Chapter Text
Gravel scatters as Gregory skids to a stop. Vanny stands in front of him blocking the only access to the fire escape. She laughs holding the knife tightly, the metal gleaming in the early morning light. Stepping back Gregory looks away from the rabbit ready to bolt for the door that he just came from. A yelp comes from him as his collar is grabbed, kicking he tries to get away as the woman brings him against her body. The knife gleams as she moves it to rest it against his chest, its blade resting just below his throat.
“Finally, have you.” She sings.
Closing his eyes he winces from the whining coming from his capture. The threat of the knife stopping him from struggling against her hold. Tears well up as he realizes this is it. The whole night was a waste, he was so close to escaping.
The metal door slams open, and a growl makes Gregory’s eyes fly open. Standing holding the door open was Freddy, yellow eyes glaring at Vanny.
“Vanny.” The bear all but growls stepping forward, “I can see you.”
The sudden lack of support makes him fall to the ground, turning he sees Vanny stepping back hands raising. Scrambling away he misses what else Freddy says as the bear charges at Vanny. Her focus all on the bear she doesn’t see how close she was to the edge. Freddy hits her with the force of a small car, sending both of them over the edge.
Yelling Gregory runs for the fire escape, skipping steps and barely avoiding falling to his face at least three times. Hitting the gravel of the walkway at the bottom he sprints, not sure what he was hoping for as he slides around the corner. His hand stings from hitting the ground but he ignores the pain with practice ease as he looks at the two fallen bodies.
Breathing heavily, he slowly approaches Vanny, a part of him was surprised that there wasn’t any blood from the fall. Carefully he crouches by her, keeping a close eye for any movement he reaches for her mask. The noise that constantly following her disappearing as he pulls off the mask. Dropping the mask, he stands. The nightguard had her eyes closed, she looked peacefully like she was sleeping instead of being dead. Shaking Gregory looks to Freddy wanting… something. Reassurance maybe. But his heart sinks when he sees how broken the bear was.
Stepping around the dead guard Gregory goes to the bear that had helped him all night. Dropping to his knees he reaches for the bears head, the bears eyes shut. Touching the smooth surface he grits his teeth, sorrow and frustration making his eyes burn. Curling his fingers into a fist he sits back on his heels, a lost at what to do.
A shout makes him stand, spinning on his heel he grips his bag eyes wide as he sees an employee in a white polo come to an abrupt halt. The woman looks shocked, face pale as her eyes dart from Vanessa to him. Swallowing Gregory steps back barely avoiding tripping over Freddy. The woman’s eyes meet his and she opens her mouth.
Sucking in a breath Gregory bolts, jumping over Freddy heading towards the tree line along the edge of the plex’s property. He hears the woman shout for him, but ignores it, nothing ever good happens when he listens to adults. Raising his arms up as he enters the tree line, running through low tree limbs and bushes. He keeps running until his chest burns, he wasn’t sure how far he ran but he couldn’t see the large building of the Pizzaplex. The road nearby was still quiet, sliding down into the ditch he heads towards the culvert. Inside he leans against the cool concrete gasping for breath, tears starting to fall as he struggles to breath. The bag as a buffer between his body and the wall he cries in anger and frustration, wondering what he done to always have to run.
He cries for the want to go home. To be safe for once in his short life. Collapsing to the ground he hugs his bag, wiping at his eyes he sniffles as he fumbles with the zipper. Digging around he pulls out a bottle of water and chugs a few mouthfuls. Panting he caps the bottle and replacing it in exchange for the Freddy doll to hug as he curls against the wall. Clutching at the toy he focuses on the warmth he felt when Freddy talked with him, his touch gentle and kind when ever he reached out to him. He fell asleep with a death grip on the doll, tears staining his cheeks.
He wakes up to the roar of a semi rolling overhead. With a quite groan he curls tighter against his bag, the bear in his arms squeezed closer to his chest. Eyes closed tight Gregory isn’t sure how he feels, feeling empty and to full at the same time. His emotions everywhere. Consuming and overwhelming, ducking his head he presses his face into the toy. No tears fell, he latched onto his anger.
