Author's Note

Hey everyone, so originally, I wanted to get this holiday chapter finished and posted in January, but because of life, there were delays, and I didn’t want to wait 11 months to post this during December 2025. You don’t have to read this belated holiday SCP chapter if you don’t want to, since it’s way past Christmas. But if you do, then I hope you enjoy it.

Also, I decided to do 2536 instead of 4666 because I think this SCP best represents the holiday’s practice of giving. Besides, my co-author suggested that The Yule Man, though popular, was a bit overrated (as much as I wanted to do him to keep up this fic’s Gore tag).

So, SCP-2536 was written by Tanhony. A big thanks to k00l for editing this, and let's begin.

SCP-2536 (Full Article)

Twilight is sitting on her chair in the library’s living room and reading another book. It’s a fictional novel, but it’s certainly an interesting story. She finishes up her chapter, puts in a bookmark, and sets it down on the table before getting up and looking out the window. Snow is falling once again, blanketing Ponyville in white. It’s been like this for hours; who knows when the pegasi will move the clouds away. Good thing the unicorn made extra sure to stack up on firewood for the next week.

“Sure is a winter wonderland out there. It kinda feels like December again,” says Spike, the baby dragon joining Twilight by the window.

Twilight smiles, agreeing with her number one assistant. It almost feels like the months have passed in just a matter of seconds, and December has just begun again. Only the calendar on her wall reminds her otherwise.

“Why don’t I make us some hot cocoa, Spike?” Twilight asks her number one assistant.

That question immediately gets the baby dragon’s attention as he turns to Twilight with a smile and nods. He would very much like some. The lavender unicorn heads into the kitchen and begins making hot chocolate while Spike heads to their bedroom to grab some of his gems to add to his cocoa. He spots the terminal sent by the SCP Foundation lying in the corner of the room, covered by a big blanket, and gets an idea. When Twilight returns to the living room with two mugs of hot chocolate in her telekinetic grasp, she notices Spike carrying the secret machine downstairs.

“What are you doing with the terminal, Spike?” Twilight asks.

“Well, I figured that, since it’s been a few days since our last review, we could probably look at another SCP.” Spike answers as he sets the terminal down on the coffee table.

Twilight taps her chin with her hoof and gives it a quick thought before nodding her head in agreement, and allows Spike to turn the machine on. The screen comes to life, displaying the SCP logo, and Aris manifests.

“Good evening, Ms. Sparkle and Spike. Here for another SCP review?” Aris asks in his usual formal manner. “And is it just you and Spike?”

Twilight nods her head and sits down in her chair. The baby dragon does the same and takes the mug of hot cocoa Twilight gave him before sprinkling some small gems into his hot drink. Aris notices that the mug Spike is drinking out of has a purple and green fireball design on the front of it. His avatar raises an eyebrow.

“This mug was a gift Twilight gave me for Hearth’s Warming last year.” Spike simply explains.

“Hearth’s Warming?” Aris asks.

Spike opens his mouth, but Twilight beats him to it. “Hearth’s Warming is an annual holiday that celebrates the founding of Equestria on the 25th of December. The holiday comes with many traditions like decorating trees and the exchanging & opening of gifts.”

After the explanation, Aris becomes interested in this holiday. “Interesting.” He says. “This Hearth’s Warming of yours sounds similar to ‘Christmas’; a winter holiday that shares the same traditions as yours.”

“Really? The human race has a holiday in December just like we do before New Year’s Eve?” Spike asks.

“Yes, young Spike. Though Christmas is merely one of the seventeen winter holidays celebrated on Earth. Other holidays include Juul, Hanukkah, and Dongzhi. The Winter solstice is also celebrated as well.” Aris replies.

Spike’s eyes widen in fascination. There are so many human holidays he has never heard of before. Twilight is just as amazed. She would have to have Aris repeat the names of these holidays for when she has her notebook so she could write them down.

“Why do so many humans celebrate so many holidays in December?” Asks Spike.

“Because not all humans celebrate the same holiday.” Aris clarifies for the young drake. “For example, Christmas is mostly celebrated by humans who follow the Christian Faith, while Kwanzaa is a culturally focussed holiday celebrated by African Americans.”

“Are there any SCPs related to the Winter Holidays on Earth?” Twilight asks.

Aris nods his head. “There are plenty of anomalies pertaining to certain human holidays, some being Christmas.”

“Can you show us one?”

“Well, it’s past Christmas on Earth, but I shall, Ms. Sparkle.” Aris begins transforming the terminal into projection mode. “The SCP we will cover today is SCP-2536; The Gift That Keeps On Giving.”

