6. Have some Judicial Backlash

25-5-1-8 20-15-4-1-25-19 3-8-1-18-1-3-20-5-18 18-15-19-20-5-18 9-19 1 12-9-20-20-12-5 2-15-18-9-14-7

So, that's the plan right now, huh?
Sweeper subtitled, now that he and the rest of Baldi's friends were able to regroup in a classroom.

That's right. Player should have a much easier time that way.
The only issue is, we now know for sure that Baldi's Plus self is aware of us.
He'll be listening even more closely from now on, I'd bet.
Principal responded, with a slightly annoyed look on his face.

Well... Just don't try to expel them so quickly, then.
It'll be less noticeable.
M offered, but of course wasn't present with them.

Baldi was only partially listening to the discussion. In truth, his focus had begun to become impaired. He'd really hoped he'd heard the last of it, but it was slowly, but steadily, returning.

The nerve of him, talking to us like that! He thinks he's such a big hot-shot just because it's HIS game, but he's just so... Mean! I'd just LOVE to give him a piece of my mind! Especially after what he did to everyone!

The thoughts. These were different than the first ones, he was able to recall, but still weren't exactly his own. ... Were they? Okay, yes, his counterpart was definitely being out of line, and while it would probably feel just fantastic to communicate it, he couldn't and shouldn't because...

Because... Because?

Huh. Maybe these were his own thoughts after all, and

He's not the only one with a ruler! I can use it too!

... And it just got out of hand again. He tried to deny the urge to select it. This wasn't the answer.

Yes it is! He needs to be taught a lesson! I would be doing the right thing! We've all gone through enough!

That's it.

Principal? Pardon my interruption, but may I ask you a favor?
He honestly wasn't sure if there'd been a lull in the conversation. He'd tuned it out by this point.

What is it, Baldi?
Principal turned to look at him, his neutral expression faltering for a split second.

Finally, Baldi allowed himself to tab over to his ruler, and immediately pushed it into Principal's hands.

What am I doing?! Take it back! I need it!

Please hold onto this for me. I don't... Trust myself right now.
Baldi didn't need to elaborate; Principal put it away with a dutiful nod.

The suppressor's starting to wear off, I see.
Do you know how long you can stay in control?
The professor thought about it, eying him and Sweeper. Ideally, forever. But he had to admit it was unrealistic.

Hopefully, a while. However, I can't guarantee that.
It was more of a guesstimation, but if it took all his processing power, so be it.

Then, I believe we should get started.
Just point us in the right direction, and I'll handle the rest.
His best friend was unwavering and firm. God, was he his rock.

I'm still working on a more permanent solution, sorry.
Also, Player just got the fourth notebook. Try not to take long.
M notified.

Oh! I can slow down!
And everything seems to freeze when I go on fieldtrips, so I don't think I'll go on those, unless you guys won't mind?
Player added their input. Everyone else pondered it.

I think you should do whatever you believe is best!
We'll be okay, I'm sure of it!
A part of Baldi forgot how capable they were. However... His mind wasn't exactly in top form right now.

Well, okay. Then I'll go on them. Prepare for anything, I guess?
If it would help Player, then absolutely. Baldi glanced at Principal for approval.

That's fine by me.
And there it was.

For transportation, the two rode on Sweeper's bristle holder, hanging on to his pole. Sure, Baldi was by far the most speedy of the faculty, but the janitor had quite a lot more stamina than he and Principal put together. Just as the trio left, the bell rang, signaling an event about to occur.

Oh. Just the Mystery Room. False alarm, no pun intended. Even though its door sounded the same as the other, blue ones, he was still able to tell when Player found it. He couldn't help but wonder which item was inside - must've not been anything particularly exciting, otherwise they'd probably comment on it.

Then, not long later, was a strange feeling of time loss; that must've been Player doing the fieldtrip. He was unable to decide if this was weirder than the abrupt save & quit from before.

Though, as this whole thing wore on, Baldi found that the thoughts and urges had all but disappeared. He wasn't certain what did it, but he was very grateful regardless.

After an unsuccessful search, and as Baldi couldn't hear any other characters, the three of them checked the detention room. The only ones remaining (aside from themselves, of course) was Bully and... Chalkles. Ah, that explains it. Bully appears silently; and Chalkles could only show up on an empty chalkboard, but the player has to stay in the room too long.

