After reading the file, they were filled with astonishment and disbelief. So far in the game, they had encountered many SCP secured by the Foundation. Some were eerie and terrifying, some were bloodthirsty and brutal, and some appeared cute on the surface but were actually extremely dangerous.
Yet none of these SCPs had ever shown affection toward humans, but the orange-yellow creature called the Tickle Monster displayed exactly that trait. This was completely unprecedented. They were stunned by this revelation.
And not just them, countless viewers on the stream were buzzing with curiosity about the strange creature. The message scrolled rapidly across the chat box:
"Holy crap! This thing's amazing!"
"Never seen such a weird creature before!"
"Tickle, that name's way too fitting!"
"If this thing were real, it could cure depression!"
"It's so cute!"
The group ignored the chat, as their focus remained on the main report in the file, though that shock was nothing compared to what came next. When they opened the file's appendix, their astonishment only deepened.
[ Addendum SCP-999-A: "Reminder to all staff: SCP-999 is not to consume caffeinated soft drinks of any kind. Last week, someone gave SCP-999 a can of cola along with its usual breakfast- Not only was it literally bouncing off the walls for half an hour, the carbonation made SCP-999 visibly queasy afterwards, and it refused to move or eat the rest of the day. SCP-999 has thankfully recovered since, but the staff member in question has been reprimanded."
-Dr. ████████
Addendum SCP-999-B: The following is a report from an experiment in which SCP-682 is exposed to SCP-999 in the hopes that it will curb the creature's omnicidal rage.
SCP-999 is released into SCP-682's containment area. SCP-999 immediately slithers towards SCP-682.
999: (elated gurgles)
682: (unintelligible groans, growling) What is that?
SCP-999 moves in front of SCP-682, jumping up and down in a dog-like manner while calling out in a high-pitched squealing noise.
682: (groans) Disgusting…
SCP-682 immediately steps on SCP-999, completely flattening SCP-999. Observers were about to abort the experiment when SCP-682 started talking again.
682: (grunts) Hmmm? (unintelligible) what is this… (low noise, similar to light chuckle) I feel… good…
SCP-999 can be seen crawling up from between SCP-682's toes, up along its side and around its neck, where it clings on and begins gently nuzzling with its pseudopod. A wide grin slowly spreads across SCP-682's face.
682: (deep chuckling) Feel… so… happy. Happy… (laughs) happy… happy…
SCP-682 repeats the word "happy" for several minutes, laughing occasionally before escalating into nonstop laughter. As laughter continues, SCP-682 rolls around on its back, slamming its tail upon the floor with dangerous force.
682: (bellowing laughter) Stop! No tickling! (continues laughing)
SCP-682 and SCP-999 continue the "tickle fight" until SCP-682 finally wears down and appears to fall asleep with what would appear to be a smile on its face. After fifteen minutes with no activity, two D-Class personnel enter the room to retrieve SCP-999. When SCP-999 is removed, SCP-682 immediately wakes up and unleashes an unidentifiable wave of energy from its body, all the while laughing maniacally.
All persons within the wave's range collapse into crippling fits of laughter, allowing SCP-682 to escape and slaughter all in its path. Meanwhile, SCP-999 quickly rescues as many persons as it can, taking them to a safe place to recover from SCP-682's "laughter wave" while agents suppress and re-contain SCP-682.
Despite the tragedy that SCP-682 had brought upon the facility, SCP-999 has not shown any fear towards the creature and in fact has made gestures suggesting it wants to "play" with SCP-682 again. SCP-682, however, has stated, "That feculent little [unintelligible] can [DATA EXPUNGED] and die."
Memo from Dr. ████: "While the test was unsuccessful and ended in tragedy, that had to be the funniest thing I have ever seen. I never thought I'd see the day when I would regard SCP-682 as "cute". Please send me a copy of the security tapes ASAP." ]
After reading the appendix, Brit and his companions were speechless.
"My god… it can actually restrain that monster…" Kiwo gasped, eyes wide.
Vale clicked his tongue thoughtfully, as though he had stumbled upon a hidden truth.
"I've got a feeling," he said, "that thing's the Lizard's nemesis!"
Brit nodded. "We've never seen SCP-682, but it's clearly a terrifying entity. To think the Tickle Monster could actually restrain it, that's incredible."
He glanced back at the orange creature. The same went for Kiwo and Vale. Under their curious gazes, the Tickle wiggled its tentacles happily. Whatever sadness it had shown earlier had vanished, replaced by pure excitement.
"According to the file, it can understand human speech," Kiwo whispered.
"Let's test it," Brit said gently. "Hello there… can you understand us?"
The orange monster froze, staring straight at Brit. A few seconds later, it waved its tentacles again and let out a cheerful "cluck" sound.
Seeing this, the trio's eyes widened in amazement. A strange, heartwarming feeling welled up inside them.
Meanwhile, the viewers went wild upon seeing both the appendix and the Tickle Monster's adorable response. The chat flooded once more:
"Damn! It really understands!"
"It's not just that, it can restrain the Lizard! That's insane!"
"I wanna see that scene, the Tickle riding the Lizard's neck, haha!"
"We still haven't even seen the Lizard for real yet!"
"I'm so hyped for this! Let's go!"
"So cute and it understands human speech!"
"No way that terrifying Lizard's scared of this! Unbelievable!"