Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rebooting...

Rebooting...

Rebooting...

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Entering Safe Mode.

Mirabel's eyes lit up, her butterfly wings sputtering to life and flapping as she woke up, looking at herself through the mirror she wondered how she got here. Wasn't she.. just on stage? In fact, wasn't she just about to start the show? (In reality, it was way past when she was supposed to be doing the show. She missed that time by several hours. Sudden flashes of falling to the ground or sparks of electricity flashed in her mind for a few seconds reminding her she was the animatronic she forgot she was several times in the past. The security team after finding not much wrong with her programming or endoskeleton had delivered her back to her room and after a few hours she finally works up at a half charge, it being illuminated on the bottom of her vision.

"Showtime already? I am... experiencing a malfunction.. the recharge cycle has not yet been complete. How odd." The time flashed in her peripheral vision but her focus was not on that but the small voice that soon echoed throughout her room.

"Will you shut up!" A boy perhaps? Either way, a small child's voice spoke up from where she could not see.

"Who's there?" She asked in a small response, looking around more.

"I did! Down here."

"Down... where? I still cannot see you." 

A small sigh came from the voice, "Ok look, you were sleeping so I opened the stomach hatch and... climbed inside."

"My.. stomach hatch?!" She exclaimed worry filling her voice, "That place is for oversized birthday cakes and pińatas! It is not a safe play area!" 

The boy soon popped out of Mira’s chest cavity, his brown curly hair bouncing as he landed. He wore a yellow shirt with a small red cloth tied at his neck, brown pants as his bottoms. 

“My my are you cute! Cmere..” The butterfly picked him up and gave him a face recognition scan. Her brown eyes illuminating a blue hue as the scan processed. “How odd.. you don’t seem to be in the program. Who are you?”

The boy looked around, the room was a blue hue but filled with other colors. His eyes roamed back to the animatronic in front of him. Her almost round figure made her seem very huggable and her pillow-ish arms looked good for a hug. Her dress was flowy and filled with luscious layers that when she spun he bet it looked so pretty. The dress was embroidered with little butterflies and. Candles and animals along with little flowers and items like a bass and keytar along with a guitar and microphone. He wondered if she did it herself. Her wings seemed to glisten in the lights within her room. Their rainbow almost colors shown so bright and tranced him almost immediately.

”I.. I-I’m.. Antonio.”

She gave a small gasp, “Antonio! How cute! I’ll alert the main office of your unknown status don’t  worry!” There was a pause filled with the silence was a beeping noise from her.

”Connection error.” She continued, looking down at the boy.

”It’s him. He cut you off. He’s not going to let you contact anything until he finds me!” Worry filled his voice and her face shown with pity.

”Who? Your father?”

“Shh!! I hear footsteps!” He shushed the butterfly and approached the window.

A man walked by, his security guard uniform showing as his flashlight light passed by. 

“Oh! That’s the security guard! I’m sure he’ll help you!” She smiled and looked back at the boy. 

“No! No.. I don’t trust him.”

”Wh-What? Why not?” 

“I don’t know who he is but he’s trying to get me! Is there way to communicate with me besides talking so loudly?!” He exclaimed, almost yelling. 

Mira on the other hand calmly opened her chest hatch, revealing a present with a wind up handle on the side. “Here! Take a novelty MadriWatch!”

Antonio unwinded the thing and confetti  came out with a cheering sound. Out came a little watch with butterfly wings all topped off in a purple and blue combination that looked slightly odd with Antonio’s almost completely different color palette. A beep came from it that made him jump.

”What was that?!”

”I am sending you an encoded message :D!” 

He looked at the watch he had wrapped around his wrist and Mira’s robotic voice sprung to life from it. “Hello Tonito! It’s me, Glamrock Mirabel- actually that’s a mouthful. Just call me Mira! I will escort you to the entrance. But.. I am unable to leave this room. At this time. But! You on the other hand, can! There’s a button in the back of this room that’ll give you access to the- get this- back room! I’ll make it accessible to you now!” A small giggle followed and the red button with butterfly wings on it turned green.

Antonio gave it a small push and the wall moved to show a back room just as she had said! He wandered into it, looking around his eyes landed on a pile of boxes leading to an open vent. Aha! A way out. With a slight effort he had made it into a crawling position in the ventilation system. Another small ring came from the watch.

