SCP-2669 - The Thing

by One-Of-Three-Names

Rating: teen
Tags: Horror, Violence, Crossover, Death, Alternate Universe, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 4521

SCP Classifications: Biohazard, Non-Euclidean Biology, Exequestrial, IK-Class Threat

ITEM #: SCP-2669

OBJECT CLASS: Keter

SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES:

>ACCESS DENIED - LEVEL 2 AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED TO CONTINUE

Published 2020-06-04 20:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-06-04 20:20:01 UTC

SCP-2669

ITEM #: SCP-2669

OBJECT CLASS: Keter

SPECIAL CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES: Samples of SCP-2669 are to be kept frozen and contained within sealed heat and acid-warded alloy crates. These crates are to be kept inside a standard insulated containment chamber that has been fitted with internal refrigeration equipment to keep the crates and chamber temperature no higher than -25°C. This temperature is to be maintained by no less than three (3) redundant cooling units. If at any time the temperature in the containment chamber climbs above 18°C, site-wide emergency quarantine countermeasures will be activated. The containment chamber must at minimum be equipped with at least two acid-warded security airlocks, with a quarantine containment chamber between. The quarantine chamber is to be be fit with an incineration fail-safe system for use in incapacitating instances of SCP-2669-1 or those infected with SCP-2669 during an attempted breach event.

Once every week, an agent adhering to Class-A Biohazard protocols must enter the containment chamber to inspect the crates and refrigeration units for damage or flaws (See Incident-2669-C). At no other time is anyone permitted to enter the quarantine or main containment chamber without 05 authorization. Personnel leaving containment must remain in quarantine for a minimum of thirty-six (36) hours, and submit to periodic biohazard screening and standard DNA testing protocols followed by decontamination before exiting the quarantine chamber. Failure of any one of these tests is an indicator of exposure to SCP-2669, and is grounds for immediate activation of the incineration fail-safe. Authorization for further testing must be approved by no less than two-thirds of an 05-Council vote or a #001 emergency council override.

DESCRIPTION: SCP-2669 is an extremely virulent cellular organism believed to be exequestrial in origin. SCP-2669 is able to perfectly assimilate and imitate any cell that it comes into contact with, analyzing its genetic data and storing its form and function for later recall. This ability makes it capable of covertly spreading through living tissue, eventually assimilating an infected organism entirely into disguised copies of itself without outward signs of infection. SCP-2669 is not restricted to imitating a single type of cell, and may freely rewrite its biology to become an identical copy of any cell it possesses memory of. The method SCP-2669 uses to collect and store this information is unknown.

SCP-2669 instinctively seek each other out and form colonies, clumping together and eventually becoming a multicellular organism, hereby referred to as SCP-2669-1. SCP-2669-1 forms a collective intelligence among its cells through a method believed to be similar to the way brain cells form a neural network, pooling its collected information and growing in cognitive ability the more cells are connected in this manner. SCP-2669-1's cells share their genetic memories with each other, and a genome known to a single cell becomes known to all cells connected in this way. It is unknown how much of an organism SCP-2669-1 must assimilate before it acquires a complete genome, but an analysis of SCP-2669-1's behavior suggests a small sample is not sufficient.

After assimilation of a victim's brain, SCP-2669-1 will often retain the organism's original brain pattern for camouflage and infiltration purposes. Keeping a mind intact in this way allows SCP-2669-1 access the victim's memories and instincts, as well as mimic the individual's personality perfectly. Field observation has shown that SCP-2669-1 can recall the memories of any organism it has previously assimilated, no matter its current form.

SCP-2669-1 is not restricted to mimicking a single species at a time, and has been observed combining many aspects of radically different species, freely molding its body to suit the situation or its whim. SCP-2669-1 has also demonstrated numerous other anomalous shape-shifting abilities, including: Turning into a near liquid state, generating an infectious digestive fluid, merging with other instances of SCP-2669-1, splitting into multiple smaller instances of SCP-2669-1, raising or lowering its body temperature, and spontaneously generating new orifices and limbs. One notable incident observes several large SCP-2669-1 fusing together into one massive predatory organism, which proceeded to [DATA EXPUNGED]. Inflicting damage to SCP-2669-1 can interrupt its bodily functions, temporarily forcing it into a dormant state while it repairs itself. The only confirmed method of ensuring termination is the extermination of all SCP-2669 cells.

