Chapter description: The Battle of Infinity School takes place. Dave meets someone new, then someone familiar. Denied has a tough choice to make.

Tags for this chapter:

Violence (a bit more graphic than normal), brief Existential Re-realization, more BETRAYAL!, mention of bullet-caused Trypophobia, possession-based Arson & mass Billy destruction

Regardless, watering the can in his lap, he exited

19. In A Blaze Of Glory

Angell (VLANGELLICA)
Viktor, this is hopeless.
You need to talk him down.

1 read the message as, at long last, he began to see the undisguised Tarwill exit Infinity School. He was joined by Tiara, Marzia, Angell, every single Laura remaining, and a menagerie of other characters who didn't evacuate.

It was still a sorry sight, the first Dave knew. He practically had Viktor in the palm of his hand. He only had to say those magic words, and all this would go away.

From afar, he could hear a reply from Tiara, faint as it was due to distance. "No, he ought to be reprimanded for this. Doesn't matter what he's done for us, he's being a dick."

"We can't hope to beat him, though. Not like this." Marzia was refuting.

"What, think I can't solo a bunch of them? They'll never get past me."

"Dear," Viktor cut in, taking his wife by the hand. "Angell's right. I have to negotiate." Reluctantly, she nodded, watching with the others as he separated from them. So far, so good. His voice rose, more audible. "1. It's me you want, isn't it? Can't we talk about this? Privately?"

"And put the fucking walls back…" One of the misc characters spouted, immediately being hushed to silence. 1 ignored this.

"On the contrary," He replied, "Your surrender is my desire. And whatever we say to each other, should be heard by all."

Viktor groaned. "I'm not stepping down, that's bullshit. Who would- Who would even run the Webspace?"

A beat of silence. Then, 25 piped up. "Oh! I nominate 1! I mean, he always tries to keep level-headed! And he knows how this place works better than all of us combined!" Following that, more voices from his side added their two cents.

"Yes! And he thinks so many things through!"
"Even when under pressure, he doesn't falter!"
"I'd be more than happy to give him a chance!"

It appeared that the kerfuffle with Silver earlier was water under the bridge to his fellow Daves. Perhaps they too have had their share of… Disagreements. Though, 1 hoped that his former student would come around with enough time.

He could see Strobovski visibly wilting. He shrugged with a smirk, and it hid the temptation to laugh. "Well, there you have it. I would take over."

He was met with other excuses - he wasn't a people person this, isn't there a less violent solution that. Viktor used to be introverted himself, so people can adjust to change. Also, he cheats at games. His army gasped at that. The public sway was deeply in his favor, and the longer this dragged on, the less appealing the Tarwill became in their eyes.

Although this had started as his mission alone, it was becoming theirs, as well. Actually, 1 believed, this was a happy accident.

But they'd be here all day if a conclusion wasn't made. "Enough. Accept my terms, or suffer the consequences."

Viktor pondered this. Then, he stepped back, toward his small entourage. "You know my answer." He gestured for them to prepare to fight.

"I assume you're aware of what may happen to your… Friends," He continued, as their weapons were drawn. Angell was making sure her pistol had ample ammunition. "If you're going down this road, let me be the first to warn them, in case it's not clear." The Lauras turned into her Evil form. Tiara was cracking all four of her knuckles. "It will be gruesome. You could die for this guy. Are you prepared to follow him to the end?"

The Tarwill was trying to scare them, and for some, it was working. But none fled, even as a few clearly wanted to. Finally, 1 heard a huff from 46, who pulled out his sledgehammer. "What do you think all that training was for?! There's way more of us than there are of them! Let's show them how we take out the trash! Who's with me?!"

Like magic, it helped settle most of them down, arming themselves in turn - wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, rayguns (a hallmark of Future Daves), even a baseball bat. 1 could feel admiration welling up - it was amazing, how they were able to pull each other together when it mattered most.

"It seems that they are." The first Dave then acknowledged. Strobovski appeared solemn, then equipped his axe. Strangely, he didn't elevate his PURPOSE; UNITE to COALESCE. It honestly would've given his ragtag team the upper hand, as it made them able to cooperate with far more poise than normal.

Huh. So while facing certain doom, Viktor was refusing to act with full power. Interesting.

