Return(1)

~ Amelia's Apartment, America, SCP Universe, 9:04 PM ~

Amelia Buck was currently at her apartment and handling some SCP files on her laptop and was given a day off today by the foundation which was rarely given to her. Green, on the other hand, was on a mission so basically she was on her own with her Stand Locked Away. It's only been two days since Rodeo went M.I.A after the mission in Mount Foraker and in those days she couldn't help but still worry for his safety. Little did she know, though, that the Killer Queen had returned and that she would soon be receiving a call about it right about... now.

"Hello?" Amelia calmly answered after noticing her phone ringing and placed it next to her ear.

[Hey Buck, this is Evan. We got some good news and bad news.]

With a curious tilt of her eyebrow, Amelia said, "Go on."

[Good news is Rodeo is back with some unexpected guest.]

"What?!"

[Bad news is he's severely injured and has some unusual injuries on his body that seem to be... glowing and the medical staff are currently trying to keep him stable in the infirmary. Another unfortunate thing is that Robert is still with Green on a mission so we are unable to instantly heal his injuries at the moment.]

"Stay right there! I'm coming back to Site-17!"

After hanging up the phone, Amelia hurriedly puts on her lab coat while her Stand Locked Away retrieved the car keys from a desk and handed it to her before the Stand disappeared while her user walked out the apartment.

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Outside of Amelia's apartment building, the woman exits the building and enters her car that was parked on a sidewalk before starting its engines and speeds down the road toward Site-17 at full speed, not noticing four muscular men in hoodie jackets, jeans, and sport shoes sitting on a bench reading newspapers together as they noticed her leaving in a hurry.

"She seemed to be in a hurry." Wamuu said.

"And worried too." Santana added.

"Humans are always in a hurry when it comes to their jobs and their worrying is just another form of fear in their brains." Esidisi stated.

"Judging by her lab coat she might be a doctor, perhaps an emergency might have come up with some patient somewhere." Kars speculated.

"Probably Lord Kars, but why do we get the feeling we might cross paths with her again?" Wamuu wondered.

Esidisi pats the back of his head, "I'm pretty sure it's just your mind thinking that way." he said.

"Hmm... perhaps Lord Esidisi."

And like that, the four Pillar Men carried on reading their newspapers like any other group of men in anyone's eyes when they noticed them.

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~ Ward-C, Infirmary, Site-17 - 9:07 PM ~

Within Site-17's infirmary, Rodeo was laying on a bed in a ward room. The doctors had to perform this procedure for him, though, as the injuries on his body were deep and widespread as a result of the dark aether crystals exploded on his face when he destroyed them with Casull and Jackal in the dark aether realm, leaving his entire body immobile and covered in bandages from head to toe, giving him the appearance of a mummy.

While he was unmoving, his mind was very much active.

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Rodeo's POV:

Well... here I am again. Inside this endless black void and drifting through this vast emptiness. My body was normal here, surprisingly, but I know my body won't be the same once I wake up since I've taken a serious blow to the face. Shoot the crystals and let it explode on your face without a care in the world, but hey sometimes you gotta make sacrifices even if it means your own body, soul and mind. I did catch a glimpse of Evan before completely passing out which means... I'm back at the foundation.

"Seems like it was worth it, but what about the rest?"

I pondered to myself, and that feeling compelled me to wake up one way or another. The foundation no doubt might have kept Alcina, Karl and the rest in containment. I need to tell them they're on our side. In fact, I have a lot of explaining to do to my team about what crazy multiverse bizarre adventure hopping I had, even though it was just two universes I visited and fought the army of two different universes from Call of Duty Zombies and Wolfenstein's Reich. Yup, it's going to definitely be one of those explanations.

"...How long am I going to be stuck here though?"

As I continued to lay within the darkness of the void, all of a sudden, everything around me began to shift and I found myself seated in a cart of some sort being pulled by a horse with a knight driving the horse cart as it traveled down a road through a forest.

"Why is this familiar?"

"Hey you."

Freezing in my spot, I slowly turned to the source of the voice, which I immediately recognized. Upon turning to the person who spoke, my fear came true.

"...Oh god no."

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"You're finally awake."

[IMAGES]

"Get me out of this. Get me out of this! GET ME OUT OF THIS!!"

As if fate had listened to my prayers, the scenery once again shifted around me. A short while later, I found myself in some kind of mining cave.

I sigh in relief, "Thank heaven. Each time I have to boot up Skyrim with a new playthrough I have to go through that scene... EVERYTIME!"

Calming myself down, I began to look around and said to myself, "A mining cave huh?"

Glancing at my arms, I widened my eyes and gasped upon seeing purple shimmering fissures visible not only on my arm but including a few parts on my chest, back and even legs.

"What the?!"

It was at that moment that I noticed a bucket of water next to a rock that was collecting water from a dripping metal pipe on the rocky ceiling. Using the water's reflection, I saw something that caused my expression to shift into a look of horror, even if I do have an expression.

