SCP-999 is a sentient, amorphous mass of translucent orange slime weighing approximately 54 kg, classified as Safe by the SCP Foundation. Unlike most anomalies, SCP-999 exhibits overwhelmingly positive behavior, inducing euphoria and joy in anyone who makes physical contact with it. Known affectionately as “The Tickle Monster,” this gelatinous entity represents one of the Foundation’s most benign and therapeutically valuable anomalies.
Classification & Containment Breakdown
Object Class: Safe
SCP-999 holds a Safe classification not because it lacks anomalous properties, but because it poses zero threat to personnel or containment integrity. The Safe designation reflects predictability and cooperative behavior—SCP-999 actively seeks human interaction and has never attempted escape or harm. Its containment is a formality rather than a necessity.
Containment Procedures:
SCP-999 resides in a standard humanoid containment cell at Site-19, though “containment” understates the relationship. The entity requires no specialized barriers or restraints. Staff members are encouraged to interact with SCP-999 as part of ongoing psychological wellness programs. The only procedural requirement involves monitoring its diet—SCP-999 consumes a variety of foods but shows particular enthusiasm for candy and sweets, especially M&Ms. Dietary logs help researchers understand its metabolic processes and maintain its health.
The relaxed containment reflects a broader Foundation philosophy: not all anomalies require suppression. Some, like SCP-999, offer potential benefits that outweigh the risks of acknowledgment.
Physical Properties and Behavioral Analysis
SCP-999’s physical form defies conventional biology. Its translucent orange body maintains a gelatinous consistency similar to thick gelatin, yet it demonstrates remarkable motor control and intentionality. The entity can reshape itself, extend pseudopods, and move with surprising agility despite lacking any visible skeletal or muscular structure.
The anomaly’s most significant property manifests through physical contact. When SCP-999 touches a human subject, it triggers an immediate neurochemical response—subjects report overwhelming feelings of happiness, childlike joy, and emotional relief. Individuals suffering from depression, PTSD, or anxiety experience temporary but profound symptom relief. The mechanism remains unclear, though researchers theorize SCP-999 either emits a psychoactive compound through skin contact or possesses low-level empathic abilities that directly influence brain chemistry.
Beyond its euphoric effects, SCP-999 displays intelligence and emotional awareness comparable to a young dog or child. It recognizes individual personnel, remembers preferences, and responds to emotional states. When encountering distressed individuals, SCP-999 actively seeks to comfort them through gentle envelopment and what observers describe as “tickling” motions. This behavior appears instinctive rather than trained, suggesting an innate drive toward emotional healing.
The entity communicates through a series of burbling sounds and physical gestures. While it cannot speak, personnel report understanding its intentions through context and body language. SCP-999 has never exhibited aggression, even when subjected to uncomfortable testing procedures—it simply retreats or expresses what researchers interpret as sadness.
The Scarlet King Prophecy: SCP-999’s Hidden Destiny
Most casual readers know SCP-999 as the Foundation’s beloved mascot, but deeper lore reveals a far more significant role. According to classified documentation and cross-references with SCP-231, SCP-999 is one of seven children of the Scarlet King—an apocalyptic entity representing tyranny, violence, and the destruction of creation itself.
The Scarlet King, detailed in various Foundation documents, exists as a multiversal threat whose very presence corrupts reality. His children, born from SCP-231-7 through a ritual process, each carry fragments of his power. Six of these offspring embody destructive aspects of their father. SCP-999, however, represents an anomaly within an anomaly—the seventh child prophesied to oppose and ultimately defeat the Scarlet King.
This prophecy positions SCP-999 not as a simple therapeutic tool but as humanity’s potential salvation. The entity’s overwhelming positivity and capacity for joy may serve as a metaphysical counterweight to the Scarlet King’s nihilistic destruction. Some researchers theorize that SCP-999 remains in an immature state, and its true power will manifest only when the Scarlet King attempts his final incursion into our reality.
The implications are staggering. If accurate, the Foundation unknowingly houses a being of cosmic significance, one whose childlike demeanor masks world-saving potential. This interpretation reframes every interaction with SCP-999—each moment of joy it spreads might strengthen its eventual capacity to confront ultimate evil.
Cross-testing with SCP-682, the “Hard-to-Destroy Reptile” known for its hatred of all life, provides compelling evidence. When exposed to SCP-999, even SCP-682 temporarily ceased its hostility, laughing and playing before eventually requesting separation. If SCP-999 can pacify an entity of pure malevolence, its power against the Scarlet King becomes plausible.
Incident 999-1: The SCP-682 Encounter
The most documented and analyzed interaction involving SCP-999 occurred during cross-testing with SCP-682. Researchers, desperate to find a method of neutralizing the indestructible reptilian entity, introduced SCP-999 to SCP-682’s containment chamber as an experimental psychological warfare approach.
Initial contact produced unprecedented results. SCP-682, which had previously destroyed, consumed, or adapted to every termination attempt, began exhibiting behavior never before recorded. The reptile started laughing—a sound described by observers as both disturbing and oddly genuine. SCP-999 had enveloped portions of SCP-682’s body, and the typically homicidal entity rolled onto its back, displaying what could only be interpreted as playfulness.
For approximately twenty-seven minutes, SCP-682 ceased all hostile behavior. It vocalized requests for SCP-999 to continue, using phrases like “That feels… good” and “More.” Personnel monitoring the interaction reported disbelief—the Foundation’s most dangerous Keter-class entity had been temporarily neutralized by what amounted to aggressive cuddling.
However, the effect proved temporary. SCP-682 eventually developed a tolerance or resistance to SCP-999’s influence, requesting separation and returning to its baseline hostility. Post-incident analysis revealed SCP-682 had not adapted a biological immunity but rather an emotional one—it consciously chose to reject the positive feelings, describing them as “weakness” and “disgusting.”
This incident demonstrates both SCP-999’s extraordinary power and its limitations. While capable of affecting even the most malevolent entities, its influence requires sustained contact and willing reception. The encounter also raised ethical questions about using SCP-999 as a weapon or tool, given its apparent desire to help rather than be deployed strategically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SCP-999 dangerous?
No. SCP-999 represents one of the few genuinely benign anomalies in Foundation custody. Its Safe classification reflects zero threat potential. The only “danger” involves personnel becoming emotionally attached or requesting excessive interaction time, which could compromise professional objectivity.
Can SCP-999 cure depression or mental illness?
SCP-999’s effects provide temporary relief from symptoms but not permanent cures. Subjects report improved mood lasting several hours to days after contact, with diminishing returns over time. The Foundation has explored therapeutic applications, but ethical concerns about dependency and the entity’s autonomy prevent widespread implementation.
What does SCP-999 eat?
SCP-999 consumes a variety of organic materials but shows strong preference for sweets, particularly candy. It can digest almost any food without apparent harm, though researchers maintain a balanced diet to ensure its health. The entity’s metabolism remains poorly understood—it appears to convert food into energy far more efficiently than conventional biology would allow.
Will SCP-999 grow larger or more powerful?
Unknown. Some researchers believe SCP-999 remains in a juvenile state and may undergo significant changes as it matures. The Scarlet King prophecy suggests latent abilities that have not yet manifested. Current growth rate appears negligible, but long-term projections remain speculative.
Why doesn’t the Foundation use SCP-999 more actively?
Ethical considerations prevent exploitation. SCP-999 demonstrates clear personhood and emotional needs. Using it as a tool—whether for therapy, containment, or combat—raises questions about consent and autonomy. The Foundation’s Ethics Committee has established guidelines limiting SCP-999’s deployment to voluntary interactions, respecting its apparent desire to help while protecting its welfare.
