Arborvitae - IvanNavi

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Item#: xxxx

Level5

Containment Class:

esoteric

Secondary Class:

thaumiel

Disruption Class:

dark

Risk Class:

notice

link to memo

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Thaumiel

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is currently inaccessible except for three individuals connected to SCP-XXXX. The three individuals are tasked with protecting SCP-XXXX; the 05-Council believes that they have no desire to harm SCP-XXXX or reveal its existence, and will abide by standing truce¹. All media reports and academic journals papers related to SCP-XXXX are to be examined for potential accuracy. All organizations and individuals investigating SCP-XXXX existence are to be kept under surveillance by Foundation agents. Any information found accurate must be expunged or discredited or amnestics must be administered after questioning of those involved.

All decisions involving SCP-XXXX must be approved by O5-1 or the Administrator.²

Description: SCP-XXXX is a tree of undetermined species. Its height is estimated to be somewhere between 500-800 feet tall with an estimated 8-foot wide trunk. SCP-XXXX’s anomalous abilities restore and maintain Earth’s biome, keeping it in a minimal livable state. SCP-XXXX is able to restore Earth from a nearly destroyed state.
SCP-XXXX-A is a pocket dimension with SCP-XXXX in its center. SCP-XXXX-A appears to be a forest of undetermined size. The forest is home to non-anomalous flora and fauna. Fauna and Flora have been determined to be similar to examples found on Earth along with examples of believed to be extinct fauna and flora.
SCP-XXXX-B are the three individuals connected to SCP-XXXX, identified as the Gardener, Greenskeeper, and Caretaker. Their connection provides them a means to enter SCP-XXXX-A when in the presence of sufficient flora. The link they share with SCP-XXXX provides some protection and healing, such as restoring their minds and undoing other ailments that would prevent them from carrying out Procedure Greenhouse³. The link is transferred via title upon the previous title holder dying and a new individual taking it. The Greenskeeper and Caretaker have an apprentice on standby in case of sudden death. Each role is attributed to a member of a different species. The Gardener is human; the current holder of the title is O5-1. The Greenskeeper role is held by an instance of SCP-1000. The Caretaker role is held by an entity from the forest we do not name.
SCP-XXXX bears fruits similar to pomegranates, dubbed SCP-XXXX-C. SCP-XXXX-C a citrus fruit that when consumed will restore one’s body to peak condition. SCP-XXXX-C will begin to rapidly decay within 12-36 hours after it is removed from SCP-XXXX. Once SCP-XXXX-C begins to decay, it begins losing its anomalous properties.

Addendum XXXX.1: Exploration Logs

+ Access File: SCP-XXXX Exploration Log 01 Transcripts

+ Access File: SCP-XXXX Exploration Log 02 Transcripts

Close File

[BEGIN LOG]

(Agent Howard and O5-1 have been hiking up the path for approximately one hour, at which point a simple stone building appears up ahead beside the path.)

O5-1: There's a rest point coming up. Last chance if you need a rest, at least until we come back this way.

Agent Howard: I’m good. Do you need to stop?

O5-1: No, I’m good. I’m done with this trek before I’m used to it. Probably better if we keep going, if we want to get out of the forest before night. Night can be—you would rather not be here at night.

Agent Howard: I don’t think we have to worry about that. We left early in the morning? How long is this supposed to take?

O5-1: It's hard to say. Time here is different than back home. The day-night cycle can be a little erratic.

(O5-1 looks up trying to see through the branches of the trees and to the sky above.)

O5-1: I usually like starting earlier relative to its time, but this came about as a surprise.

Agent Howard: What does that mean?

O5-1: Time is weird here.

Agent Howard: No, I meant-

(A growling is heard behind them. They turn to see what appears to be a Smilodon Populator⁴ emerging from the forest.)

Agent Howard: Is that a saber-toothed tiger?

O5-1: Yeah, looks like it. They didn’t go extinct here. And trust me, fighting is not a good idea. They travel in packs. If we bleed or we make it bleed, its pack is probably going to show up.

(O5-1 takes out a combat knife, Agent Howard takes out a smoke grenade.)

Agent Howard: Run! I’ll be right behind you.

(O5-1 runs down the path as Agent Howard pulls out a knife and pulls on a mask. Red smoke from the grenade quickly covers the area, blocking the view between Agent Howard and the Smilodon Populator. After 20 seconds pained noises are heard along with the sounds of the large cat retreating back to the forest. Agent Howard runs to catch up with O5-1.)