"Then… We will not yield." Say no more. Promptly, 1 selected his own weapon, which was a screwdriver. By itself, it was rather mundane. But then, it glowed a radiant orange, and became a rapier with a flick of the wrist. It was deft, elegant.

NURTURE. To THRIVE.

"Orchestra, begin Song Two," He spoke to them. Donning his helm and lowering the eye protector, he pointed his blade at the cluster that was his opposition. His next statement was the signal to attack. "En garde, Viktor."

The fiasco of minutes before hadn't left Dave's mind. Billy would be fine, sure, but what was happening at this moment was still a really big deal. And to think, of all outcomes, Dave managed to not be part of 1's awful machinations. Who knows what that ingrate's been telling the others about Viktor…

He still wasn't certain if he wanted to remember the Gathering. If that's even possible.

Dave, you need a distraction, his inner voice chimed in. Not exactly to forget, but to keep it together.

Yes, but what to do?

His answer came when he noticed the splashes of green amongst the purple… Well, everything. The plants. Hm. That could work. While Dave never considered himself much of a green thumb, being given a bonsai all that time ago allowed him some practice. He recalled giving her a name - Petunia.

With a small grin of nostalgia, Dave wheeled off to get the watering can.

It actually didn't take very long. Though, he only touched upon the ones inside the house. There was still Billy's side garden. Once he got to know him back then, Dave had wondered why the interest in flora. But he didn't have a concrete reason, only "It feels nice to have them".

Regardless, watering can in his lap, he exited. Just as he reached the closest bed of flowers, he took a glance toward the boardwalk, and

His tool fell right out of his hands, clattering noisily onto the grass, water spilling in the process. But as if sensing that was coming, he dove out of his wheelchair, lying face-first on the ground. And at the same time, kicked it over. After waiting a few moments, he silently crawled over to the gates, lifting himself high enough to peer over them. He was only seeing things due to stress, right

Oh, God. Nope. He was still there, standing across the road. Not looking Dave's way, but there nonetheless.

A. A Baldi.

"Alright, this has to be the place. Now, where would've he gone…" He was muttering to himself, as though thinking carefully. What did he mean by that? Who was he searching for?

Admittedly, this was not how Dave imagined meeting Professor Baldimore. However, didn't Dia say he arrived here with one? But this guy didn't match his appearance. There were little details that gave that away - attached limbs and fingers, unwidened hems, and if Dave could see his eyes, they probably wouldn't be blue.

At the present moment, he didn't know whether he should keep hiding, or say hello. Baldi seemed to be on some kind of mission. Would he be able to help in some way? It's something else to do, at least; there's already been enough rain to keep these plants happy.

Let's do it, his inner voice encouraged. So, as quietly as possible, Dave re-seated himself, watering can stashed away in his inventory. Putting on his best acting skills, he gave a bright smile and called out to him. "Oh, hey there! You seem new around these parts!"

Good lord that was bad. Baldi turned to face him, which exposed his black eyes. His tone and expression was completely different from what Dave noticed just moments ago. "Oh, hi! I sure am! Say, have you seen another me anywhere? I've been trying to find him!"

Another? Maybe the one Dia met? Could it be?! No, Dave, don't lose focus! Stick with it! "I don't think so! In fact, you're the only Professor Baldi I've ever met!"

"Is that so…? Well, thank you anyway! I need to go and keep looking! Good-byeeee!"

"Wait!" Dave spoke without thinking, just as the professor was about to sprint away. "Maybe… Maybe I can help?"

"... Oh! I couldn't possibly! I don't want to trouble anyone!"

Hang on. Dave got an idea. "Well, it's just that you might get lost? I don't know how long you've been here, but the Webspace is very large! And, you're famous here! If someone saw you…" He trailed off.

"I see! So I must be in the right place after all! But don't worry, I can handle anything!"

"Sorry, I don't mean to say you can't! Uh…" Dave, where are you going with this? Oh no, are you going to- "Would you like to come inside?" What're you doing?!

Surprisingly, Baldi thought about it. "Well… If you insist!" That actually worked?!

"Ah! One second, then! I'll meet you at the front door!" Okay, Dave. You just invited Baldi Baldimore into Billy's house; don't screw this up! His internal voice was begging, as he let his guest inside. Once the door was shut, Dave did everything he could to hold composure, then turned to face the professor.