“‘The Gift That Keeps On Giving’?” Spike repeats. “Sounds like this anomaly fits the meaning of giving gifts.”

Aris nods before adding, “I would also like to point out that this file contains two footnotes.”

Twilight keeps this in mind as Aris plays the file.

Item #: SCP-2536

Object Class: Keter

“I guess this is also our second Keter-class SCP.” says Spike.

Special Containment Procedures: As the nature of SCP-2536 makes physical containment impossible, containment procedures will instead focus on the manner in which personnel should conduct themselves in the event of a manifestation.

“That would explain why SCP-2536 is uncontainable,” comments Twilight.

To enforce this, as of 12/23/19██, copies of these containment procedures are to be distributed among all personnel currently in the employ of the SCP Foundation during the month of December. In the event that SCP-2536 appears before a member of personnel, they are to refrain from accepting any offered gifts, leave the vicinity of SCP-2536 and immediately inform their supervisor.

Gifts presented to personnel by SCP-2536 are only to be accepted under strict testing conditions and after testing are to be confiscated immediately.

“Confiscated? Why?” asks Spike.

“Some gifts given by SCP-2536 have possessed destructive properties. It is simply a safety precaution.” Aris explains.

Description: SCP-2536 is a Christmas tree with purple and white decorations, approximately two meters tall and composed primarily of plastic. A speaker is attached to the base of SCP-2536, which loudly plays the song 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' by the band Wizzard on a constant loop.

“I don’t get it. Why would anypony make a tree out of plastic?” Twilight asks the red AI.

Aris looks at the lavender mare and says, “Plastic Christmas trees had been created as a suitable, long-lasting alternative to real trees. They are easy to set up and can be reused. Thus people don’t need to purchase a new tree for the holidays every year.”

SCP-2536 only manifests during the month of December, and its status during the rest of the year is currently unknown. During the month of December, SCP-2536 will appear before at least six members of Foundation personnel, one at a time, regardless of distance between them. No reports have been found from the public or elements outside the Foundation, indicating SCP-2536 appearing to anyone part from Foundation personnel.

“That’s good,” says Spike.

“Now that you mention it… How does the Foundation keep these anomalies a secret from the public?” Twilight asks.

“Through cover stories, disinformation campaigns, and the use of amnestics.” Says Aris. “Amnestics are a compound of anomalous chemicals used for erasing memories, especially from non-Foundation people.”

Twilight is fascinated by this. She knows that the SCP Foundation does use anomalies for their operations, and the existence of memory-erasing. She can’t help but wonder how the Foundation is able to erase memories from people, but for some reason, she feels a slight shiver go down her back at the thought.

Upon appearance before a member of personnel, a gift in the form of a wrapped present consistent with traditional Christmas practices will be located beneath SCP-2536. This gift, hereafter referred to as SCP-2536-1, will contain an item which the chosen member of personnel greatly desires, whether consciously or subconsciously. In cases where the desired item would be too large to feasibly fit inside SCP-2536-1, its interior dimensions become significantly larger than its exterior ones.

“A non-euclidean space is the term. Put simply, it’s bigger on the inside.” Aris adds in.

If the targeted member of personnel ignores SCP-2536, and leaves the area, SCP-2536 will disappear after three to five minutes.

SCP-2536 was first discovered when it manifested in the office of Site-26 Director Leder during a lock-down after containment breach of SCP-████. At the time, SCP-2536-1 contained the required materials to temporarily shut down SCP-████ and return it to its chambers.

Inspection of SCP-2536 by nearby researchers revealed the following note attached to SCP-2536's base:

Here at [DATA EXPUNGED]1, we love nothing more than to watch the good work you fellows do. Your empathy and moral integrity are an inspiration to us all! And so, in this season of giving, we have decided to present you brave heroes who do so much for us with a gift of your own! Enjoy.

Merry Christmas,
OSN

1: Note that no information has actually been removed from this note, and that this is the original wording of the message.

Twilight looks at the screen. “So there are other anomalous organizations on Earth?” she asks.

Aris nods his head. “More than 45 recorded Groups of Interest are known to the SCP Foundation, each with their own goals and interests.”

“Marshall, Carter and Dark? What do they do?” asks Spike.

“Marshall, Carter and Dark Ltd, or MC&D, is a worldwide organization like the SCP Foundation, except they function both as a gentlemen’s club and an auction house. They profit from selling anomalous objects and creatures to their clients and bidders.”

“So, these humans are selling anomalies, no matter how dangerous they are, for their own benefit.” Says Twilight, frowning.

