ya i'm a bug

The quick connection he made in his groggy, half-awake mind sent him jumping from his seat and landing on the floor. He groaned and winced, clutching his side after having grazed his desk during the fall. “Ugh- ####!” Builderman cursed. All this was enough to get him fully awake now. Still blurry, he rubbed his eyes while taking slow and steady breaths of air to keep himself calm. When his eyes finally adjusted, he took in what the light surrounding him was. It was everywhere. On the floor, the roof, the windows, his couch… It was like it was taking root inside his office.

Speaking of root, it looked just like that. Roots you’d expect from plants to help pull nutrients that are deeper in the soil into themselves. And its lighting was the color of a blinding white. But on closer notice, Builderman could see it was slightly transparent. Though hard to see, squinting his eyes, he noticed how the cells inside it shift through every hue of the rainbow. The artistic like pattern the light made, combined with its eternal-like radiants was almost breathtaking if it wasn’t for its strange invasion inside his workplace.

“What the…” He didn’t even finish his sentence. Too busy staring at this unexpected phenomenon in awe. Slowly, he began to pick himself up, his survival instincts steadily kicking in, realizing that he probably shouldn’t be in a room with alien plant life that is taking over. But when he glanced down at himself, he saw that some of the vines had grown – On. His. Body. While he slept. Builderman sharply shot up again, alarmed he didn’t notice it sooner. “[content deleted]!!!” “He screamed incomprehensibly, his chat bubble having automatically deleted what he actually said. He stumbles on his legs, touching all over his body; feeling if this questionable flora was making any changes to him. Yet he found nothing while examining himself. But he did feel something.

Warm. Not the kind of uncomfortable warmth one might feel when they're sick, but like a warm blanket he sometimes would sense in his dreams whenever Shedletsky would put one on top of him after catching him napping. But the gentle radiant heat of the vine wasn’t the only thing he was feeling. For some reason, he felt oddly relaxed. Almost serene, with a light touch of contentment. His panicness dying down unnaturally fast. It felt good. Everything about it. It was almost too good, he thought. Too good…

Builderman caught himself before he could bask in the sensation. “It’s… making me feel things.” He muttered. These vines on his body were controlling his emotions, but only slightly. Luckily, he gained a hold of himself before he could fall deeper into this… things—mind control. He began to violently tear whatever this creature was from his body. What sort of alien parasite was this? Where did it come from? How did it go unnoticed coming into the building?!? These questions ran through his head as he continued pulling clumps of the organism off himself. When he finally pulled as much of it as he could, his hand and a bit of his body was covered in that rainbow stuff that was inside it. “Is this its blood?” Builderman questioned himself, somewhat shocked at the thought. But he can’t be feeling bad about it now; he needs to get out of here, quickly.

He runs out of the room. Thankfully, this creature seems rather weak, so he was able to open his office door, which the roots were gradually covering, without much hassle. Though, he couldn’t avoid stepping on the puddle it made after being pulled off. “Ugh…” He shivered. He had to go warn his employees about the invasion that’s happening. Carefully, he speedily walks downstairs and into the workspace room below from his office. It was dark. His eyes slightly adjust to the darkness, the stuff on his body acting like an improv glowstick. All the computers and lights were off. The cubicles his employees worked in were empty. Even at this time of night, there were people here working. “Where is everyone?” Buildman pondered. He was getting a little spooked out at the sudden emptiness of his company. Were they in trouble? Did he really sleep through a probable attack like an old man?!? He needed to find someone, now!

Buildman rushes through the hallways and corners of what feels like an endless maze. He looked inside cubicles and under desks to see if anyone was hiding, but he found nothing. He almost gave up his search until he accidentally bumped into something from turning another corner. “AHH-!” He yelped, falling on his bottom. "W-What—Who…" Builderman stammered, his heart pounding with adrenaline as he looked up to see what he bumped into. 

It’s Shedletsky!