Maybe… Offer something to eat? While originally Billy didn't keep anything related to food around, exceptions were made once Dave began staying with him. "Can I get you anything? Tea? Cookies?" He almost said apples, but that felt too out there.

Well, unless it was a pie, but he didn't have any.

"That's very kind of you! But I'm perfectly fine!" A tinge of… Something, behind those words, but Dave couldn't pin it down. He ignored it.

"Ah, okay! Then…" He struggled to add more to the sentence. Why was this so difficult? Luckily, the other filled the silence for him.

"Oh wow! This world has Plus code!"

"Huh?"

"Plus code!" Baldi repeated, matter-of-factly, "Baldi's Basics Plus! That's the game I'm from!" A Plus Baldi! "In fact, it seems that there's a whole bunch of yous who used it! 'Dave's Dream', if I'm not mistaken."

He. Really knew his fangames. But more importantly… "Oh, where are my manners?! … Though, I suppose you already knew my name."

"That's alright!" The professor waved it off lightly.

"Come to think of it, I'm remembering something," Dave then added, "About that other Baldi you're looking for. Would he happen to be from Classic?" Dia's was; were these two acquainted?

His guest's eyes lit up in interest. "He is!"

"I see! Well…" Dave pulled up some pictures he'd saved on his phone, and showed him. "Does he look like this? These are from other people who claimed to-"

"That's him," Baldi interrupted suddenly, much more quietly. His face was blank. "He's here. Or, has been here. I wonder…" He snapped his fingers. Immediately after, a bright red clipboard appeared in his hand. Again his expression changed, first to bewilderment, then to a smirk.

"Ohhhh my FUCKING God!" And completely broke character. He was talking to the object, as if it were some long-lost relic. "You don't know how much I've missed you…! Ha ha, finding him will be a cinch now!"

On one hand, Dave was truly happy for him. But the abrupt change in demeanor gave him a different impression - Alex too had pretended to be looking for someone. And then killed them.

There was no way that Dave would allow the same fate. "That's great! But, if I may ask… Why exactly are you looking for him?"

Baldi quickly looked back at him. It was like he'd forgotten Dave was there. Then, at last, he replied. "... Shit. Uh." A nothing answer.

"Is… Something the matter?" Dave carefully asked.

"Oookay," His guest (intruder?) heaved a breath. "Full disclosure. I hate acting. But around you guys, it was expected of me. Because you're right; I have a lot to live up to. Honestly, I'm barely even a Baldi at all."

Barely?! What did that mean?!

"But the one I'm here for?" He kept going, "Now he's the real deal. Look, you're not gonna believe me, but some asshole decided it would be fun to go, 'Baldi! Won't you come meet me? Baldi, I want to see you! Baldi, I'm such a big fan!', on loop, in our heads. Strangely enough, by the time I finally got here, I didn't hear it anymore." He was mocking the statements.

Someone called out to him? Dia talked about that too.

"I'm thinking that Baldi fell for it a bit too easily. But I'm gonna take him back home, where he belongs. The long and short of it is, if he's gone forever? You could say we're Basically, Fucked!" He paused, then realized something else. "You can swear here? No filter?! No bullshit?! Incredible…" He had a short laugh.

Dave was growing conflicted. It was adding up, but he couldn't help but be wary. Still, his guest continued, "Anyway, sorry for the confusion. For distinction, he's Baldi. But where we come from, I've been called Plus. Nice to meet you, Dave 82." He gave a smirk, and finally an offer for a handshake.

His name was one thing, but his exact number?! After all, it'd taken months for Dave to be able to distinguish others! With memorization!

"... How do you know that?" He couldn't help but question, in a tone that was distinctively more unsettled. Plus' eyebrow rose in confusion.

"It's what your C-sharp file is labeled," He sounded like he couldn't believe he had to explain this. As if it should've been obvious. Dave didn't understand. "Hm. Here, I'll show you." He pulled back his arm to use the clipboard, and without any trouble, finished and displayed it for him.

It was a list. A list of Daves.

DAVE_81 . CS
DAVE_81 . OBJ
DAVE_82 . CS
DAVE_82 . OBJ
DAVE_83 . CS
DAVE_83 . OBJ

"And in case you're curious," His guest added, when Dave was done, "The one with 'OBJ' is for your model. Very different. And while I could just take a look through the site's files to find out what I need to know, it's not enough to locate someone… Which is where this comes in handy!" He gestured with the clipboard, a big grin on his face.

