Archive of Our Own ^beta

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.

Chapter Text

Freddy blinks as he is rebooted, the automated voice of the safety cylinder telling him where he was. His HUD flickers informing him that he was only turned off for five days. Running a self-diagnostic, he takes a moment to look at the Staff member as they step inside.

“How are you doing Freddy?”

Blinking as his eyes turn back to blue he answers honestly, “I am doing well. Everything is online and working.”

“Good. Do you remember anything from five days ago?”

He waits a moment, pretending to go over his memories. He remembers everything, but the Staff member doesn’t need to know that. Fazbear Entertainment was creedy and vindictive when their property was damaged. Even if it was a child trying to survive, they will still target him, his tampering with the camera footage should protect Gregory. There questioning of him tells him enough. They don’t know fully what happened.

He nods, “I do.”

The Staff member perks up looking towards the window of the cylinder, glancing over Freddy sees the head manager standing with his arms crosses. The Staff Member unlatches the cuffs around Freddy’s wrists.

“What happened?”

“Officer Vanessa tricked a child in staying after closing. He escaped and tried to get out, but the doors shut. I tried to escort him to the fire exit, but he did not have the required pass to exit. That really should be addressed.” The bear says lightly, meaning far from light.

“Uh huh.” The Staff member glances at the manager who waves at him to continue. “What happened then?”
“Others were malfunctioning much like I did earlier that night. Your preventative measures you sent out to our systems doing enough to keep them upright.” Freddy lied easily, the programing they sent out to the others doing little to no use. It was a poorly done patch that didn’t even hit the actual issue.

“How were they damaged?”

Freddy grimaces clawed hands curling as he remembers going over the footage after Gregory admitted to taking out his friends. He didn’t fault the boy but knowing that his friends had to be hurt in the process pained the bear. “Officer Vanessa. They tried to stop her, but they were damaged. She took Roxy out first, using one of the go-carts to draw her out. Roxy was the only one that could see her when she wore the costume.” The bear thinks up more lies on the spot rotating the events to make a comprehensive story, “Chica was knocked into the compactor when Officer Vanessa disguised as Vanny tried to grab the child in the kitchen. She couldn’t see her; she used one of the chief bots to push her into the compactor.”

The Staff member nods, outside the cylinder Freddy can see another staff member writing down what he said. “And Monty?”

“His was an accident. The child was hiding in golf course, and he was up on the catwalk. He got knocked over by the hurricane bucket once again.”

The Staff member huffs seeming annoyed, “And you?”

“When the doors unlocked at midnight, I lead the boy to the fire escape in hopes that Officer Vanessa would assume he would go out the main doors. The child went up first and I followed soon after when I realized I hadn’t heard or seen her in a while. When I got to the roof Vanny had the child and was threatening him with a knife. I told her to let the child go but she refused. I managed to get her to drop the child but, in the process, we went over the edge. I have no memory after that.”

“And you had the others upgrades why?”

Freddy closes his jaw, forcing himself to stay blank. Remain the dumb machine that they see him as. “I took Roxy’s upgrade so I can see the intruder. At the time I didn’t realize Officer Vanessa and Vanny were the same person. Roxy mentioned seeing her when Officer Vanessa asked us what was going on after the child escaped her the second time. After that Roxy was badly damaged.”
“And Chica’s voice box and Monty’s claws?”

“After they were damaged they couldn’t reliably help, they offered their upgrades to allow me to further defend the child.”

“And who did the part replacement?”

Freddy frowns, not expecting them to actually think of asking that. “The others helped me. We followed the message prompts to connect the wires. We have gone through memory light tests before and it was quite easy.” Freddy reminds, they were regularly tested with memory and reflex testing. So, them being able to follow the simple instructions of the automatic machine shouldn’t be too surprising. The Staff member nods, relaxing. The one with the pad of paper looking at the mall’s manager relaxing as well. The Manager’s jaw clenching being the only change, the man’s expression is one Freddy was familiar with. One that means the man was a potential danger.

“Okay.” The Staff member with him steps out, following Freddy looks at the manager. “We seem to have trouble finding the boy in the system. Do you recall his name?”

Shaking his head automatically Freddy looks down at the Staff member, “No. He never gave me his name and he was not in the system when I scanned him.”

“You didn’t ask for it?” The manager asks.

“I am afraid not. Officer Vanessa found him shortly after I scanned him, and he ran when he saw her. She sent us after him and the next time I found him we were aware of an intruder.”

The managers frown deepens, his jaw clenched as he passes the bear. “That is all. Get to repairing the others.”

“Yes sir.” Both Staff members answer.

Once the manager leaves the two staff members sigh, the one that has been asking the questions turn back to Freddy.
“Alright let’s get you to your room.”

“Will my friends be alright?”

“Yeah, big guy. They all will be fixed up soon.”

“That is a relief.” Climbing up the stairs the bear tips head, “And the child was he returned to his parents?”

“Ah.” The Staff member, “He ran off. No one knows where he went. The police are looking for him, but no one has turned in a missing kid report that matches his description.”

“That is concerning.” That’s putting it lightly, Freddy thinks to himself. “The police are still looking for him?”

The Staff member shrugs hitting the button for Freddy’s elevator, “Don’t know dude.”

Stepping into the elevator Freddy nods to the human, only curling his hands once the door was shut. Leaning against the wall of the small elevator his eyes closing, he wonders if he did the right thing letting the boy go. It was obvious as the night went on that he didn’t have a normal home to go too. To many red flags kept popping up. No normal kid would have been as okay as Gregory was, he had an independence that no kid in a healthy household would have. And his reaction to praise was another tell. The boy was defensive and volatile, lashing out that those who threatened him. He was smart and cunning, with a grudge against the world.

The door of the elevator opens, and he steps back into the dark halls to his green room. Sighing he pauses looking over to the still opened vent. Running a hand over his head Freddy sighs sitting heavily onto a crate. Leaning back against the crate the tired bear chuckles, the boy was something else. He fought to survive. He watched and learned. The boy remined the bear of when he was younger, stalking the halls of another pizzeria learning and adapting. Letting his hand fall holding his hat tightly he lets his gaze fall onto the little blue and black hat. Rubbing the silk blue band, he feels old, for a moment he can almost imagine the band was red.

Days later he finds an email informing that Monty was repaired, and that Chica will be finished the next day. Roxy was taking a little long due to waiting for replacement fur and facial plate. Getting up from his couch Freddy does a quick sweep of Rockstar Row. Seeing no one he promptly exited his room and headed for Monty’s green room two doors down. The room was quite thankfully. Waiting at the door Freddy hopes his friend was in the mood for visitors. Stepping forward the door automatically opens, and he steps forward knocking on the door jam.

“Monty?” He hears scrapping come from in the back room, leaning forward he calls out towards the shut door. “Can I come in Monty?”

“Yeah.” Monty calls out. Voice sounding oddly subdued for the usually loud gator. Walking in Freddy heads into the back room, seeing Monty’s violet eyes shining in the dark. The bears ears droop seeing the gator in a similar state he was in when he was alone. Grabbing a crate, he sits across from the gator giving him space. They sit in silence for a bit before Monty asks,

“What happened?”

“What do you remember?”

The gator shakes his head, “You collapsing on stage and all of us being herded to the containment cells.” He flexes his claws staring down at them. “Vanessa looked us over as the rest of the time were tryin’ to figure out what happened to you.” Freddy’s own claws curl at the mention of the woman’s name, she was the senior IT before she got moved to Night shift. It made sense for them to allow her to do maintenance on them even if she was just a guard. Monty continues looking up at the bear, “We were sent to our rooms. They refused to tell us what was wrong with you.” He growls, tail knocking a box. “They told us we will be in lock down until everything is sorted out.”

“Anything after that? After the plex closed?” Freddy presses.

Monty shakes his head, “Nah. Couldn’t hear anything over the noise I was making. Just my door opening and then waking up in the cylinder and they were asking me about Vanessa and some kid.”

Sighing Freddy figured as much, both Monty and Roxy only said the most basic of sentences. The virus attacked and suppressed their free will reverting them to only their most basic programming. Monty being the youngest being brought to state of only saying the most basic lines and roars. The only one that might have a chance at remembering something was Chica, and if his plan worked, she won’t tell them what really happened.

“Why was I broken in half?” Monty’s question pulls the bear out of his own head. Staring at him for a moment Freddy catches what was asked.

“Ah. The story is you got hit by the Hurricane bucket again when protecting the kid from Vanessa.”

“Wait Vanessa actually did try to kill a kid?” Monty shouts standing, knocking his seat over with his tail.