But he’s just standing here with that dopey smile on his face and chicken in hand. He didn't move; he didn't blink. Hell, he didn't even react in the slightest after Builderman collided with him. It was like he was frozen in time. “Shed- Shedletsky… Are you okay? What happened?“ Builderman questioned but, of course, got no reply. His fellow admin was just standing there, staring off into space. “Shed, speak to me!” Builderman demanded. His fear was rising, and he desperately wanted answers. He shook his friend hard with both hands, but still nothing. He had forgotten about the alien blood that was coated on his hands and now has gotten some on Shed’s shoulders. “Ah- I'm so sorry!!” Builderman apologized, immediately trying to brush off the iridescent liquid off of him, but it only made it worse. Scowling at himself, he looked down at his palms. If he wanted to get out of here, he would have to clean himself up to try and not get others possibly contaminated. But how though? His private restroom was in his now tainted room, and there’s no way he’s going back in there. His only choice was using the sink in the employee's one—ugh… Well, not like he got a choice. Where’s the bathroom in this place again?

…..

After a bit more wandering, Builderman managed to find a bathroom. He cleaned himself off the best he could, but that would require new clothes and a shower. During that time nothing much happened. All he could think was where Roblox must be. Did he go rogue? Was this his doing? No, it can’t be. Roblox was made with absolute loyalty to him, but why didn’t he warn anyone? Did… the roots do something to him…? Builderman sighed; best not to think about that. Having finished getting himself together, he quickly made his way out the building.

It was quiet outside. Nothing unsurprising when it’s nighttime, but this time, it was uncanny. The moon was bright, yet it didn’t make him feel any safer. Considering that his car keys were in his office, Builderman knew he would have to walk back home. But abandon his friend who needed help? He grumbles, feeling both hopeless and ashamed. But before he could get to walking home, he heard a loud—CREEEAAAAKKK—from behind the building. Builderman froze. “What was that?” He said in a hushed tone. As the admin and guardian of Robloxia, he should investigate suspicious activity and noises in case trouble was brewing or someone was hurt. Yet part of his brain told him that getting the hell out of here was the only reasonable answer.

Taking a deep, deep breath, Builderman steadied his nerves and made his way towards the noise. He summons his ban hammer before he turns the corner; he can’t be too careless in a time like this. But before he could fully reach the back, he saw the light again. And it was glowing much brighter, as though the backlights were turned on. Fully making his way behind the company, he saw those same roots from his office, and it had exposed where it came from and how it got in. It entered through the air vent, apparently. The whole thing is blocked! But that's not important now. The roots left a trail of itself from where it came, stretching across the plains. As bad as he just wants to leave and forget about everything that has happened, again, it is his job to find and eliminate threats. 

So, he follows it. Since the company he built is kinda a grassy middle of nowhere, there aren't any trees for the roots to lose itself in and cover its tracks. Not that it could with the way it glowed. But that also meant he couldn't hide from any approaching threat that could come. Luckily, nothing appeared during the trip and it was quite short too, about a five-minute walk. When he reached the destination, he found a teleporter covered with the roots. “A teleporter? Out here?!” Builderman thought. But the big question hit him just as quickly. Did the roots teleport itself here? It made no sense, but that's what it looked like and was the only explanation he had. Builderman fidget with himself. “Great- just my luck. Woke up to whatever this stuff is in my room; all my employees are gone or in danger, and now I got to explore the unknown all by myself.” He scowled, looking the teleporter up and down before sighing. “If I survive this, then pizza parties for the company for a whole week.” He then stepped on the teleportation platform, trying not to graze the bright plant that was wrapping itself around it. The machine activates, and he is immediately gone.

