My head throbbed as my consciousness came too.
I could see a tree above me, a starry midnight sky above that, and an aching back all in one package. I love me some three for one deals. At least my sense of humor wasn't damaged in the attack. What would I do without that now?
I sat up and rubbed my eyes. [Mister, you're awake!] I heard before something rammed into my ribcage, knocking me over again.
"Where the hell are we?" I asked the 'Ralts' that was buried in my chest.
I swore tears started swelling up in its eyes. [I got scared from all the loud noises and… accidentally teleported us into the forest.]
Well that's brilliant. Nothing ever goes right first try right? Not ever can anything stay correct for one second when I'm away right? I wanted to start laughing in madness, but that wouldn't be very professional of me.
I couldn't let go of my sanity, no matter how much it hurt.
I hugged it lightly. "It's alright, let's just go back to base. I'm sure everything will be fine." I had to keep things going properly, hopefully being more friendly with it will work. It had grown quite a bit from the odd process during the scuffle, seemingly evolving mid-fight for its needs. My mind bubbled with ideas to force the process to happen again. But then again, it might be a one off thing…
I shook my head and got up, realizing that the 'Ralts' did indeed get heavier from the process. "Where did you teleport us exactly?"
[S- somewhere I could remember that was close by…]
"Can you take us back?"
It hopped off of me and started to glow. Suddenly stopping and turning around, observing the forest. [There's… someone there.]
The gun I used was apparently here as well, I picked it up and dusted it off. It still had some trank ammunition in it thankfully. Hopefully it isn't anything too big. I felt a familiar probing feeling, but it wasn't coming from the 'Ralts'...
The bushes shook as something stepped out. I trained my weapon on it, realizing it was another 'Ralts'. And it looked angry as all hell-
My gun creaked as the barrel was bent in impossible directions, I threw it away and stared down 'Ralts-two' without moving an inch. Hopefully standing my ground doesn't get me bloody plastered over these trees in the form of red mist.
'Ralts-one' got between me and 'Ralts-two', its arms out to stop either from approaching even though I towered over both of them. I wondered what 'Ralts-one' was saying to the other, hopefully I don't die and it comes with us back to the Foundation. Rogue psychics are some of the roughest SCPs to deal with.
'Ralts-two' angrily jabbed it's right hand at me. [So who are you anyway?] I noticed it had my amulet in its left hand. 'Ralts-one' must've given it to the other one to communicate with me.
"Doctor Jack Bright, you can call me Bright."
[Bright? Nah, I'll just call you dim-]
'Ralts-one' seemed to scold 'Ralts-two' viciously in some kind of dialect I couldn't quite describe. Now I know they have some kind of verbal language I could try and translate in the future… maybe this isn't so bad. It's got quite the tongue for something that speaks through telepathy.
"Do you have a name?"
'Ralts-two' made eye contact, although I feel as if my cold expression softened its own. I suddenly felt an odd feeling inside my head, an image of a cold cliffside came to my head. A weird buzzing followed it as the feeling intensified before disappearing completely. It posed proudly, was that its bloody name? How does that even work?
"Since I can't verbalize whatever the hell you just showed me, I'll just call you Cliff." I sighed, hoping it would agree. "Sound reasonable?"
I guessed that Cliff was male, the voice inside my head was deeper than the other one's. Perhaps I should give the other one a name, just for simplicity's sake. But what would I name it? Have I even thought of the implications of where these things are even coming from? We know nothing except that they are appearing everywhere.
[Fine, whatever you're stupid mind requires I guess.]
'Ralts-one' scolded Cliff yet again, this time slapping him over the back of his head. So it could definitely hear what Cliff was telepathically saying to me, intriguing.
[Also we aren't Ralts, we're Kirlia.] Cliff added as he tossed my amulet to apparently 'Kirlia-one'. Alright, so it's a process that they go through normally enough to have names for the different variants…
Does this mean they are simply growing but with added flare to it? Is it activated as some lifesaving last resort? What point in their lifespan are they? And why in the bloody hell does this one have the mentality of some twelve year old brat?
'Kirlia-one' seemed quite frustrated at Cliff, they seemed far too familiar with each other. Calling it now that they probably are siblings. Either way, it looked up at me with a sorry expression on my face. [I'm sorry about my… brother, he's not very nice to anyone.]
"I can tell… also, since there's now two of you, do you have a name I could use?" So Cliff is her brother. Meaning they have the concept of family. Even more interesting...