”Oh! I forgot to tell you something Tonito!” He rolled his eyes at the nickname, seemed like something his mom would’ve called him. “I bet you’ve seen the open vent by now! Follow that and you can release me from the outside! Now go quick. We need to get you out of here before the main entrance closes!” That made Antonio rush more through the vents but voices caused his curiosity to peak and he looked through the open grates. 

“You did great tonight! Your hair was perfect. Your tail was perfect. Everyone was watching you. Everyone loved you. You are the best.” A fox with purple color and long brown hair scratched the mirror in front of her. Lightly touching up her almost realistic hair. “Thank you.” Was she.. talking to herself? “I am the best.. I am the best. Your fans are watching you right now.” Her eyes found themselves on the vent that he was looking out of and he crawled slightly away from the opening. “I know.” And with that he moved on.

As he continued he came across a chameleon animatronic with puffy hair and curled up tail, it’s scales shining as it played the guitar. Rocking out it seemed. 

Once again he moved on until he came across a blacked out vent with crashing going on from the other side. Yeah.. he wasn’t going to deal with whatever was behind that. He finally reached the end later on.

Dropping down Antonio found himself in the main area, a voice came over the intercom.

”Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming we hoped you enjoyed the show but now.. Mirabel and the gang are tired but! They’ll be back and rocking after a few days of scheduled maintenance. Please! Do make your way to the front of the building where you will be given some novelty glasses just like Mirabel’s, a voucher for one free soda refill, and sign a legal disclaimer releasing us of all liability of whatever may have happened on your visit. Enjoy your night. And we’ll see you again soon!” Panic flooded his system. He had to hurry if he wanted to get out of here before those doors shut.

He rushed himself over to the door in which Mira’s room was, her wings on the door. He went to go open it with no avail.

”Ugh.. Mira! It won’t open!” 

“Hm? Oh.. you don’t have a Photo Pass? Apologies I thought you had one.. no worries! You should be able to get one at the convenience center.”

He almost verbally groaned as he started his way there. It would be much quicker to get there on foot and he could’ve gotten out by now but, he did as he was told and got the pass from the wind up present. Opening the door Mira’s smile made it all worth it.

”Way to go Mariposa! I knew you could do it. We must hurry if I am to be spotted I will surely be taken back to my room. We’ll take the utility tunnels, it’s the safest way. Climb in.” Her chest cavity opened again and he climbed inside. 

Chapter Text

The metal surrounds that Antonio had been subjected to were annoying but convenient. He was lucky he was a scrawny enough kid and didn’t have an Abuela who stuffed him to the brim full. But.. he did kind of wish he had it. 

Even though it was blatantly obvious that he had not eaten the amount of spiraling the staircases seemed to have was making him want the throw up.

”Little boy??” Ah.. the security gaurd. His voice filled the otherwise soundless stairway. Echoing as he continued, “If you’re down here say something!”

Panic once again filled his body, “He’s down here. We have to go back.”

Mirabel let out a sputter, “Don’t worry Tonito. Even if we are spotted, you are 100% safe with me. He would never suspect we are traveling together. But.. we should still try to avoid her. If I’m caught I’ll be sent up to my room for sure and we won’t make to the lobby before Midnight- when the doors close!” She hurried down the stair case, her light steps almost silent.

As they reached the bottom she suddenly stopped, “I.. feel you are broken.”

”Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.” He brushed it off with a slight eye roll. He could take care of himself.

”No.. something is wrong! I’ll take you the first aid station. I’ll patch you up. I’ll be quick.” She took a hard right and carried on the path, regardless of Antonio’s protests.

He was dropped off and to satisfy the robot he went inside the first aid station. 

He found himself cowering when the sound of footsteps other than his coming from down the hall.

”Mirabel! You’re supposed to be on lockdown.”

”Officer Bruno.. I don’t know how I got here.”

He sighed, his brown curly hair bobbing as he hung his head before lifting it. “Well you totally blew it tonight. Your system completely crashed you ruined the show! Now, Parts and Service has you on reduced power. They said it’s a “saftey precaution.”” He paused with a sigh, “Just another thing to deal with..” He cleared his throat.

”I apologize..” Mira looked down at the ground, her antennas that Antonio seemed to overlook bending down like her emotions.

”Ok- Ok look. There’s this- this- kid. He’s running backstage. If you see anything, let me know. I’ve already alerted the others. Now- just- go back to your room ok? I can’t have anymore problems to deal with tonight.” And with that, Bruno left with a huff his flashlight illuminating his way.

Antonio pulled the curtains away and stepped out, “I told you she was after me..” He sighed.