He was familiar with anger, it kept him safe. Has kept him safe, he doesn’t have the luxury to be sad or worried. He had to survive. Last night gave a face to his possible death. But now…
He’s on his own again. His life safe from one threat, but the ones he originally was running from now loom over him once again. Burying his face into the bear’s embrace he longs to be back at the Plex. Even with all that happened he felt something he hadn’t felt since he was young. The fuzzy memory of his mother’s embrace, now along side the crisper clearer memory of being in the arms of an animatronic bear. Rubbing his face he puts the doll back into the bag and one quick mouthful of water he leaves the safety of the culvert and heads into town.
A month passes and it was getting cooler, the October wind cutting through his thin shirt. Holding his arms close to his side he keeps his head down, keeping a low eye on his surroundings as he walks along the ditch. He shivers as he approaches a billboard, one that matches the flyers and the ads in the newspaper.
The Pizzaplex was reopening, after its Security Guard was found dead and accused of being a copycat killer. The nine missing kids now believed to have been killed by her. Gregory wasn’t sure how they jumped to that conclusion. The article didn’t make much sense to him, her going after him and the fact all the missing kids had visited the plex before their disappearance was apparently enough for the police to say she was the murder and call off the investigation. Fazbear Entertainment has pushed how their animatronics protect kids, using Freddy’s sacrifice as proof of the fact. The only mention of the other three being they aided in the protection of Vanny’s would be tenth victim.
He had to laugh at that, the memory of them calling to him still waking him up at night. Shadows now laugh as long thin hands reach out for him. But the threat of being attacked by the animatronics was something he knew he can handle. In his mind he was safer in the Plex with a would-be murder now gone then out on the streets, avoiding adults, and living in the uncertainty of whether he will be warm that night or if he was going to eat.
Walking another mile, he finally steps onto the parking lot of Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex. The parking lot was full of cars, trucks, and buses. Adjusting his bag Gregory stays off to the side close enough to the entrance to look like he is waiting, but far enough that he can watch the buses off load kids and families. He watches them for awhile before finally seeing his chance. Slipping into a highly active group he blends in seamlessly, being just an ordinary kid. The flustered chaperon of the group not even noticing the extra head as they enter the plex and pick up their tickets. In the chaos of sneaking in he doesn’t hear his watch chirp as it reconnects to the system, alerting his presence to the original owner of the watch. As the group circles to have passes handed out Gregory steps back following the tail of a man and child heading for the restrooms.
Following up the escalators he heads for the elevators, pressing the button he waits fiddling with the strap to his bag. When the doors ding, he is the only one to step in, as the doors shut, he sighs in relief. His first step completed he crosses his arms thinking. He needs a place to hide, last time he had planned on hiding in the pirate ship in Kids Cove. But this time around he needs someplace a little more hidden, some place that a guard or staff member wont accidentally stumble upon him again. Kids Cove had little activity at this time of night, the doors connecting it to the daycare being shut. Crossing his arms, he wonders about the door at the top of the light house. He never went up there nor saw anyone go there, looking down at his watch he blinks in surprise that he still has all of his clearances. Fiddling with the settings on the watch as the doors open, he steps out not paying attention to a bot waiting just outside.
“Take a map.”
Gregory screams, the sound strangled as he clamps his mouth shut. Pressed against the elevator door he glares at the map bot.
“I really hate you.” The boy tells the bot who only moves forward offering a paper map. Batting it away he slides across the door, “I don’t need it.”
“Take a free map.”
Tsking Gregory bolts passed the bot, hearing its wheels following him he grits his teeth. Going along the back of a kiosk nearby he leads the bot around in a circle. The bored attendant straightens leaning over her counter watching in confusion and amusement as the bot chases him to the escaladers. Hitting the step Gregory turns sticking his tongue out at the bot who stays at the top still offering the map. Flipping the bot off he turns and walks down the steps, taking a running step as the last step disappears, he grins. The slight rush of beating the step bringing a grin to his face .