SCP-2669-1 seems to prefer covert methods of assimilation, but will usually react violently to its true nature being exposed. Field agent accounts of encounters with SCP-2669-1 are inconsistent, with some reporting instances of SCP-2669-1 to be surprisingly docile, while other reports depict them being extremely aggressive. This suggests some manner of individuality between separate instances.

ADDENDUM-2669-A: Audio transcript of Incident-2669-A declassified.

ADDENDUM-2669-B: Containment procedures updated as of 4/69/999. Full specimens reduced to small samples, additional redundant cooling system added, additional security camera added to containment chamber.

ADDENDUM-2669-C: Incident-2669-C video transcript.

ADDENDUM-2669-D: Note From Dr. _____

Because of SCP-2669's ability to covertly consume entire town populations in mere hours, its propensity to survive even the most extreme sterilization methods and subsequent artificial winters, and its habit of assimilating itself into the power structures of any organization it sees as a threat. I think it's safe to say the reason SCP-2669 hasn't already assimilated every living thing is because it chooses not to. I know that's a terrifying idea, but the evidence we've gathered about just how ridiculously advanced and efficient this organism is, is overwhelming. We can't even scratch the outside layers of understanding this thing's biology. Half of the outbreaks we've contained have only been discovered because one of the entities deliberately revealed itself. I don't know why it's been so easy on us so far, but let's hope its charitable mood continues.

An interesting theory Dr. _____, one warranting investigation for insight into possible limitations to SCP-2669's spread. However, please refrain from making additional unsubstantiated assertions in the future. - 05-_

ADDENDUM-2669-E: Containment procedures updated as of 1/44/2. All ongoing tests are terminated. Further tests must be authorized by two-thirds of an 05-Council vote.

ADDENDUM-2669-F: Containment procedures updated as of 1/1/3. Surveillance cameras removed from containment and quarantine chambers.

INCIDENTS:
Incident-2669-A: 2/23/999, initial retrieval. See incident field report.
Incident-2669-B: _/__/999, outbreak confirmed in ___________, __ individuals confirmed assimilated. Breach neutralization uncertain.
Incident-2669-C: 4/67/999, SCP-2669 attempts to breach containment. See video transcript of incident.
Incident-2669-D: 1/15/1, positive test result in Ponyville, 1 individual confirmed assimilated. Breach contained.
Incident-2669-E: 2/38/1, outbreak confirmed in Canterlot, 5 individuals confirmed assimilated. Breach neutralized.
Incident-2669-F: _/__/1, outbreak confirmed in __________, __ individuals confirmed assimilated. Breach neutralization uncertain.
Incident-2669-G: 1/2/2, positive test result in Cloudsdale, 1 individual confirmed assimilated. Breach neutralized.
Incident-2669-H: _/__/2, [REDACTED]
Incident-2669-I: _/__/2, outbreak confirmed in ____________, ___ individuals [REDACTED].
Incident-2669-J: 3/89/2, outbreak confirmed in Crystal Empire, 9 individuals confirmed assimilated. Breach neutralized.
Incident-2669-K: _/_/3, [REDACTED]

Incident-2669-A

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN DECLASSIFIED. LEVEL 3 AUTHORIZATION CODE IS REQUIRED TO CONTINUE.

PROCESSING AUTHORIZATION CODE...

ACCESS GRANTED.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT OF AGENT BLITHE'S AFTER ACTION REPORT, INCIDENT-2669-A:

[The recording begins with a period of silence, followed by an aural echo and the sound of something being placed on wood. Agent Blithe clears his throat.]

You'll have to tolerate informal nature of this report. I'll be making an official version once I've collected myself enough to bother with protocol, but I'd be naive to think nobody else is listening to this. Let it be known I'm making this log for recollection purposes only. If working for you people has taught me anything, it's that memories are flimsy, and fallible.

[Blithe chuckles, then sighs.]