Agent Howard: The repellent gas grenades worked, and the tiger ran back into the forest.

O5-1: I don’t blame it; those were designed to be repellant, and with their heightened sense of smell that would be outright painful. I hope we don’t run into them again.

Agent Howard: Why don’t we carry these on every mission?

O5-1: That was a large cat with nothing anomalous about it, except it should be extinct. Those won’t work on extra-dimensional spiders, living buildings, or sentient cartoons.

Agent Howard: Good point, let's get moving in case anything else shows up.

[END LOG]

Notes: The footage presents examples of fauna not found anywhere else on Earth.
For further details please see Document SCP-XXXX-Fauna.

Addendum XXXX.2: Dr. Mallory’s Report

+ Access File: Report on the Transdimensional Nature of SCP-XXXX

Close File

Report on the Transdimensional Nature of SCP-XXXX By Dr. Mallory

After studying what available data we have concerning SCP-XXXX, we have determined that it has manifested a pocket dimension, dubbed SCP-XXXX-A. The SCP-XXXX-A inhabits the same exact space as the planet Earth but inhabits a different dimensional frequency. The dimensional frequency it inhabits shifts between empty dimensional spaces 4.56 through 93.0789. It shifts in no discernible pattern at a varied rate. Our current hypothesis suggests that SCP-XXXX does this to make it more difficult to access.

We believe the three individuals, dubbed SCP-XXXX-B, share a link to SCP-XXXX tethering SCP-XXXX-A to Earth. Should anything happen to all three tethers without passing on the links, it is likely that dimension would become detached from Earth. As it stands only those who are tethered to SCP-XXXX can match the current dimensional frequency to enter SCP-XXXX-A. The process of matching the frequency causes a portion of both dimensions to overlap and blend together. The use of similar items found in both further stabilizes the connection, allowing someone to walk into it with the right items. Considering the abundance of plant life in SCP-XXXX-A, the use of other plants to synchronize the area is ideal. While the amount needed is yet to be determined, it does seem to require a significant amount of plant life to extend the blended area, to allow others to follow into an instance of SCP-XXXX-B into SCP-XXXX-A.

With the limited data we have, most of our findings are based on simple observation. Once again, I request to take a team into SCP-XXXX-A to properly examine the area.

-Dr. Q Mallory, November 1996

Request denied.

The biome that is SCP-XXXX-A is a hostile area. There are numerous creatures that could be alerted and would likely attack a large group. That's not even going into the possible harm to the forest or the SCP-XXXX itself.

As long as I live, I won’t take that risk just for mere knowledge. It's easy to forget since the Foundation’s mission depends on us gathering knowledge, but some of it comes with a cost we can’t afford to pay.

-O5-1

Addendum XXXX.3: Procedure Greenhouse Transcript Logs

+ Access File:Procedure Greenhouse Transcripts Logs

Close File

[BEGIN LOG]

(At approximately an hour and forty-five minutes into the hike.)

Agent Howard: Those were the biggest spiders I have ever seen.

O5-1: That was actually a baby. Just don’t get close to the web, and we should be fine. Though, even a baby has enough poison in its fangs to stop your heart in about three minutes. It’s a relatively quick and painless death. It makes everything go numb before you die.

(A female voice is heard singing at a distance ahead of the path.)

Agent Howard: Is someone else here? That’s a Glen Campbell song—‘Southern Nights’!

O5-1: It’s her. Okay, I need you to follow my instructions to the letter. No matter how bizarre or how—we are safe. Don’t attack, they will not attack us. Also, just call her the Caretaker. If anyone asks your name, just say you're a guardian.

(They finish down the path to see SCP-XXXX; its leaves have turned brown, its fruits have shriveled, and its trunk shows signs of rot, scarring, and bark peeling.)

Caretaker: Free as a breeze. Not to mention the tree—Oh! You’re finally here! We’ve been waiting!

(The Caretaker has the appearance of a woman in her early twenties. The Caretaker superficially resembles Vanessa Hayforth⁵.)

Caretaker:Oh! You brought someone. Well, hello there. You can just call me Vanessa.

O5-1: Don’t! Just don’t.

Caretaker: What? It’s my name.