Looking around the main floor of the Plex he sees a few parties scattered around, at this time of night it wasn’t that busy with individual families. Heading for Kids Cove he stays in the shadows and out of view as best he can. Walking into the ocean themed area he sighs in relief glad that the place was actually empty. Walking towards the lighthouse he can hear kids on the other side of the rolled down doors. Leaning against the railing of the roped off stairs he lifts his watch flipping through the cameras nearby. Seeing that most of the employees and guests were focused more on Monty golf next door he ducks under the rope and moves quickly but quietly up the steps. At the top he approaches the door, holding onto the railing of the catwalk. The door stutters open, stopping halfway a pitched whine coming from the door. Darting in Gregory turns manually shutting the door with the button along the side, only relaxing once the door shuts with a thunk.
Exhaling he digs blindly into his bag for his flashlight, finding it he clicks it on the sudden light making him blink spots out of his eyes. Casting the light around he wrinkles his nose at the state of the room. Dust coats everything in a heavy layer, particles floating in the beam of his light. Looking down he sees his own footprints coming from the doorway. Rubbing his nose, he goes to the bins lined across one side of the room, sliding one out he shines his light into the bin. Tilting his head, he digs through the assortment of small figures; they all were about two inches tall and were the animatronics. Chica and Roxy were both mermaids, the others were in different versions of pirate outfits. Picking up the mermaid Chica he recognizes her design from the cut out that was outside. Dropping her he slides the bin back into place and opens another.
Riffling through a few boxes he realizes they were storage for props and small prizes, shutting the last bin he shines the light to the other side of the room finding a large stack of cardboard boxes almost thrown against the wall. Curious he opens one of the boxes and finds a bunch of foxes, ones similar to the one he found in the tunnels under the plex. Going to another box he finds more foxes, but these ones were different. Pulling one out studied the new plush, it was the same deep red colour but wore stripped pants similar to Sun. Sewn around its waist was a blue sash covered in little holographic stars. It also had shiny shoulder pads and a single marking under the one green eye.
Running a hand over the long hair like Roxy’s Gregory takes a moment before stuffing the toy into his bag. Even if he can’t stay, he’s taking a full set with him, though he was still missing a Glamrock Bonnie. Turning from the boxes he assumed just contains old merchandise of Foxy he shines the light around the room once more. Now that he was standing beside the boxes, he can see a slight glow coming from behind the largest pile. Leaning on a stack, he shines his light down the side of the wall, immediately seeing the glowing Freddy button.
Straightening he frowns at the large stack, checking the time he sighs seeing he has only spent an hour . Looking back at the stack he unshoulders his bag, throwing it onto the smaller stack and gets to work. The stack falls pretty easy, Gregory easily side stepping the tower after he pushed it. Stuffed toys and action figures scatter across the floor. Pulling more boxes down he clears the way to the door, stepping over the last box he presses the button. The door slides up clanging loudly. Leaning forward he shines the light in the room, stepping in he notices a switch. Flipping it the lights on he blinks clicking off the flashlight.
The room looked more like a dressing room, with a vanity and racks of clothing. Walking to the vanity he sees photos lining the mirror, dates scribbled along the bottom in various colours of ink. Every photo was of the animatronics. None of them were like what was advertised, every photo looked more like something you would find in someone’s photo wheel.
Looking away from the photo covered mirror he notices a coat rack by the charging station, at the base of the station a large, feathered hat laid on the ground. Curious he walks over picking the hat up, avoiding the feather that was at least two feet long. Looking at the fox symbol with two crossed bones on the front Gregory notices something out of the corner of his vison. Looking up he screams falling back, the hat being thrown at the window of the charging station.
Sucking in his breaths Gregory relaxes realizing the station was turned off and the animatronic inside was slumped over. Standing he steps closer to the pod.
Inside was a fox animatronic, his red fur the same shade as the charging station. His head was fallen back laying on one teal and yellow shoulder pad. The fox’s thick mane of hair noticeably shorter than Roxy’s hair, a strike of yellow popping from the red hair. Pushing against the pod Gregory looks at the station in confusion.
“Why is it turned off?” Gregory asks himself, leaving the front of the station he circles around to the back. Tugged out of the way was the power outlet, coiled underneath was the plug. Crouching he picks up the plug debating at how good of an idea I was to turn on the machine and potentially waking up an animatronic that might have a good reason to not be woken up. Course knowing the people that work here they properly didn’t even notice the power was off, pausing depating for a moment he plugs in the machine.
