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Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be contained inside of a 50x50x50 meter cell, with nothing constructed above, around, or below the containment chamber within 25 meters. Ample food supply should be verified before any interaction with SCP-XXXX takes place. If ample food supply is not present, 12 Class-D personnel are to be taken and used to replace the previous food sources. As of ██/██/████ SCP-XXXX is only to be fed Class-D which have been properly vetted for the feeding program. At the request of SCP-XXXX, Class-D with any form of insanity, psychopathy, or history of excessive violence are ineligible for the feeding program.
If any roots or branches have grown past twelve meters away from the base of SCP-XXXX, they are to be injected with a sedative, and then pruned to an acceptable length. No more than two meters of a single limb are to be pruned within 24 hours, as excessive pruning causes SCP-XXXX to become agitated and violent. Sedatives are used for this same reason.
Description: SCP-XXXX is a large mass of organic fungal matter contained within Site 27. The base is shaped like a mushroom rooted in the ceiling of its containment chamber, protruding down to the floor. The base is dark green in color, and covered in small, clear hairs that excrete an adhesive substance identical in structure to [REDACTED]. The hairs coil around any matter that they come in contact with, pulling them closer towards the mushroom. If the process is uninterrupted, SCP-XXXX will slowly absorb anything the hairs grab. The absorption process is quicker with organic matter as opposed to inorganic.
Extending outwards from the base are twelve branches made of mycelium, coiled similar to a length of rope, that constantly grow at a rate of three meters per day until a food source is found. At the end of these branches are holes with rows of teeth lining the inside. SCP-XXXX exclusively consumes living organisms, with a preference for beings of high intellect. Brain mass seems to not be a factor in its preference of food. When presented with a deceased elephant and a deceased human, SCP-XXXX preferred the human in every single test, despite elephants having larger brain mass than humans.
SCP-XXXX begins feeding by constricting one of its branches around its prey so that it is unable to move. The end of the branch slowly latches onto the head of its prey and penetrates the skull with its teeth. SCP-XXXX has been observed to be very cautious about preventing the brain from being injured, as well as keeping its food alive. During one feeding session, SCP-XXXX began to constrict around its prey, but began choking him accidentally. He yelled, stating that he couldn't breathe, and SCP-XXXX quickly uncoiled the branch around his neck, and resumed feeding as normal.
After the branch has penetrated the skull, a network of mycelium begins to entangle the brain until it is completely enveloped. First, the mycelium penetrate the thalamus, and disrupt the prey's ability to feel pain. Then, it provides routine stimulation to the brain's dopamine and serotonin receptors to induce a feeling of constant pleasure in the prey. This has not been observed to aid SCP-XXXX in feeding, and is presumed to be done out of compassion for its food.
The mycelium network then travels through the branch into the core of the fungus. From there, SCP-XXXX stated that it transfers thoughts, memories, and knowledge from the prey to itself. No calories or nutrients are gained from this process. In stark contrast, SCP-XXXX seems to expend resources so that its prey is kept alive as long as possible. Once feeding is complete, SCP-XXXX will dislodge its branch from the prey's skull, and will make attempts to feed on anything nearby.
SCP-XXXX has never intentionally killed a human. On the rare occasion that its prey dies during the feeding process, SCP-XXXX becomes emotionally distressed. It refuses to feed from that branch for 1-3 weeks, and coils the branch around the deceased body, possibly as an act of mourning. When Foundation staff attempted to remove the body from its containment chamber, SCP-XXXX actively resisted, encasing the body completely to protect it. Even during its aggravated states, SCP-XXXX only attempts to injure to communicate its message.
SCP-XXXX has shown multiple times to be sentient, highly intelligent, and friendly. It has sustained multiple conversations with Foundation staff, but has only initiated conversation once, as documented in Conversation Log XXXX-3A. Instead, foundation personnel must request to speak with SCP-XXXX via one of its food sources, as this is the only way it is able to perceive sights and sounds. If SCP-XXXX wishes to talk, it will cease feeding on one of its food sources, and the branch connected to its chosen vessel will become engorged, tripling in width. It will then speak through the human it has selected, and the type of human it chooses for interaction has no bearing on SCP-XXXX's personality.
Test Log XXXX-1A
Date: ██/██/████Dr. █████: Are you willing to speak today?