It was kind of… Off-putting, that he seemed to have such a level of intuitive control. Looking up files? Browsing the Webspace's inner workings? How did he do that? Could anyone else do it, too? Could… Dave?

Shamefully, he'd nearly forgotten what everyone around here really was.

"Anyway… Aha! He's still here! I must say, even if it weren't for our names being different, whoever decided to go by this numbering system thought this through. No coding conflicts to be had." Coding conflicts?! So many questions, but no time to inquire. "Now, where's he hiding… 'Infinity School - Secret Bunker'? Where the Hell is that?"

Is that really where he's been? Locked up like some criminal?! It didn't make any sense! But then something else ran through Dave's mind - the THRIVE attack.

"Oh, ha ha, it's probably not a good idea to go there right now. It's… Currently under siege." In hopes of scaring Plus out of it, Dave showed him the screenshots Billy took.

"Wow," He wasn't taking it seriously. "Look, not to be rude, but that's actually the perfect time. They won't notice me zipping in and out. And if they try and stop me? Their mistake. I don't care what I have to do; I'm not leaving without Baldi." Very ominous. "Also, thanks! Now I know what to look for! I best get going. Good-byeeee, Dave!"

Without a moment to process everything, Plus bolted out of the house, and was gone within seconds. But all the while, Dave's internal voice was yelling: Dave, you fool! You utter buffoon! Why did you let him see that?!

An all-out brawl between Viktor and THRIVE could be seen from where Billy and Erie were. From their vantage point in the air, they went unnoticed as they neared. His vessels were in formation.

When the time was right, Erie yelled, "Throw me!" Wordlessly, Billy did, the librarian careening into the fray with absolute elegance.

She landed, a few meters from Viktor, covering his back. "Erie! Finally! What took you so damn long?!"

"If it makes you feel any better, I brought a friend!" The Tarwill faced her with a look of dismay.

"Don't tell me-!" Before he could finish his sentence, a wave of tranquilizer darts poured from above, but mysteriously, only targeting their enemies'... Hands? Countless Daves and others fell unconscious within seconds. Viktor glanced skyward. "Oh my God."

"You'll thank me later!" Erie just smirked.

A dart hit 46, but for whatever reason, he wasn't stopped. He snuck up on the flock until he was above them. He sent his sledgehammer crashing down on as many Billys as he could come into contact with. "Cheater!"

Those that were hit fell, but weren't compromised, instead focusing on the Gotta Sleeps and anything else that couldn't be downed by the intended means. One broke formation, focusing on 46. "How're you-?"

He did his best to dodge, trying to aim. He managed to catch the THRIVE member's weapon, both trying to seize control of the situation.

Which left 46's hands in plain sight.

A short cry was released upon getting hit with a second dart. And finally, he started to drift off. From this high up, not even the armor would prevent injury, so Billy lowered him to the ground. The well-made robot sighed. "Sorry, Dave. This one needed two."

Second wave. It rained down, just as effective as the previous. THRIVE's forces were diminishing fast. A third should do it.

1 paused in his fight briefly as the tranq sailed his way. In a split-second, he'd sliced it cleanly in half. The problem became apparent as he found its source. A factor he didn't account for - the odds of Billy helping Viktor were next to none, and yet…

Time to put that merman to use.

Dave (THRIVE_Initiative_1)
(Billy has come to interfere. Take care of it.)

Denied slipped away from his target, upon seeing the message. He already knew he was here, judging from how he got to see 88 and 99 both get knocked out. But this order… It was the worst. He had really counted on never having to face Billy, and yet, he was left with no other option. Worst of all, Denied knew how to stop him.

The emergency shutdown protocol.

It was intended for if Alex possessed Billy's selves on a massive scale. Voice-activated, in Lithuanian. Only Billy's family, Sam, Viktor, and Dave could perform it. Finally, no one but the person who initiated it is able to undo it, and it completely overrides the usual method of awakening Billy.

None of them would've ever thought it'd be used in a case like this. Such a horrendous breach of trust. Did he have a deathwish? Wouldn't it be better if he just betrayed 1 now? Why was he too scared to? Either way…

Without realizing it, he was already meters away from the nearest Billy, as he managed to deactivate a Gotta Sleep. "Hey! Billy! Stop!" He heard, turning to him. Horror set in on his face. Like facing his worst fear.