A deep hum feels the room and the pod lights up. Stepping away Gregory looks first at the pod to make sure the fox hasn’t moved before looking around the room for a safe place to hide. Spotting a vent, he gets to work unscrewing the panel. Just as he was setting the grate to the side the pod slides open and the fox steps out with a tired groan. Turning Gregory makes eye contact with vivid green eyes, the fox going really still.
“Kid?” The deep lilting voice from the fox prompting Gregory to spin and dive into the vent. He hears the fox spring closer, scrambling Gregory gets as far back as he can, stopping only at the point the vent turns. Shoving his bag to block the bend he turns, sitting with his head bowed as he once again meets green eyes. The fox crouched in front of the vent, for a moment the boy thinks the fox was going to follow him into the vent.
“Kid.” The fox says again, tone reprimanding. “Come on out yeah?”
“No thanks.” Gregory crosses his arms, tone biting.
“Lad you’re not supposed to be in the vent much less my room.”
“Okay.” Gregory shrugs turning around.
“Hey!” The fox protests, the metal in the vent banging as the fox leans forward. Looking back Gregory sees the fox half in the vent, scrambling back Gregory falls back into his bag. He feels a hand grasp his ankle and he is dragged out. Yelling Gregory struggles against the grip that shifts from his ankle to his torso.
“Will you stay still you larkin.” Fox scolds gripping his wrist as he tries to swing his hand back. “Now what’s this?” The fox asks studying Gregory’s watch, keeping a fast hold on the boy’s wrist.
“Its mine. Let go.” Gregory struggles against the fox’s firm hold. The fox seems unbothered by the struggling child as he carries the boy over to the vanity and plops the boy down in the oversized seat. Before he can bolt off the seat the fox kneels hands resting on the arm rests blocking his path.
“Lad that is a limited edition, Freddy Fazwatch. Only two hundred were made and that was six years ago.”
Crossing his arms Gregory glares at the fox, “Its mine.”
“Uh huh.” The fox doesn’t seem convinced, “Then let’s see about that.” Frowning Gregory lets the fox takes his wrist and activates the screen showing the interface. “Ah.” The fox sounds smug, ears quirking forward. “Now isn’t that interesting.”
Snatching his wrist back Gregory frowning down at his watch, “What?”
“That there is Freddy’s watch. One he has been tinkering with two years now.”
“Oh.” Gregory looks away realizing he’s been outed.
“Yeah. Oh.” The fox seems too smug for the kids liking, bring a foot up he pushes the fox away and curling his legs up into the chair. The fox laughs and stands, going back to the charging pod to pick up his hat setting it back on the coat rack along with the long coats and top hat. “So how did you end up with Freddy’s watch?”
“He gave it to me?” Gregory defends staying curled up on the chair, idly flicking through the cameras.
“Why did he do that?” The fox asks bending to go into the vent once again.
“To talk with me while helping me escape the plex.”
A bang comes from inside the vent and the fox backs out rubbing his head as he holds Gregory’s bag in the other.
“Escape?” The fox drops the bag by Gregory and drags out a stool from under the vanity sitting down not too far away. “Escape from what?”
Fiddling with his watch Gregory glances down at his bag, eyes never meeting the fox’s gaze. The fox sighs and reaches down and picks up the bag once again and offers it. Snatching the bag, he hugs it close, fumbling the zipper as he opens it to dig for a stuffed toy. Pulling out the moon plushie hugging it close he curls around the toy.
“Better now lad?” Gregory shrugs, still not meeting the fox’s gaze. “Are you in trouble kid? Is someone after you?”
“Not anymore.” The boy mumbles.
“Okay.” The fox taps his fingers, eyes flickering to gold for a few moments. “Ah…. I see I am quite out of the loop.”
Tipping his head Gregory looks at the fox for the first time since he got yanked out of the vent. Standing Foxy paces, tail swing in agitation. Uncurling a little bit Gregory watches the fox pace, muttering quietly to himself in something other than English. As Gregory gets up the courage to interrupt the obvious upset fox the intercom chimes in.
