5. Getting back on the Same Page

23-8-1-20 8-1-19 8-5 4-15-14-5 20-15 25-15-21 7-21-25-19 16-12-5-1-19-5 20-5-12-12 13-5

Time to check the schoolhouse for rule-breakers. Justice will be served, in only the finest flavors available. I'll whistle a tune so they know I'm onto them. The professor will hear, knowing I have his back should anything go awry. Of course, it usually does. It's why I'm here; not even he can handle this alone.

These phrases looped in Principal's mind as he wandered the halls, watching intently for any sort of infractions done by students. By now, the professor's odd little game of Hide and Seek was afoot, and although he'd promised himself not to snitch if he saw the player, he could never allow himself to do the same if he witnessed misconduct.

He heard a door open behind him. Faculty-only. Turning to look, the player emerged, beginning to go in the opposite direction. Running. Two rules broken at once, but the former took greater precedence.

"No entering school faculty-only rooms in the halls." He uttered, giving chase. The player used Spacebar, then again, as if having a double-take. Their eyes widened, in a manner bordering on recognition. It was obvious; they knew they were caught. Principal reached them and

The two were now in the detention room.

"Fifteen seconds. Detention for you. Your parents will hear about this one." As he spoke, the look on the player's face only became more unnerved by the second. Well, that's what happens when one misbehaves. Just as Principal finished his spiel, the professor bolted into the room, panting. Looks like it's the end of the game.

But then he stopped in front of him, trying to gesture something. Oh, was Principal in his way? Sorry about that, he was about to leave regardless. Once out the door, he was followed. Couldn't have been the player, so that only left the professor.

Uh. Why was he trying to stop him? He could feel his hand on his arm, but it only made him be pulled along as Principal moved.

Principal. Come on. I know you're still in there.
Will you please stop dragging the professor around? He's trying to talk to you.
He didn't recognize this subtitle. It was probably nothing.

"LOOKS LIKE IT'S SWEEPIN' TIME!" He managed to overhear. Didn't it kind of... Echo? Ah well, not his problem. The janitor could handle himself. Not long after came several dozen "GOTTA SWEEP SWEEP SWEEP!"s, which wasn't unusual. After another two hallway turns, Gotta Sweep sped by, but someone else was along for the ride.

It was Principal of the Thing. Wait. No. He was Principal of the Thing. Who was this? The more he gazed at his double, the more confused he became. And with that brought in... Irrationality.

This couldn't be. This couldn't be. This couldn't be. If I am him, who is that? If he is me, then who am I? Where's the difference? Where- Where- Where-

He abruptly stopped, the professor bumping right into him. Gotta Sweep and the... Second Principal of the Thing were long gone, and yet he was still bothered.

Can you even see this, man?
Remember the mission? The one where we help Player, not impede them?
Of course he could, but why is it important? What mission? Helping the player?!

Principal twitched, struggling to make sense of it all. During, the professor stood in front of him, desperation beginning to show on his face. Were... His eyes always blue?

While indulging that thought, he recalled. Yes, that's correct. He told him about this, too - it was a long time ago, when he and Player

Something in Principal clicked.

How about when we were slow dancing, and we laughed because we were both so bad at it!
Or when we dozed off during a movie! I didn't even know we could do that!
Oh, and the first rain! You said it was nice!
This set of subtitles was in a different color. The professor's green.

Baldi?

... Not sure if you know this, but I can read literally everything you're telling him.
This is kinda... Eh. A group correspondence?
The ones he'd seen before, in burgundy. Uh...

Wasn't that... M?

Oh...! Oh goodness. That's embarrassing, I apologize.
Baldi opened his mouth, before swiftly covering it, subtitling instead.

It was all coming back to him.

Baldi? Baldi! There you are! Have you found Sweeper yet?
He asked in intentional silence. Then, he noticed their location.

And why are you out in the open? You know that if your counterpart finds you...!
He did more, opening a door and pulling the stunned Baldi inside.

He was swept into a hug, immediately after. The professor buried his face into Principal's shoulder. He wasn't sure what brought this on, but he returned it. His emotional percentages shared a mix of deep anguish and relief. How much time had passed? How long was Baldi looking for him?

And why did they find each other in a hallway?