We gotta tail ya for a bit, you cool with that?
Turns out we only need that Bully kid and the weird chalk drawing.
Sweeper was the one to ask.

Oh, sure. I think there's a spawning room right over here.
And Bully? Uh... I'll look for him.
Player replied, before Baldi heard them open a door or two.

Oh, this one!
They added.

We're on our way!
Baldi affirmed, showing the others where to go.

Player was waiting for them, and hearing the distorted laughter coming from Chalkles in person was... An experience. Principal had to time his strike, due to the way it circled the room. Player blinked from it all.

Wow.
Okay, now for Bully. He should be around here somewhere...
Player led them around, until the tell-tale character was nearby.

Principal readied to expel him, but then stopped. He was hesitating, hands shaking.

Is something the matter?
Baldi asked, growing concerned.

I'm... I'm just... So...
Hungry...
Oh. Oh. It actually didn't happen often, but considering where they were, it suddenly made more sense why it'd crop up.

Principal was barely able to stay on his feet. The professor quickly helped support him, able to feel just how weakened he was.

I have an idea. He's bullying Player right now, so enforce the rule.
We can always try again later, if we need to.
Principal could be a little stubborn, and that most likely caused him to power through the situation, but hopefully he would listen.

Yeah, go for it. I can handle another floor with him.
Player added their agreement. Yes! Thank you!

... I'd have to say it. He'll hear...
And then... What?
He did raise a good point. Baldi's Plus variant already issued that ultimatum, and it was more than feasible to assume he wouldn't offer them any more leeway.

But then, Baldi remembered the deal.

Oh, that? We'll be fine! He won't erase us, at least! He promised!
If we all end up back down in that void, we can have M toss us up again!
Nothing to worry about!
Now, please... If not for yourself, do it for us.
While these were said, Principal managed to look at him. Baldi returned it with a stern expression.

At last, Principal gave in with a nod, managing to set himself upright again. When he walked forward, rather slowly, Baldi let him go, but watched on cautiously.

"Okay. Maybe I wasn't clear before, so I'm going to be more specific this time," A chill overcame him. Oh no. No, no, no. "And since you're the only one who'll hear this, you'll have to tell them for me. Be sure to supply the context if necessary." It wasn't a request, but a demand.

"Please repeat the following: When I said to 'stay out of it' and 'leave the game to Jason and I', I also mean, 'do not tamper with the other characters in any way'. Because of my lack of foresight in mentioning this the last time we spoke, consider this an addition to your warning. Thank you for listening, and stay out of trouble!" He couldn't stand the saccharine tone, it was so false. "Or you'll be sorry." Then, the way it dipped darker sounded more honest, but it wasn't any less unnerving.

By the time his other self finished, Principal had stopped in front of Bully, and was drawing in a breath. Baldi's eyes widened. He had to act fast.

"Principal, wait-!" He spoke without thinking, reaching out to him, but

"NO BULLYING IN THE HALLS!" Principal shouted, the soundwave reverberating through the corridor, the area shaking. Sweeper and Player both lost their balance, but Baldi managed to hang onto the wall. When it subsided, Bully was gone, but everyone around Principal was trying to overcome what'd just occurred. He turned to face them.

Alright. That should hold me over for a while.
... Oh. Sorry about that. I probably should've mentioned something.
As appreciative as Baldi was, that was not the reason why he couldn't stop shaking.

Principal, I... I needed to tell you that my counterpart, he...
He wanted me to relay something. But...!
However, he was able to pull himself together just enough to go back to subtitling.

"Tsk, tsk," He heard him again, as he verbalized the onomonopia. "You tried, and failed; what a shame. Well, that's too bad, Baldi. Now, I have no choice but to step in. Let them know if you like, provided you're able to be fast enough. Expect my arrival. Shortly." The demeanor completely changed; the mixture of disappointment and mockery was clear.

Now it's too late! He'll be here any second!
Was all Baldi managed to let out.

Principal gazed behind him, and sure enough, the character in question was striding right for them. His face was seemingly unreadable, but nothing got past Principal's emotional gauger.

80% annoyed, 10% disappointed, 10% cocky…
Well, that's fine. It beats us having to track him down.
Baldi was confused by the words, then even moreso when his friend moved to stand in front of him.

Wait… You don't mean…!
Hang on! This is a bad idea! We should run!
He attempted to reason, turning and holding his arm.

Has... Bashing a few AI-less characters gone to his head or something?
I don't think now's the time to play hero.
M piped up, thankfully trying to deter the situation.