“I said nothing! I kept you safe just like I said! Alright hombrecito. Let’s get you out of here.” Her chest cavity once again opened and he maneuvered his body to fit inside of Mira.

“Where even are we?” He asked after a small amount of time passed, seemed he got bored by now.

”We are under the PizzaPlex ^v^! These utility tunnels connect all of the attractions!”

“We could go.. anywhere in the building?”

“Correct! Isa’s Raceway, Luisa Golf, and MadriBlast! They are all accessible to the S.T.A.F.F. - with high enough clearance of course. Guests aren’t allowed down here usually but.. I think it’s ok for your particular case.” As they found their way out Mira’s vision flashed red and Antonio was kicked out abruptly from his place.

”I am.. so terribly sorry Tonito but.. the recharge cycle wasn’t yet complete when I found you. For now you’ll have to continue without me. But I’ll guide you the best I can with the MadriWatch just in case you get caught up in any trouble.” Mira walked over to a big pod reminiscent of a chrysalis with a lighting bolt on the cover and went inside. 

Antonio took a deep breath in, “I can do this.” 

He pushed open the doors and walked down the hallway, checking behind him ever so often. A cart with paint cans blocked his way so he took a turn and opened the bathroom door that’d lead to the other side.

His heartbeat rose as he realized there’s an animatronic on the other side, eating- garbage? Gross. “It’s Camilo. Maybe.. I could distract them with something!” He said to no one in particular. Looking around he remembered the paint cans.

He pushed them over and as Camilo went to go check it out her snuck past him, letting out a sigh.

The hallway was long and quiet. Too quiet. Suddenly, taking a turn Luisa burst through the gate.

”There you are!” Her hair was tied up and her tail swayed, the fur at the end of it strayed. Her skirt was long but didn’t stop her speed as she ran after him. 

“Are you lost?” Isabela the Wolf ran after him next. He took a breath and continued running.

”Who wants candy~” Camilo. This moment could not get worse.

Antonio ran up the stairs faster than he thought he ever could and the door slammed behind him as he sucked in a breath at his new location. 

He jumped and was ready to start running again but relaxed after realizing it was just Mira's voice. 

“Well done Mariposa! You are now in the security office. You should be quite safe there. Those doors were designed exactly for this purpose- to keep our security staff safe incase of an emergency. As long as those doors stay closed, you’ll be completely safe!-which would happen if you have ample power.” What does ample mean? Oh yeah. Enough.

”Mira! There’s only 15% and they’re pounding at the door! How am I going to get out of here?!”

”Don’t panic.. you should see an interface in front of you. I’ll make it accessible to you now.” His heartbeat slowed down in the small moment that she went silent, “There! You can now activate security protocols.”

“Your MadriWatch is now connected to the security cameras! Check it out!” 

Huh.. would you look at that. As he pulled it up he could see Camilo’s (no offense) ugly face digging through the trash again.

"The teeny tiny boxes are the cameras in your area- the red alerts are when there's movement in those boxes! Switch between the cameras and find a way out safely. I believe in you Mariposa."

Antonio gave a small nod to no one in particular and once Camilo left, he ran like the wind. He continued to run before he burst through another set of doors. Seemed he was finally where he needed to be, the main entrance. 

The intercom once sounded and the doors started closing, his worry spiked and he ran as fast as he could to the doors as the shutters went down. "Mirabel Madrigal's PizzaPlex is now closed, initiating nighttime protocols."

He had gotten to the doors.. right as they closed. He missed it. "No no no... I'm- I'm still here! Officer Bruno open these doors! Let me out!!" He shouted, banging lightly on the shutter. He gave up with a sigh, "Now what am I supposed to do.."

"How unfortunate Tonito." At that moment he felt like punching Mira's face. That's all she had to say to his scenario?! "You missed your chance- but- but but- there's still hope! You should be able to get out when the doors reopen at 6:00 in the morning. Until then, keep moving and if there's another way out I swear I'll help you find it." Well.. it was reassuring at the least.

He wandered around, trying the front gates with the wing pattern on them. "Ugh! Mira! These doors won't budge!"

"Hm.. those type of doors require a Complimentry PizzaPlex Entry Ticket. Quite a mouthful in my opinion. There should be one nearby the main entrance, look around." 

So, he did just that. He walked around for a bit before seeing a stand with a present like the one he had found the Photo Pass and the MadriWatch in, winding the crank out came the Entry Ticket. He went back and registered it.