(Feathers are heard rustling as the Caretaker moves)

Agent Howard: Ma’am, I take it you know her.

Caretaker: Heh, we’ve known each other for years. These days it seems like she sees me more than her own kids.

O5-1: You—!

Greenskeeper: Do not let her bait you.

(Past the tree line steps out an instance of SCP-1000, his hair graying and long.)

Agent Howard: Ma’am is that—

O5-1: The Greenskeeper isn’t the one you should worry about. It’s good to see you again.

Greenskeeper: Gardener, I see you have brought another. Have you taken on an apprentice?

O5-1: No, merely a guard. My associates were worried about my safety since the last time I returned wounded.

Caretaker: Oh, what a shame. And don’t glare at me like that, you’ll get wrinkles. You know I’m just playing; the truce holds. I cannot take anything, none of us can harm the others in this forest…Despite what both your people have done to mine. Despite the fact that you know I won’t take them, you hide behind titles. I wouldn’t dare add those to the one I already hold. Despite all that, I’m still here to do my part.

O5-1: Not by choice.

Caretaker: No, who would choose this? This name comes with responsibility and sacrifice. Responsibilities with such risk if they aren’t carried out! No one would dare let this role go unfilled, even with the cost.

Greenskeeper: Then let’s get this over with. Gardener, I take it that your guardian—

O5-1: He will watch over us all.

(The Greenskeeper and Caretaker move into position around SCP-XXXX.)

Agent Howard: Ma’am? What are you going to do?

O5-1: Do not get any closer to the tree than right here. Under no circumstances will you stop what’s going to happen. You must let it happen, no matter how much any of us may beg you to stop it. I know it goes against your nature; you were chosen for this mission by the O5 Council for your desire to protect others. They thought that would be fitting for someone assigned to protect, but now I’m asking you to ignore that instinct. You have to let it happen. Then when it’s settled down just protect us from anything that might come. Do that as long as you can, until you get more orders.

Agent Howard: I—I understand. Good luck, Ma’am.

(They stand around SCP-XXXX, and each pulls out a blade and slices their own hands before pressing them onto the roots. At a rapid rate the blood begins to pool beneath them. They try to pull away, but blood continues to pour out of the wounds into the roots. They start screaming in pain as their blood drains from them at a faster rate and snakes through the air into roots. O5-1 is the first to collapse to the ground as her skin begins to turn pale. Agent Howard attempts to move towards her but stops himself.
The Caretaker and then the Greenskeeper fall onto the ground; they lay on the ground as blood continues to rip out of their wounds. Their screams have become pained groans and grow weaker as more time passes. At the approximately seven-minute mark they remain motionless and show signs of desiccation.)

Agent Howard: Oh god! Oh god. What am I supposed to do now?!

(The roots finish absorbing the blood, then the tree begins to shake, as the damage on the trunk begins to repair itself, the fruit becomes plump, and the leaves turn green.
The three motionless bodies on the ground tremble before they scream as they are seemingly restored.)

Caretaker: Never gets less painful!

Greenskeeper: I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.

O5-1: You can come close now. Can you get me some water and painkillers from my pack?

Agent Howard: What happened?

Greenskeeper: It is a tree of life. It won’t kill those connected to it. It restores us when it regains its strength.

Caretaker: For some of us, that is as close as we come to dying.

Greenskeeper: They’re close, Guard—prepare.

O5-1: We won’t be able to move for a while.

Agent Howard: Understood.

(Predators start to emerge from the forest. Agent Howard tosses several smoke grenades to repeal most of them. A wild boar rushes through smoke; Agent Howard tackles it and attacks it with a taser. The boar flees. As the smoke dissipates, a hyena rushes through and bites down onto the side of O5-1. Agent Howard, alerted by her pained screams, rushes at the animal. Pulling the hyena away, it bites down into his shoulder; in turn, Agent Howard manages to pull out a combat knife and plunges into its side. The Greenskeeper unsteadily gets on his feet and roars, causing all the animals to whimper and flee. O5-1 slips into unconsciousness.)

Agent Howard: What did you do?

Caretaker: Reminded them who the true alpha predator is. Hint, it’s not you guys.

Greenskeeper: Guardian, we must depart. There is blood in the air, and our blood, once returned, is all the more tempting. You must take her away.

(The Caretaker rises into the air.)