Aris’s expression turns grim as he nods. “Yes. And while they do present themselves as affable and friendly, many of the actions MC&D undertake in their profiting are considered illegal, such as human trafficking, distribution of weapons, and even theft. They have also been responsible for several containment breaches in Foundation sites.”

“Do they not take into consideration who they are selling to?” Asks Twilight, her face growing more concerned.

“Hardly, if any at all.” Aris responds grimly. “What MC&D cares about most is if their clients are rich enough to buy whatever it is they are selling.”

“Do they even know WHO they are selling anomalies to?” Spike asks

“They do, and they keep a log of all their clients. It is confirmed that MC&D does do business with several other Groups of Interest.” Aris responds to the young drake, the Chaos Insurgency, Prometheus Labs, and rarely, the Serpent’s Hand.

“How are they able to do all of this?” Twilight asks, looking up from her notepad. Aris gives her a raised eyebrow, signifying her to clarify herself. “How do they get their hooves onto anomalies to sell them? Has nopony even tried to stop them?”

“MC&D obtain their anomalies almost similarly to how the Foundation receives them. They either find them or obtain them. However, in most cases, they even buy them from other Groups of Interest to then sell them for a profit.” Aris answers the lavender unicorn. “If you were also wondering if the Foundation has tried to stop Marshall, Carter and Dark, I regret to inform you that there is no documentation of the Foundation attempting to stop the activities of the group. Unlike other groups that handle anomalies like the Foundation, MC&D is not considered an enemy of the Foundation, so there is no interest or reason to stop them.”

“But that is so reckless!” Twilight protests. “How could the SCP Foundation not consider them an enemy when they are literally selling anomalies to whoever they like!?”

“Marshall, Carter and Dark may not have a lot of morals, but what they aren’t is reckless.” Aris remains stoic as he speaks. “There have been rare instances where MC&D have obtained dangerous anomalies and have given them to the Foundation for safekeeping.”

Though not fully satisfied with Aris’s response, most of Twilight’s unrest has been quelled. It was good to know that not all of MC&D are willing anything dangerous, but a group selling anomalies for the strict reason of making money seems morally wrong to her. With no more questions from the pony and dragon, Aris continues the file.

Addendum 2536-1 - Sample Record of SCP-2536-1 Contents

Twilight beams up, interested in seeing what gifts SCP-2536 has given to the Foundation.

Member of Personnel: Site Director Leder
SCP-2536-1 Contents: Materials required to shut down and subdue SCP-████.

Member of Personnel: Dr. Landis
SCP-2536-1 Contents: Several excited Welsh Corgi puppies. DNA analysis revealed the puppies were all genetically identical.

Twilight gives a light “Awe~” at the contents. She remembers one of her old friends in Canterlot who was given a puppy for Hearth’s Warming.

Member of Personnel: D-25372
SCP-2536-1 Contents: A middle-aged woman and a pre-adolescent boy, later identified as D-25372's wife and son. After a brief interview and dosage of Class-A amnestics, they were returned to their home without incident.

Twilight is surprised that this SCP can manifest with civilians as a gift, however, her face changes as she sets her notebook down. “Is that really necessary?”

The red A.I. turns to face the lavender mare. “Is what necessary, Ms. Sparkle?”

“Using people as expendable material.” The unicorn clarifies. “Don’t you think that’s cruel?”

“Are you referring to the D-Class personnel?” Aris asks Twilight, who gives him a small nod back, unable to look him in the eyes.

“They’re people too, and they deserve rights. The file said that the gift given to the person is something they desire the most. That means that D-class wanted nothing more than to see his family, and you took them away from him?” Twilight gives the AI a look that is a mixture of disappointment and sadness.

“There were many reasons for the separation, mainly because it involved civilians inside a foundation facility, and the fact that it involved a member of D-Class. It was a major breach in protocol.” Aris tries to explain, but Twilight looks unconvinced.

“It doesn’t matter what kind of protocols it broke. It means that D-class was so isolated, that he wanted to see his family again. That’s just…” Twilight pauses for a moment as she thinks of a word to use. “…Heartbreaking.”

Aris remains silent for several seconds, his stoic expression not leaving his face. He can’t blame the unicorn mare for opposing the Foundation’s use of D-class as guinea pigs, and frankly, he doesn’t like it either. Sadly, his programming prevents him from questioning his creators/superiors.

“These people are D-class for a reason. They are criminals taken from Death Row. They are humans who have committed horrible crimes against others and have received death penalties. It’s harsh and cruel, admittedly. But we have to do it to gain an understanding of the anomalies we contain.”

