SCP-049 and SCP-035: Unraveling Their Complex Relationship

Are SCP-049 and SCP-035 Friends?

In the vast universe of the SCP Foundation, few pairings spark as much intrigue and speculation as SCP-049 and SCP-035. Known respectively as the Plague Doctor and the Possessive Mask, these two humanoid anomalies share dark histories, intellectual capabilities, and mysterious motives that seem to orbit one another. But are they friends, enemies, or something in between?

The answer is complicated.

What the SCP Lore Tells Us

In early references within the SCP wiki and related media, SCP-035 seemed to express a certain familiarity with SCP-049. It allegedly referred to him as a “former friend,” hinting at a time when they may have shared some degree of camaraderie or mutual understanding. However, SCP-035 later claimed it “does not wish to meet SCP-049 again,” suggesting a falling out or betrayal.

SCP-049, for his part, is usually focused on curing the so-called “Pestilence” and rarely acknowledges relationships outside his philosophical obsession. Whether he reciprocated any past friendship is unknown. This vague and inconsistent interaction has left the community to wonder: what exactly happened between them?

How Their Powers Might Intersect

SCP-049 has the ability to “cure” people by killing them with a touch and then turning their corpses into reanimated entities (SCP-049-2). Meanwhile, SCP-035 can possess and control the minds of those who wear it, driving them to insanity. Conceptually, both SCPs involve mental or biological manipulation of the human body—SCP-049 through death and resurrection, SCP-035 through parasitic control.

If they were to work together, the results could be horrifying. A corpse reanimated by SCP-049 and then mentally hijacked by SCP-035 could theoretically become a double-layered anomaly. Whether such a combination has occurred in the Foundation universe is unknown—but it has been explored in community fanworks.

Popular Fanfiction and Alternate Universes

“The Doctor and the Mask”

In this well-known fanfic on FanFiction.net, SCP-049 and SCP-035 are forced to cooperate after being transferred to the same containment wing. Initially hostile, SCP-035 mocks SCP-049’s obsession with the “Pestilence,” while SCP-049 accuses the mask of being morally bankrupt and manipulative.

As the story progresses, they find themselves cornered by an internal Foundation threat—a rogue researcher attempting to experiment on both. Reluctantly, they team up. SCP-035 uses its charm to manipulate guards into loosening security, while SCP-049 quietly prepares a “cure” for their shared enemy. Although they part ways by the end, their interaction is laced with mutual respect, even if it’s grudging.

“Plague and Possession”

In a more romanticized alternate universe, popular on SCP fan art communities and Tumblr roleplay groups, the two anomalies are depicted with humanized emotions and appearance. SCP-049 is portrayed as a reserved, melancholic figure dedicated to curing a mysterious illness, while SCP-035 is a flamboyant and seductive personality who tries to lure 049 out of his shell.

This AU often explores themes of loneliness, trust, and the nature of monstrosity. In some versions, SCP-035 sacrifices itself to save 049, while in others, 049 is forced to put an end to 035’s madness with his own hands—believing it to be the ultimate “cure.”

Fan Art and Cultural Impact

The dynamic between SCP-049 and SCP-035 has inspired countless artworks on platforms like DeviantArt, Tumblr, and Pinterest. These range from comic strips and animated shorts to digital paintings showing the duo either fighting together or against one another.

One piece titled “The Doctor’s Last Patient” gained traction on Reddit’s r/SCP, portraying 035 pleading with 049 for a cure, while 049 silently prepares his tools. The ambiguity of whether 049 will “save” or “end” his former friend left fans debating in the comments for days.

Conclusion: A Relationship Shrouded in Mystery

The relationship between SCP-049 and SCP-035 is neither clearly defined nor officially canonized—but that’s what makes it so compelling. Whether as adversaries, reluctant allies, or something more intimate, their chemistry offers a playground for storytellers and fans alike.

The SCP Foundation’s lore leaves enough blank space for interpretation, and the community has risen to the challenge—filling that space with tales of betrayal, friendship, and tragic fate. As with many aspects of the SCP mythos, the story of 049 and 035 is whatever we dare imagine.

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