But that probably wasn't far from the truth.

"No…" He was stuttering, mimicking a voice crack. "Denied… Not you." As if he'd already come to this conclusion prior, but refused to believe it. And yet, still attempting to. As there was no point in trying to hide his identity, Denied unequipped the helm.

"I'm sorry. But this is for everyone's own good." The merman's words were uttered without a semblance of conviction. Hollow. Expected.

"I don't want to fight you," Billy was shaking his head, stepping back. "I won't…!" Even now, he cared for this treacherous creature, that yesterday, was his own brother. Adopted, but it didn't change anything.

"Then leave! That's all you have to do!" Emotion was flooding back. Desperation. Hoping to avoid the alternative.

Another headshake, but this time, the well-made robot stood more firmly. Neither were backing down; this was the reality. "... I cannot allow that. And I'm certain you know why."

"Even after everything Viktor put you through?!" A garbage attempt of convincing him, even he knew it. "How he used you?! How he threw you away the moment you slipped up?! And how your life immediately got better right after?! That's not a coincidence!" Tears were peeking through his eyes. "Billy… We can't keep letting him get away with it. Please… Try to understand."

Billy took a short while to think this over. Perhaps he was even looking through memories, reminding himself of how it'd made him feel back then.

"I do," At last, he answered, "His mistake with me was accepting my offer of surveillance. His mistake with Dave was goading someone into a mission when he didn't want to be involved. His mistakes with Alex and Aldurra were failing to deal with them in a more timely manner, be it elimination or freedom. But if I recall correctly, he's yet to do anything to you. What's your motivation?"

It was true. Sure, he'd asked him to look out for Billy that one time, but no one saw Alex's interception coming. It just so happened that things went to shit. Though, why was Viktor keeping Baldi captive? He should know how possession works! But then again, if 1 wins… He will find him.

Oh Hell no.

"I want things to change." Not a lie. But also not the whole truth. He couldn't bring himself to elaborate.

"You are not alone. But even so, this is not the way," Billy's voice was soft, cautiously walking forward and extending his hand. "'Please come back. We can stop this together.'" A language that, at the moment, only they knew. But it just reminded Denied of… It.

He would've loved to take his offer, to hold him, to cry on his shoulder, to apologize, then fight as a team against THRIVE. It'd be so awesome. And maybe the merman would be forgiven for his awful transgression. That is, if the well-made robot decided to take his chances, because what could just as easily occur is him simply tranqing him too to be on the safe side. And Denied wouldn't blame him.

But he had a sinking feeling that they were being watched, or at least listened to. Denied already managed to bear witness to what the first Dave was capable of. All it'd take was a silent, swift blade through the skull.

Billy would lose his fucking shit. Denial, panic, anguish, then unbridled rage. He'd charge at 1 with everything he had, but 1 would tear him apart, one body at a time, like he was nothing.

Denied, from the bottom of his heart, could not let that play out.

"Then, you leave me no choice." The shift in expression was immediate; back to fear. The hand retracted, defensively.

"Denied, no…!"

"I'll wake you up when it's all over, okay? I promise." The merman forced a shaky grin. A shallow bit of assurance, but more importantly, a warning.

Billy caught on. Never in Denied's life had he seen him so scared. Of him. As if he was going to do something worse than what was implied. Denied would never, he'd defend to the end.

"PLEASE don't say it-!" His turn to sound desperate. Begging. Pleading.

"'Please stand by.'" But Denied stopped hesitating. The phrase worked flawlessly. The Windows 7 shutdown chime sounded, almost inaudible through the noise of everything around them. Billy would've fallen if not for the merman, who reached for and caught him.

But he couldn't stop the rain of the well-made robots, most compared to being thrown with sheer aggression. Friends and foes alike were pelted by them, yelling out in shock and surprise. But for THRIVE, soon enough, it switched into relief. They had a chance again.

Thanks to that outsider, Denied Cellar.

As soon as he'd tenderly laid down his brother, he felt something pierce through his torso. Followed by more, and more, and more. Bullets. Angell's silver shells. He wasn't sure if it burned, or if it was just that painful.

Why did it feel like his armor didn't exist? How was this possible?