Caretaker: She can’t bounce back as fast as us, and the bite isn’t going to help. You won’t be able to get out of here without her. Tell her I’ll see her next time. Get her somewhere safe before it gets dark.

Greenskeeper: Take her to her stone home; she will recover in time. She is merely in shock. Given time, she will recover enough to open a way.

Agent Howard: Thank you.

(The Caretaker and Greenskeeper both travel deeper into the forest until they are no longer seen. Agent Howard treats their wounds. Agent Howard pauses and retrieves three samples of SCP-XXXX-C from SCP-XXXX and places them in a canister inside his pack. Agent Howard then begins carrying O5-1 down the path.)

[END LOG]

Addendum XXXX.4: Extraction Log

+ Access File: SCP-XXXX Extraction Log Transcripts

Close File

[BEGIN LOG]

(Agent Howard carries O5-1 through the forest as nighttime begins to set in. A pack of saber-toothed tigers starts to emerge from the forest. Agent Howard runs for the stone building. With one final sprint, he jumps into the building and blocks the entrance with a stone door.
Agent Howard lays O5-1 on the ground and tends to her wounds, changing bandages with a first aid kit. Agent Howard notes to the camera, “It seems the hyena ripped out a hunk of meat and maybe a rib” and did what he could at the moment.
Agent Howard then examines the building, finding walls carved with ancient Sumerian writing. Agent Howard also found several empty cases of rations and other supplies with the Foundation insignia, all of them showing years of decay and aging. He also finds large shedded snakeskin. Near dusk O5-1 begins to awaken.)

O5-1: Ah! What? Am I home?

Agent Howard: Not yet, ma’am. We have a situation. There are saber-toothed tigers outside. I used the last of the weapons the lab boys gave me by the tree. The tigers are staying a safe distance hidden in the trees. I think they’re waiting for us to come out in the open.

O5-1: Don’t worry about it. I have something here to protect this place. They usually stay close around here, so I just have to get them to come out. Just have to bait the tigers. Just stay close.

Agent Howard: They usually stay close'? Who is 'they'? And ma'am, I don't think you should be moving you—

O5-1: Yeah, I feel it. I’m missing… ugh, uh, it’s not great for me to stay here until I can heal. More animals are just going to keep coming. I’m fine enough to move right now. Just stay close.

(They get out of the stone structure, and six tigers emerge from the forest. As the tigers charge at them, O5-1 whistles loudly. Unidentified giant pythons fall out of the trees around the stone structure. The snakes quickly wrap around the tigers, crushing them, then swallowing them.)

Agent Howard: What the hell?

O5-1: Pythons. They’ve become huge, being isolated in this place. Over the centuries they have been trained to guard this structure and not harm people. But if any animal comes close, they strike them down. They also keep the garden in the back clean of pests.

(O5-1 and Agent Howard walk into the forest. They exit the forest from where they entered. They are located via tracking beacon and taken to a nearby Foundation site.)

[END LOG]

Addendum XXXX.5: Interviews

+ Access Interview SCP-XXXX: O5-1

Close File

Date: 07/01/2020
Interviewed: O5-1, ███
Interviewer: Dr. D. McGarth
Notes: Interview was originally planned with Dr. N. Garret at Site-550, but O5-1 and Agent Howard manifested closer to Site-81. As O5-1’s time was limited, it was decided to proceed with a qualified replacement.

[BEGIN LOG]

(Dr. McGarth enter the room looking over some notes.)

Dr.MCGarth: I’m sorry about the delay, this has- Oh god! Are you okay?

(Dr. McGarth motions to O5-1’s side where her clothes have started to turn red from blood.)

O5-1: Oh, I think I ripped something when we got here. I’ll be fine, just need some rest.

Dr.McGarth: Let’s get you to-

O5-1: Don’t worry, let's just get this interview over with. Is the helicopter on its way?

Dr.McGarth: Ah, yes, your helicopter is on its way and will be here in ten minutes.

O5-1: Then let’s not waste those minutes. Agent Howard did a good job with the bandages; they’ll do until I can get proper care.

Dr. McGarth: If you’re sure.

O5-1: Last time, a pack of wolves nearly tore off my arm from the shoulder. This is a lot more manageable.

(Dr. McGarth sits down at the table across from O5-1.)

Dr. McGarth: Is that a big issue? Animal attacks?