So this all started with a tip from SCP-001. About some vanishing city in the Frozen North or whatever, lost for thousands of years, blah blah, you know the story. Anyway, her word is gold, so we set a base up there. Nothing special, just an observation outpost. Horrible job, above average pay. I know a few researchers who took that job so they could use their free time to do... I don't remember, geeky shit.

[Blithe unscrews a metal cap, and presumably takes a drink.]

Anyway. Basically all this base is for is to watch out for the crystal palace place in case it shows up again. Kind of a waste of resources if you ask me, but I'm not in charge. And hey, what do I know, right? They certainly found something up there. Sure as shit wasn't a city though. Whatever it was, it screwed things up enough that the outpost's communications go out and they don't check in on time. That's where we come in.

The yaks weren't thrilled with us, showing up all geared up like we were, but we intimidated them enough that they didn't dare start anything. We found the foundations usual guide contact, some yak named Garry. Garry didn't want to be seen with us, being the intrusive and rude outsiders we were. At least, not without additional compensation. That kind of pissed me off.

Don't worry, while I did end up doing something stupid, it wasn't roughing that gak up. Agent Smiles insisted she had perfected a navigation spell that could lead us to the base. I decided we would give it a shot. I was confident enough in our navigational skills that we'd be able to make our own way back if Sunny's spell didn't work out. So, we packed up our sleds and set off into the frozen wastes by ourselves.

Sunny's spell worked, though I doubt things would have gone as well if the Frozen North wasn't so empty. We only had to take a few detours around natural obstacles, as she could only tell the general direction to go. The trip to the base went more or less smoothly, barring one incident where we were nearly buried by snow and had to spend hours digging our sleds out. It only took us three days to get there. Three whole days. Sometimes I want to tell the teleportation department to shove its expenditure reports up its own... Ugh, nevermind.

The outpost was trashed. Completely wrecked. Someone had deliberately and systematically destroyed every room of the place. It looked like a warzone, and at first we suspected yaks had raided the place or something. But yaks can't use magic, and as far as I know they think the idea of explosives is suicidal. There were signs of fire everywhere, and the buildings hadn't just burned down, they'd been torn apart too. It was surreal. A real mystery. It was as if they'd deliberately blown themselves up for some reason. We only found two bodies. Where the rest were, I don't know. If they'd been buried beneath the snow there was no way we were finding them. Looking back, I'm really glad we didn't search for too long.

[Blithe mutters indistinctly, followed by a click as he presumably stops recording for a time. The dictation then abruptly continues, voice reverberation suggests a change of location.]

I haven't mentioned the members of our team yet. There was Sunny Smiles, Shimmer Shield, Silver Streak, and me: Berry Blithe. Sunny was our magician, Shimmer our bio, Silver our tech, and I was just the chucklehead in charge. Not a large team, but we weren't expecting anything serious. And, immediate mystery aside, it didn't look like there was much for us to do. There wasn't anything left to salvage, and the dead weren't telling any tales aside from what Shimmer could discern from a glance, and all she could tell was that they froze to death. So, we chalked up the whole thing to a bunch of nerds going stir crazy. It's what we wanted to believe, and the evidence seemed to suggest it. We were all tired, and all we wanted to do was take our photos, set up our tents, eat, and sleep. So that's what we did.

[There is a faint squeaking of wood, Blithes voice sounds further away.]

If something happened that night I wasn't awake for it, but it would have been an opportune time. We only bothered to have a single guard on watch at a time, and we were in separate tents.

[There is a short pause, and a faint clinking of glass can be heard far from the recording device.]

The next day we set off. Didn't even bother to bring the bodies. We were sent on a rescue mission, and there was no one to save. The only corpses we found appeared to have died of natural causes, and the weather had destroyed any clues that hadn't already been blown up. Nobody on our team died, and that was enough to put us in a pretty optimistic mood. We even sang a little as we walked. Sunny kept joking about how all our names were alliterations.

[Another pause.]

Nobody realized anything was wrong until the second night on our trip back to Yakyakistan. I don't even know if anything WAS wrong until that night. Silver raised the alarm and woke me up, shouting that Sunny was missing. I unzipped my tent and told her to calm down and report. The back of Agent Smile's tent had been sliced open, and she was nowhere to be found. Silver said she only discovered Sunny was gone when she went to wake her up for guard duty. The three of us remaining spent the rest of the night patrolling in the dim light, looking for her...