What I saw was the entire left side of my face was covered in purple-glowing cracks and even my left ear had small purple-glowing cracks as well but luckily my left eye remained normal, as did the right side of my face, right ear, and right eye, all of which were free of those purple glowing cracks.

Getting Two Face vibes from looking at my face.

"...Can anything get better for me?"

"So yoah chyeatyed dyeaze oncye agaeen, Rodyeo? (So you cheated death once again, Rodeo)" A new voice with a Russian accent spoke forth.

Upon hearing the new voice, I immediately spun around to find a man sitting on a rock, staring at me intently. And I recognize that all-too familiar person to be exact from a certain video game I've played.

"Viktor Reznov."

The man named Viktor chuckled, "At lyeast yoah knov vho ee am (At least you know who I am)"

[IMAGES]

"Either my mind has finally lost it or I'm pretty sure the dark aether crystals that exploded on my face has infected my soul or G-man has created an illusion and is trolling me at the moment."

"Well you're mostly right. I'm not real. I am nothing more than a projection made by the dark aether that has now infected your body and soul, causing you to see these things. As for G-man, he has nothing involved in this, and your mind is still intact for the most part. As for your situation, fortunately, the dark aether is not eating your soul... for now, but since we are here. Let us talk," Viktor gestured to me on a rock, "Take a seat." he said.

I... just straight up decided to go with it and I sat on the rock.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked.

"You, my friend, have cheated death more than once. Fate still has plans for you," Viktor stated as he chuckled when his demeanor abruptly shifted to a grave manner, "Still, you must be prepared for what's coming next. Your victory against the Forsaken has already forced him into more anger than last time and now you have returned with the foundation. How long before he decides to strike this universe as well?"

"He won't. He messes up one thing in this universe, he's putting himself at risk of being annihilated by the horrors that are far more powerful than he is. There are too many risks even if he tried to."

Hearing my statement, Viktor smiled, "...You need to really grow up, child. The world is bigger than you think. You have so much room to develop yet you're afraid of taking it and the fear of becoming something else. Why do you think the ones in Hellsing advised you to be better? Because it is necessary in times of war. You only got a glimpse of the war in Hellsing but you have only done battles up until now."

"I don't need to be reminded. I will grow past myself."

"When, comrade? Days? Weeks? Months? You cannot depend on your moral compasses for too long, even after your GOC encounter and first blood, you still hold onto some moral principles and emotions you don't want to let go of and in war the only true equalizer... is death."

"Don't forget, Reznov. You desire vengeance for Stalingrad and return as a hero with Dimitri by putting your morality and feelings aside. I understand your reasons and motivation and that you completed your retribution, but what did you gain in return? Nova 6. Dragovich. Kravchenko. Steiner. Dimitri dying... and Vorkuta. That's what you got instead."

"Now whether it's my fault or not for ending the way I did, I have no regrets for our vengeance being completed after reaching the Reichstag. My only regret might have been to not shoot Steiner when I had the chance, perhaps then things would have turned out differently for me and Dimitri, but at the time, I was still following orders. Rodeo, you cannot guarantee that your method of doing things will always be effective forever especially in a war. In war emotions, moral codes, hesitation and conflicts will be a death sentence for you and your comrades. And after a certain amount of time, how long before the foundation decides that they have little need for you, then what?"

"I'll think of something." I calmly responded as I stood up to my feet.

Viktor followed, "The flags might be different but the methods remain the same, Rodeo. One day you will see yourself in a tight spot where you must make a crucial choice that will turn the tides in your favor and whether your allies will support your decision or hate you for it after that, it depends. Sometimes, Rodeo, there are moments when you have to give up a part of who you are... to achieve victory, a stalemate, because without sacrifices, no war or battle can ever be won."

After finishing speaking, Viktor pointed to his right and I turned to face in that direction where a hole was on the ground.

"That's your exit."

"I see."

"But remember this…"

"Hm?"

"D4C. Wonder of U. Whitesnake. Tartarus. The Forsaken. The Scarlet King. These people. These monsters... must.. die."

"...Noted."

Viktor smiled, "...Then jump."

Following his words, I approached the hole and jumped into it.

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~ Ward - C, Infirmary, Site-17, America - 9:12 PM ~

Third Person POV:

The moment his cat-like eyes glowed light-colored sclera once more, Rodeo gasps and raises his upper torso in a quick motion. Surveying around his surroundings, Rodeo settled down and sighed upon realizing where he was.

"I'm back. Damn I can't see anything with these bandages on my face and covering my whole body again... and my body feels like crap."

Rodeo knew he was lying on a bed and no doubt was in an infirmary, but his mind was focused where his team might be at the moment.

"...Wonder where the rest are?" Rodeo wondered as he tried moving his body and muscles, only to experience more ache with the slightest movement, so he gave up and quit moving, "Nope. I don't think I'm moving anywhere today," he sighs, "Good grief."

At that moment, Rodeo heard the door to his ward room open.

"Who's there?"

Before Rodeo could identify the person, he got tackled into a hug by someone.