SCP-XXXX selects the prey closest to Dr. █████ as a vessel of communication. Forty seconds pass before SCP-XXXX's vessel nods.
Dr. █████: Thank you. Can you tell us what your purpose is?
SCP-XXXX: My purpose… is to destroy all life on Earth!
Dr. █████ remains silent. Several seconds pass, and SCP-XXXX begins to laugh hysterically.
SCP-XXXX: I'm sorry. Probably not the best joke to open with.
Dr. █████: Probably not. I wouldn't make statements like that again, especially in the presence of any higher-level personnel. Would you mind actually answering the question this time?
SCP-XXXX: Yes, yes, I apologize. My purpose, I suppose, is to collect and enjoy the memories, knowledge, and experiences of anyone and anything I can.
Dr. █████: And why do you do this?
SCP-XXXX: I am love with the human condition. The schema of humanity is so vast, yet so deep. Billions of lives, some interconnected, but most entirely separate from one another. There is love, and there is pain, and I enjoy it all. I cannot do as you do from this solitary shell. Because of that, I envy your kind.
Dr. █████: Do you feel bad for your victims?
SCP-XXXX: I would prefer if you didn't call them that. They're a source of life for me, but I suppose the way in which I… feed on them is somewhat barbaric. Yes, I do feel bad, but I do my best to make sure they don't suffer. I make it impossible for them to feel pain, and fill their brains with happiness and pleasure until I have finished feeding. I suppose if I didn't feel bad for them, I wouldn't do that.
Dr. █████: How do you feel about us?
SCP-XXXX: Your foundation is extremely kind to me. You're cautious, but not cruel, which I can respect. You've given me a steady supply of human experiences, and for that I am grateful. I believe that we're very alike, your foundation and I?
Dr. █████: Why do you say that?
SCP-XXXX: We both feed on knowledge. I understand that there's a 'protection of society' element as well, but if that's all you wanted, we wouldn't be speaking. I deeply connect with you and your foundation's desire to learn and understand. I admire it.
At this point, SCP-XXXX's vessel became unresponsive, and resumed to its normal state of feeding.
End of Test Log XXXX-1A
Note from Dr. █████: Although SCP-XXXX displays a striking level of intelligence and what seems to be compassion, we should be highly cautious in empathizing with it. No matter what it says or does, we cannot allow ourselves to humanize this thing. It feeds on human brains for God's sake.
Test Log XXXX-3A
Date: ██/██/████
Without prompting or provocation, SCP-XXXX assumed control of one of its food sources and began demanding to speak with foundation staff. Dr. █████, having the most experience with SCP-XXXX, was brought to the containment chamber to speak with it.
SCP-XXXX: I need you to report something to the police.
Dr. █████: We don't typically deal with local authorities. Most issues can be resolved by the Foundation itself. What's the matter?
SCP-XXXX: No, you need to contact the authorities in [REDACTED]. The man I'm using to speak with you is a murderer. He raped, murdered, and hid the body of a 13 year old girl, and nobody found out where he buried her.
SCP-XXXX's vessel began to emulate the breathing and speaking patterns of someone sobbing, though no tears were able to be produced,
Dr. █████: You know where the body is?
SCP-XXXX: I saw everything. The body's at [REDACTED]. Please. Send a note anonymously, anything. I don't care, just make sure the girl's parents find out.
Dr. █████: I can't make you any promises, but we will try our best.
SCP-XXXX's sobbing slows and eventually ceases.
SCP-XXXX: These people that you feed me… I understand that you'll take anyone you can get your hands on, but I can't bear to experience something like that again. Do not bring me anyone like this man again. His very existence disgusts me. I'll be as cooperative as you need me to be for your research, but please… Don't bring me these horrid people.
SCP-XXXX detaches the human from its branch, despite being far from finished with feeding, and refused to speak afterwards.
End of Test Log XXXX-3A
Note from Dr. █████: After delivering the information to the authorities in [REDACTED], it seems like SCP-XXXX's information was entirely factual. I'll try to establish a vetting program for the Class-D used for feeding, as I doubt anyone here wants to test this creature's emotional limits. I am, however, open to the possibility of using XXXX as a method of interrogation. Who knows how many unsolved mysteries could be cracked with this thing?
