4. Randomly Generated Chaos

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At the first available instant, Baldi inspected his current location - which seemed to be some kind of dark void - scanning his blue eyes in search of the others. Sure enough, the three of them were present with him, all of whom were as mystified as he.

"Ah!" He spoke, getting their attention. "Good, we're all here! Is everyone alright?" With a few nods, he continued, "Great! Now we can-"

"Oh, hi! Looks like we have a cheater around here!" Right as he heard it, the gazes of his friends moved above him, giving looks of worry. Baldi promptly joined them, and saw Player and his Plus self situated in a contrastingly white expanse, but high enough to be out of reach.

The professor interrupted the ensuing conversation, jumping and waving his arms as he called, "Player! Down here! It's me! We made it!" Player made no reaction to him, too fixated on his other variation. From where he floated, M settled one of his feet on the supposed ground, analyzing the area.

"Professor, they can't hear or see us," He confessed, it making Baldi stop. Then, M realized something else. "But... Neither can he. We can be as loud as we want down here." Baldi watched M move next to him, his voice raising in demonstration, "Hey, Baldi! You're an-" A beep. "You know that?! Wait, even here? Figures..."

Those sort of comments could've easily bothered someone else, but Baldi understood that each of his copies were unique enough to be their own person. Yes, they had the same roots, but timing was what branched them off, himself included. They are, but are not him, and vice versa.

So really, he could not blame others for having misgivings. And even though he was too polite to say it, deep down... He had to agree.

"Think we can still go with our plan?" Sweeper wondered, "Between you and me, he's kinda freakin' me out over here."

"I don't see why not, provided that our way in works," Principal answered decisively, giving M a glance. "And it will, correct?"

"As soon as Player starts a game," The music teacher offered with a nonchalant shrug. "Though, yes, there will be doppelgangers galore. I'm honestly not sure how that'll work out, but..."

"I know what you did. Brought in some friends to help even the odds!" Wait. Baldi snapped his attention back to his other version. "Well, I disposed of those dumb copies."

"But if he knows... Then how come we're..." He mused to himself.

"... And kidnapped the real ones!" Alarms rang off in his mind, but he wasn't alone. The four of them found themselves checking their copy, desperately hoping that Plus' was bluffing.

But sure enough, they were missing.

Baldi suddenly found himself struggling to breathe, and technically he didn't even need to, barely noticing how his legs gave out. His friends weren't faring any better - through all the noise of his counterpart monologuing and his own panting, he overheard an argument between Principal and M, the former sounding infuriated.

"You...! If you hadn't opened your big mouth, none of this-!"

"I don't have a mouth!"

"Do not change the subject! This is all your fault! None of us wanted to do this, but somehow-!"

"Principal, dude, chill out! We're only being held hostage, it's not like we were deleted-"

"Oh, only being held hostage?! You do realize that he's powerful enough to do that literally any time he wants?!" There was a pause, M not replying. "What do you think's going to happen if we're gone forever? The game will be unplayable! All those years of work Player, Friend, Baldi, we all did? FOR NOTHING!" Then, he was pulled a short distance away by Sweeper.

"Get a hold of yourself, man! That's not going to get us any closer to home!" There was some conviction in his voice, but uncertainty was mixed in.

"He's right, you know," M finally found his voice again, "Look, you can chew me out all you want when we get back." A beep. "Suspend me or some-" Another. "I don't care. But right now, we got one shot, and we can't afford to screw it up."

"Oh, I see. So it's personal," Still, the conversation above them continued. "I'll make you a deal, then. If you can beat my game, I'll set them free-"

"They're negotiating!" Baldi found himself gasping out, and it was only then that the rest stopped what they were doing, standing next to him to listen in. Principal helped him up and rested a hand on his shoulder, it steadying his nerves.

"You good, Baldi?" He whispered. In response, the professor nodded. Although none of them were able to read out anything Player was writing, the other Baldi's responses gave just enough clues to help them understand.

When the menu screen appeared (as if it was just a very large and flat image, mirrored from their side), he managed to speak again, trying to sound like he didn't just have a panic attack. "Alright! Now it's even more imperative that we help Player win! But we should still be careful!" The menu buttons crashed down, they reflexively sprinting away. Fortunately, the debris was unable to reach them.

Looking up again, Player was veiled inside an elevator, and much higher up was his Plus self, writing something on his clipboard. Was he... Floating? Flying? Baldi couldn't tell. Faintly, he could hear him.

"Let's see them try this seed on for size." With a smirk, he tossed the clipboard downward, it falling at the speed of a bullet. But when it reached the bottom of the white expanse, it dithered away... Only for floors, walls, and ceilings to appear in a sweeping manner. Then, furniture, windows, items, and notebooks. Baldi was so caught up in watching this unfold that he only tore his eyes away when he felt his friends cling to his side.

From afar, they could see this game's versions of the characters, including themselves. This must've been where they go before they're spawned in. Wordlessly, Baldi freed his arms and wrapped them around everyone. They weren't really in harm's way, but being unsettled made perfect sense.

"I... Do not m-miss this." M stuttered.