I'm so, so glad you're back!
You were acting like your old self - the pre-revamp - and you couldn't see anything I was saying.
M told me that I dealt with the same thing, only, well... I was being violent.
He knows what's going on! It's our codes! The game's confused and it's mixing us up!
Principal tried to keep up with the explanation.

When the two pulled away, he thought about it. And it... Made sense. So, that was the consequence of having the same characters in one game. Getting an idea, he held out his hand, trying to find something. And then, it spawned - a gavel. Baldi managed to fight back a gasp.

Do you think it's possible for it to stop, if our counterparts are dealt with?
Principal asked, serious in his consideration. Baldi put a hand to his chin.

Possibly? M did something else to me that seemed to suppress it, though...
Was his reply, though he couldn't hold back his curiosity.

For now! Also, that is a viable option.
As long as there isn't more than one of you, you guys should be okay.
M interjected. It was then that Principal allowed a tiny smirk.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Baldi?
Baldi blinked, before he seemed to understand.

You're going to try to expel everyone, aren't you?
And yet again, the normally fair-minded professor failed to cover his agreement.

42% excited, accompanied by 39% mischievous, and 18% doubtful. The last 1% weren't too relevant. The desire was there, but he was conflicted. In the end, Principal simply nodded.

And that was all the push Baldi needed - 48% mischievous, 48% excited, 3% doubtful, and Principal disregarded the rest.

Whoa. I didn't know you two had a dark streak.
Remind me to never 9999 off either of you for real, haha.
M chimed in.

Stop! You're making it worse!
Baldi was hiding his face in shame as he followed Principal to the door, gavel in hand.

Right as he opened it, however, he stumbled. Oh no. Those thoughts were returning.

I'm wasting energy in here. There are rules to be enforced. There's only been one incident so far.

Baldi looked just in time, holding his shoulders.

No, Principal! Remember! Remember why we're here! You're not him, you're you!
Principal saw his words, trying to ignore the intrusive voice and keep from assuming that dreadful pose once more.

I'm so hungry. Just one more troublemaker should hold me over. It doesn't matter who at this point. Starving. I'm starving.

And it was true. How had he ignored it until now? Perhaps if he consumed something, the thoughts would go away. He tried to spawn a food item - any, really - but before he could, he saw a blur run by, child-sized.

Then they came back. It was... Player!

They ran in the halls. They deserve more detention. Justice is served.

"No- No running in the halls." He suddenly spouted, attempting to reach for the player, but the professor managed to hold him back. But why? They very clearly knew this wasn't allowed! Briefly turning to Baldi, he saw him make a panicked hand gesture at them, the kind that said "Go! Get out of here!". And sure enough, the player scurried off.

Principal was bewildered by what just unfolded. The next thing he heard was a whistling tune. His whistling tune.

Not again!
He let out this simple bit of frustration when he collected himself.

However, the hunger failed to subside this time. He'd have to push through it.

Should I just take you to him?
Baldi offered, patting his shoulder. Principal nodded in defeat.

It took no less than a minute to track down the other version in question, although both kept in mind that they had to avoid catching too much of Plus' Baldi's attention. But, they wouldn't have been surprised if he already knew, but was choosing to let them believe he doesn't. That was one way to lower their guard, and they knew better.

Because the alternate Principal was constantly on the move, Baldi's quickly found himself unable to pin him down to use the gavel. The two had to work together to corner him. When the time came, the gavel changed, growing to the size of a large mallet, the hammerhead's diameter easily eclipsing them.

Why is it... So... Unnaturally large...
Principal mused, and he could tell that Baldi was wondering the same thing.

Yet, it was still light enough to use, and not knowing how else to swing, Principal hit his Plus self Whack-a-Mole style. The mallet disappeared, as well as his counterpart. The two gaped, turning to each other for answers.

It... It worked! How do you feel?!
Baldi managed to subtitle. Principal took a moment.

Better.
Was all he could reply with. Baldi beamed, but then blinked, face falling.

Player just entered the elevator! Let's go!
We'll get Sweeper once we're up there!
Without waiting for an answer, the professor took off with Principal to it. Surprisingly, it worked for them. Logic really did stop applying in the Super Schoolhouse.

M, you can still see us, right?
Principal asked while they waited.