I suddenly felt warm as an image of a crescent moon appeared in my head. It felt comforting and ethereal. I also got the memo that 'it' was indeed female. "How does 'Luna' sound?"
She seemed rather happy, nodding yes as she passed me back my accursed amulet. She twirled around like a ballerina before saying something to Cliff. He rolled his eyes and got closer to us as she began to glow lightly.
We appeared in the same area where we fought the other SCP, the land was still littered with craters from its attacks. Kanin was looking at us, mouth gaped with a squad of Retrieval Specialists beside him. "Guess things are starting to solve themselves."
The squad didn't look nearly as amused as him, their weapons were cocked and trained on us immediately. Cliff looked quite agitated by the sudden change in scenery and number of people, his hands were raised and pointed at them in turn.
"Hold your bloody fire," I ordered as I stood in front of Cliff and Luna. "The situation is under my control."
"I think that's why everyone is so tense." Kanin retorted. He shook his head before waving for everyone to stand down but remain wary.
I rolled my eyes, knowing that I better not make any sudden moves for these two's sake."If I get the job done, people shouldn't care how I do it. But I digress, just clear the way to the enclosure."
He nodded as the squad broke off to take tactical positions in case something happened. Two followed behind him specifically as he radioed in everything. I followed behind them with Cliff and Luna beside me.
The elevator ride was cramped, and wasn't helped by the aggressive atmosphere of both parties. Consisting of Cliff's stares of disapproval and Kanin taking up as much room as he possibly could. Luna had surprisingly taken after me, keeping her side of matters in check. Just maybe I could convince the O' Five to let me try something…
Less stuffy air flooded into the elevator as the doors slowly opened, Kanin and his men stepped out first with their weapons still ready to go at a moment's notice. I noticed that he had a new emblem on his shoulder, one that didn't exactly match anything I'd seen before.
It had a ball split in two parts, one white and the other red, in the middle was a smaller circle that was white that had a black line dividing the colors.
"What emblem is that?" I asked nonchalantly.
Kanin looked between his two men, I noticed the same emblem on them as well. "While you were gone, we were given a new MTF squad specifically for our stranger then usual operations. I was put in charge of it, meaning technically you and me are equals now."
"I've dealt with all manner of nasty MTF generals and captains before, you'll be no different if you go down that path." I stated in a monotone voice.
"I know, and I also know I won't be the last either. I'll continue to do my job, so long as you do yours."
I smiled slightly. "Then let's continue, I wanted to try something- where is that rock we got initially from the original Ralts?"
"Still in the lab, they couldn't find anything anomalous with it beyond some faint energy signature that doesn't appear to do anything. What did you want it for?"
I had the slightest hunch on what it could do when exposed to one of these new 'Kirlia'. "A theory based on what I've seen these SCP change into. I believe they are growing up, albeit in a much more rapid way when compared to us."
"Ah, so you want to see if it changes anything. Well we could try that tomorrow. We are still recovering from the attack, speaking of which…" he pointed to a door that we passed by, guarded by several of his new units. "It's in there, still alive. I'm sure you're pleased to hear that."
A few thoughts and ideas came to mind, possible experiments, tests, and even an idea to maybe tame it. All in due time, for now we have to stick with what I can do. Luna glared in the door's direction, probably sensing what was on the other side and recognizing it. I wonder what goes on inside her head, maybe I could just ask.
All in due time… all in due time… I have all the time in the world. There is no rush, for now anyway. I am bloody immortal after all.
Luna took my amulet and held it tightly, glancing at Cliff as he rolled his eyes and murmured something. [Can you stay with us for a little bit after we get back to the weird tree? Cliff wanted to tell you something.]
"... alright." I whispered. I couldn't see much reason to say no.
The rest of the walk was uneventful and short, Kanin's two guards stayed outside the door as me and him escorted the two SCP the rest of the way.
Cliff seemed rather impressed with how big the room was, Luna handed him my amulet after sliding off my shoulder. [Look, mister uh, 'Bright'... thank you for keeping my sis' safe. That's all.] he tossed my amulet to Luna, who handed back to me.
Luna waved to me as I left, hopefully they don't cause any damages or set off any alarms. Maybe we'll be able to let them roam the facility if I get permission, assuming O' Five let me. Kanin walked beside me as we made our way to the command center to finish this ever eventful day of work.