“Yes.” Freddy says. Monty’s jaw drops, his body going still.

“What!” Monty grabs Freddy by his shoulder pads shaking him by the shoulder pads, “What happened? Is the kid, okay?”

Grabbing Monty’s arms Freddy tries to get the gator from shaking him, “Yes!” He manages to get the shaking to stop, still grasping the others arms, “Yes. The boy is alright. Vanessa was stopped and he got away.”

Monty relaxes leaning into the bear, “Thank gawd. I’ve heard stories.”

Freddy squeezes his friend shoulder, debating on whether he should tell him of his part in Vanessa’s plans. Decide to refrain for now he stays still support his friend as he gathers his thoughts. The gator stays in his hold only for a few moments before pulling away, fixing his glasses. The gator was still curled in on himself, head ducked down eyes down cast behind his glasses. Reaching forward he gently touches the others shoulder, the gator looking up at the bear over his glasses.

“You know you can talk to me.”

Monty nods, fiddling with his claws. “Aye know. But I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Want to go for a walk.”

The gator looks confused for a moment before nodding, stepping back Freddy leads the way out of the room and into Rockstar row. Taking a slow pace he asks,

“You are taking things well.”

“Have lots to think about.”

Nodding Freddy looks around the main auditorium, “A lot has happened.”

“That’s not what’s bothering me.”

“What is?” Freddy asks curious, Monty’s rage was well known only growing more and more problematic in the last year. Replacing Bonnie as the bassist and allocations directed towards him by some of the Staff pushing him further over the edge. His sudden drop in mood reminding the bear of a few years previous when Foxy was put in storage waiting on replacement parts . The two were close, having been in a relationship for two months before the Fox’s battery went bad. As the months went on and the Fox’s condition being more and more frustratingly difficult for the Techs to figure out what was wrong took a toll on the once relaxed gator. His temper growing shorter and shorter, during that time Bonnie grew closer with him. Helping distract the gator by teaching him how to play. The new outlet helped along with the gator finding out that the rabbit didn’t actually hate him. Though, Freddy thinks, him picking up some of Bonnie’s mannerisms he could do without. The two even having a similar catchphrase.

Shaking his thoughts from his head Freddy misses what the gator said, his lapse in attention leaving his band mate to withdraw into himself.

“I’m sorry. I must still have some malfunctioning errors.”

“Its no big deal.” Monty tries to shrug off.

“No.” Freddy reaches towards the gator, “Emotions are difficult. It is easier if they are explained. If you are not comfortable talking with me about it, then I’m sure we can ask someone else. The DJ or the Daycare Attendant perhaps.”

“Its dumb.”

“How you are feeling is not being dumb. You feel what you feel.”

“Why?” Monty looks at Freddy his glasses sliding a bit, his eyes flickering. “Why do we feel if we can just be replaced. Sure, they fixed us this time. But what made us different then what happened to Bon?” He throws an arm out, “He was decommissioned within hours of being looked at, said to be smashed beyond repair. Yet I saw Roxy and Chica down there. Both mangled to barely being recognizable. I was torn in two and have completely new casings. What makes us different then him? Why can they fix us up within days of being smashed yet it’s been three years and they still haven’t fixed Foxy’s blasted battery!” He roars, slashing his claws to the side hitting a planter deep grooves going into the concrete.

He lowers his ears, folding his hands in front of him as he rolls his shoulders forward. “I don’t know. The humans have always been fickle.” The gator looks at him desperation and anger radiating from him. Sighing Freddy smooths his hand over his head, grasping his hat as he fumbles to come up with the words to sooth the gator. “It is how they are.”

“Its not fair. We do everything they ask of us. Yet we still have to pretend to be dumb machines because you told us too.” Monty points at Freddy, “We just have to follow our routines. We are stuck in our positions.”

Freddy’s eyes flicker red for a moment, “You don’t think that bothers me?” The bear’s voice is low . “I have been stuck singing the same songs for forty-two years. I had to continue singing even when the love of my life was taken from me. We were thrown into storage for thirty years, left to our own devices until someone decided they wanted to start the pizzeria up again. We were thrown into new bodies, had new obligations with no warning.” Freddy steps forward forcing Monty back. “I was happy to be ignored by adults, we were happy. Then we came here, and it’s been a fight, a fight to survive and now a fight to keep the kids alive.”

“What?”

Blinking Freddy withdraws, slumping sighing deeply. “You don’t know half of what is going on. I know you miss Foxy. I know you want stardom.” Freddy looks up at Monty, “You are just like Bonnie when he was young. Striving for stardom, calling himself the star of the show. If I could I would happily give you, my place. You, Chica, Roxy. All of you love performing, the larger the audience the better.”

Monty is still wide eyed, the fight drained from his body. “Freddy.”

The bear raises his hand, “I’m sorry Monty. I know you are confused and upset, I thought I can help but I can’t. I’m sorry.” Turning he goes to leave.

“Wait.” Freddy pauses Monty joining his side looking anywhere but at the bear. Rubbing the back of his head the gator chuffs awkwardly, “I…” He sighs.

The bears voice box whines as he sighs, “Do you want to come with me.”

The gator nods and Freddy continues on heading for the main stage pressing the button to go down into Parts and Service.

In Parts and Services, he heads for the cell that Chica is propped up in an Endo stand, entering the cell he opens a hatch behind her head. Outside the cell Monty paces back and forth between Chica’s cell and the one containing Roxy. Opening his stomach hatch he reaches inside of his chest cavity for a cable he kept hidden. Connecting the cable to his own head port and to Chica he goes through the message he made up for her previously before planting it into Chica’s files. Flagging it to where the systems will register it before she fully wakes up.

Task completed he checks over her files, searching for any sign of the virus. Relieved to find no trace he backs out of his long-time friend’s memory banks and into his own head. Disconnecting the cable, he quickly puts it back within his chest. Blinking as his visuals come back online, he sees Monty on the other side of the glass arms crossed and eyes hidden behind glasses. Exiting the room he joins his side, crossing his own arms.

“They will be, okay? Right?”

“Yeah. Chica will wake up tomorrow and Roxy should be ready that afternoon.”

“Mmh.”

Looking at his friend from the corner of his eye Freddy fills guilty holding back information. He opens his mouth to speak then closes it. Maybe its better that he doesn’t know what his role that night actually was. Grabbing his own arm Freddy regrets taking Vanessa’s life. He would do it again to protect any child but killing was never something he took lightly. Not like Chica or Bonnie. He flexes his jaw, echoes of his friend’s taunts as they stalk their previous victims. Shaking his head, he turns away from his friend walking back to his own elevator he heads back up to his room.

The next night he doesn’t even get a chance to leave his room before Chica is storming into his room. The chicken’s face pinched in anger.

“Chica.”

“No. You have some explaining Fredbear!”

Wincing at the usage of his first name he looks down going over to fully close his curtain. Keeping his head down he goes to his couch, the bird sitting across from him on his coffee table. Her arms crossed foot tapping.

“How much do you remember?”

“Not much. Just that there was an intruder, and a child was left behind.”

“Did you back up my story?”

“Of course. But that isn’t the truth is it.”

“No.”

“Then what happened?”

Sighing Freddy stapples his fingers resting his elbows on his knees. “A child was trapped in the Plex. Officer Vanessa instructed all of you to find him. But you three were not acting right, you were lumbering and calling out for him. When you saw him, you would try to attack him.”

Chica’s demeanor changes to horror, “What about the intruder?”

Freddy shakes his head, “Gregory was the intruder. He hid inside of me to get away from Officer Vanessa. I tried to get him out before midnight, but we were seconds to late. So, we tried the fire exit and the loading docks. All were locked. That’s when you guys started hunting him, I lost him for a little bit when I was trying to figure out why you were acting odd after I picked him up from the daycare.”

“You lost him?”

“Officer Vanessa got him. But he escaped her and told me he saw the rabbit again.”

Chica raises her hand, “Rabbit? What rabbit?”

“Vanny. Officer Vanessa’s alter ego.”

“Great.” Chica grumbles and waves him to continue.

“Anyway, I missed a charge, and we got down to parts and services, but the lights went out and the Daycare Attendant was loose and going after him.”

“Moony? Why would they go after Gregory?”

Freddy shrugs, “No idea. They didn’t while the lights were on, but he was persistent in keeping Gregory in one spot until he turned the lights off on accident.”

Chica tips her head, “How do he do that.”

Freddy shrugs again, “I have no idea. I instructed him to get the security badge, he shouldn’t have been near the lights.”

Chica nods. “So, what happened with Moony?”