O5-1: Yes, the animals have gotten more vicious the last few years. The tree has been straining itself more, and the animals in the forest are reacting to it. I think global warming and human pollution has just been making it harder.

Dr. McGarth: I’ll make a note of that. They are still reviewing the footage that Agent Howard brought with him. But Dr. Garret wanted me to ask about the fruit on SCP-XXXX.

O5-1: It's sour and bitter, and tastes a lot like lemons. It’s not bad with a bit of salt.

Dr. McGarth: You’ve eaten it?

O5-1: Yes, it’s a bit of acquired taste. I know that the current Caretaker and Greenskeeper don’t like the taste.

Dr. McGarth: I see. Have you noticed anything strange about it? We believe it is anomalous.

O5-1: It is anomalous. From my experience, eating the fruit from SCP-XXXX will restore a person to perfect health. An elderly person will return to their prime age, and I believe it extends their life span. Not to any drastic length, though. I doubt people would notice; it's not more than any person who takes good care of themselves would live.

Dr. McGarth: And is that how-

O5-1: It doesn’t work on anyone who's connected to SCP-XXXX. That’s why I didn’t use it to heal myself.

Dr. McGarth: Then someone else?

O5-1: Stories from the early days, shared amongst the three of us. Long ago, before the tree moved into its own dimension, people broke in and stole some fruit. Hungry, they ate the fruit and found themselves turning younger and their bodies healing. They thought they found themselves a miracle. All but one got greedy and ate another fruit. Doctor, it's important to remember that there is too much of a good thing.

Dr. McGarth: What happened?

O5-1: They wouldn’t stop healing. Their bones grew and splintered, ripping through their skin before the skin grew over it, so their bodies began to twist and deform. The Gardener of the time put them out of their misery. One man escaped—not sure what happened to him. He might have died on the journey home.The fruit doesn’t make you immortal. It restores you, it stays with you until you die, but it doesn't make a person anomalous. Doubling up has some terrible consequences. So, please make a note that I mentioned that. Maybe the O5 Council will listen this time.

Dr. McGarth: Excuse me?

O5-1: The council has asked me for years to bring back samples. I’ve refused. They are self contained, and despite their benefits, they could easily be misused. I couldn’t argue about bringing a guard after last time; it would be easy to order him to take a few samples from the tree, especially while I was unconscious.

Dr. McGarth: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

O5-1: Doctor? Really? I’m connected to the tree. I can sense the fruit in this building. Please tell Agent Howard that I hold no grudge for what he did. He was just following orders and he did everything he could to keep me safe. The council has wanted to study the fruit for years. I bet O5-11 pushed for this.
Let it go on record to my fellow council members: I am the Guardian of the Arborvitae. It is my duty to protect it, and any decision I take is to ensure its safety. Even if it doesn’t seem risky, it can have untold consequences. So be very careful with what might happen next.

(O5-1 stands up and leaves the room, leaving Dr. McGarth alone.)

[END LOG]

+ Access Interview SCP-XXXX: Agent Howard

Close File

Date: 07/01/2020
Interviewed: Agent D. Howard
Interviewer: Dr. J. Sinclair
Notes: Initial interview was done with Dr. J. Sinclair while Dr. McGarth held an interview with O5-1 for time sake.

[BEGIN LOG]

Dr. Sinclair: To start, O5-11 sends their gratitude. The fruit that we are calling SCP-XXXX-C, has already been taken to the lab for study.

Agent Howard: It’s appreciated but…

Dr. Sinclair: Is something wrong?

Agent Howard: It’s nothing. I just feel a little strange about this. I mean, I was given an assignment by the O5 Council to take something without O5-1 noticing. It just feels a little wrong.

Dr. Sinclair: It’s understandable. Exceptional loyalty is one of the reasons you were chosen for the mission. Just rest assured we will learn much from the samples. From what I understand the council believes that O5-1 is just being overly cautious. You aren’t betraying O5-1 but following direct orders from the Council.

Agent Howard: I guess.

Dr. Sinclair: Good. We are currently reviewing footage you brought back. You will likely be questioned more after it can be viewed. You will be happy to know that your blood test came back showing you didn’t pick up any diseases from SCP-XXXX-A. We will hold in your observation just to be safe.

Agent Howard: I would hope so. You gave me enough shots that I thought I was going to the Amazon.