“ATTENTION GUESTS. THE LAST SHOW WILL BE STARTING IN TWENTY MINUTES. PLEASE MAKE YOU WAY TO THE MAIN ATTRIUM FOR FAZTASTIC FUN WITH THE BAND.”
The fox’s ears pin straight up as he tips his head listening before looking at the boy, “Give me your watch.”
“No.” Gregory says instantly hiding the watch behind Moon.
“I need to talk to Freddy.”
“I’m not giving you, my watch.”
The fox huffs throwing his hands up in the air before stepping forward, pressing against the back of the chair Gregory closes his eyes arm clutched to his chest. He feels the toy be moved to the side and his wrist raised. He tries to jerk away but a steely grip holds his wrist still. Any moment now Gregory expects the watch to be removed but he feels the fox press a button along the side.
“Freddy!” The fox growls, “Care to explain why a kid has your watch and had to escape something? Also, mind telling me why I have been all but dead for 2 years!”
“F-foxy?” The bears voice comes out shocked.
“In the flesh. You have some explaining to do.” Opening his eyes Gregory sees the fox crouched once more in front of his chair, the canine’s tail lashing behind him.
“Y-yes. Gregory is with you?”
“Of course. Not without the scamp trying to escape of course.”
“Ah… Yes. He has had some bad experiences with us.”
“What do you mean by that?” The fox snaps.
“I can explain but not now. I promise I will explain everything when everyone is gone. Please keep him safe until then.”
“I don’t need protection.” Gregory complains.
Even through the watch Gregory can hear the long sigh coming from the bear, “I don’t doubt that Superstar. But please remain with Foxy until midnight. Maybe get some sleep until then.” Scowling at the suggestion Gregory huffs, the bear address Foxy once again. “I know this is unusual. Just trust me old friend.”
“Very well. But this is very unorthodox.”
“Thank you. I am glad you are back with us.”
“Same here.” Foxy removes his hand and moves back sitting on the stool he has used earlier. “Looks like we have a few hours. Mind telling me what he meant by a bad experience with us?”
“Ah…” Gregory holds the watch defensively close, “They all tried to kill me except Freddy.”
The fox blinks shocked, “Excuse me.”
“They were under the control of a virus or something. Freddy says they weren’t acting like themselves. That you wont programed to hurt children.”
“Darn right.” Foxy slaps his leg looking angry, “We protect kids. Adults can go to hell but kids we do not hurt.”
“Ahh.” He stares at the fox, “Can say I agree?”
The fox blinks, relaxing as he hangs his head. “I’m sorry lad.” He tips his head brows furrowing, “How did you manage to evade them? Even with Freddy helping you.”
Shrugging Gregory fiddles with Moon’s arms, “Wasn’t that hard. Moon was the hardest, everyone else I had countless ways of hiding or getting away.”
“Mmh huh. I’m still surprised, many adults had problems with us.”
“you’ve done this before?” Gregory asks little started.
The fox waves his hand, “We haven’t done it since this place was built.”
“That’s not really reassuring.”
“Your safe with us lad. We won’t hurt you on purpose.”
“Mmh.” Gregory frowns at the fox letting him know he was still unsure. The fox sighs and reaches out placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “We won’t.” He presses, “You are important enough for Freddy to let you keep his watch. Whatever he says we follow.”
Looking down the boy stares at the smiling face of Moon, clutching the toy he warps the smile making the toy smash in on itself. Foxy backs off watching him in a way that makes Gregory a little uncomfortable, the look like what one of his teachers gave him before he ran away. Pity and seeing a little too much. Slipping out of the chair Gregory grabs his bag as he goes to sit near the still opened vent. Curling up he hugs the moon toy shutting his eyes hiding from Foxy’s gaze. He can hear the fox get up, but he leaves the boy alone. Staying by the vent the boy doesn’t see the fox watch him with knowing concern.
Leaving the boy Foxy goes into the next room, green eyes flickering to yellow as he gets to sorting the mess the boy made earlier to unearth his door.