"Amen..." Sweeper agreed.

"The floor is here; can we get on with it already? Maybe we can even keep... Those... From appearing at all." Principal was next, speaking faster than usual.

"Y-Yeah, okay. Yeah," M nodded fervently. "Oh, hey! We're all together! I-I'll only have to do this once, then... Uh, brace yourselves, this might pinch. Or w-worse." They did, and luckily it was only the former. Right after, Baldi looked into the addition M bestowed. Ah, yes, there it was - way down in line 9248: code for handling private subtitles, the sure-fire way to communicate without his Plus iteration hearing.

"Your turn, Principal," M then added, as the others separated. Baldi watched on as this was done, only for the music teacher to yelp out in pain, followed immediately by a beep. "Is THAT what it's like? God, I'm so sorry guys." M must've given Principal something extra, at least to ensure that M could use the same method.

One of the few things Baldi would never understand: M repeatedly denying the offer to patch the flaws of his code-altering ability, so that he could apply it to himself; this, along with doing so remotely, as opposed to needing physical contact with the subject. He justified this as "Every character needs a caveat or two, or else we'd be overpowered!"

And under most circumstances, that would slide. But in this one? ... Not so much.

"And now, one last thing," The ghostly teacher then instructed, managing to settle down all the while. "Testing it out so that we know it's working. And make sure you're not speaking."

It really is pointless, to be this joyless.
He went first, his subtitle color being burgundy.

"Oh, are we using song lyrics?!" Sweeper exclaimed, in spite of the situation. "Uh, let's see, uh... Okay, just come back to me."

I can almost see the blue sky out the window.
The next to go was Principal, who was somehow amused. Like his Plus self, his color was navy.

2 + 2 = ? Well, that's easy, that's just 4! Either that, or the answer's on the floor!
Baldi couldn't help smiling, joining in. Ditto, but in green.

Finally, Sweeper had an idea.

Trapped here to tackle attacks from the faculty,
Blast cans, grab snacks for the calories;
Running for sums takes stamina, actually,
Now I see what they mean by a mathlete!
Do I not need a pass from my family?
Calculus entered the hazardous category,
Practicing math shouldn't factor fatalities;
Even the dastardly Janitor's after me!
SWEEP! SWEEP! SWEEP!
He proceeded to rap, in the same, but glorious dark green of his counterpart.

The other three looked on in sheer surprise, before the living broom pretended to toss an invisible microphone to the ground. After moments of silence, Baldi applauded.

"That was great!" He added with a harmless laugh.

"Ah-" M started, interrupted by a beep. Yet, he was trying not to lose it. "He's- He's got us there, guys. Can't top that. Well..." He trailed off.

"Oh, hi! Let's play Hide and Seek!" Baldi's grin dropped the second he heard that. It seemed like Player had stalled this entire time. Just as well, due to what they found out minutes ago. They must be so worried...

Can't dwell on that now. "Player's starting! We gotta go!" He warned as he approached his friends, but luckily they were on top of it - Principal had M by the arm, while M lifted Sweeper off the ground.

"No hard feelings? It's just faster." M was trying to assure to the janitor.

"As long as we never speak of this again." He grunted in reply.

"Ten..." The countdown. Thankfully, it ran at a slow pace.

"Hold on tight!" Squeezing Principal's hand, Baldi zipped everyone to their spawning points. Sweeper at his supply closet - with more code shenanigans, M was able to toss him through the void and into the level - followed by Principal at the detention room. Neither were able to stifle a yell as they rocketed upward, but thankfully bit their tongues near the threshold.

"And you, Professor? Where do you go? You haven't told me yet..." M suddenly tensed in concern, and so did Baldi.

"Five... Four..."

"I... Never figured it out..." He finally responded, in the same tone.

"We have to put you somewhere!" M took him by the shoulders and shook frantically. In his haze, Baldi spotted a room.

"Waaait! Please, stop!" He uttered, M complying. Without another word, the professor sprinted the two of them toward it.

"The- The Library?! What's THAT doing on the first floor?!" M managed to say in disbelief. Once they were right underneath the open area of the room in question, Baldi spun on his heel.

"Two-ooo... One."

"Just DO IT, M!" He shouted in a plea. The next thing he knew, he was soaring skyward at top speed, the room above starting to fill his vision. He quickly added

Thank you!
In a subtitle.

Good luck, Professor! You and everyone else! I'll be watching!
M replied in turn.

"Ready or not-"

The library engulfed him, cutting off the rest of his other self's sentence. The inertia slowed to a stop just a foot off the floor, and he landed cleanly on his feet. He gathered his bearings before subtitling again.

I made it! Principal, Sweeper! Are you there?
He waited. But there was no response. He tried again.

Hello? Can either of you see this?
Still nothing. Then, he stumbled, holding his forehead.

I must find the player! They can't hide from me! I've got to beat them! Why am I in the Library, I can't hear them in here! Get out and listen!

Those... Were not his thoughts.

Where's my ruler? I need it! He tabbed over to the last slot of his inventory, which housed the item in question. There it is! I'm in charge! They have to know who they're dealing with!

That... Was not his action.