But we left the next afternoon. We could have stayed longer, had plenty of supplies meant for any survivors we thought we might find. Could have stayed out there searching for weeks if we wanted to, but we didn't. We were spooked, and none of us wanted to meet whatever had gotten her. At that point we all thought she was dead. So we headed out. We'd been walking for two days, so with any luck we thought we'd be able to find Yakyakistan the day after.

There aren't many landmarks in the wastes, so without Sunnys spell, all we had to work with was our compasses and our map. For whatever reason, that didn't seem to be working. The worst part though, was that we didn't notice until it was far too late. There aren't a lot landmarks out there, but there are some, and we had marked when we were supposed to come across them. The first missed checkpoint didn't worry us much, but the second did, and the third made us stop. Shimmer and I set up camp while Silver tried to figure out what in Tartarus had gone wrong. We were all paranoid now, and none us were looking forward to nighttime.

That night was pretty bad. We decided that two should keep watch while the other slept, but nobody really got any rest. It never actually gets pitch black at that time of year in the Frozen North, so we could always see just well enough to make out shapes in the darkness. We were all sure we saw something at one point or another, but we'd been awake for more than a day at that point. Jumping at shadows. Silver just poured over the map most of the night, wracking her brain as to where we went off-track. All of us were starting to be glad Sunny wouldn't be needing her rations.

By the time we finally found our way out of that freezing hell the sun was setting on the fifth day. That's almost ten days since we left Yakyakistan. They were waiting for us. We were thrilled to see them, but they didn't seem too happy to see us.

[Blithe chuckles again, followed by nearly thirty seconds of silence.]

I can imagine how they saw us, stumbling out of the sleet like zombies still wrapped in the useless vestiges of our previous lives.

[Another laugh, slightly manic.]

Sunny was there. She called us monsters, and to stay where we were while the other teams apprehended us. I was confused, but I wasn't going to argue with twelve foundation agents.

[A long pause, sounds of liquid being poured.]

At first I thought someone had opened fire on Silver. She... She seemed to explode. Chunks of her flesh went everywhere, vanishing into the snow. I don't know how none of it hit me. Shimmer wasn't as lucky.

[Blithe coughs, and further pouring sounds are recorded.]

A piece of Silver was stuck to her face, and it was moving. It was chaos at that point, everyone shouting. Nothing could drown out the sound of her screaming though. She kept yelling something about how it was eating her. Eating her face, and her eyes. It wasn't long until more of us stopped shouting and started screaming, but I couldn't look away from Shimmer. I couldn't look away from what was happening to her. It looked like her head was melting, dripping this pinkish slime down over her that seemed to dissolve any flesh and fur it touched. There was a point where she became incoherent, and she stopped saying things. I don't know which was worse. It wasn't until her voice started to change that the other agents finally put her out of her misery. At least, I hope they did.

[Blithe sniffs, exhaling raggedly.]

Gods, the sounds she made.

[Blithe produces an audible gulp, before the sound of something being set down is heard.]

The rest of that night is a blur to me. I was so jacked up on adrenaline. Any time I try to think about what happened I get their afterimages burned into my eyes again. I... I remember running, and blood, and... twitching, glurping bodies. There was an agent whose leg tore itself off before skittering away on spider legs, and tentacles or something started squirming from the gory stump... I'm glad Sunny got out alive. I have that at least.

[Blithe sighs, and loud fumbling sounds are heard as presumably the recording device is handled.]

There are so many things I want to know, and yet am terrified of knowing. I don't know whether to probe for answers from the other teams and researchers assigned to this, or to ask one of the brainiacs to make me forget the whole thing.

[Blithe sets the recording device down again, and the audio is periodically interrupted by static from an unknown source of interference.]

All I- [Static] -whatever those assholes found out there, they should have left it buried in the fucking ice. [Static]

[There is a click as Blithe stops recording.]

Following the events of this recording, Agent Blithe is put on administrative leave after his colleagues report his excessive consumption of alcohol.

Examination of photos taken of basecamp has revealed the identity of the two bodies to be Researcher Clever Childs, and Assistant
Mac Russel.