……

When his vision returns, he finds himself in a forest. Well… calling it a forest would be generous. It was a small experience with a couple trees placed randomly around the map, but there was one that obviously stood out. A large, white tree sitting in the middle. It wasn’t a blinding and illuminating white like its roots but a striking ivory for its bark. Each individual leaf attached to its twig was a different single brilliant color of the spectrum. And vines, actual vines, hanging from it that were dark as ebony black. It was… Pulchritude. Like standing in front of a piece of fine art at a historical museum. It looked comically out of place in its simple woods. “Whoa…” was the only thing Builderman could say. He walked up to it, going around it to admire it from every angle. So much detail; even in the veins of the leaves. It took some strength from Builderman to not touch the tree or anything on it. This was the main source those roots were coming from. If getting touched by it could alter his emotions and possibly brainwash him, then what would touching the primary origin of it do to him?

He should destroy it. Forget trying to contain it and study it; this thing is unpredictable. It obviously had intentions of doing something and probably has a level of sentience just by making a beeline to his company instead of covering territory like a regular plant would do. Sure, it hasn’t done much yet, but it will do something in the future; that’s for certain. Builderman raises his hammer, but he doesn’t swing at it. Something is holding him back. Hitting this… this creature! It felt wrong. Almost like he was about to hit his own mother, even though he never had one. He tried to shake the feeling away and prepare himself to strike, but he just- he just couldn’t. His hands were shaking and getting sweaty; his hammer almost slipping out of his grip.

He releases it willingly from his palms. It lands with a heavy -THUD-, like a boulder hitting the ground. “Oh! Uugghh—my back…” Builderman moaned, putting both his hands behind him, massaging the sore spot. Though he hated to admit it, but he was getting old. He can’t carry and swing his hammer like he used to. Man, carrying that thing around is hard work! And he had only just walked around with it for only a bit. Builderman sighs, disappointed with himself. He fears he has gotten soft, weak, and dependent. He usually had one of his other admins do the banning now, since he was mostly stuck in his office, drowning in endless paperwork. Maybe he should go on another vacation…? 

“Ugh- now is not the time.” He snapped out of his thoughts. He eyed the tree again; damn, it was mesmerizing. But also so volatile in a way. What is he to do now that he managed to hurt himself and not get even a single hit in? Considering that his admins are out of action because of it, he really needed to think this through and fast. 

…

……

Hmmm… seems his next best option was to get in contact with the developer and have them delete this thing before it's too late. That's the only way. It's their experience, so they have the power to do so. His only hope now is that this wasn't a planned malicious attack on the site by someone who's obviously not going to listen to him. But who are they? Builderman opens his command controls and summons his holographic G.U.I, then begins scanning the world. It doesn't take long considering that HQ admins have more advanced equipment for this kind of thing than admins of personal experiences.

[#######] by ﴾𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓎𝑒𝓇﴿ and with a picture of your avatar beside it. Ah ha! There's his culprit. And they seem to be online too, at this late at night. Usually the hackers and scammers are up at this kind of hour, so he best get moving now and give them a little surprise to show that no matter the time, he and the other admins are always up to deal justice. Builderman uses his command controls again to teleport himself to his target's location and wishes himself the best before being teleported off.

….

When Builderman's vision corrects after his transportation, he finds himself in a world of… keys? Keyboards to be exact. "Eeee—what the…” He muttered to himself with an arched eyebrow as he slowly took in this new experience. His tone suggested a slight bit of disappointment; is this really what the kids are into these days?! He can't help but sigh as he watches a few run past him at high speeds and some running on treadmills in packs of… five??? He scratches his head; something about this was overstimulating his old mind and giving him a headache. But just before he could get himself together, he hears someone right behind him.

“Man, this copycat keyboard run game is boring ahh hell.”

Builderman speedily turned around, startled by the voice behind him, only to behold who it was that said that so close to his ear. It was his suspect, ﴾𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓎𝑒𝓇﴿! And they're so… casual? Not like the egotism that usually comes when meeting a hacker? Before he could get a word out, you're already speaking to him… at least somewhat anyways. “Hey, you look like Builderman! Nice.” You complemented. “From which game are you cosplaying as him, though? And what's with the checkmark?” You asked. Yet, all Builderman could do was stare until he uttered a single word.

“﴾𝒫﴿- ﴾𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓎𝑒𝓇﴿?”