"Ow! Still healing here!"

"Your back!"

The one who's hugging him was none other than Amelia.

"Amelia?" Feeling joy, Rodeo hugs back as he smiles, "It's good to see you again."

"Me too." Amelia sniffed. After moments of embrace, she decided to release him from the hug and gently held Rodeo's bandaged face. "What have you been through?!" she asked aloud.

Rodeo nervously smiled, "It's a long story, but let's just say it's been crazy for me."

"I'm... just...."

"Amelia, I'm alright. Just been through things in the two universes I've been."

"I see, but you're back now and that's what matters."

"Yeah, where's the rest?"

"I just recently arrived and-"

Amelia's sentence was cut short as the two noticed the door immediately open to reveal Michelle, Miguel and Evan bargaining into the room.

"Rodeo!"

Rodeo pathetically waved his hand at the three, "Hey guys. Can't see you with these bandages on my face but hearing from you guys again is great." he said, watching the three approach him and embrace him in a tight hug.

"We really missed you." Michelle said as she hugged him tightly.

"Me too. Sorry for leaving you guys behind."

"Hey you're back now, man. So no need for sorrys." Evan replied as he and the others broke away from the hug.

"How long was I gone?" Rodeo asked.

Miguel is the first to explain, "Surprisingly enough, two days, mi amigo. During those days after the mission, the CI network had been dark and still we got nothing regarding project Jaeger. We still aren't following Wonder of U who has the argent crystal and we still can't find D4C, Whitesnake nor the Pillar Men and the Hell Dimension's forces whereabouts. The Global Occult Coalition were themselves at the moment and the Stand Arrow we took from Mount Foraker is still with us. Other than that nothing much has been happening."

"...I see. Well that's good to know. Where are the rest of the people who I came with?"

Evan awkwardly chuckled as he explained, "About that, the people you came with welllllllllllll... we kinda kept them in containment while the items you bought are in storage containment."

"Yeah, why were you with them?" Michelle questioned inquisitively.

"...First let me get rested up. I'm honestly not in a mood to talk about what I've been through."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Also Alcina and the rest, are they awake or unconscious?"

"They are unconscious but they are mostly asleep." Evan responded.

"Then I'll rest for the night. I'll discuss everything tomorrow morning. And by the way, where's Robert?"

"He's with Agent Green on a mission, they should have been back by now the moment we informed him about your return." Miguel explained.

"I understand. You guys can go now. Let me rest up for the night. We'll talk about everything tomorrow morning."

Amelia nodded, "...Alright then."

"Are you sure you don't want any company?" Michelle asked.

Rodeo slightly nodded, "I'm... sure. I just need one night alone to rest up and collect myself. I'll be fine."

"Okay, but let us know if you need anything."

"I will."

And like that, they left the room.

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Outside the Infirmary...

"He appeares well, but he didn't ask us to keep him company or anything, and his mood seemed a bit off." Miguel murmured, sounding concerned, to the three.

Evan heaved a deep sigh, "Look, Rodeo might have gone through some things in whatever universes he was in, so questioning him now about anything when he just arrived and being injured... may not be the best option at the moment."

"You may be right." Miguel said with a sigh.

"Then let's give him some space for now," Michelle said as she turned to face Evan, "Do the rest know he's back?" she asked.

"Yeah I told them alright," he replied, "Spy seemed really glad that he's back since he is no longer required to lead our team."

"Of course."

"...Did you get anything from the individuals that Rodeo came along with? Anything in particular?" Amelia enquired.

Evan stated, "We did acquire Rodeo's helmet along with a ton of other items."

"Where are the items right now?"

"The helmet is with the technicians so that they can retrieve the auto-recording data from it and the rest of the items are in storage containment lockers."

Nodding in response to Evan's explanation, Amelia turned to face the other two and said, "We can wait till tomorrow for them. There is no rush."

Miguel nodded, "Si. Me and Evan will return to our room and let the others know Rodeo needs some time alone."

Shortly afterward, Michelle and Amelia watched as Miguel and Evan walked down the hallway and headed back to the chambers of Queen's Requiem.

"..."

Noticing the silence from Amelia, Michelle inquired, "...Getting that concerned feeling aren't you?"

"For Rodeo, yes."

"You and I both. Just what do you think he went through exactly?"

"...The same thing that he's been going through since he first arrived in this world."

"...Maybe, but he's still alive though, just shaken up perhaps with whatever he went through."

"Yeah, we should search for Molly and the rest. Let them know Rodeo has returned and is doing well."

"I did see her on the 6th floor of the site. We'll start from there."

"Then let's go."

Letting out a nod, Michelle makes her way down the corridor while Amelia gives one last look through the window of the ward room, where Rodeo is resting on the bed with his right hand behind his head before letting out a small smile.

"Get well soon."

Then she followed Michelle.

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"Wonder what the Forsaken might be up to?" Rodeo muttered in his thoughts as he lay in his bed with a serious look, wondering what the cosmic deity would do next.