Yup. The second floor's being generated, too.
After Player chooses to Play, wait a while before exiting, just in case.
That works. The two got in at the right

Darkness. Sleep. In what felt like three seconds, Principal opened his eyes, finding Baldi and himself still in the elevator, and he was just as lost. What... What was that?

Whoa. I guess that's how "Save & Quit" works here.
That was so much more abrupt than I expected.
9999. Wish we could've been warned, first.
M subtitled. Oh, that'd explain it. Back home, it always felt more like a slow, easing power down.

Perhaps it was just him, but he always started keeling over when that drowsiness came about. Thankfully, he was out before he ever hit the ground. Baldi, on the other hand, was somehow able to retain his balance. Sweeper was already used to sleeping of his own accord, so it was rare for the janitor to experience anything at all. And M? Hm... He literally had no idea about him. Ah, well.

The elevator doors opened, interrupting that train of thought. It was time.

120 seconds remain. 119 seconds remain. 118 seconds remain.

The timer ticked down, slowly but surely. It was quite the wait, but Sweeper couldn't complain. Although, he could've done without the occasional intrusions. This was HIS supply closet, didn't these people know how to READ? No notebooks here!

There was still a good while to go, when the door was opened, by Professor Baldi, accompanied by Principal of the Thing. Whatever could they want with him? He waited, but got no words, just... Movements. Now hang on, the game was Hide and Seek, not Charades! Right?

The two humanoids (wait, how come Principal looked so... Er... Different?) turned to each other, before one of them lifted him out of the supply closet. Hey, he didn't ask first! What in sam hill's going on?!

Yeah, sorry. He can't see it either.
Welp, at least we beat the timer.
No voice spoke that, and yet he read the message loud and clear. But who was that?

He got distracted by them reaching back into the closet, returning with... The second broom. Nobody told him that they had TWO janitors, but honestly, the super schoolhouse was big, so he was fine with the extra help. He supposed that both of them were involved in... This?

Then, Principal got out a gavel from his inventory, which grew, by a lot. Sweeper was rooted to his spot as the second janitor was smashed by it. When the weapon dithered away, so had the broom. Oh. Oh no.

They just murdered his brethren right in front of him. Oh God. Oh no. Why. He needed to get outta here, and fast. But his timer still had too many seconds left to make a break for it.

This is it. This is where he dies; tricked by his employers and destroyed in cold blood, in broad daylight. He can't even say he has a family. It's over, and there's nothing he can do about

Can you see this, Sweeper? Are you there?
Another subtitle, but this color was familiar. How dare that navy-colored sonna gun ask him a thing like that after what he just literally did?!

If he hadn't been so petrified, and he could move, he'd definitely get fired for what he wanted to do... If he didn't quit first.

Wait, why was he only using subtitles? Could he do that, too?

Boy. You BETTER be lucky I can't move right now.
I. Can't. BELIEVE. That I was suckered into this crazy place!
You hire two janitors, just to KILL 'em?! One of my OWN, even!
You are one, cold 9999999.
Oh good, it worked! He just hoped it didn't antagonize them more. ... Oh. Right.

Oh! No, Sweeper! You don't understand!
I'm sorry you had to see that, but he wasn't... What you're thinking!
Maybe you don't remember yet, but he was your Plus counterpart.
The professor was communicating now. This was becoming weird, really fast.

But it made for good stalling. The timer was almost done.

You expect me to believe that?!
Who do you think I AM?!
If he could last just a bit longer...

You are Sweeper, from Certified. You've been with us since 2020.
Principal added. Certified? That sounded kind of...

0 seconds remain. Sweep the schoolhouse!

Haha, no. Not the floor.

Sweeper charged right into them, letting out a mighty "GOTTA SWEEP SWEEP SWEEP!" in his wake. The other two were caught in the push, and it looked like it took everything they had to not scream - which was unusual. And suspicious.

Sweeper, please, listen to us! We're your friends!
We had to get rid of him, because otherwise we can't work together to help Player win the game!
I promise that we're telling the truth! Try to remember!
Baldi attempted once more, holding on for dear life.

Shut up! I'm taking out the trash!
But Sweeper did not want to hear it. Or see it. Or whatever!

Exit doors on the second floor. God, this whole building's cursed. But... He shoved them through, but found that there was solid ground outside. G... Grass? Fencing? A...