He belted out the loudest shriek of agony in his entire life, only pausing when the rounds ceased at last. He was barely able to think, removing the non-protective equipment. Just as he thought. There were so many holes. So many holes. So many holes…

The pain was overwhelming. Next to Billy, he collapsed, passing out.

With whatever little remained of 1's armed forces, they overturned their plight of minutes ago. Quickly, all that was left of their opposition was a handful.

Separated from them, Viktor fought 1. Just as planned. Without his pals, the Tarwill was bound to go down. He will give him credit, though - at least he's actually trying. Even if… Modestly.

A shame, really. He'd been hoping for the both of them to do their worst - which was stronger, COALESCE or THRIVE? A very exciting question indeed, but Viktor obviously wasn't willing to help answer. It was almost making 1 feel guilty, for not paying him the same respect of withholding his own elevation.

Almost.

A skillful swing later, and the axe was disarmed. And before Viktor could grab it again with the extension of his arm, 1 used the opening. Off went his head, and the attached Tarwill flesh retreated into the mask. From midair, 1 caught it.

Tabbing away his weapon, he instead used something else. A little invention he liked to call, the Tarwill Container. It was a round, sturdy bubble, colored a translucent orange, and the size of a soccer ball. It'll prevent him from reforming.

Once stored, 1 met up with the others, who stared upon the item with a variety of emotions. "Your leader… Is no more."

Predictably, those from the Tarwill's side reacted negatively. But one by one, they fell to him as well, in the same way Viktor had. Even so, it didn't mean that they weren't challenging.

Erie, roughly twice his size, could pluck him from the air, toss him around like a toy, stomp on him, dent his armor, even read his mind to guess his next move. However, the second he was able to focus, she was done for.

Tiara, engulfed in rage - as 1 noted from the markings on her mask - was especially ruthless. Exactly what he'd wanted out of her husband. Though, she had one fatal flaw: He didn't need his arms to summon and use his weapon. From within all four of her hands, she too was dealt with, her mask joining Viktor's in the container.

The Lauras used her punishment tactics, from boiling pots to flaming stakes. She couldn't pin him down, and each suffered in the end.

Eventually, there was only Marzia, one Laura, and Angell left. The protagonist's bullets were ineffective - titanium beats silver. To this non-threat, he sated her with a few rapiers to the torso. She struggled to move or aim, coughing deeply. As always, she was stubborn to a fault. Normally, it was an amicable trait, one he himself had, but in this instance, it was more annoying.

Laura stopped the language teacher from charging, before shedding her Evil form. A wordless conversation took place, 1 bet. Laura stepped forward, and bent the knee.

"As head teacher of Infinity School," She compelled herself to utter, "In Viktor's stead… We surrender."

From inside the helm, the first Dave smiled. Victory, at long last.

While Alex had been thoroughly entertained by these developments, he couldn't help but notice a distraction. A new presence? Quite the strong sort, easily toppling the merman's. In fact, it was nearly identical to the demon's own.

Now there's a worthy opponent to take.

It had headed to the boardwalk, straight from the Webspace's entrance tunnel. The newbie was in quite the hurry, until it stopped by Billy's house. The only other thing in there was some misty weirdo. Is that well-made place haunted?!

Now, the newcomer left the purple nightmare behind, zipping around in search for… Something, Alex guessed. Who knows? But for the moment, curiosity piqued, he wanted to see that grainy thing!

And then find that fast as fuck guy. All in due time.

A loud thud made the house rumble, easily catching Dave's attention. What… What now?

"Hell-ooooo!" Alex. Oh no. "This is the pol-LEECE! Whoever the Hell is committing this B & E better get the FUCK out here now!" The last, exaggerated statement left Dave's head feeling fuzzy. Why did he suddenly get the urge to meet up with him? "I have you surrounded! Come out with your hands up!"

Dave obeyed without question. At the front entrance (or what was left of it), stood the demon himself. He had a look of frustration on his face. "Ugh, God. It's just you? Damn. You know, I thought you died or something! Has anyone ever told you that you feel really weird? Are you, like, a phantom? Spooky!"

… Dave. Dave! Wake UP!

His senses returned, wondering how he got here. Then noticed the utter disarray of the walls behind Alex. Did he just… Slice them down? The cuts were too clean to have been anyone else.