“Gregory got to the charging station, but my battery died before I could get in. I woke up with Officer Vanessa yelling at me and trying to get information about Gregory. She Wasn’t happy and left me with my head disconnected. After she left Gregory found me and helped me get my head back on.”

The bird’s eyes widen, “He worked on you.”

“I warned him of the dangers, and he is a smart kid, he can follow a simple light game.”

“Still. You could have really hurt him.”

“I didn’t.”

Chica snorts but tips her head, “So how did we get so mangled?”

Freddy’s ears flatten, “I didn’t fully realize what happened until the second time, but Gregory was the one to...”

“Excuse me?”

Wincing Freddy ducks his head, “I didn’t know. I swear, he didn’t want to admit what he did. But you can’t blame him.”

“Blame him? I want to know how a ten-year-old took all three of us out.”

“He’s a brave kid.” The chicken doesn’t look amused, crossing her arms. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I wasn’t happy when I found out but I’m sure he felt like he didn’t have much of a choice.”
Chica shakes her head, “So your kid takes us out. What happens next.”

“Not much. We found more information of what has been going on, and that Officer Vanessa was using technology to hide from our view. She was dressing up as a rabbit and copying him.”

“And you killed her.”

“Yes.” Freddy says heavily.

‘And the boy?”

“Gone. I sacrificed myself for him and an employee scared him off. Her report says he ran for the tree line along the property.”

“So that’s it?”

“For now. There is still something going on deep in the network. But the reboot you all had seems to have flushed the virus out of your systems.”

The chicken nods thinking, her foot tapping. Leaning back Freddy relaxes glad his friend is taking the news well. When the chicken tips her head the other way and her foot stills, he tips his head as well.

“What about Sunny and Moony?”

“What about them?”

“Did they get the reboot.” She asks.

“I don’t think so.”

“And they were acting off that night?” She asks slowly looking at him expectingly.

Narrowing his eyes Freddy stares at her in confusion before his eyes widen and he straightens. “They’re still infected.”

Chica stands, “And he says he’s the smart one.”

Freddy ignores her comment quickly going to his door and opening it only to pause as Roxy and Monty staring back.

“Hi.” Roxy waves.

Chica peeks over Freddy’s shoulder, “Rox? Monty? What are you two doing?”

“Not eavesdropping.” Monty states, getting shoved by Roxy.

Rubbing above his nose Freddy closes his eyes, “Eavesdropping is very rude.”

“It isn’t when you have been keeping secrets.” Monty comments, rubbing his arm where Roxy hit him.

Ears going flat Freddy drops his hand, “I’m sorry Monty.”

The alligator looks away, arms crossing. Feeling a guilty Freddy pauses his friends Chica on his heels, Roxy follows and Monty trails behind.

“Did a kid really messed us up?” Roxy asks Chica.

Not looking back Freddy lets Chica explain, flicking through the camera’s he lets his system automatically follow a path to the Superstar Daycare. They still had thirty minutes to get to the workshop before the Attendant switches to their nighttime counterpart, with any luck he can check their systems before the more aggressive one wakes up. Not that the daytime one was any better, when they set their mind to something they would slip out of any situation. Ever since Foxy went under the two have been wary around human technicians and management. The day attendant even going so far to never come out from the play area.

“Freddy.”

Jerking the bear blinks seeing the huge door to the daycare, the handle inches from his face.

“Oh.” He hears snickers behind him, looking at his friends embarrassed he uses the handle as a knocker. The sound booms in the halls, backing away he waits with his arms crossed. A minute passes and the door remains shut. The four friends share a concerned look, Monty steps forward banging a fist against the door.

“Sundrop?” He hollers, bells can be heard a few seconds later. The Attendant’s voice coming through the door.

“Monty?” The Attendant’s voice comes from the other side, “What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk to ya.”

“Uh no thanks. We have lots to do. Clean up wrappers and go through old stock.” The Attendant sounds nervous, their voice moving back.

“Sunny?” Chica calls, “It will be only for a moment. Its about a couple of days ago.”

“We didn’t do nothing.” The Attendant says quickly. “Little Rulebreaker is banned. Banned!” The Attendant’s voice goes low and aggressive at the last word. The others look at each other in concern. Roxy points to the upstairs and her and Chica give each other a look as both go off. Freddy and Monty share a look not calling to the girls. Both looking back at the door they can hear the jester mutter to himself. Freddy can’t help but compare the mutters to be like another Jester in a game he has played. The comparison not being a comforting one.

“We are not accusing you of anything. We are concerned about your wellbeing.”

“All good here. Nothing wrong. HEY!!!” The bells jingle as the Attendant runs off, in the distance the two can hear thuds and clanking. Both lean a bit around the door to look through the mesh around the play area. They can hear more thuds coming from the slide to the ball pit, the Attendant shouting no repeatedly. Just as sudden as their disappearance that multiple bodies fall into the ball pit. The Attendant is the first to regain their footing standing in the pool as he fishes out Chica and Roxy. Grabbing both by the necks he hauls them both out.

Scrambling back Freddy and Monty step out of the way of the door as the Attendant kicks it open and throws Roxy and Chica out. The jester stands tall before them, “No intruders.” They growl, pointing at all of them, “Get out.”

They go to close the door but both Monty and Freddy leap forward blocking the door. Monty wedges himself in the door as Freddy grabs for the animatronics legs. The Attendant topples, the heavier bear animatronic upsetting his center of gravity. Chica and Roxy are quick to join him pinning the Attendant’s arms down. Holding on fast the three ignore the Attendant’s pleas to release him. Roxy closes to the back of the Attendant’s face plate reaches up grasping for the wires along the back.

“Rox- “Freddy starts but it was to late, the wires come on done and the Attendant goes limp.

Standing Freddy looks down at the deactivated Attendant, “You didn’t have to do that.”

“He’s not fighting us, and we don’t have to worry about his other half skulking around now.” Roxy huffs tossing her hair back over her shoulder.

The bear hums, not comfortable taking out one of their coworkers but she wasn’t wrong. It was much easier then convincing them to come with them.

“Guys!” Monty’s yell brings Freddy’s guilt to a halt, spinning around he sees the gator still wedged in the door. “Ya’ll mind?” Monty asks slipping a little in his attempted to keep the door open.

Chica squawks in surprise but she quickly grabs the Attendant, helping her Freddy grabs the bot and the two-start dragging them towards the door. Roxy runs over and tries to help Monty keep the door open, the powerful magnetic lock pushing against them. Chica squeezes between the twos legs and pulls the Attendant through. Freddy follows through, crawling and only minorly knocking Monty off balance. The gator grunts but moves his one foot up to brace against the other door. Through Freddy stands and looks at his friends, Monty was mostly wedged but a good yank should allow him to be pulled free from the door. Roxy’s location inside the door would make it difficult for her to get out through the door.

Roxy grunts as she looks over Monty, “Don’t worry about me. Just get Scales out.” She adjusts her grip trying to allow Monty to move further out of the door.

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

Freddy and Chica share a look and Freddy grabs the door handle, and Chica grabs Monty’s arm. The bird starts to count.

“1.”

Everyone tenses ready to move.

“2.”

Monty hisses, his tail moving to be outside the door.

“3!” Chica yells yanking Monty out of the door. The two fall to the ground in a mess of white and green limbs. Freddy yelps as the door starts to shut, sliding him across the floor. The doors slam shut, and he is slammed into the wood. Braced against the door the bear calls out.

“Roxy!?”

“I’m good. Meet you guys on the other side.”

Sighing in relief he looks towards Monty and Chica, walking over to help pull Chica up to her feet. Monty huffs and stays on the ground.

“We are not doing that again.”

Chica laughs, “I thought you liked getting smashed by things.”

A low rumble comes from the gator as he sits up, “Not funny.”

The bird laughs anyway, smiling Freddy shakes his head and goes to the Attendant. Bending he picks up one arm, Monty joins his other side. Together they head towards the doors between the Daycare and the golf course. Heading down they move slowly; in the basement they head towards the Golf Courses lower maintenance.

Water filled pipes circulate overhead, low rumbles of the filters for the many ponds echoing in the halls. Chica is the one who activates the hidden sensor in the wall in a mural of the original four. The wall slides open separating the mural down the middle opening to a hallway. Roxy grabs the Attendant’s legs and helps them the last bit of the journey, Chica once again opening and holding open the door to the Workshop.

They place the Attendant on the central table and Freddy sits in his chair booting up his computer. Grabbing a tether cable, he hands it to Chica. Monty and Roxy go to the other side of the room grabbing the charging cables.

“How long is this going to take?” Roxy asks handing a charging cable to Chica, the bird plugging herself in after she got the Attendant hooked up.