WHAT THE H-E DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS IS THIS?!
WHO IS THIS FARMER?! HOW IS THERE A BUS ON THE SECOND FLOOR?!
I hate this place so much...
Sweeper vented, and if he'd been talking, he would've found himself wheezing.

As he went through the doorway himself, he then saw that they'd been followed - by the player. They were giving all of them a questioning look.

"Hey, kid! Listen to me!" Sweeper approached them in exasperation, "You gotta get OUTTA here, man! Get outta Dodge! These- These SICKOS," He paused to point at the still dazed Baldi and Principal, "Are INSANE! You hear me? Just close the game! Save yourself!"

The player's face became one of thinking. Then, they tabbed into one of their items, a Swinging Door Lock, and used it on the now entrance. Afterwards, they went over to the other faculty members, and poked them. It took a few tries, but they awoke with a start. Sweeper looked on, mortified, as they embraced the player, as though they hadn't seen each other in years.

I gave you something. Try to use the subtitles.
Principal prompted, when the three pulled away. The player blinked.

Are you guys okay? What's up with Sweeper?
Their color was gray. Good God. The other two nodded.

He seems to be stuck between his normal AI and whatever memories Plus has fed him.
We're not sure how to get through.
Navy-colored murdering jerk. The player tilted their head.

... Does this have anything to do with the whole, "same character"s thing?
When I got up here, I noticed a lot less whistling...
What were these people talking about?!

Jeepers, stop the presses! Player, is that you?
It's me, M! God, we have so much to catch up on.
The burgundy one, that Sweeper couldn't recognize at all.

Then that means everyone's here, right?
Wait, how've you guys been making all this noise and still not have Plus' Baldi hunting you down?
... Plus'. Baldi? No, that doesn't sound right.

Ain't he right in front of you?
He then asked, the player looking over at him, shaking their head.

No, I mean... Uh... How do I put this...
They tried to respond, but stopped short.

He just rounded the corner down the hall. He's coming.
Everyone stay quiet!
The professor warned, and the player whipped out a second Swinging Door Lock, promptly using it.

I can see him. But he won't be able to get through for now.
They noted.

As much as Sweeper wasn't inclined to believe, he did begin to hear the rhythmic smacking from afar. He looked over at the professor, then back at the doors. Same characters? Would... Would that explain the noise?

The sound stopped right in front of the doors. Then, from behind them all

"I see you all escaped!" Everyone turned as quickly as possible, finding that it'd been the farmer. The one that looked just like Baldi. "As soon as he-" He gestured to Principal, "Left the detention room, I knew something was off. I didn't mind too much then, considering what happened to him! And now, it seems like the gang's getting back together. How... Nice." The tone he used was so sweet, that it was disgusting.

"So! I'm giving you a warning," He continued, a smirk growing on his face, "Stay out of it. Leave the game to Jason and I." Who? Sweeper decided he dare not ask. "Because if any of you get in my way? I'll make you suffer for it. Understand?" Without waiting for an answer, his cheerful but empty expression returned, clapping his hands together. "Great! I'm so glad everyone gets it." He then looked directly at the player.

"Just for you, Jason, I'll give you ten seconds to run for your life! It starts... Oh. Now!" He laughed, like it'd been a joke. In response, they didn't hesitate, running straight for the school entrance, and apparently the lock wore off? They dashed inside, managing to not be deterred upon the sight of... Yet another Professor Baldi, in normal attire and wielding his ruler.

Oh, God. So it was true. The pieces were sliding into place, one after the other. This is Plus. He and these other guys, his friends and co-workers, belonged to Certified. They came here to help... Player. And got kidnapped. But now, they were here. Outside. Together. In front of a crude bus and a farmer Baldi.

It was the worst.

Then, there was the sound of a BSODA being opened, which pushed the threatening professor down the hall. Seizing the opportunity, Sweeper and the others followed inside. The janitor managed to look over where the sprayed Baldi was going, then to the other side, where Player was running while using Spacebar.

With a defiant gaze, most likely directed at the professor's malicious variant, they flipped him off.

23-5-12-12 9-20-19 7-15-15-4 20-15 11-14-15-23 20-8-1-20 25-15-21-18-5 1-12-12 15-11-1-25