"Well done Mariposa. You now have accessed the Lobby! While thats been done- that ticket only offers access. You'll need to upgrade that ticket at a nearby machine in customer service.

Just like that Camilo seemed to come out no where. Coming after him. Antonio ran into a nearby stroller and hid, covering his mouth and his heavy breathing. He checked his watch and once Camilo was out of his way, ran he ran until reached the upstairs, going off what the cameras had shown him the entrance to the store was through the stairs from the second floor. He could do that. Going through a- what looked like- party room, he walked cautiously through the stairs. Aha! Just what he needed, he entered his ticket and- 

"It ate my pass!" 

"Perhaps theres something that can help you in the prize corner." (On the other side of the lobby) Antonio let out a groan and opened the doors while he was out it. He figured it'd make it easier for return.

As he ventured past Camilo he noticed a center near the prize counter, reading "SuperStar Daycare!" Huh. Continuing, he snuck past the robot's easily memorizable path and found another wind up present. Perfect. 

As he unwound it his lifted mood quickly dropped. "A.. crappy Mr. Hippo fridge magnet? Lame." He rolled his eyes back pocketed it anyways. 

"I am.. truly sorry Tonito." 

Pushing the button to open the prize corner he crept back over to the customer service, "Now what?"

"Why don't you try that lame fridge magnet." The words suddenly made Antonio feel bad about saying that. 

As he put the magnet against the machine out came a new pass, "Sweet! The magnet scrambled the machine! Now its some kind of... daycare pass?"

Mira gasped, "That's great! I'll meet you at the daycare! The entrance is on the second floor balcony." Oh! The sign he saw earlier! 

"Staff only!" Antonio almost forgot about Camilo. Taking the stairs he completely avoided him. Easy. 

He hummed as he made his way over to the daycare and scanned in his ticket. 

The entrance seemed so peaceful, the sound of the fountain adding a wonderful sound and calming any frazzled nerves Antonio had about the place. He opened another set of doors and the first thing to catch his eye was the massive statue in the middle of the room. On one side was a happy woman with her hair up in a messy bun. She smiled and held some treats in her hands. On the other side a woman with a ponytail and moon earings. She looked almost grumpy and had a cloud over her head.

Huh.. looking around more he realized it must be some sort of.. drop off. Turning his head from the shoe cubbys he saw a slide with the words "Slide into fun!" At the top.

"Don't mind if I do!" He giggled as he slid and landing in a ballpit. Fun. Looking around the area was so filled with life it made him feel so happy. 

"Hoo Hoo!" The woman exclaimed before preforming a little dance before diving into the ballpit. It was the same woman from before. 

Soon he felt hands scoop him up and shock filled him before she spoke, her voice smooth and calming. He could trust her surely.

"Hello new friend! My you sure are up late.. hm are we having a sumber party? Ooo! We could finger paint, tell scary stories, drink fizzy fazz until out heads EXPLODE!! And stay up all night!" She set him down in the middle of the center by a few cans, the floor was cushioned and comfy as Antonio sat on it and watched the woman dance, her dress had a few suns on it and she handed him a few candies. 

"There is only one rule! Keep the lights ON. ON. ON." 

Chapter Text

... see, Antonio would have stayed in the daycare, hell- he wanted to stay. But, he knew if he didn't leave Mira would be all alone and that didn't sit right with him. Plus, he had a job to do here and he can't do that if he's stuck in some daycare.

So, against his better judgement he grabbed the security badge and wound up in total darkness. 

"No.. no no no no no no NO!!!" Juileta, the woman stated was her name gripped her head in pain. "I warned you! I warned you!!" She groaned and yanked at her hair until she collapsed out of sight from Antonio with an almost painful thud. 

"Naughty boy.." A lighter voice spoke, fingers rolled onto the desk and a red haired lady emerged. The other side of the statue, he was frozen with fear.

Just as in her statue, a cloud formed over her head, "It's past your bedtime. You must be punished." Just as she finished speaking lightning struck and she vanished, leaving Antonio in almost complete darkness. 

"Tonito! I have- no idea what you did but, the lights are all out in the daycare! You need to listen carefully little one, you'll have to turn the back up generators on but, they're in the play area." Mira's worry filled his MadriWatch- wait- he had to go in there?!

"Mira there is no way I will ever go out there! It's too dark!" His heart was breathing fast. What was he going to do?!

"Hm.. there should be a flashlight in the charging station to your.. right? It's on the wall!" He looked around before looking at one thing in particular.