Dr. Sinclair: For this initial interview we have some questions on your encounter with SCP-XXXX-B instances.

Agent Howard: I don’t know what to say. They didn’t even look at me much, like I was an afterthought. The big one—the Greenskeeper—only asked why I was there. And the Caretaker seemed more interested in using me to annoy O5-1.

Dr. Sinclair: On that note, how did they react to O5-1?

Agent Howard: I don’t know. They clearly knew her. I didn’t get the feeling that they were friendly, but not like they were enemies. The Caretaker enjoyed making her angry. It’s hard to explain. When I was in high school, I was on the football team with my older brother. There was this guy who always tried to rile up my brother. My brother would do the same to him, and I always thought that this would end up with them fighting. It never happened. They hated each other, but when we played other teams, they played amazing together. They were stuck working together, they wanted to win, so they played together. Protected each other. They would love to see the other guy get hurt, but they wouldn’t let it happen because it could cost them the game.

Dr. Sinclair: So, it’s a situation of unlikely allies for the situation?

Agent Howard: I think it felt like they respect O5-1. It was easier to see with the Greenskeeper. He was more upfront about helping her out with advice. But even the Caretaker seemed to have some respect for her. She could have just left but waited to make sure I knew to protect her.

Dr. Sinclair: That’s… odd.

Agent Howard: Yeah, I’m not an expert on their files, but from what I understand, their species at best are indifferent to us and at worst want to kill us.

Dr. Sinclair: That’s a simple explanation but-

(Alarms are heard going off.)

Dr. Sinclair: Oh no. That’s the containment breach alarm.

[END LOG]

Appendum XXXX.6: Experiments Logs: SCP-XXXX-C:

+ Access Video Transcript:SCP-XXXX-C Tests

- Close File

Date: 07/01/2020
Present: Dr. E. Roberts and Researcher M. Gomez
Testing: SCP-XXXX-C

[BEGIN LOG]

Researcher Gomez: And we are good to go.

Dr. Roberts: Good, they want us to start quickly. It was a big surprise they showed up here. They had a team ready at Site-550. They had to scramble to get this makeshift team set. They’re worried that O5-1 will try to shut us down.

Researcher Gomez: I get it, they want to get as much done in case they stop us. I don’t mind—fruit like this could reveal so much. Plus, we can’t mess this up with the O5 Council so interested. I just wish we had a bit more prep time.

Dr. Roberts: It’s not like we need much. We’re just feeding the fruit to some lab mice. It’s so basic we don’t even have to run it by the Ethics Committee.

Researcher Gomez: We are about to test out fruit from a mythical tree, and you think that’s basic?

Dr. Roberts: Just go over everything for the record.

(Dr. Roberts cuts open an instance of SCP-XXXX-C. Dr. Roberts prepares three pieces for the experiment and places samples of seeds, rind, albedo, calyx, and membrane into containers.)

Researcher Gomez: For the record, for this test we have two male common laboratory mice⁶. Both are approximately three years old. They are both showing signs of their age, loss of vision, thinning hair, flaky skin, arthritis, swollen muscles, reluctance to move and so on. Both are male and kept in separate cages, clearly marked as SCP-XXXX-C-1 and SCP-XXXX-C-2.

(Dr. Roberts opens up the tops of the cages and places portions of SCP-XXXX-C in front of the lab mice.)

Researcher Gomez: Do you think they’ll eat it? I don’t think mice like citrus.

Dr. Roberts: We have some monkeys for testing, but the ones on site are in the middle of testing already.

Researcher Gomez: Oh! They’re eating it.

(After their first bite the mice begin to eat the samples at a rapid rate. Over the course of the next minute both mice display changes, including growing thicker hair, healthier skin, more mobility and energy.)

Dr. Roberts: It’s working, they look so much younger. Time to move on to the second part of this test.

Researcher Gomez: SCP-XXXX-C-1 will be used for observation. We will let it age normally and see if there are any differences. SCP-XXXX-C-2 will be given an extra serving of SCP-XXXX-C to see if it has any other effect.

(Dr. Roberts takes a serving placing it in the cage in front of SCP-XXXX-C-2. SCP-XXXX-C-2 quickly begins to devour it. After it finishes eating it starts to cough, before it starts to shake violently. Cracks are heard coming from SCP-XXXX-C-2 as it begins to squeal in pain. Bones begin to protrude from its skin before muscle and sinew grow over it. It begins to shake violently against its cage.)