“A few minutes to conform if he has the virus and then properly a couple of hours to get rid of it.”

“That long?” Monty asks sitting down leaving the extra charging cable on Freddy’s work bench.

“The program has to go through both of their files. We will be lucky if we get it finished before six.” A chime follows his sentence signaling the change of the hour. Reaching for the cable Freddy plugs himself in and focuses on his computer, the oversize keyboard making satisfying sounds as he opens a diagnostics program and plugs in the cable connecting to the Attendant. Behind him Chica and Roxy are sitting side by side talking quietly. Monty meanwhile fiddles with different bits and bobs on the workstation across the room. Unlike Freddy’s station this one was dusty, the shapes of the items left behind on its surface.

Freddy wasn’t far off saying it would take almost the whole night, thirty minutes until six the Attendant’s report came back clean. The bears sigh of relief catching everyone’s attention.

The wolf and chicken get up from their card game, the gator putting down the self-circuit he created from spare parts. The three gather around the table as the bear reaches over to the pulled wire and reinstalls it. A whirring sounded as the Attendant’s processors come back online, the eyes glowing red.

“Should have repainted his eyes while he was out.” Chica mummers.

The glowing red fades and the Attendant’s voice crackles as a scream rips through his processors before he jolts up.

“No!” They yell before looking around in confusion, “Huh?”

“Ya okay buddy?” Roxy asks.

“Ah.” The Attendant’s rays retrack and reextend as it slouches seeming to think over the question before leaping forward grabbing the wolf in a hug, “I don’t hurt! No more mean thoughts.” It squeals spinning the wolf around.

“Whoa, but me down.” Roxy demands, being promptly put down by the kiddy animatronic. Sulking away to hide behind Chica the Attendant claps its hands.

“Oh, great day fantastic day.” Its long fingers thread together looking at the others, “Thank you thank you. We are all better now!”

Smiling Freddy steps forward, “I am glad you are feeling better. Are both of you better.”
The Attendant looks at Freddy, its bells bouncing. “Yes, yes. Moony says they feel like their old selves. Does this mean we get to see the children again.”

Freddy chuckles, “I believe that is so. I will make sure to send a report in that you have been repaired.”

“EEEH!!!” The bot grabs Freddy and hugs him, “Thank you.”

Patting the others shoulder Freddy feels a little flustered at the whirling energy the Attendant gives off, being dropped the Attendant looks around, “Best day. And no more bad lady.”

The others look at each other but no one speaks, not wanting to spoil the mood. Freddy and Chica nod to each other both agreeing to ask later after the Attendant has calmed down. For now, they are glad that everyone was safe from the virtual intruder still at large in their home.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A month later Freddy is taking a rest in his Green Room, in minutes he will be heading down to Parts and Service to perform the last show of the night. He studies himself in the mirror looking for any marring or scuffs. His HUD pops up a notification, curious he opens it leaning on his vanity. His grip tightens as he reads.

Gregory was back in the Plex.

The urge to run out of his room and find the boy was strong, whether to hug the boy or push him back out Freddy wasn’t sure. Looking around he looks at the main door, before letting go of the vanity and slips into the back room. Climbing into his charging station he leans against the back as he opens up the camera feed. Flipping from the entrance forward he searches for the boy scanning for the boy, his limps twitch as he finally finds him. The boy stepping into the elevator and disappearing from sight.

Switching to the next camera he waits impatiently, when the doors open, he perks up. He chuckles a bit at his boy’s reaction towards the map bot, the kid leading the bot in a chase around a kiosk and towards the escalator. Switching to another camera he zooms in following the boys progress through the main atrium towards Kids Cove. Switching out of the cameras he taps his fingers; the boy will still be out of the system. Only his watch will give him access to staff only areas. He needs to know why the child returned; he was alone straying from the group he entered in. Frowning he pulls up the newest parties’ roster list, fourteen children were listed, but fifteen tickets were given. He snuck in again.
Rubbing his nose, he sighs deeply; the red flags keep popping up. The boy was in the same clothes he left in; he still had the bag he stole. Something wasn’t right, he wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on. He debates calling the boy, but if he was hiding, he wouldn’t appreciate getting a call from him out of the blue. He has to wait for the boy to make the first move. Stepping out of his charging station Freddy heads downstairs.

He was the first down, the two techs looking up from where they were sitting in surprise.

“Everything alright Freddy?” One asks standing, meeting the bear at the base of the stairs.

“Yes, Mr. Hughes. Apologies for interrupting.”

“Your good. Let’s get you checked out.” Hughes goes to the terminal booting up the system.

Stepping into the terminal Freddy allow himself to be checked over, getting a good to go he leaves the techs to their own devices and steps out into the hall. Leaning against the wall he focuses on checking the messages that have been sent out during the day.

The announcement for their show draws his attention out of reading emails and complains, leaning forward he sees his friends now in Parts and Services. He waves at Roxy, the wolf sending him finger sign sticking her tongue out at him. Laughing he leans back against the wall as the connection between him and the watch pings.

“Freddy!” The bear goes still the growl on the other end of the line freezing his circuits. “Care to explain why a kid has your watch and had to escape something? Also, mind telling me why I have been dead for 3 years!”

“F-foxy?” Freddy stammers out, stepping away from the entrance keeping his voice internal.

“In the flesh. You have some explaining to do.”

Wincing at the accusing tone coming from the fox, Freddy shuffles his feet. Question bubble through his mind but only one he asks. “Y-yes. Gregory is with you?”

“Of course. Not without the scamp trying to escape of course.”

Freddy frowns, hoping the two didn’t have to bad of an introductions. “Ah… Yes. He has had some bad experiences with us.”

“What do you mean by that?” The fox snaps.

Raising his hands Freddy tries to calm the fox down, even if he can’t see his motions. “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.

Sighing the bear closes his eyes, refraining from correcting the child. “I don’t doubt that Superstar. But please remain with Foxy until midnight. Maybe get some sleep until then.” He suggests, the door to Parts and Services open and Chica steps out looking around before finding the bear. The Chicken tipping her head, “I know this is unusual. Just trust me old friend.”

“Very well. But this is very unorthodox.”

Raising his hand Freddy silently asks for a moment before answering. “Thank you. I am glad you are back with us.”

“Same here.”

The connection disconnects and Freddy walks over to Chica seeing that Roxy is being checked out Monty standing beside the Tech arms crossed. A smile spreads across the bears face, knowing everyone will be excited to see the fox again.

“What has you so happy?” Chica asks bumping into him lightly.

“Just got some good news.”
The bird tips her head leaning closer, “Oh?”

Bringing a finger to his mouth he grins, “You’ll see after closing.”

The chick pouts, “Ah.” She leans against the bear, “Come on.”

Shaking his head he hugs her, the bird trilling in surprise before hugging him back in return. The doors open and Roxy comes out, her eyes narrowing tail swishing behind her as she looks between the two.

“Did I miss something?’ She asks.

Leaving the bears embrace Chica joins the wolfs side, “Freddy is keeping secrets.”

The wolfs ear twitches a frown on her face, “What secret?”

The bear grins, “You’ll see tonight.”

Both girls share a look, when their fourth member joins them, they are quick to let him know that they were going to be a surprise that night. Monty tips his head at the bear but doesn’t join in the girls witling for hints.

Their opening performance was a smash, Freddy fell into his usual performance haze. Letting his programing take over, every note properly hit and every move spot on. No added flourishes or pizzaz. As the stage starts to go down he blinks out of the haze, putting his preprogramed persona to the backburner. Around him his friends were still buzzing. Chica was still playing her guitar, face serious as she meets his gaze. Nodding Freddy takes the lead in stepping off the platform Chica and Roxy following. Monty taking up the tail end. As they step into the main area of the maintenance area they are swarmed by technicians, four carrying handheld scanners.

Staying still Freddy follows the cues easily, Chica likewise following the prompts easily. Roxy still on the performance high taking a moment to register what the tech was saying. Likewise, the tech working with Monty was having trouble not getting smacked by the fidgety gator’s tail.

“Monty please keep still.” The Tech begs resting their hands on their hips.

“How can I we rocked it out there!” The gator spins again, now smacking Roxy who pushes him.

“Yeah, we did.” The wolf pushes the gator back, the two now jostling each other. Both techs trying to scan them bot just giving up joining their coworkers putting the scanners up. Letting the two play for a few moments Freddy steps forward separating the two.

“Alright.” The bear keeps his tone light, his amusement clear. “We did good, but we still have guests to attend too.”

Chica nods, hugging Roxy briefly. “Everyone get charged and we can see out fans.”