"Is it the massive butterfly container- thing on the wall?" 

"Yeah! Yeah its that! Grab that and if you need to, you can put it in there for a few seconds for a total charge!" Good to know.. he clicked on the flashlight and was pleasantly surprised how bright it was. There was a small scale on the side with the percentage illuminated in bars.

Ok.. he just had to find the generators in a massive daycare with an animatronic chasing him that can ALSO produce LIGHTNING?! This wasn't fair! But, he felt like living so- he clicked on the flashlight on and off then back on and put on his big boy pants.

"Where the heck are the rest?!" Antonio very on learned that Pepa(the posters reminded him of her name) couldn't go behind the security desk- maybe because it was a restricted area. It seemed silly to him that the "restricted area" wasn't blocked off or anything but it was convenient and he couldn't complain. The cameras were barely any help since the couldn't even show the inside of the play area. Because of this he had to trust himself in complete darkness and running through the winding paths of the area. 

He had three by this point. How many were there again? He knew there had to be more but there can't be that many more could there? 

He was so tired. He just wanted to collapse at this point. His legs needed a break and Pepa's offer for nap time almost sounded like a good idea. He shook the idea out of his brain quick after realizing he would have no idea what she did with him while he slept- he could be killed by this monstrous thing in his sleep! Yeah, no way. 

He sighed, nothing here. Suddenly his path was illuminated with something other than a flashlight, a red hue. He slowly turned around, almost afraid the light would bit him. Correction: She would. Pepa's now red eyes stared at him, the color saturated and blinding. He covered his eyes and covered his face before-

"Come here child.. its alright." ..What? 

He slowly crawled over to the woman and once he got close enough he was wrapped up in her plush arms. "It'll be ok. But it's time to sleep."

"I.. I can't sleep. Not yet." He looked away but her voice continuing.

"Why?"

"The disappearances! Someone has to get to the bottom of them. If those kids are alive.. I need to make sure they're ok." Heck, he knew one of the kids. He saw it on the newspaper. Her blonde braids and soft smile with the gaps, he had seen it not long before. She was a sweet girl and he did know why they'd say she just- packed up and left. Ran away from home. It was suspicious and newspaper seemed to think so too. Saying her last know whereabouts were the PizzaPlex. He had to know she was ok. She had given him the red sash he wore. She would never just up and leave without warning. Especially at a place like the PizzaPlex. She loved her family, her town, the PizzaPlex.

"I.. I see." Pepa stammered, setting down the boy, "You should leave, I'll call security. They should be able to you help, Starshine."

"NO!" Antonio cleared his throat, "No.. you- you can't do that! They're after me. They... please just don't call security."

She sighed, "Alright. I'm going to turn on the rest of the generators for you alright? Just.. stay here. Don't worry. But, if I find you again I will bring you back here and you will go to sleep. Got it?" He nodded as he watched her walk off and through the play area. Not soon after the lights flickered on. 

Instead of Pepa returning, Juileta did. 

"My dear! Oh niño! Are you hurt? Here.." She dished through her pockets pulling out an arepa. "It's warm.. I've been told my food has "healing properties." Eat up." 

He happily ate it, letting out a sound of satisfaction. So good. "Thank you, Juileta."

"Of course child. Now, I heard you need to find some friends?" He nodded, "Ok mi vida, the exit is that way. Good luck!" 

Antonio gave a way before heading out, never looking back. He was glad they were nice enough to let them go. 

"Our friend security staff can help!" He whipped his head around to see Camilo after him. 

"C'mon Tonito! They'll find you!" Mira! He climbed back inside her chest cavity and took control of her. The first time was quiet difficult to manuever her body where we wanted her to go and apparently she could fly?? He still hadn't figured that part out yet. Taking a few turns he noticed her internal clock. 12:55.

"We're almost out of time Tonito! We need to get to a recharge station right now. Every hour the power is diverted to the recharge stations and when that happens the lights go out and the daycare attendant is free to roam the entire building! She will find you then." 

"Its past your bedtime~" Pepa. They rushed out of the daycare and through the lobby there was a recharge station. 

Climbing inside Antonio could take a breath. Before his eye caught.. a rabbit? It hobbled around, crouched over slightly, it had a hood with a poncho over it. 

"What was that?!" 

"Hm? Oh! That's a fountain! They're used for decorative purposes and discharges water! :D"

"What? No! The rabbit!"

"There... isn't a rabbit at the PizzaPlex... not anymore.."