Chapter Nine: The Leader's Downfall Builderman looked outside the window at the protesters. They were lined up around the Roblox HQ, holding signs like ‘JUSTICE FOR SHEDLETSKY’ or ‘WHERE'S DUSEKKAR?’ Naturally, everyone blamed Builderman for the deaths and disappearances. He was, after all, the leader. Builderman turned around and saw Doombringer sitting in a chair, feet propped up on the desk. “Yknow, Builderman, you might wanna try to calm down the riots.” He said. Builderman shrugged. “I tried earlier, but no one cares. This is a nightmare. Start operation Helper Bots.” Builderman walked down the stairs into the workshop. People were hard at work, building and coding these robots. They were being created to help, since Shedletsy and Dusekkar were gone. People were furious, as they believed Builderman was trying to replace them. But Builderman couldn't run this place by himself. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, followed by a cloud of smoke. Builderman ran to the fire as the machinery slowly stopped. One of the workers grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. “What happened?” Builderman asked the shocked employee. “I- I don't know. It's like there was a random explosion…” Builderman looked around and saw Taph creeping away. Builderman grabbed her shoulder. “Taph, did you do this?” She shrugged, her hood covering her face. “To my office,” Builderman said, letting go of Taph's arm. “And you.” He said, looking to one of the workers. “Get rid of these robots.” “But sir, V33ronica is completely undamaged!” “I don't care. Throw them in the alley.” Builderman opened the door to his office. Taph was sitting in the chair in front of his desk. Builderman sat down and grabbed Taph's folder out of the drawer. “You have quite the history, Taph. Multiple charges of unlawful destruction, involuntary manslaughter, and so on.” Taph looked at the ground. ‘Listen, Taph, I like you. But you ruined weeks of progress on those robots. We have to completely redo them all. I'm afraid this is the end of the line for you. You're fired.” CONTINUED BELOW
Builderman walked into his office and sighed. Everything was falling apart around him; it seemed. Especially after what happened to John Doe… Builderman sat down and picked up a folder on his desk. Inside were paper after paper talking about the March 18th incident. Builderman leaned back, but didn't even get to finish stretching when the whole HQ shook violently, and he heard screams from below. Builderman got to his feet and ran to the window. On the grass outside the HQ was John, the mutation having taken over more of his body. He was shooting spikes through the building, making it shake violently as the spikes pierced through windows, shattering glass. Two security guards rushed in, holding guns. “MR BUILDERMAN, WE NEED TO GET YOU OUT OF HERE!” They yelled, grabbing his arm and leading him down the stairs. Builderman could hardly walk straight as the building groaned and shook, threatening to fall any second. They thundered down the stairs, but th building shook violently, making Builderman slip. He yelled as he slipped off the edge of the staircase, but his hands managed to find purchase, clinging desperately to the edge. The bodyguards rushed over to him, trying to pull him up. “HURRY!” Builderman screamed, his fingers slipping, as pieces of the building started collapsing, spikes still shooting and twisting through the building. One of the guards managed to grab his arm and started dragging him back up, but Builderman saw something above them. A piece of ceiling, hurtling through the air. “LOOK OUT-” Builderman didn't get to finish the words before the chunk crushed both the guards, turning them into blood mist that splattered onto Builderman's face as he began to fall. Time seemed to slow as Builderman fell down multiple stories, along with the building and empire he had spent all his life to make.