Dr. Roberts: Prepare a tranquilizer.

Researcher Gomez: Right!

(SCP-XXXX-C-2 now a foot in length, rips out of the cage and breaks into the cage of SCP-XXXX-C-1. SCP-XXXX-C-1 tries to fight it off, but it's quickly devoured. SCP-XXXX-C-2 begins to transform again, growing sharp teeth in its mouth, tendrils by the sides of its jaw, and vestigial wings on its back.)

Researcher Gomez: Oh god!

Dr. Roberts: Don’t just stare, hit the breach alarm!

(SCP-XXXX-C-2 tears apart the cage and turns to the samples of SCP-XXXX-C. SCP-XXXX-C-2 reaches the samples by eating through their containers but is stopped as Dr. Roberts tries to pull it away. SCP-XXXX-C-2 reacts by attacking him, tearing off his left arm and devouring it. Alarms begin to sound.)

Dr. Roberts: God dammit! Mother [Expletive Redacted]

Researcher Gomez: Keep it together! You’re going to go into shock, just hold on, I’m using my belt for a tourniquet.

(On-site Security enters the room. SCP-XXXX-C-2 has grown to a length of six feet. SCP-XXXX-C-2 has grown six extra eyes, scales on its skin, and human-like arms on its torso.
Security unloads their guns into SCP-XXXX-C-2, which promptly collapses, unmoving. Security quickly radios for a medical team and helps Researcher Gomez try and stabilize Dr. Roberts.
SCP-XXXX-C-2 begins to revive itself and squeal out in pain. Security begins to reload their gun to fire again when O5-1 walks in.)

O5-1: That’s not going to work. It’s just going to regenerate itself until it burns itself out or until its brain is destroyed. Just cover me for a moment.

(O5-1 walks over to SCP-XXXX-C-2 and leans next to it. She holds down its head as she pulls out a combat knife. O5-1 quickly severs its neck, removing its head, and driving the combat knife into its skull. O5-1 moves to the samples and finds an instance SCP-XXXX-C and takes it over to Dr. Roberts.)

O5-1: Doctor! Listen to me! I need you to eat this or you’re probably going to die. It might not work, but it's your best shot. Trust me, dying via shock isn’t a pleasant way to go.

(O5-1 pushes SCP-XXXX-C into Dr. Roberts’s mouth, who begins to eat it. After a minute Dr. Roberts begins to convulse. He moans out in pain as bones and flesh begin to regrow, replacing his arm over the next two minutes. Dr. Roberts’s gray hair starts to become black, and wrinkles start to vanish.
As security teams and medics arrive, O5-1 directs them as she shows her credentials.)

Notes: After the incident, Dr. Roberts was properly examined and showed no signs of anomalous features. He required IV drip and several hours of monitored sleep before he was well enough to speak. More tests are to be done, and Dr. Roberts has been demoted to Class-E until they come back, though all tests that have come in suggest we won’t find anything. Should Dr. Roberts be returned to his proper station, it is suggested that a cover story be used stating that he received some minor elective surgery and has dyed his hair. While he has never been a vain man about his appearance, this is believed to be a suitably believable story for those without clearance, certainly easier than giving amnestics to everyone who might recognize him.
It should be noted that all samples of SCP-XXXX-C have decayed within 36 hours after they were picked. All tests on the remains have shown that the decay is down to the cellular level. We have been unable to discover anything further from these samples. We have had D-Class attempts to ingest the remains of an instance of SCP-XXXX-C. They have shown no anomalous effects from eating the fruit. The only thing of note was some minor stomach aches one might expect from eating rotten fruit. With no fruit or seeds left, I’m not sure what else to do.
—Researcher Gomez

+ Access File: Autopsy Results: SCP-XXXX-C-2

Addendum XXXX.7: Translation Of Sumerian Texts

Visual analysis of text found in SCP-XXXX suggests that some sections were written several centuries ago. Analysis confirms that they were all written by the same person, some sections written decades to centuries apart.
It was written in one of the earliest dialects known to the Foundation.

+ Section 01

+ Section 02

Close File

It doesn’t matter how it began, only that it did. Adam had grown mad with power from either the corruption of the Scarlet King or by his own pride. Adam was at his kingdom and left me to lead the tribe when the war began.

