A bug without a cause

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By Marcelles D. Raynes

Link To Guide
Item#:XXXX
Clearance Level 2: Clearance
Containment Class: euclid
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Secondary Class: apollyon
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Disruption Class: #/vlam
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Risk Class: #/notice
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Special Containment Procedures

Description

beetle

SCP-XXXX moments prior to containment

SCP-XXXX is the collective designation for two insectoid organisms, adorned in distinct styles of medieval garb. Both entities are capable of human speech in addition to another, undefined language both identify as "Craeic".

SCP-XXXX-A is a beetle of an unknown genus vaguely resembling a non-anomalous European rhinoceros beetle. Present on SCP-XXXX-A's body is a set of steel armor1, presumed impervious to conventional methods of destruction. SCP-XXXX-A is capable of fluid locomotion while adorning its armor despite appearing to be ill-fitting. Additionally, the armor is non-harmonious; it is evident that articles from different sets were compiled into one cohesive unit.

SCP-XXXX-A is equipped with a shield, with which it uses to deflect hostilities from aggressors. So far, SCP-XXXX-A's shield has proven to have a 100% success rate in deflection from serrated weaponry, ballistic rounds, and blunt force trauma, regardless of the size relative to the anomaly. Additionally, grafted to the horn of SCP-XXXX-A is a sharpened, metallic edge. This edge appears to have a specific pattern similar to Japanese Hamon2, although the significance of this is unknown.

SCP-XXXX-B is a caterpillar resembling that of Graphium Doson. The anomaly is adorned in religious garb of cultural significance to Alteria, although the material of the clothing appears to have sustained significant damage from unknown sources. Several of SCP-XXXX-B's limbs are either broken or missing, limiting its mobility.

The entity is recognized by the Foundation Council of Graduated Thaumaturges as a Type III magi with an affinity for medicinal and theological-based magicks. SCP-XXXX-B often utilizes its innate thaumaturgical prowess to assist SCP-XXXX-A, mending its wounds or enhancing its physical attributes well beyond what is naturally possible. The exact range of SCP-XXXX-B's ability, if one is present, is unknown.

Post-Containment Interview: SCP-XXXX-A


Following the initial containment of SCP-XXXX-A and SCP-XXXX-B, both were interviewed as to their whereabouts and recent activities prior to Foundation interaction. Both anomalies were found in the company of one another, with SCP-XXXX-A assisting SCP-XXXX-B walk. While SCP-XXXX-A was considerably hostile to Foundation containment teams, the entity gradually became more passive following conversation with SCP-XXXX-B.

Interviewer: Dr. Wisteria

Interviewed: SCP-XXXX-B

<Begin Log>

Dr. Wisteria: Okay, we've got everything set up for an interview with…?

SCP-XXXX-A: Humphrey.

Dr. Wisteria: Humphrey. (Quietly.) Official designation; SCP-XXXX-B. (To SCP-XXXX-B) So, my friend, might I ask you a few questions?

SCP-XXXX-A: Get on with it.

Dr. Wisteria: When we picked you up, you and SCP-XXXX-B were hiding out in the corpse of a dead guy. We only knew about that because, well, you're not exactly stealthy.

SCP-XXXX-A: It's unfortunate that you caught us. The girl's just as useless now as she was in Alteria. She was supposed to provide camouflage, make it seem like an accident. I know how you gods like to… meddle… in insect affairs.

Dr. Wisteria: You… I'm sorry, you killed a man and didn't expect human intervention?

SCP-XXXX-A: I had bigger things to worry about at the time.

Dr. Wisteria: Like what?

SCP-XXXX-A: Shepparding the weak.

Dr. Wisteria: That must have been challenging for you, considering what you've had to do to get as far as you did.

SCP-XXXX-A: You've no idea. The girl's got a curse about her. Some Root Priest bullshit if you ask me. She's cursed alright, just not in the way she thinks. Why do you think it's just me and her now? [It laughs]

Dr. Wisteria: Do you mind if I ask where you got your armor from?

SCP-XXXX-A: Alterian bugs.

Dr. Wisteria: Did you take it from the ones that were with you when you fled?

SCP-XXXX-A: Aye, some of it. My shield was a boon from Heltvar himself, as payment for dealing with the Wasps that were trying to ruin his crop. The rest though? Came from the kingdom proper. Right as the walls and ceiling were caving in, squashing my fellow clansmen. All 'cause of that damned priest and her rotten clergy.

Dr. Wisteria: I'm sorry for your loss.

SCP-XXXX-A: Am I supposed to be grateful for that?

Dr. Wisteria: It's just a turn of phrase I'm afraid.

SCP-XXXX-A: Feh. It's a right shit phrase if you ask me.


Post-Containment Interview: SCP-XXXX-A


Interview with SCP-XXXX-B where she says that even though -A is gruff and mean, she believes deep down that he truly cares for her. She explains a bit the actions he took during the fall of Alteria, but decides that it isn't her story to tell without -A's input.

Interviewer: Dr. Wisteria

Interviewed: SCP-XXXX-B


Combat Prowess Assessment


Foundation assesses SCP-X-A's combat abilities. SCP-X-A says that they're making a big mistake and tries to end the battles quickly because it doesn't want to fight. The Foundation gode him into battle by saying they'll harm -B, which makes -A angry enough to complete the test.

Applied Thaumaturgical Practicies


The Foundation uses SCP-XXXX-B to heal the injured D-Class from the previous combat test. SCP-XXXX-B explains that she's never healed a god before and that she is afraid she'll mess something up again. Dr. Wisteria inquires more, leading to SCP-X-B explaining that during the Hashabor's destruction of Alteria she was helping the injured and mind-controlled bugs but nothing was working too well. SCP-XXX-B manages to successfully heal several of the D-Class, and the Foundation Council of Graduated Thaumaturges creates a weekly lecture for undergrads to learn healing magic from her.
  • SCP-XXXX-B refers to a "curse", but does not want to elaborate on it because its rather grim. This curse is in reference to the death of Root Priests once they reach maturity. There is an Alterian legend SCP-XXXX-B sites here that parallels a real world story, one that ends in the death of the hero.

Contesting Accounts


Dr. Wisteria interviews 5053, noting that both it and SCP-X-A and -B are from the same kingdom he was from. 5053, Spanner, gives his side of events and was unaware that Humphrey and a priest from Root made it out alive. He expresses more grief for not doing his job properly and begs Dr. Wisteria to convey this feeling to Humphrey. Dr. Wisteria interviews SCP-X-A and tells him of 5053's accounts of events. SCP-X-A expresses his anger, but says he doesn't expect more from the elite and that the bugs from Root are more genuine because they don't have all the fancy shit those higher in the tree do.

SCP-XXXX-A Containment Breach


SCP-XXXX-A breaches containment upon hearing SCP-XXXX-B's cries. Foundation agents attempt to stop him, but are unsuccessful. Their attacks are parried and deflected, and he eventually finds his way to SCP-XXXX-B. He demands to see her, as it was his promise to her as the Aegis of Alteria to protect her until her final moments. Inside the chamber, he discovers her as she cocoons and transforms into a radiant butterfly. SCP-XXXX-B thanks -A for his service and kindness all the years they've been together before withering and dying. SCP-XXX-A explains that this must have been the curse she was referring to the whole time.
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