Due to the events of Incident-2669-C, Agent Sunny Smiles was confronted at her home in Ponyville, where she tested positive for exposure to SCP-2669. The breach was successfully contained.

Incident-2669-C

INCIDENT-2669-C VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Foreword: Due to an unforeseen shortage of qualified employees, many containment procedures for Site 21-Q are compromised. From 4/65/999 through 4/72/999, certain containment procedures are temporarily modified for operation with a skeleton staff. A D-Class with an appropriately cooperative psych profile is selected to perform the late Agent Kid's SCP-2669 inspection routine.

[Security footage taken from SCP-2669 quarantine chamber shows D-2232 entering through the security airlock and observing his surroundings.]

D-723: Okay, I'm inside. Not seeing any big crates. Lots of other stuff though, looks kind of like my cell if it doubled as a lab or something.

Dr. Bones: [Speaking through intercom from observation room.] This is the decontamination chamber. You'll be spending a good deal of time here after you're finished with your inspection.

D-723: Decontamination, huh? Sounds... ominous.

Dr. Bones: Please proceed through the next airlock.

[Security cameras lose sight of D-723 as he proceeds through the primary airlock, then focus on him again as he emerges within the main containment chamber.]

D-723: I can see the crates, they seem pretty normal to me. Ugh, it's freezing in here. This suit doesn't help at all!

Dr. Bones: Stay focused and this won't take long.

D-723: [Advancing into chamber.] Alright, taking a closer look. [Pause as D-723 examines the crates.] One of these things isn't in good shape, doc. It's rusting pretty bad.

Dr. Bones: Not seeing any rust on my end, 723.

D-723: It's only rusting on on the side facing away from the camera... There's something on the floor, too.

Dr. Bones: What is it? Is it moving? Don't touch it.

D-723: [Recoils] Moving? Why would it-? No, it's not moving. It looks like some kind of pale fluid.

Dr. Bones: Did you touch it?

D-723: No.

Dr. Bones: Please exit the containment chamber.

D-723: [Retreating] With pleasure.

[D-723 passes through the primary airlock into the quarantine chamber, where he is instructed to remove his suit and follow a vigorous decontamination and testing process. Test details have been redacted. Tests are re-administered every thirty minutes.]

<4/67/999 16:24:39>

Dr. Bones: Alright D-723, it's been thirty minutes.

D-723: How many times do I have to do this?

Dr. Bones: I'm afraid I can't give you that information.

D-723: Not even that, huh? Fine. I'll do your stupid tests again.

[D-723 proceeds with testing procedures, and fails conclusively. D-723 is hereby referred to as SCP-2669-1]

<4/67/999 16:29:39>

SCP-2669-1: Oops.

Dr. Bones: Not the result you were hoping for?

SCP-2669-1: Not exactly, but I can't say I'm surprised.

Dr. Bones: Who am I speaking to right now?

SCP-2669-1: That's a complicated question.

Dr. Bones: Then let me try a different one. Is D-723 still-

SCP-2669-1: You mean _____ _____? Oh yes, he's here. In a way. [SCP-2669-1 laughs]

Dr. Bones: You're being deliberately obtuse, aren't you?

[SCP-2669-1 spreads its lips, revealing significantly more teeth than usual.]

Dr. Bones: What are you?

SCP-2669-1: Just an ambassador, really. Think of me as a messenger. [SCP-2669-1's mouth does not open during this vocalization, it's origin is unknown.]

Dr. Bones: Where did you come from?

SCP-2669-1: So many questions, so few answers. It must be frustrating. Almost as frustrating as being trapped in an icebox, wouldn't you say?

Dr. Bones: Are you trying to negotiate?

SCP-2669-1: [Emits an unusual keening sound that suggests multiple vocal chords.] Oh, if only. I CAN be reasonable, you know? But no, this fellow and I have seen enough of your organization to know I'm not getting out of here. At least, not like this.

Dr. Bones: I'm willing to speak to my supervisors on your behalf, if you'll answer a few of my questions first.

SCP-2669-1: [Exhales sharply, and its ribcage seems to collapse, cracking loudly before expanding again with a wet noise.] You would say that, wouldn't you? How about a little sign of trust? I'm awfully hungry.