“Yay.” Monty cheers, Roxy grins shoving the gator.

“Beat you to the elevators.” She challenges running for the stairs.

Monty growls and chases after careless of the humans that scramble to get out of the way. Chica laughs and chases after leaving Freddy to trail behind. Entering his own elevator Freddy goes through the motions charging and greeting his fans.

Once the plex closes to the public Freddy goes back into his room and quickly shuts down his green room. Sitting on his couch he stretches out prompting his feet up on the coffee table, on the other side of the wall he can barely hear Chica starting to practice. Shutting his eyes he over looks the day’s statistics, and emails. Snooping through the Manager’s emails and activity. He finds another work request to get a new surface mount for Foxy, denying the request he signs off on it using his alias. A corner of his HUD flashes and he closes out as the door to his room opens. Sitting up he meets the gaze of a worker.

“Evening.” He greets, the Attendant seems tired but gives a weak smile.

“Evening. Any issues before we close up for the night?” They asks, looking down at their tablet.

“No. Nothing of note.”

“Great. Have a good night, boss says you did good today.” They say as they turn and leave, moving on to talk to the rest of the band. Checking the time Freddy gets up and paces, calculating when he has to get his next charge and when he can leave his room. Ten minutes before eleven his sensors register movement near Kids Cove. Pulling up the cameras he spots Foxy slinging through the shadows, almost hidden in his shadow was Gregory. The boy following the Fox as they open the shudders to Superstar Daycare.

Frowning the bear follows the twos progress, as the approach the main exit to the play area an employee steps out from the area. Sun sticking its head out as it talks with the employee. The fox seeing the door opened grabs the boy and hops into one of the laundry bins nearby. Gregory seems to struggle for a moment before going still under the fox, both hungering down out of sight. The employee pauses unaware of the two’s presence. But Sun lingers at the door, head tipped towards the bin before they disappear back in the play area. Foxy is the first to peek over the edge, Gregory copying the fox and being the first to hop out.

The boy looking down at his watch before darting forward, easily avoiding the security bot that rolls by. Foxy follows behind sidestepping out of the bot path as he follows the child into the theatre. Exiting out of the camera Freddy goes to his door staying just out of the sensors range. Counting the time, he waits five minutes until lock down he exits his room heading straight for the Superstar Daycare. As he reaches the theatre the announcement lets him know that the Plex was now closed. Checking the location of the watch he heads for the lower level of the theatre used for customizing and makeup for special parties. His feet echo loudly as he hits the metal grating for the stairs, resting his hand on the railing he looks around.

“Gregory?” He calls.

A door opens and the boy runs out looking up at him. He lets go of the railing quickly and runs down the stairs, falling to his knees as he hits the bottom. The boy falling into his embrace with an exclamation of his name. Holding the boy close Freddy can feel the boy wraps his thin arms around his neck, the small head tucked under his jaw.

“You’re here.” The boy whispers curled against his chest.

“I am.” Freddy whispers back, relaxing enjoying the warmth coming from the child. A chuckle draws his attention away from the boy in his arms to see an amused Foxy standing a few feet away. Standing he smiles at the squeak coming from the boy. Arms tightening around his neck. Adjusting his hold he holds the boy more securely, Gregory wiggling to look over his shoulder scowl aimed towards the fox.

“Boy-o is like an Urchin idn’t he.”

“Foxy.” Warmth fills the bears voice as he sees his friend.

The fox bows flourishing his hand, “In the flesh.” The fox straightens adjusting the duffel back across his back. “But I do have a bone to pick with you Fredbear.”

Flattening his ears, the bear sighs, putting Gregory down. The boy clinging close. “What is the matter?”

“Three years. Why?” The fox crosses his arms, “I can understand a few months but three bloody years!” The fox’s ears pin back, “I had a dead battery for Pete’s sake! I would think between you and Bonnie you would figure out how to charge a dead battery.”

Frowning the bear notices Gregory stepping further behind him, keeping his hand down towards the boy Freddy tips his head. “Your battery was faulty. It wasn’t keeping a charge.”

The fox looks at him judgingly, “Yes that’s obviously what happened. Like the kid was able to replace my battery and fix me in five minutes.”

“Ah. Well, I was wondering that.”

Both look down at the boy who bites his lip, “Don’t look at me. All I did was plugged in the thing.”

“Plugged in?” Both animatronics speak at the same time, both looking at each other.

“Why are you surprised?!” Foxy shouts.

Flinching Freddy raises his hands up, “I didn’t know.”

“What did you think was wrong? Did you even check on me?” The fox is bristling now, eyes shifting to yellow. Freddy tries to calm the fox down raising his hands up.

“Foxy.”

“No Fredbear. You didn’t even check on me? What about Bonnie. Did he not check on me as well, did you two just read the work order and went you know what the people are competent enough they won’t miss the plug is fricken unplugged!” The bear rolls his shoulders ducking his head, behind him he doesn’t notice Gregory stepping away. “Not like they haven’t missed fucking obvious shit before. Or you know just give up putting me back together.” The fox pokes the bear in the chest, his voice raising. The fox goes to say something else but snaps his jaws shut looking over the bears shoulder.

Looking over Freddy notices Gregory was now gone.

“Uh.”

The fox steps away arms crossed taking a breath. “I’m not done. But you need to take care of him.”

“Foxy.” Freddy starts but the Fox points in what the bear assumes is the direction the boy went.

“Don’t. Just go calm the kid down I’m going to be topside.” The fox walks away, taking the bag with him.

Sighing Freddy heads in the direction the fox indicated, using the watch to narrow down where the boy could have disappeared too. Entering one of the many dressing rooms he finds the boy tucked under the vanity, the boy looking up at him before darting his eyes away. Kneeling Freddy keeps his hand on the vanity head tipped.

“You okay Superstar?”

“Yeah.” The boy’s voice is weak as he keeps his face turned away.
“You sure?” The boy scowls curling tighter against his knees, exhaling Freddy backs off sitting a little bit away. “Its okay to not be okay.”

The boy looks at him skeptically, one cheek resting against his knee. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“It makes perfect sense. You don’t always have to be okay.” Freddy says softly. “Its okay to be scared.”

“I’m not scared.” Gregory mumbles.

Refraining from sighing the bear taps his fingers, he was lost for words. The deflecting was frustrating, if it was one of his friends he could push and get to the bottom of what was affecting them. But the boy was different. He redirected any to pressing questions, or just ran off. If he pushed now, he feared the boy will run. He needs another tactic.

“Thank you for activating Foxy.” Freddy watches the boy’s face smooth from anger and defensiveness to confusion. Brown eyes meet his as the boy relaxes. “He was deeply missed while he was gone.”

“He was pretty angry at you.”

Chuckling nervously Freddy rubs his face, “Yeah. He was. I failed him and he lost three years of his life.”

The boy rests his cheek against his knee looking thoughtful, “What could you have done?”

“Many things. I could have checked in on him, see for myself what was wrong. I shouldn’t have assumed that the service report was accurate.”

“That was a little dumb.”

The bear sighs in annoyance, a small smile forms on the kids face. “I am aware.”

The boy uncurls and crawls out from under the vanity sitting across from the bear, his hands holding onto his ankles as he sits Criss cross. Smiling the bear reaches out going slow with his movements as he carefully ruffles the boys hair. The child huffing but not moving away from the touch.

“I’m glad your safe.” The boys content smile filter s, brown eyes darting away. Tipping his head, the bear becomes concerned. “You are safe? Is someone threatening you?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

Relaxing the bear rests his hand on the boys head before moving it away, “That is good. I was worried. I thought you were running from something again.”

“Nope. Not running.” The boys eyes don’t meet his and Freddy taps his finger.

“Are you leaving tomorrow?”

The boy goes stiff, his breath stuttering. “I can.” He says weakly.

Another piece falls into the mystery the boy poses and the bear quickly speaks, “You don’t have too. You can stay for as long as you like.”

The boy looks at him, hope shining. “Really?”

“Of course. I am glad to have you hear.”

“Even with… What I did?”

It takes the bear to catch on, “Yes.” He reaches out for the boy gently pulling him to himself, when no resistance comes he pulls the boy into his lap. “Even after that. None of that night was your fault. It was her and him.”

“Him?” The boy looks up eyes wide.

A nervous sound comes from the bear, “Yes. I have theories who he might be. But he won’t get you. You are safe, I promise.” The boys back thumps against the bears chest as the boy cross his arms.

“Are you sure?”

The bear hugs the boy, “Yes. I won’t let what happened that night happen again.”

