but I don't think it's my business to know.
"NOOOO I WILL NEVER ACCEPT DEFEAT!"
Blaza shouted determinedly as he came out of the portal with Socks behind him.
"You'll beat that game obsessed fourteen year old next time Blaza!"
Socks stopped in his tracks and looked at his surroundings in astonishment.
"Whoaaa, it's like we went to another world or, or, a planet!"
Socks exclaimed, his eyes widened as he gazed around.
"Is this real? I'm not dreaming am I?"
Tbh questioned as he came out of the portal last.
"Here let me check for ya!"
Blaza offered. And without any warning, Blaza raised his hand and...
there was a clean SLAP on the face and Tbh fell to the ground from the impact.
"HEY! OW- you didn't have to smack me that hard!"
"Ahh sorry, I've been training to be a lot stronger recently. I could knock you out of your breath too. Want me to demonstrate?"
Blaza apologized and asked. Tbh got up from his feet and dusted himself off.
"Uh, no thanks. You just showed me how scared I should be around you."
Tbh replied with some concern in his voice.
"Don't be. As long as you don't get me off edge, you'll totally be fine."
Blaza tried to say 'reassuringly' while patting on Tbh's back. Tbh muttered something that I couldn't hear.
"This is... amazing! How did you even manage to make this?"
Joocie breathed in amazement, his sapphire blue eyes gleamed in interest.
"You know, putting bits of effort, science, and 'magic' here and there."
I answered simply. He doesn't need to know all the processes in the making of this. I decided. It would be pretty boring to hear anyway.
"Oi! I want you all to listen before you scandal someplace else!"
I announced. Everyone stopped chatting and stirred their attention towards me with listening ears.
"You may do your own thing after you listen to this:"
I held my gaze high and started to explain about the SMP and the watches.
"One: In this world that we call the SMP, it has similar mechanics like what a minecraft SMP has except its appearance and physics are different. For example, you are able to timber down a tree."
I pointed at a nearby tree to support my explanation.
"Second: You are not able to mine or punch things with your bare fists, it just doesn't work that way. So Meme and I distributed chests around the SMP that are filled with valuable resources such as weapons."
I pulled out one of the mechanical watches from the box and turned it on to show a blue holographic map. Each red dot indicates where each chests were located.
"Oooh a working hologram? How did we not know about this sooner??"
Blaza asked in amazement.
"This was kept for a surprise of course."
I answered. That is partly true.
"Now continuing on what I said from earlier:
Third: You must wear this watch at all times. Don't break it, don't experiment with it, just leave it on your wrist."
I closed the holographic map and held up the watch from the box.
"Why?"
I heard Nadwe ask.
"Once you wear this watch, it'll be much safer for you to venture out around the SMP. It helps you get access to your inventory like you have in Minecraft,"
I pressed a button from the watch and it showed another hologram that looked like a minecraft inventory.
"This watch helps you respawn, makes you feel less pain from things that would normally hurt you, it'll show your health..."
I tapped on the row of ten red pixel hearts right above my inventory bar to indicate where the health was shown.
"We'll be able to see each other's locations when wearing this watch. There will be a map for that as well. It'll also be easier for Meme and I to contact all of you. You can text and call each other like how a regular electronic device would."
I finished explaining, closing off my inventory with the click of a button.
"This sounds so cool! It's way much better than regular watches!"
Muffin exclaimed joyfully, his brown puffy hair curls bounced up and down as he jumped and fidgeted in eagerness to start doing things in the SMP.
"Do these watches still work if we leave the SMP?"
Socks asked hopefully.
"Sadly no, it only works if you're in the SMP. Same goes for the items."
I answered.
"Aww man, why must it be like this??"
Socks groaned in disappointment.
"On the first day, you may look for the chests and start building and grinding just like what you would do in Minecraft. And do not fret, time works differently in the SMP, so you'll have plenty of time to spend here. If any of you need assistance, please contact Meme and I. I entrust that all of you will know what to do, you now have permission to be dismissed. Everyone can go off alone except Muffin and Nadwe. I want someone to look after them for the past five days in the SMP time wise. I want to make sure that they'll be able to handle things on their own within the eyes of a supervisor."