Sweeper, take care of Player. Just another hindrance to deal with.
Principal addressed the janitor instead, disregarding the both of them.

Uh, you sure you got this? Maybe the others're right?
But Principal just lent him a "did I stutter" look. He backed down after that, doing as was told, in spite of even Player's qualms.

Principal, don't be stupid! Whatever happened to "all of us"?!
Their words would've been a yell, and frankly Baldi couldn't agree more.

I can't believe he's doing this to me! Tensions are high, big deal! If he'd just THINK for a moment, he'd REALIZE the error of his judgement! Why, I have half a mind to-!

Shush!

Don't you ignore me, mister! We have to go RIGHT NOW!
Baldi's grip became firm, before turning tail and sprinting. Just this once, he didn't care if Principal ended up being dragged. This was for his own good!

The professor only got into the center of the next corridor, one that strangely widened, until he saw his Plus iteration zooming for them. Wait, wasn't he behind them? How did he... Regardless, Baldi skid to a halt, attempting to flee in the other direction, but that damned farmer stood there, blocking the path.

God. It was like the fieldtrip models were this guy's puppets. He couldn't keep from cringing at the idea. He searched frantically for another path, but there were no doors here, just lockers. Though, even if there had been, he couldn't rule out the possibility of it just being a dead end.

He heard a BSODA can being opened. Did... Did Player just use one? What for?

Hey, what the heck?!
Sweeper had uttered. Oh. Oh dear.

Sorry, but I don't have the boots!
C'mon, we gotta stop Principal!
Player's response came in. Unfortunately, whatever came of that conversation went unread. There was a much bigger matter to deal with.

"Not so fast!" Baldi's other version spoke, once near him and Principal. "Hm... Seems like there's some friction going on. Well, no matter. So!" He paused to clear his throat, looking especially smug. "My... Copy... Failed to inform you of what I forgot to say before. And it looks like he couldn't even mention me stopping by." He took a dramatic, irritated breath.

Baldi disliked it so much.

"You know what? It doesn't matter!" The Plus Baldi continued, "Because now I have to take things into my own hands; new measures, really. When I'm through with you two, your janitor pal will be next. You're all going back down. Under. The schoolhouse." He struggled to keep composed. "And you better not break out AGAIN. Or SO help me..."

"Or what?" Principal replied, "You know the terms of the agreement you made with Player. You can't delete us, and you must play fair. Isn't that-" He pointed behind himself and Baldi, at the farmer, "Breaking them?"

What are you doing? Don't antagonize him!
Baldi subtitled, becoming riddled with worry.

But the other one just stood there, before smirking. "With Jason? Of course I'll abide to the deal. However..." His expression slowly turned into something... Indescribable, yet notably horrifying. "Nowhere was it detailed, how I have to treat their friends. If I really wanted to, I could rip every single one of you apart, and it would be valid." He chuckled. "Oh, you should see your faces! I won't do that, of course; I'm not a monster."

Principal spawned another gavel. "Soon enough, you won't be able to do anything but release us."

Principal, NO! Stop it!
Was he even listening anymore? Why was this happening?

There was another laugh, this one longer, and seemed to have genuine humor in it. "You really think that you can just- EXPEL me? Like the rest? I'll give you this much, you sure got some guts! Let me clue you in on something, though." There was that look again. It was driving Baldi crazy. It was making him angrier than... Just before.

Tell him to give the ruler back.

No!

Together, we can take him! Finally shut him up!

QUIET.

"I'm not like those soulless drones, you know," His alternate self went on, "I'm the real deal. The funny thing is, I'm not usually this patient. It's his fault for that." ... Wait. So it really worked both ways? He'd never seemed affected until he said it. "But I'm done with listening. Never got me anywhere good. Now..." He gripped his ruler tight, approaching. "Be good little duplicates and let me smash you through the floor!"

Just TELL HIM TO HAND IT OVER! IT'S NOT THAT HARD!

Shut up shut UP SHUT UP

Baldi was too distracted by the intrusions to realize how swiftly things changed. He was sure his hold on Principal was firm, but not only was his hand now empty, he'd been pushed back and fell down, far enough away to not be caught in

Oh God. It wasn't a gavel anymore. Where did Principal get that navy baseball bat?! Apparently he'd used it to block his Plus counterpart's strike. Oddly enough, he wasn't surprised.