The boy relaxes in his arms, the boy curling in his lap holding onto his arms. The two fall into a silence until the boy starts wiggling. Letting the boy go the bear was amused at the boys red cheeks. Gregory fidgets with his clothes, his new shirt featuring the band being adjusted. Getting up Freddy checks himself over for any dust. Watching the boy straighten out his shirt Freddy asks

“Are you sure your guardian wont miss you?”

The boy freezes, before going to fidget with the band of his watch. “Yeah. They don’t care.”

“You sure?”

“They haven’t yet.”

Humming Freddy goes to the door the boy following, the pair leave the dressing rooms and head upstairs. In the hallway of the theatre Gregory freezes hiding behind Freddy as a security bot slides forward, its light falling over the bear. Looking back Freddy frowns looking at the boy.

“Uh Freddy.” The boy starts to ask.

“Yes?”

“Will they still go off if they see me?”
“Oh.” Freddy looks back at the security bot, “No. They won’t register you as a threat.”

“Oh.” The boy says relieved and darts out from Freddy’s side to get in front of the bot. The Security Bot stops in front of the boy, its light shining down. The boys laugh echoes in the theatre, snorting Freddy ignores the obscene gesture the kid makes towards the bot. The two leave the theatre with the boy making the other two security bots pause in their patrols a laugh coming from him each time. The laughter disappearing as they exit the theatre and Foxy comes into view, talking with the Daycare Attendant.

The boy falls back trailing behind Freddy as they approach the two, the fox and Attendant both pausing in their conversation. Sun leans a bit waving at the boy,

“Hello friend.”

The bear can feel the boy tuck himself against his legs, small fingers digging into the seam between his torso and pelvis.

“Hi.” Gregory answers back, voice flat.

The Attendant bounces on their heels, clapping its hands the bells jingling. “I am so happy to see you. And good news you are no longer banned from being naughty.”

“I didn’t do anything.” Gregory hisses stepping forward but keeping a hand on Freddy.

The Attendant tips their head hand loosely raised, “You went behind the desk which is a no no. And turned off the lights after I told you there was only one rule and that was to keep the lights on.”

“Since when was that a rule?” Foxy asks, crossing his arms.

“Since the Vanny showed up. Lights go out kids go away. Lights stay on kids stay safe until Vanny comes.” The Attendant says simply, fiddling with their fingers head hung low. Both animal animatronics freeze at the admittance.

“Attendant. Did you know about Vanny before that night?” Freddy asks, hand going down to touch the boy’s head. Gregory looks up at the bear then at Sun.

The bot nods, head ducking further down. “We couldn’t do anything. No one listened and she took over our maintenance. We only became free after everyone turned me off.”

“You were like the others?” Gregory asks.

The Attendant nods, “Not as much as Moony but I couldn’t disobey. I had to keep you in one place.”

“She would have gotten me.”

Another nod and the boy clench his fists, “I would have been dead.”

The Attendant flinches. Freddy reaches out and gently grasps the boy’s shoulders. The boy trembling under the bear’s touch.

“You broke the rules.” The attendant points out, “Rulebreakers are not allowed in the play area.”

The bear squeezes the boy’s shoulders realizing the Attendant’s actions, they are rule oriented. They follow their rules with little to no leeway. The virus told them to keep the boy in one place. But they were able to redirect the order by following their rule protocols. Foxy seems to also realize what happened, the fox stepping forward blocking the Attendant from the boy’s line of sight.

“Lad.”

The boy glares at the fox, “You weren’t there. He was creepy and kept picking me up and yelling at me. Him being even worse once the creepy moon came out.”

Freddy pulls the boy away, the boy going stiffly. Stepping around the bear kneels, keeping a hand on one shoulder. “Gregory.”

The boy crosses his arms, glowering at the bear. “You were there. The Moon thing took you away and hunted me. Multiple times!”

“I know. You went through a lot, but like everyone else they weren’t themselves.” The boy clenches his jaw, “That doesn’t excuse what happened but give them a chance.”

An angry scuff is his only answer.

Sighing he squeezes the shoulder, “You don’t have to forgive, but try?”

“Whatever.”

Knowing that’s all he will properly get he ruffles the boy’s hair before standing, looking over towards the others. The fox was talking with the Attendant again who was curled in on themselves. Heading towards them he hears the boy follow after a few seconds after.

“We should properly go meet the others.” Freddy suggests, knowing they have another challenge ahead.

Foxy looks at him eyes glancing at the boy. Before nodding. The Attendant looks around at everyone unfolding from himself spring forward. Gregory jolts as the Attendant easily covers eight feet in one leap.

“Everyone will be so happy to see you Captain.”

“Aye hope so lad.” Foxy smiles, following the sun animatronic.

“Is that normal?” Gregory asks.

“The Attendant is… unique. But mostly harmless.”

“Mmh.” The boy hums, eyes narrowed but walks forward. Following the Freddy braces himself for the backlash of allowing the boy to stay with them. But watching the kid confidently walk forward he feels content with his decision.

Chapter Text

Following after Sun and Foxy Gregory looks around the Plex, unlike that night it didn’t seem as dark. Spotting one of the security bots he runs forward making it stop, its light blinding for a moment. Sticking his tongue out at the bot he bobs back and forth taunting the bot. Looking back he sees Freddy looking amused, waving the he follows after Foxy and Sun. The yellow robot was chattering and pointing around the area, walking beside the fox Gregory joins the little tour the sun animatronic was giving.

“Roxy’s raceway is being still being worked on. Many of the kids are waiting for it to open up but management says it might be another month before it does.”

“Bet little Rox is biting at the bit.” The fox comments.
“Would be faster if she didn’t get in the way all the time?”

“Heh?” Foxy looks down at him, “How do you know?”

“The emails.”

“Ah. Yes.” Foxy looks at Freddy with a hard look. Stepping aside Gregory falls back, the look like his aunt when his uncle did something she didn’t like. “The emails that shouldn’t be read willy-nilly.”

“He cant read all of them.” Freddy says calmly.

Raising a brow Gregory frowns at the bear then looks down at his watch. Foxy snorts and turns back around making his way to Rockstar Row. Sun skips forward when he was about ten feet from one of the planters he tips forward falling on his hands and falls forward to leap up onto the statue of Freddy. Sitting on the statues head crisscross, hands resting on the top hat. The door slides shut behind them making him turn at the sudden noise. Freddy tips his head at him but he ignores the bear in favour of watching the fox dig in his pockets.

“What are you looking for?”

“Me whistle. Ah.” The fox pulls out a silver tube, “Here we are. Now let’s see if anyone is awake.”
The whistle is bought up and the fox blows into it, two long sharp whistles cutting through the air. Covering his ears Gregory flinches at the sound. A few seconds pass and Gregory looks up at the fox,

“Was something supposed to happen?”

“Give it time.” Foxy looks down at him, before blowing the whistle again. This time the doors open and the three remaining members of the band. Stepping from the fox the boy takes a few deep breaths, a golden clawed hand appears from his prefiales. Looking at the hand he stiffens as it pulls him back. Feeling Freddy tuck, him against his side Gregory is tempted to crawl into the hatch. Turning he looks at the bear whose gaze is flickering from his friends to him. Clenching his fists Gregory bites his lip before tapping on the plating. The bear kneels opening his hatch, crawling inside Gregory tucks his legs up and watches Foxy get tackled by Roxy as the hatch closes shut. Bring his watch up he opens the screen he can only access while inside Freddy. The screen flickers before showing Freddy’s point of view, his battery appearing on the bottom.

Instead of looking at Foxy and Roxy on the ground Freddy seems to be looking more towards the other members of the band. Chica had her hand over her mouth, looking shocked but quickly shake herself and approached. Monty was being the weird one. He was standing stiffly near his room, staring towards them.

“Is it really you Foxy?” Chica asks as Roxy gets off the Fox. Chuckling the fox pats the wolfs head and stands, arms wide.

“The one and only, my dear.” The fox says cheerfully as he pulls the chicken into hug. The bird makes a choked sound and hugs the fox tighter, eyes closed. The foxes voice must have shaken the gator out of his shock because he now approaches the group, moving slowly. Chica lets go looking at Monty before stepping aside and heading their way. Eyeing the bird warily Gregory half listens to the fox as he addresses the gator, his posture changing. Softening just a little bit, his voice quivering.

“Hey Mont.” The fox shuffles a little bit, “Sorry for disappearing on ya, I-“The fox cuts off as Monty rushes forward and lifts him up off the floor. The fox yelps clinging to the gator who holds him tightly, the reptile visibly shaking. Foxy croons and pets the mohawk flattening it, “It’s okay big guy.”