"That aside, I heard there was someone new in town!" He was talking. "Someone with unprecedented power! I want to find and challenge him to a battle to the death! Winner takes all! But since you ain't six feet under yet… I can spare a bit of time. And fix that."

Dave only focused on that open threat, ignoring whatever else the demon went on about. Somehow, he wasn't afraid. And, while the plan was to have Billy involved in a situation like this, it couldn't be helped.

Dave hastily filled his inventory with his toolbox's contents, things that would apply, anyway. "No. That isn't going to happen. You've been nothing but a menace to everybody living here, and I think you've overstayed your welcome." Prepared, he selected his wrench. "If one of us is going, then it'll be you."

The demon responded with an impish expression. "Uh oh. I'm shaking in my boots." The sarcasm was obvious. "Well, I can appreciate you being raring to go for an amazing fight, but that's not what I had in mind."

Dave gripped his weapon tight. "I frankly don't care what you want! You don't get to just show up and make demands!" Alex stepped forward, getting closer to him. Dave raised his wrench in defense.

"Actually, yes I can," His voice was lowered. "Hit yourself in the face."

Pain flooded Dave's mind from the blow of solid metal. No noise was uttered, but he did hear Alex guffaw, loudly in fact. "Holy shit! Comedy gold! I can't- I can't breathe! Oh, oh FUCK, that was great! I should do that all the time!"

Dave's focus began to clear, but a lingering ache remained. How did… No. Wait. Alex made him do it. That's what's going on.

"Okay, alright. I've had my fun. No more fucking around. Time for business!" As he put a stop to his laughing, the demon grabbed Dave's wrists into one hand, so tightly that if he had actual bones, they'd be fracturing. Alex didn't stop there, dragging him right out of his wheelchair. "Come along, Dave! I have somewhere special I want us to be!"

Dave struggled the entire way. Down the halls, in Billy's lab elevator, until the two had reached the floor containing all of his partner's vessels. The room itself was massive, just as well considering how many he had. He'd been in here roughly a handful of times, but never for long.

Why here? Alex had to be setting himself up for failure.

"So, about those… 'Demands' you mentioned," The demon started again, as he threw Dave out in front of him, into the aisle between the rows upon rows of deactivated Billys. "Do you still doubt me?" After a rough landing, Dave took the opportunity to reach for the closest vessel he could find, taking him by his left hand and

"Hey. Rude little motherfucker. Look at me when I am speaking to you," Immediately he stopped, doing as he was told. Alex appeared insulted. "Yeah, that's right. Don't do anything else until I tell you to." He paused with a sigh.

"Anyway, so there's a whole bunch of this hunk of junk out at Viktor's, but what do you know? His dumbass brother was there, said some bullshit, and they all just dropped like flies! What an exciting twist that was! It left me on the edge of my seat!"

Wait. "Said some bullshit"? Dave recognized it at once - the emergency shutdown protocol. But why would Denied…? The merman had a lot of explaining to do, assuming that Alex wasn't lying. But he was pretty specific about something he shouldn't have known about, so he might not be. Regardless, there was a more pressing issue at hand.

"They'll probably be ripped apart by the rest of that 'first Dave's army in due time. As for you?" No. Dave wanted to stop listening. He wished he couldn't hear, just this once. Or was able to resist whatever Alex was going to force him to do next. But he couldn't.

"I want you to finish the job. Burn this whole place to the ground, and let the embers consume you." An item Dave had left in his toolbox was brought out - a lighter. A small flame flickered into existence.

A tiny voice was screaming within his mind, but it was hard to decipher. Despite this, Dave carried out the task given to him. There wasn't much in the room that was very flammable, but he wasn't hindered.

The tint of the place became quite a bit warmer. So orange, so bright, so vibrant. The fire danced as it grew, crackling, then roaring. Finally, he lay on his back, waiting. The temperature was rising, smoke thickening and trying to find an exit to float out of.

The heat of the inferno was nearing him. He closed his eyes. He was ready.

Dave. Please… Please! Snap out of it! You can't give up now! Are you really just going to let that wicked jerk make you burn to ashes like this?!

He could finally understand what that voice was saying. It sounded like him.

Do you have any idea how long it'll take to regenerate your body? What that'll be like? By then, people will think you're dead! Now for the love of God, GET UP!