A huff. "So that's how it's going to be. Alright then. Don't say I didn't warn you. But first..." He snapped his fingers. The bell rang. An unfamiliar voice was heard, counting down.

"Zero. Nine. Eight." The verbiage was irrelevant. This was the test procedure event, and normally it couldn't happen on the second floor. ... Plus' Baldi was able to manipulate their surroundings, somehow. It would've been more troubling, if not for the present moment.

"Seven. Six. Five." The professor immediately got to his feet, just as the other two pulled away from their attack.

"PRINCIPAL! FOR GOODNESS SAKE, LET'S GO!" He was unable to control his volume, bellowing out the words.

Wait! This is good! We can trap him in there!
Grab Principal, Baldi!
Player's subtitles appeared. He'd only just recalled that they and Sweeper were probably discussing something the entire time.

"Four. Three. Two," It continued on, and right then, Sweeper and Player came into view, the latter riding on him this time. They tabbed to their Big Ol' Boots. Baldi understood. "One." The metal doors started coming down, slowly. The professor went to reach out to Principal, as Player and Sweeper arrived, swerving around his other variant.

"No. I have to do this alone." Principal's words stopped Baldi from getting there in time. Crushed, he could barely comprehend his surroundings. Sweeper's handle wrapped around the professor's wrist, dragging him away from his best friend. Player must've used the Big Ol' Boots, because the trio phased right through the farmer model, after just barely managing to squeeze under the falling door.

Sweeper then fell on his front, taking everyone else with him. After a few moments, Player was first to get up.

Did... We make it?
Yes!
We're out, and he's STUCK!
Ha ha, can you believe it?! Plus played himself with THAT one!
Their words were so... Happy. Accomplished.

When reality hit Baldi again, he sprang up and went back. The farmer had disappeared, but that wasn't important. The metal barrier completely closed him and the others off.

Oh, that IDIOT! He's just going to get himself hurt, or worse, and there's NOTHING we can do about it! That hardheaded-!

He couldn't take it anymore. His hands clenched into fists, banging against the separator, hard.

"PRINCIPAL! PRINCIPAL, NO!" His voice was more like a strangled cry. "THIS WASN'T THE WAY! THIS WASN'T-... THE WAY..." The next thing he knew, Player dashed to his side, touching the wall.

The Boots don't work... They...
They really do keep students from escaping.
Oh my God, Professor... I'm sorry.
Baldi only stopped as Player finished subtitling, sliding down to the floor in defeat, forehead slumping against the cold surface.

He could hear the resulting dialogue, most of it just his other self monologuing again, like a cartoon villain. He didn't want to hear it. Meanwhile, Player leaned into him, and it took everything he had to do nothing in response. Literally.

This is all their fault. They should've noticed sooner and acted accordingly. Another BSODA would've done the trick. They let this happen. How could they?!

He disliked, no, hated the temptation to lash out. He was angry (yes, this feeling was his own), and Plus' code was trying to take advantage of that. No, it wasn't Player to blame, he had to remind himself. They didn't know what was going on. Nothing could've prepared them for this.

Fine, then it's my fault. Principal's statement shouldn't have stopped me at such a crucial point. He didn't know what he was talking about, anyway. He doesn't know him. He's not me.

That's... More like it? Could've been worded better, but...

Maybe... If I'm fast enough, I can reach the last floor, and...
Nothing bad will happen? I'll even stall in the elevator!
That got Baldi's attention. His eyes looked over at Player, before fishing out his Think Pad.

It... It worked here. He could see the statistics and everything! He immediately scanned for the latest playthrough.

03. JASON / 450 YTPS / 00:10:59
F1 4/4 / C / 04:17
F2 6/7 / B / 06:42 (CURRENT)
F3 0/9 / B / 00:00

One notebook remaining.

His best friend and his detestable counterpart were fighting now, based on the sounds. They had to hurry.

Go for it. Sweeper, please help them.
I need to stay here. In case the doors open.
It was still taking a lot of his resources to keep from falling apart, but thankfully subtitling required little effort. Tone was lost, but it was text anyway.

Okay. I'll see you all there. Good luck!
Player gave Baldi a nod, before leaving with Sweeper as advised.

Be careful, dude!
The janitor added.

9-6 9 7-5-20 20-8-5-18-5 9-14 20-9-13-5 9 3-1-14 16-18-5-22-5-14-20 20-8-9-19