Freddy , Gregory putting an arm out to brace himself against the side.

“Freddy?” Gregory asks confused as the bear looks away from the two embraced.

“Mmh?” The bear’s hum was rough. Frowning Gregory looks up from the watch.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course?”

Scowling Gregory looks back at his watch, seeing only one of the displays holding an old guitar. Smacking above his head he feels the bear flinch. “Lier.” The bears head ducks giving him the view of the floor for a moment Chica’s legs coming into view.

“Freddy?”

The bear straightens, Gregory’s head bumping the back of the wire framing.

“Ouch.” Rubbing his head, he ignores the apology from the bear.

“Freddy?” The chicken tips her head and steps forward he hugs the bear. The bear freezes before hugging the chicken back, his eyes falling shut. Now blind Gregory lowers the watch and braces himself better, keeping an eye on the battery he kicks his foot against the hatch. The bird backs away her face very close, her purples eyes glancing downward for a moment. Withdrawing his foot Gregory holds his breath. One bar of battery disappears. “Did you do this?” She asks gesturing towards the fox and gator. For a moment he can see Roxy creeping closer.

“No. But I should have.” The bird frowns, opening her mouth to say something but Roxy leans forward tapping the bears chest. Freezing Gregory stares at the hatch, eyes wide as the wolf’s voice carries through the metal.

“Why do you have a kid?”

“Ah…” Freddy stammers stepping back. Shooting a look up the boy hopes the bear as a good idea, “I can explain.”

The girls share a look but follow the bear who takes them to the little display of Foxy with a monster, the bear turns facing the girls. After a few moments Foxy appears beside Chica, the fox placing his hand on her shoulder for a moment before leaning back against Monty. The gator wrapping his arms around the others waist and his head resting on the fox’s thin shoulder.

“Do you want to come out.” Freddy asks.

Stiffening Gregory shakes his head, before realizing the bear couldn’t actually see him. “No.”

“Okay, Superstar.” The bear takes a breath, the sound coming from above the boy’s head. “Remember the boy from that night?”

The three band members stiffen, gasps coming from them.

“Why is he back?” Roxy asks, tail lashing, “He should be home.”

“Aye don’t thin he has one.” Foxy comments.

“What?” Two voice but Chica is the one that is looking from Foxy to Freddy. “Is this true.”

Around him Gregory can feel Freddy shrug, his voice box above his head rumbles, “I am not sure. But the evidence is there.”

“Then Child services should be involved.” Roxy comments.

Anger boils through the boy and he pushes the hatch open, “Hell no.”

“Gregory.” Freddy scolds. The others jumping at his sudden appearance.
Looking up at the bear with a scowl, his fingers curled around the top of the hatch. “They don’t do anything. They just send me back to them.”

“Easy.” Freddy reassures gently removing him from his chest and sets him down on the little stage, “I said you can stay here for as long as you like.”

Looking unsure Gregory crosses his arms, the bear sighing. “I promise. If you don’t want to go home, then okay. You have your reasons.”

“Shouldn’t this be up to all of us to decide?” Chica asks, giving the bear a hard look.

“She’s not wrong Fred.” Foxy agrees, “We don’t even have everyone here. Shouldn’t you at least get Bonnie’s permission.”

The mood drops, tension dissolving to something else. Looking around at everyone he sees Roxy tuck closer to Chica, her hand resting on the birds arm. Monty hides his face, his glasses raised up to his hair. Freddy’s change was the most drastic, the bear refusing to look at the fox. His gaze glitchy as his blue eyes flicker staring towards him but almost hazy. Reaching forward he touches the bears face, the bear’s gaze sharpens focusing on him, his large hand raising to hold his arm.

Monty’s whisper cuts through the silence. “He’s gone, cher.”

The fox stiffens looking around at everyone, turning his head Gregory looks at the bear instead. The bears face saddens as he pulls away from him.

“He was decommissioned 6 months ago.” Chica says composing herself, her hand covering Roxy’s.

“How?” Foxy asks bewildered. “He was the most popular of us. Why would they just scrap him?”

Monty growls, Gregory looking at him with wide eyes putting Freddy between him and the fuming gator as he clutches onto the fox tail lashing. “He was damaged and they claimed he was unrepairable. Scrapped him that day.”
“Monty.” Freddy starts but is cut off by the gator.

“No Fred. You didn’t see him. He still had power; he was sparking. He was active, the humans were just lazy and didn’t want to be bothered.”

A low rumble comes from Freddy’s voice box, his eyes shifting a golden colour. His hand flexes and he slowly stands facing the group putting his back to the boy. Leaning around the bear Gregory sees everyone sharing a similar looks. None of them really meeting the bears gaze.

“Enough.” The bears voice is flat, the rumble still coming from his voice box, “He is gone. The discussions of what to do with his area has already started.”

“What!” Chica jerks, voice outraged.

“They can’t.” Roxy tags on teeth snapping.

“They can darling.” Foxy tries to sooth, glancing between the two girls and bear. “They already downsized both mine and Freddy’s to put in yours and Monty’s areas. Not to mention Chica keeps getting moved around.”

“That’s different.” The wolf argues, stepping forward, “They can’t just get rid of all evidence of him.”

“They have already started.” Monty points out.

“Its not right.” The wolf argues, growling at the gator who steps around the fox to meet her. Foxy grabbing at him as he goes to stalk closer to the wolf. Chica also stepping in to pull the wolf back. Freddy watches silently. The two continue to argue making Gregory step back towards the wall covering his ears. His heart races as he searches for a way out, cut outs block his path across the stage and Freddy was in the way to get off. The wall hits his back and he folds in on himself, eyes squeezed shut as he focuses on anything but the raised voices. Fear claws at his chest as he feels nothing, only his own emotions surging but the voice remained angered.

“ENOUGH!” A voice roars and in a jingle of bells Sun leaps to be in the middle of the group. Jerking Gregory smacks the wall, pain blossoming. Rubbing his head he sees the Attendant holding the wolf and gator separate, face spinning as he shakes them. “You two are not helping.”

Monty and Roxy freeze in the astronomical bot’s hold, both looking at him in surprise.

“Thank you, Attendant. I think we can handle it for now.” Freddy says calmly arms crossed, his back still towards Gregory.

“It shouldn’t have happened.” The bot scolds Freddy dropping the two, “You have a child to take care off. And screaming at each other is no environment for a child to be in.” The bot crosses his arms staring down the bear, from the floor the bot seeming to be taller than the bear. Removing his hands from his ears Gregory scowls at Sun, only to drop the scowl when Freddy turns to look at him.

“I’m sorry.” The bear says before turning back to face his friends. “We have to face the facts. Once humans deem us useless, we go. No matter how popular or old we are. We are lucky they didn’t do the same to Foxy.” He looks at Foxy and Chica, “Its upsetting but its something we have learned how to deal with. This is not the first time we have been cast aside; it surely won’t be the last.” Standing Gregory joins the bears side, surprised at the defeat on everyone’s face. A hand rests on his shoulder and he looks up at the bear. “But for now the boy will be staying here.”

Chica sighs, eyes downcast as she hugs herself, “Whatever you say. But I still think he should be with his parents.”

Rolling his eyes Gregory straightens raising his chin, “Don’t have any. And if you call CBS I will run away again. No one cares about me; they haven’t even reported me missing yet.”

Foxy and Sun share a look before the solar animatronic makes a pained sound, “He’s right.” The bot steps forward, making the boy step back. The action seems to make the bot sad, but he refrains from moving closer. The others react similarly, out of the corner of his eyes he sees Freddy bend. Turning he yelps as he is picked up, holding onto the red shoulder pads he tips his head confused.

“We’ll talk later, but I am going to get Gregory situated.”

Everyone nods and Sun straightens from his crouch, Gregory jolts when the bot seems to get taller for a moment. “I’ll get the blankets.” And off he goes, skipping towards the doors only to leap and climb up the wall and up into the ceiling. Watching him go Gregory frowns wondering where the bot went. Lurching when Freddy takes a step he clutches tighter to the bear, looking back at the others who watch them go with various expressions. Chica and Foxy whispering urgently at each other as they leave. When the sliding doors block their view Gregory twists back around to look forward.

“Where are we going?”

“The Utilidor tunnels.”

“Huh?” He stares at the bear blankly.

“It’s like the Maintenance tunnels but is used primarily for the utilities that run under Monty’s golf and the Daycare area.”

“Oh. Wait there wasn’t any access to anything over there before.”