I scarcely want to think of the horrors that followed.

The abominations of the Daevas.

The Dark sorcerer in purple robes.

The Sky King’s quest for the lance.

Horror after horror rained down upon the earth, killing all that lived. But we were away from it, living in peace in the garden hidden in a valley, hoping that we would be safe there. We were foolish. It cost my oldest sons their lives and maybe more.

The Guardian of the Tree of Knowledge, Nahash, had spoken to my children and was in part responsible for what they became. He held no ill intent; he meant the best but was deceived. I had once considered him a friend and a teacher, but now I find it hard to look at him.

He had come with an offer of knowledge, hoping to use that knowledge to end the fighting. I refused; the cost was too great. I sought counsel with Hakhama, the guardian of the Tree of Life. Her friendship and wisdom have always served as a balm during troubling times. As people suffered, we grew desperate. Adam’s wrath and pride had shattered our Eden. Then the horrors arrived.

That foul beast came, and was disgusted by us, and killed many of us. I wish it had killed me. Instead, it spoke and whispered ideas into my head, suggesting that I should have taken of the fruit. Nahash saved me, but the damage had been done. Our tribe had to leave; it wasn’t safe. And the All-Mighty sought us to leave, seeing us all as a shadow of what Adam had become. I had little choice but to take the offer. The twin guardians gave me their fruits so that I could use the gifts to save what little remained.

It was then when I realized the error: that damnable beast had found a way to suggest it to Nahash. To bring our downfall and destruction. I had taken what I should not have, and they were called down. Jophiel and Uriel arrived to punish us for our sins. They took no joy in it, but they would carry out their duty. No matter how much time has passed, I don’t think I will ever forget the horror I felt seeing that flamming sword turned towards me.

I don’t know what I would be if they hadn’t protected me from the attack. Or if Nahash’s dark brother hadn’t arrived and made Jophiel and Uriel forget, letting us escape. Nevertheless, the damage was done: we were cast out, never to return.

Things have changed so much. The tree has created a forest around it.

I heard stories from the others that humanity had started to flourish.

I was unsure of what to believe but soon evidence arrived. Some men had gotten lost and found the forest and searched for food and found the tree. Before I found them, they had eaten from the tree. They grew healthier than before, and the older men amongst them lost years, regaining youth. Before I could warn them, they took more fruit and upon eating were transformed. They grew, as their flesh would not stop healing. One of the men who hadn’t eaten the second fruit fled in terror. They were in terrible pain, trying to devour one another. I was forced to shatter their heads to let them have peace. The tree took their blood and flesh to grow.

It feels strange, as if it is about to grow. There are things I don’t understand: I have taken from the tree many times to no effect. Maybe this tree protects me as I protect it. Maybe it's because I have eaten from the true Tree of Life Everlasting. I fear, without the garden, this one will never be as strong. Maybe that's why the second fruit causes such harm.

The forest felt safe. I had to see if I could find the man. To see if more would come. To see how those descended from my tribe grow.

I left the forest to see for myself, a strange adventure in and of itself.

I left the forest to search for answers, and soon I found people.

Some reacted to me strangely. My name is now known as the one who cast humanity out of the Garden and made humanity sinful.

I only did what I had to do, but I doubt they will understand.

I heard rumors that my sons wander the world, but not as I remember them.

The Daevas have risen in the East.

Lilitu has created monsters that roam the world.

I heard rumors that the gods of Flesh and Metal fought, and now their followers continue the fight.

That damnable undying beast still roams; I had wished the abyss to swallow him whole. I doubt I will ever forgive it for its suggestion.

With this all on my mind, I returned to the forest to find it gone. Yet, I found a field, and through it, I stepped back into the forest. I do not know how the tree has moved the forest to a world of its own, far beyond the reach of any who could harm it, yet allow those tied to it to reach it.

I wonder if the tree wishes me freedom. Sometimes I believe that it thinks. I think I will take the opportunity; the tree can fend for itself and needs blood so rarely. I will go into the world. Humanity might spit at my name, and blame me for its sins, but I did lead them from the valley. Their suffering to some extent is my fault; I led them to a world full of dangers. I should try to guide them through the uncertain future that lies ahead.

SCP Sandbox III

Sandbox III: Revenge of the Sandbox