Dave re-opened his eyes, greeted by the visage of ravaging flames and nearly suffocating smoke. The sprinklers had set off, but were ineffective. What in the world…?! Why was Billy's lab on fire? His bodies were burning away to nothing!

Alex again, claimed his inner voice. Ugh. So that was it. He was so twisted. When Dave gets his hands on him…!

First, though, he had to get out of here. But not without Billy. He had to assume the worst, or risk losing him. He rolled onto his stomach, crawling to the least affected vessel in the room. The demon was gone, thankfully, but he didn't let it distract him.

Waking Billy up wasn't going to be possible, but Dave urged himself to try anyway. Forming the hand gesture on the well-made robot's left hand, Dave waited. Nothing happened. His heart sank.

All he could hope for was carrying him into the elevator, despite the obvious circumstances. But he wasn't sure if he'd be able to make it in time.

You never know until you try, came another coaxing, internal nudge. And so, he did, bringing Billy down from his standing position and keeping him on his back. The air was insufferable, and taking a breath of any kind punished him for it. At least he didn't need to.

It was profoundly grating, the process. However, he managed. There was an overwhelming feeling of relief as he made it to the front entrance again, finding his wheelchair untouched. He let Billy go, in order to settle into it. Then he turned, bringing him into his arms.

"Alright," Dave murmured to his partner, despite the fact he couldn't hear, "Let's get you somewhere safer. And…" A glare rooted on his face. "I won't let Alex get away with this."

More info:

- 1's PURPOSE. NURTURE, to THRIVE
- THRIVE, while sounding similar to 82's FLOURISH, is a bit different. Rather than being based on individuals' potential as people, it's more about a community as a whole
- Some counterparts have altered PURPOSEs, if their players (or, 1 himself) were skilled enough to change them. FLOURISH is the default, however
- He is in total control of it, and can summon as many rapiers as he desires

- Viktor's PURPOSE. UNITE, to COALESCE. It's about bringing people together in spite of differences or backgrounds. Using COALESCE served a major role in defeating Alex in chapter 4
- He, along with Tiara, are not dead. Just can't reform due to the Tarwill Container. Neither is Erie, as she can be repaired (again…). The others, however, are dead or dying

- Dave meets the most unexpected kind of Baldi imaginable. Like Dia did, only the opposite way
- Also, he's not nearly as used to Alex's tactics, so he's unfortunately a lot easier to control
- It may seem strange that he isn't affected entirely (his inner voice trying to snap him out of the possession). Rest assured, there is a reason. There's more to him than simply having a conscience
- Another secret of his nanites. Self-replication, allowing for a healing factor. But that takes time, depending on the wounds

- The reaction of Plus explaining code nuances just shows the differing experiences of others. Becoming immersed can and does happen
- For anyone who's read my Save The Game stories (Time For Plus and Bonuses, Extras, Wowza #2 in particular), you'll probably understand his joy of getting the clipboard
- So long as there's code from BB+, Plus can use it in whatever way he wishes by snapping his fingers
- In terms of how the Webspace stores character files, his are named PBAL_ and PBAL_ respectively. C Baldi's are BAL_ and BAL_ . The latter is more boring and expected, due to him being the "native" Baldi of his game, while Plus was visiting
- Characters with the exact same names cause issues with code calls, whether from a game or their AIs. This leads them to act like each other, bear thoughts that they normally wouldn't, and so on
- So back home, Principal being renamed to BAL would be like that, but worse because he isn't Baldi to begin with. Being put unconscious keeps a seal on it, so to speak

- This is the worst day of Billy's life, bar none. Everything else was a minor inconvenience in comparison
- Right up until the protocol, he still held hope that Denied had a good reason for this. After that…
- In the beginning, he was sure Alex couldn't possess him. But then it happened, so the protocol was designed in retaliation

- Likewise, Denied is truly having the shittiest time ever
- Angell's bullets hitting Denied and not 1 is intentional…
- Would silver burn him? If the "Demonic Update" is literal, then yes. But not nearly as much as Aldurra or Alex, due to its much lower presence within all of his selves collectively
- He's also not dead yet. Either due to toughness, refusing to go out before fulfilling his promise, or both. Probably both

- Alex's methods only go to show that he is beyond a typical one. Would they go this far?
- He has a to-do list of all things. That newcomer he wants to fight, who is it? (Wrong answers only)