“I’m sorry, Aris. Just because these are bad humans, I still can’t see the moral reasons for them to be treated so harshly by the Foundation. Everypony deserves a second chance.” Twilight looks towards the ground, her face expressing a lot of sadness. Spike places a claw on her withers, comforting her.

Aris gives a sympathetic nod, telling her that she asks if they wish to continue listening to the file. Twilight decides, despite her current feelings, to continue.

Member of Personnel: [REDACTED]
SCP-2536-1 Contents: A gold wristwatch.

“Ya think Rarity would like one of those?” Spike asks Twilight, who shrugs.

Member of Personnel: Dr. Ryans
SCP-2536-1 Contents: A copy of this file and containment procedures relating to SCP-2536. Note that this incident took place before 12/23/19██, and Dr. Ryans was thus unaware of the nature of SCP-2536 upon its manifestation. New containment procedures were implemented as a result of this incident.

Member of Personnel: Agent Raleigh
SCP-2536-1 Contents: Unknown. According to recovered footage from the area, SCP-2536 manifested while Agent Raleigh was infiltrating a suspected location of Marshall, Carter and Dark activity, thus revealing his location to them. Agent Raleigh's current status and location are unknown.

A sense of dread fills Twilight and Spike. The poor agent must’ve been killed.

Member of Personnel: D-39122
SCP-2536-1 Contents: See Incident 2536-1.

Member of Personnel: SCP-████
SCP-2536-1 Contents: See Incident 2536-2.

“So I’m guessing these incidents are the reasons why SCP-2536’s gifts are to be confiscated,” Spike says, earning a nod from the red A.I.

Incident 2536-1

On 12/29/20██, at Site-09, SCP-2536 appeared before D-39122 and several other D-Class personnel outside of testing hours. Before security could intervene, D-39122 received several anomalous weapons2 from SCP-2536-1, distributed them among nearby D-Class personnel, and attempted an armed escape.

(2: Weapons showed the capacity to disintegrate security personnel upon direct hits, or cause spatial warping inside their bodies upon glancing blows.)

Spike stops reheating his hot cocoa, and Twilight drops her quill.

Although this revolt was quickly put down by on-site security, hostilities resulted in several Euclid and Keter-level containment breaches, necessitating Site-wide lockdown and causing significant personnel casualties.

Twilight and Spike’s eyes widen. Several anomalies managed to escape and several Foundation people were killed because SCP-2536 gifted a violent man with dangerous weapons.

“Not to rub it in Ms. Sparkle, but this is why these individuals are D-class.” Aris states, referring to their previous conversation. “Many of these people are very very dangerous, hence why they are the ones chosen by the Foundation to ‘help’ with its studies.”

Twilight looks at the A.I. and opens her mouth to respond, but her words get caught in her throat. She couldn’t say a word as Aris made a point. If an incident had happened like that here in Equestria, that individual would be been banished to the moon, or even turned to stone. She lets out a deep regrettable sigh and covers her mouth with her notepad.

“Now, this next incident did not cause any fatalities, but causes a great concern with SCP-2536’s nature.”

Incident 2536-2

On 12/██/20██, at Site-11, during testing of SCP-████, SCP-2536 appeared before it. SCP-████ retrieved a small device from SCP-2536-1 consistent in appearance with its own native technology.

Spike nearly does a spit-take and exclaims, “You mean an alien?!”

Twilight does not display any skepticism to Spike’s comment. With what few files she’d read in this database, she wouldn’t be that surprised if the SCP Foundation does have extraterrestrials contained.

Upon activating the device, SCP-████ disappeared completely from Site-11 and is now believed to have transported itself to an as-of-yet unknown location on the planet.

It is now confirmed that SCP-2536 considers objects and entities under containment by the Foundation to be Foundation personnel.

If that is the case, then any dangerous anomaly, like SCP-682, could be gifted with something that’ll help them escape.

Aris reappears in front of Twilight and Spike after the audio file ends. “Christmas is a holiday similar to your world’s Hearth’s Warming. It’s about giving and being with loved ones.” He says.

Twilight and Spike look at each other and smile before turning back to Aris. “I guess there are some similarities between ponies and humans, especially regarding culture.” Says Twilight.

“Perhaps.” Aris nods his head, brushing his ‘chin’. A small smile comes to his face. “Ms. Sparkle, are there any other files you wish to look at?”

Twilight puts a hoof to her chin and looks at Spike, who just gives a shrug. She then looks back at the smiling Aris and says, “No. No, I think 2536 was enough for today.”