"Please understand the absurdity of this information—the Tickle Monster is a child of the Scarlet King. Since then, we have been conducting high-intensity counterintelligence operations to prevent this information from leaking."
"The seventh girl became the only surviving Bride of the Scarlet King."
"And she was healed of all the wounds inflicted by her torment—by the Tickle Monster (SCP-999)."
"Afterwards, the girl underwent memory erasure and was able to return to her family under the Foundation's protection."
"Meanwhile, the seventh child—the Hero, the Tickle Monster—remained within the Foundation, classified as a 'safe' object."
"It sounds utterly ridiculous. How could our little Tickle Monster possibly be the key to defeating the Scarlet King?"
"To expect a cute, peanut butter-like blob to destroy an eldritch horror of cosmic proportions defies all logic."
"Well, the little Tickle Monster is barely three years old. It's still a child and hasn't fully mastered its powers. Yet, even now, the abilities it has displayed are nothing short of extraordinary."
"Even brief interaction with the Tickle Monster (SCP-999) can permanently cure severe depression and PTSD. In experiments, the Tickle Monster has completely reformed multiple D-Class personnel."
"Before, these D-Class were irredeemable scum, parasites of society."
"Natural-born sociopaths, or individuals twisted by unspeakable childhood trauma. They were hardened criminals—men who would sooner kill than do a single good deed."
"Now, they are optimistic, proactive, repentant of their crimes, and even help old ladies cross the street."
"This change is not chemical—it occurs on a spiritual or cognitive level."
"One day, the Tickle Monster (SCP-999) will grow strong enough, strong enough that even the Scarlet King will not be immune to its influence."
"Violet, I don't know if you've read the files on SCP-682."
"In short, it's a massive lizard that despises all life and possesses extreme adaptability. Through countless experiments and multiple records, we've uncovered its origins."
"It is the fallen Mother of Dragons—the first dragon in the multiverse."
"After a certain battle, it collapsed, exhausted, into the void between realities. There, it was corrupted by the Scarlet King and became what we now know as SCP-682."
"According to our research, SCP-682 is likely the Scarlet King's fourth child."
"During one termination attempt, SCP-682 went berserk, causing a containment breach. Before Mobile Task Forces could intervene, it rampaged through the Foundation site."
"Until it encountered the Tickle Monster."
"The moment they touched, SCP-682 calmed completely."
"It ceased all destruction, stopped attacking personnel, and simply lay still until MTFs recontained it."
"If our research into SCP-682's origins is correct, then the Tickle Monster is already powerful enough to temporarily pacify its own siblings."
"It's clear that one day, the Tickle Monster will grow strong enough to permanently reform its family, to turn those malevolent entities away from darkness."
"It won't overthrow the Scarlet King through force. But through light, love, and laughter—illuminating even the darkest souls."
"The Tickle Monster (SCP-999) is not just a safe, Thaumiel-class object. It is our greatest weapon against the most powerful malevolent entity we know. The Tickle Monster is the Foundation's most valuable asset."
"Violet, please enjoy your relatively safe assignment. And in the days to come, take good care of our little Tickle Monster."
"On a side note, Violet, you've only recently been freed from war. War is cruel and irrational—it destroys countless lives and hopes."
"Yet, in your eyes, I don't see a girl broken by battle."
"You still retain a bright, kind heart."
"Like the seventh Bride of the Crimson King, you never yielded to suffering. That radiance in you is dazzling, impossible to look away from."
"That is why we've entrusted this role to you."
"And we hope that, in caring for the Tickle Monster,"
"You, too, will find healing—light, love, and laughter."
"In short, the Tickle Monster (SCP-999) is a vital Foundation asset. Its well-being and safety are paramount. Protect it well."
"Without Level-5 security clearance, you are not authorized to freely share this information."
"Per Foundation protocols, unauthorized disclosure of Level-5 classified data may result in termination for both you and the recipient."
"This letter will remain only on this terminal and will self-delete once you leave."
"You may reread it as needed to memorize all details."
"Signed: Your Secret Admirer, O5-1."
The letter ended there.
Violet read it over and over until she was certain she remembered everything.
Some details were still unclear.
Despite her training, many terms required further research in the Foundation database but she understood the most critical information.
When she stepped away from the computer, the letter vanished instantly.
The system shut down and formatted itself.
As Violet exited the room, she was handed a special A-Class personnel card. It identified her as a "Lead Investigator" with unique clearance.
Accepting the card, she was escorted to the Central Biosphere. Beneath a canopy of greenery, she found the Tickle Monster. Just as described—an adorable, orange-yellow blob resembling a beanbag chair.
Violet hesitantly reached out.
Immediately, the Tickle Monster embraced her, stretching part of itself to touch her. A soft, pleasant sensation filled her, followed by involuntary joy.
Memories flashed before her—warm moments at home, time spent with Haruto.
Before, Violet had only vaguely understood such emotions. Years of being raised as a weapon and the trauma of war had clouded her heart. Many soldiers, broken by such scars, chose suicide.
They could never readjust to normal life.
Violet, too, had once been unable to comprehend ordinary human connections, or love. She had fixated on orders, like a tool.
Now, the shadows in her heart were slowly fading.
With those wounds mended, Violet was, after all, just a teenage girl.
Her life before had been nothing but war and training—until the day she crossed worlds.
Yet those brief, new experiences outweighed everything before.
As if this was her true life.
And in this life, there was one person who mattered most.
The boy who had found her on the street, offered his hand, and told her she could stay with him.
After a moment with the Tickle Monster, Violet's lips curled upward—her first genuine smile.
She hugged it tightly, her radiance outshining even the Biosphere's beauty.
Violette had always been the world's most flawless girl, her mere presence is captivating.
But now, with a smile, she was even more breathtaking.
Afterward, Violet took the Tickle Monster with her, learning how to care for it. In truth, it required almost no effort.
It never wandered, content just to be near people.
Those who touched it felt happiness, making harm unthinkable.
It didn't eat, excrete, or even sleep.
Caring for the Tickle Monster was, indeed, an easy and safe assignment.
But Violet took it seriously nonetheless.
When her shift ended, she bid the Tickle Monster farewell and returned to the apartment.
As she opened the door, her eyes met Haruto's.
And for the first time, she greeted him with a bright, unfiltered smile.
It stunned him, leaving Haruto momentarily speechless.