I said one final thing before distributing each person a watch.
"Why are we always the ones being babysitted? We're pretty mature too!"
Nadwe whined.
"Yeah!"
Muffin agreed along with Nadwe as they both equipped their watches pitifully.
"I'll watch over Nadwe and Muffin, I've had some experiences with children before. So, I think I'll be qualified for this 'babysitting' job."
Joocie volunteered. All Joocie stated was undoubtedly true, he does have Muffin as his son after all. So of course I had to agree. And I don't think Blaza, Tbh, or Socks would do a good job at supervising Muffin and Nadwe anyway.
"Ugh fineee."
Nadwe made an annoyed look on his face.
"Joocie babysitting us isn't all that bad."
Muffin admitted truthfully.
"Thank you Muffin. So are we able to head off now Laff?"
I looked through my mental list that I've made in my head to see if that was all of it. I've checked through it two more times before nodding in satisfaction.
"Yes, you may all go. But be sure to not ruin the SMP immediately. Treat it with some care."
I said before watching everyone dash off before my eyes to do their own thing. I then texted Meme through the watch that I had which I now turned the brim of the watch's light to dark green. My signature color:
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Laff: Everyone is now exploring the world. I hope all goes well in the past few days on the SMP.

Meme: Great! Now please come back and monitor the machine an hour after. I don't think I can sit on this chair for more than than an hour and eating snacks 😅

Laff: Aight, will keep that in mind mate.
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Every ten minutes in the outside world equaled a day in the SMP. An hour is approximately sixty minutes. So, Meme and I will switch spots to monitor the R.V.G.I. every six days in the SMP. I set up a timer on my watch for every six days and headed off to build a base of my own.
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It's been two days since the SMP has started, a lot has changed. There's been a schedule to when we should open up the SMP and how long we'll be in it. Everyone agreed to the terms to stay in the SMP almost everyday and open it up for about four hours, which is close to the average of 24 days spent in the SMP. It doesn't affect too much in the real world however. I've built my base and wealth during these two days in the SMP, everything is going efficiently and productively. As I was mining in a cave near my base, my phone rang. I dropped my pickaxe and wiped some of the dust and debri from my mask before I pulled out my phone and saw that someone was calling me. It was a call from my colleague and friend, Tenson. I accepted the call.
"Laff! It's me, Tenson! I found something in the parts of T.E.C.'s building that you located from a month ago."
Tenson's end sounded staticky and old, luckily, it was still clear enough for me to hear. I am glad to hear that he's made some progress on the investigation about the company that we both worked in. The company's name is T.E.C. (Trusted Engineering Cooperation) Tenson and I both had suspicions that the company seemed to be always hiding something, but we haven't quite figured out why or how. I hope Tenson found something useful this time. I thought hopefully.
"That's good to hear, though you alright?"
I asked first to greet him.
"Yeah! I've been doing amazingly okay! I have to admit, this investigation is so scary and exciting at the same time!"
Tenson responded happily. I can't believe he's actually enjoying this, if any members of T.E.C. finds out about our investigation, things won't end well. If anyone had secrets, they would rather keep the people who found out about their secret silent.
"I'm in the vents of the facility right now, so I'm going to whisper this all out to you,"
There was a faint sound of creaking metal and movements in the distance on Tenson's end.
"I've found out that T.E.C. has two separate sides, one side is the basic things that we usually do at work: repairing machines, programming, collecting parts, etc. The other part of the company seems to be more secretive and classified."
Tenson started explaining.
"Two sides..."
I quietly echoed those words to myself. Readying to process the incoming information.
"Someone from work helped me track and hack both of T.E.C.'s files and data. There wasn't much useful data online but, there was a hidden room somewhere in T.E.C.'s HQ that contained so much information on things that doesn't usually make any sense. I took a glance at some of their files before and they mentioned a lot of things like "specimens" and "experiments."
Tenson continued explaining then paused to catch his breath. This is a lot of information already. I thought overwhelmingly. But all of this must be important, and this is also proof that T.E.C. is hiding something.