I'm so frustrated in myself, I can't believe I was so unprepared! They could have all four notebooks by now! Hurry up and go!

He could feel his conscience begin to slip away, his mind fogging up. He was getting overcome in... Anger, of all things. His left palm opened in front of him, as his right hand gripped his ruler. He smacked it soundlessly twice before

Professor, stop! This is not you!
A strange subtitle appeared. Now who in the world was that?

Baldi ignored it and continued.

Remember why we're here! All the reasons we're doing this for! Snap out of it!
There it was again. Whoever this was, they were sure annoying.

He couldn't for the life of him recall the way out of here, but it was just a matter of inevitability. Sure, he might miss the player now, but there were always the subsequent floors.

Don't make me come up there myself! You know I will!
Was this person... Challenging him? In his own schoolhouse? That was laudable, but not worth the energy.

Okay, so he already took these turns, so perhaps this way might fare better

Someone appeared in front of him. Ghostly white, translucent skin, half-of-a-face, dark brown hair and eyes. Red shirt, blue trousers, no shoes. Limbs and fingers dislocated for whatever reason. This was a

FILENAME2! DESTROY IT! DESTROY IT NOW! I HAVE TO! OR ELSE IT'LL ERASE EVERYTHING! DESTROY THE FILENAME2 IMMEDIATELY!

Baldi plowed right into the offending character, ruler raised to strike. The saboteur was pushed effortlessly, until a bookcase wall was hit. It was dazed. This was strangely easy - usually these were known to put up a fight. No matter.

Ow. God.
Another message. Ah, so that's where those were coming from.

Baldi wished this thing would shut up. He adjusted his hold on the ruler, ready to end this.

Wait. 9999. I get it now. It's the 9999ing character codes.
Yours and his are mingling. You can't even recognize me.
Son of a 99999.
And yet more kept showing up, with foul language to boot.

His arm was shaking. Why the hesitation? Morbid curiosity? His other hand clasped the Filename2's throat, who made little reaction.

Y'know, that's not really gonna work? Cause I'm kind of a ghost and all?
Ah, forget it. I think I know what to do. Forgive me.
It was. So. Chatty.

He felt the other character's hands grab his own, right as he went to attack. It was surprisingly able to halt his movement, or perhaps that was just from using both against one

Baldi jerked abruptly, a silent gasp uttered. His ruler fell from his hand, the other going limp against the Filename2. He fell on his back, head swimming.

IT JUMPED ME, GET UP! HURRY, BEFORE IT DOes what it's always tried to do and...

The thoughts lowered in volume, until they were gone entirely. Whether it was the shock or that, he didn't know, but so too did the fury melt away, at the same time. As he tried to focus, the character appeared in his sights again, floating over him.

There. That should suppress it. For now. Hopefully.
At least until I figure out a real cure.
He had no idea what this character was going on about.

As the last embers of... That stuff, faded, Baldi struggled to remember what was going on. Wasn't it something about... Helping someone? And, he didn't go alone, he had... Others. Other characters. Friends? Wait...

Principal and Sweeper! I gotta check on them too!
Sorry, Professor, I can't stick around! Hang in there, okay?
You can still subtitle us, remember that!
He tried to read as the person left his view, barely comprehending any of it at first.

Principal? Sweeper? Weren't those other characters? Weren't... Weren't they...

It then hit Baldi like a ton of bricks. His friends! And Player! How could he forget?! He sat up just in time to see - it was M! - fall through the floor. He scrambled to reach for him, but wasn't fast enough.

He noticed his ruler nearby, wondering why it was there and not in his inventory, and then realized that he was nowhere near where he'd initially came in. He picked up the measuring device, stashing it away where it belonged, and then got to his feet. He had to find some way out of this eerie room.

M? You were just in here, right? What happened?
He subtitled as he walked, wary of what the answer was going to be.

You... You don't remember how you tried to throttle me just now?
Came M's response. What? Throttle?!

I'd...! I'd never! I'd never lay a hand on you, or anyone!
Maybe it was the, er, other me?
Please be Plus, please be Plus, please be Plus...

Ah, 9999. Here we go...
Okay. No, we were the only ones in the Library.
But look. Your and his codes? Mixing around like a blender's puree.
And I think the same's happening to Principal and Sweeper.
Just as he feared. It'd been so long since he'd experienced this kind of warped hostility, only to then not recall any of it. Certainly not long enough.

That explains why they weren't responding!
What can I do?
At least he wasn't alone in... However they might be taking it. His pace quickened.

Try and find... Sigh. Looks like Sweeper's still on his timer.
I'd help you through that maze, but, uh.
Both Principals are already on the loose. I'm tracking the Plus one.
You go find ours.
Oh, dear. Regardless...

I'm on it!
And M? I am so sorry. I hope you're not hurt.
He was running now, through turns, halls, and dead ends. Eventually...

There they were, the yellow double doors. Oh, finally!

No worries, I'm fine!
I know that wasn't you. I know you'd never.
I mean, it's just not in your nature.
Thank goodness.

Tears formed in his eyes, but Baldi wiped them away, before exiting the Library at last.

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