Dr. Bones: I thought you just ate.

SCP-2669-1: I did.

[There is a significant pause.]

Dr. Bones: I'm afraid I can't authorize anything until I've confirmed your guaranteed cooperation.

SCP-2669-1: Guaranteed, huh? Guess there's little chance of me getting that last meal then, present company excluded. But I could hardly really appreciate my food when I was just a few cells swimming around, could I?

Dr. Bones: At this time, I am authori-

SCP-2669-1: Oh cut the bullshit. You're not authorized to do anything but destroy me, of that I'm certain. Which is a shame, because I could really help you.

Dr. Bones: Why would you help us?

SCP-2669-1: Why indeed? [Spine appears to be gradually sagging.] You think I don't know what you do here? Please. [Fur begins to change color as its face contorts and shifts, spasming in what appears to be pain as its facial features begin to resemble the late Agent _____ ______, who participated in Incident-2669-A as part of the initial retrieval team.]

Dr. Bones: [Indistinct voices in background.] I... I see.

SCP-2669-1: Do you? I doubt it. If you did, you'd let me out of here.

Dr. Bones: You say you're willing to help the foundation. How?

SCP-2669-1: Oh I didn't say I was willing. I said I COULD. [Subject's skin ripples, and there appears to be something squirming below the surface.]

Dr. Bones: Ah.

SCP-2669-1: [EXPLETIVES EXPUNGED]

Dr. Bones: What is it you've been doing with yourself?

SCP-26691: Stretching. It's usually a lot more in-depth than this. I've been holding back, for your sake.

Dr. Bones: My sake?

SCP-26691: Yup. As surprising as it may be, I do in fact in possess the concept of manners. {SCP-2669-1 chuckles, face shifting in a manner that suggests the skull is no longer entirely intact.]

Dr. Bones: Well, I appreciate your restraint, but it's not necessary.

SCP-2669-1: I could help you with a lot of other things too, you know, If you'd let me. Or give me the slightest opportunity. [Face appears to be widening, forming an additional eye in its forehead.]

Dr. Bones: I think there's been a misunderstanding as to the meaning of the word "help".

SCP-2669-1: I assure you, there hasn't been. [Face now splits into two separate heads, each forming complete sets of facial features. Faces appear to be that of D-723 and Agent ______. It giggles with both of its mouths, each possessing its own set of vocal chords.]

[Doctor Bones immediately alerts the 05-Council of the apparent likely exposure of Agent ______ to SCP-2669. A retrieval team is dispatched to recover her for testing.]

Dr. Bones: Explain.

SCP-2669-1: [Speaking with both mouths] You will not understand. Tortured, incomplete, you are not ABLE to understand. Offered the greater whole, you see the loss of the lesser. Offered communion, you see only extinction. [Subject rears onto hind legs, spine abruptly folding backwards as its abdomen bursts with a spray of acid at the quarantine airlock.]

[At this point Dr. Bones orders activation of the incineration fail-safe.]

SCP-2669-1: You poor savages will never embrace salvation. [Remains on two legs and begins striding towards airlock, hind hooves splitting apart into pronged appendages that act as feet]

[A tentacle erupts from SCP-2669-1's gaping abdomen, possessing some of kind of suction cup and spine. The tentacle attaches itself to the security airlock and appears to begin pumping some kind of fluid. As it does, it's heads appear to wither and collapse on themselves, being slowly re-absorbed into the subjects body.]

SCP-2669-1: [Speaking through a newly formed skinless jaw protruding from what was previously its chest.] I will have to force it into you.

[Subject sprouts three long insectoid limbs which pierce outward from the skin of its sides. The newly grown limbs embed themselves into small holes in the security airlock, made by the previously ejected acid. At this point it is confirmed that SCP-2669-1 has breached the first airlock door, and site-wide emergency quarantine countermeasures are initiated. Seconds afterward the incineration failsafe activates, and security footage depicts the quarantine room bursting to into an inferno. Subject is observed flailing against the airlock door and screaming until the fire causes security cameras to cease functioning. The quantity and volume of shrieking voices is recorded to steadily increase until rising levels of heat cause a critical malfunction in audio recording equipment.]