"Each day, I will come to the vents that connect to that hidden room to look into other files. And someone's been keeping all of them updated and organized. I haven't figured out who yet though. And I found two things that were shocking: One, it seems like the files contain short and simple information on things that they call specimens and experiments. I also think the most detailed and informed things are in the tapes that I found two days ago. The T.E.C.'s vip members use tapes to record something I'm guessing. I've only found two of them so far in the file's cabinets, I think they were left there by accident."
"So, you think the tapes contain something much more important than the files?"
I asked to make sure.
"Yeah, most likely. I mean, they kind of make it realllly obvious."
Tenson Confirmed.
"Anyways, if two of the tapes ended up where the files were located, there must be another hidden room nearby. I'll get some help on finding that exact room."
Tenson theorized in confidence.
"This is a lot more information than I thought you'll get in a month."
I praised, clearly impressed by this.
"Yep, I'm pretty amazing at tasks and secret missions aren't I?"
Tenson said, taking the praise.
"Anyway,"
He continued.
"This is the most important thing that you need to know, and don't forget it."
Tenson's tone suddenly became dead serious.
"In one of the recent files, I found a file that was emptier than the others. So this got me thinking: Why is there one file that holds less information? So of course I had to look into it. Inside, there was a photo of a person by the name of Woolfster. In the file, it had other stuff about this person named Woolfster, it's really creepy how they know all of this. In the file, they show where this Woolfster person is, their address, their friends, and other personal things."
I felt myself tense with unease while listening to what Tenson has just said.
"Isn't it weird that they have so much information about this person? I have a theory that they are trying to track this Woolfster person down and... I don't know, turn them into one of those things they call experiments and specimens like they mentioned in the other files."
Tenson theorized again. I stood there in the cave silent with complete shock and worry. What does T.E.C. want to do with Woolf? I wondered. Woolfster, usually goes by: Woolf. He was part of the friend group with Socks, Meme, Blaza, Tbh, Nadwe, Muffin, Joocie, Oof, Oompa (who is deceased), and I. So of course I known Woolf for a while. However, about a year ago before the incident, Woolf suddenly took a change in mood and behavior. He started to panic often and spread negative actions towards others. Some of us like Blaza, Joocie, and I tried to help him go through this tough time but it just didn't work. Woolf mentioned many times how annoying it was that people cared for him after what he had done. None of us really knew what he meant by that but we just decided to leave him be to reflect on himself. That went on for a couple of months before suddenly we heard that he moved to a new place and started ignoring everyone. The only way to contact him was through text, but as you know, Woolf's contact was terminated two weeks ago, hours after Oompa died. Besides, Woolf never answered his texts anyways. No one in the group knew why Woolf did what he did, no one even knew where he lived. A lot of us blamed ourselves about Woolf. It took a while before everyone in the group recovered from Woolf's absents.
"What you're saying is just a theory, but that theory is mostly likely true... and I suppose you knew that I was also friends with Woolf?"
"Oh, you call them Woolf? And yeah, I think my theory is obviously correct. Meaning, I think you should find and convince Woolf to hide somewhere before the dark side of T.E.C. does something to them."
Tenson suggested. And I must agree, Tenson's right. But I can't contact Woolf nor can I find him in person, I don't even know where he lives.
"Can you send me a copy of that exact file about Woolf and the location on where he lives?"
I asked politely, setting up a new objective mentally in my head.
"Yeah of course, but please make sure to find Woolf before T.E.C. does."
Tenson reminded me.
"I'll try my best mate."
I replied determinedly.
"We'll both have to do our parts flawlessly and quickly."
Tenson encouraged both of us before we said our farewells and ended the call. Because that was all there to discuss. After that call, I've never been much more motivated in my life. And I'm going to find Woolf whether he likes it or not.
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Some awesome feedback from the editor Greenie:

Greenie: I was here C:   And yes, I'm the one and only ✨E D I T O R ✨also thanks for letting me edit this writing Blue/Squishy I don't really have an excuse to write often. (Even if I didn't write much I love the L O R E S O U P)
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This took longer to write than I thought. Thank you for the ones who read this long chapter till the end, it shows that you are an amazing and productive reader, Greenie and I really appreciate your participation. That's all for now, have a wonderful and amazing day or night!
-Squishy

Words in this chapter: 3734
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