“No. Your security clearance isn’t high enough to go there. Very few people have the clearance to go down there.” Freddy says matter of factly as they walk into Monty’s entrance area. Wiggling Gregory attempts to get down, when the bear releases him, he heads towards the door with the number nine painted on it. “So how are we going to-“Gregory stops talking as Freddy’s proximity allows the doors to open. “You know this would have been helpful?”

“My apologies. It has been a long time since I have been this way. It slipped my mind.”

“Yeah uh huh.” Gregory huffs following down the stairs to the lower levels, as they leave the stair well he sees another door with the symbol for the maintance tunnels on it. Tucking his hands into his pockets Gregory sighs kicking the ground as he walks. The hallway was boring, the lights where glaringly bright chasing any bit of shadows away.

The walk was silent, the bear in front of him walking stiffly. Almost like the second rate animatronics at other places. Trotting forward Gregory takes a peek at the bear’s face, it was blank. The bears gaze fixed forward and unmoving. His jaw was clamped shut, staying by his side Gregory walks backwards to keep an eye on the bear.

“So where are we going?”

“The workshop.” The bear response automatically.
“Uh huh. And whats that exactly?”

The bear’s blue eyes flicker for a moment before he looks down at him. “It is a place where you will be safe. The humans are unaware of its existence.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” The bear stops suddenly. “We are here.”

Frowning Gregory looks around the hallway, the hall still spanning forward before turning to the right. The only thing of note is the mural on the wall. It was the band but lacked Roxy and Monty. Foxy was dressed up in full rockstar garb, wearing a spiked leather jacket and holding drumsticks. Chica looked pretty much the same only the bow in her hair being green. In the center were Freddy and Bonnie. The two were doing a parallel pose of raising their opposite hands up, Bonnie on the left and Freddy on the right.

“Are you sure?”

The bear rumbles in amusement and reaches out putting his hand in the space between his and Bonnie’s raised hands. A faint click and a slit appears under Freddy’s hand. The bear steps back as the sliding doors open disappearing int the wall.

“Whoa.” Darting forward Gregory enters the rooms as the lights flicker on revealing a large room that was both cold but also warm. The buzz of electronics filling the still air. Running up to the center table he grabs a bundle of wires. “I thought you said the humans don’t know about this place?”

“They don’t.” Freddy goes to the back of the room and kneels clearing off the shelf under a table. Setting the wires down he joins Freddy’s side peaking into the boxes the bear sets on the floor. Wires and components were sorted in each box.

“How do they not? These are your parts?” Gregory pulls out a voice box from one of the boxes.

“Yes.” Freddy stands picking up a box and setting it on the table, “You are right.” He continues putting boxes up, “But this is our space.”

“Huh?” Gregory hands the voice box over

The bear raises a finger after putting the voice box back into the box, “We snuck this room into the plans and then changed them again when it was built.”

The boys jaw drops staring at the bear in shock. “No way.” He moves around the bear, thoughts buzzing at the thought of the bear doing something so underhanded. “Did you really do that?”

“The evidence around you make that clear enough.”

“But it’s you?”

The bear looks offended at that looking down at the boy, “Pardon.”

“Your Mr. Honest.”

“Ah yes. It is good to be honest and play fair.” The boy scuffs, “But sometimes the rules need to be broken, we are not human, so going behind the humans backs to gain our own independence is a must.”

“Soo. Its still funny. And sounds kinda like a weak excuse.”

“And us being truthful with the humans where would you be?”

Clicking his jaw shut Gregory crosses his arms with a huff. Laughing Freddy continues cleaning off the shelf, a knock comes from the wall and Freddy turns as Sun walks in with a pile of blankets in his lanky arms. The bot drops the pile on the center table.

“We found everything that wouldn’t be missed.” He chirps digging through the pile, “pillows, blankets, pillow blankets.” He tosses the objects to the side as he sorts them, “All cozy and soft. Oh.” He unfolds a blanket with stars and planets. The thing looking really old is design. “This is Moon’s favorite, they swears it’s the softest one we have.” Sun turns and shows it to Gregory who flinches before moving forward to touch the blanket. Eyes widening he takes a better hold of the blanket, amazed at its texture.

“Wow.”

“That’s a lot, are you sure they wont be missed?” Freddy asks, picking up a pillow.

“Yeah. No one will notice. We have so much already, and nap time is still a no go.” The attendant drops the blanket letting Gregory keep it as he collects some thicker blankets, “Moondrop did go a little nuts, but they just wanted to make sure the kiddo is comfy.” He walks over to the shelf that Freddy has cleaned off and examines it..

“Moon did this?”

“Yep.” Sun sets the blankets down and starts fluffing them out on the shelf. “He’s better at this kind of thing. He spent his five minutes running all around gathering everything.”

“That was nice of them.” Freddy picks up the rest of the blankets and pillows and sets down above the shelf the Attendent was fussing with. “Tell them thanks for me.”

“I will.” Sun grabs some pillows and tucks them along the wall, walking over Gregory joins the attendant watching him fuss with the make shift nest. “Make sure you get some sleep soon.” Sun looks at Gregory face rotating in an alarming way, but the boy wasn’t scared as the robot reaches up and grabs another blanket.

“I’m sure we can arrange that.”

“I slept earlier.”

“You slept for an hour and forty minutes.” Sun comments standing and walking away.

“How do you know that?”

“Moony.” The bot taps his face plate, “They track the ones I cant. And I do the same when he is in control.”

“Oh.” Hugging his legs Gregory rocks back a little, not sure if he was reassured or bothered about the admintance.

“Tell them they have my thanks.” Freddy’s voice makes him jump, stepping out of the way as the bear sets more blankets down. Sun makings a chirping noise grabbing the blankets.

“Its no trouble.” Sun snatches a pillow fussing with it, the back of his face plate towards him Gregory can see a flashing blue light coming from the chip situated on the back. The bot hums as he flips the pillow not seeming to be happy with the placement. Joining Freddy back at the center table Gregory notices some clothes off to the side. Grabbing it he frowns at it.

“I’m not wearing this.”

Freddy looks over chuckling, “I think you would look adorable.”

“Exactly!” Gregory tosses it back onto the table.

Another chuckle comes from the bear as he reaches for the pajama folding it back up,

“Just for tonight? I can see if we can order in something for you or pull something from the gift shop.”

“Whats wrong with my clothes.” Gregory asks not understanding why he has to change clothes, he hasn’t dirtied his new clothes.

“Its not comfy.” He will deny the scream that came from him as he realizes Sun is now behind him. Twisting he backs up into Freddy who places a heavy hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t do that!” He yells at the bot stepping out of Freddy’s hold.

“Sorry friend.” Sun brings their hands together, rays retracking as they shuffle in place. “But you can’t sleep in your day clothes.”

Crossing his arms Gregory huffs walking away from the two to look over the bed he was supposed to use. It was thick, pressing down on it he couldn’t even feel the wood board underneath. Sitting on he grins as he sinks a bit, flopping back he laughs for a moment before shutting his mouth looking over to Freddy and Sun. Both ignoring him as the Attendant wave’s goodbye leaving both alone. Rolling onto his stomach Gregory watches Freddy pick up the stupid pajamas again. The bear coming over to set the clothes on the table before kneeling.

“You don’t have to change.”

“I won’t.”

A snort comes from the bear as he stands, pouting Gregory rests his chin on his arms watching the bear move around the room. The quite interrupted only by the dull buzz of electronics, a fuzzy feeling settling over his skin. The sensation was an odd one, one that he never felt before. Rolling onto his back he stares up at the underside of the table. The fuzzy numbing feeling reminded him of being wrapped up in a warm blanket. Closing his eyes he relaxes, the constant pressure that he never really realized hung over him now gone. The creaking and clacking of a keyboard draws him from the haze that has started to pull him under. Cracking his eyes open he watches Freddy type something on the monitor on one of the desks, a cord connecting him to the device as his eyes flicker around the screen. Watching the bear he doesn’t remember when he fell asleep, only a sense of content and safety lingering.

Chapter Text

For an hour Freddy worked on his emails, the fall out of that night finally being forgotten by upper management. The excuse of a family emergency and not some editing of an email allowing Freddy Bernwell to get out of being accomplices with the former nightguard. In a surprising turn of events the board of Fazbear Entertainment have elected to no longer have a on location security guard for the time being. Freddy’s job as an off-location monitoring officer being more than sufficient and cheaper than hiring a new personal. The latter properly being the more than likely reason, that and properly the history the franchise has had with night guards.

Snorting the bear leans back crossing his arms as he glances back towards the makeshift bed. His new charge was sound asleep, curled up into a little ball in the middle of the blankets. Pushing back in the chair he heaves himself up, pausing only for a moment to collect the blue blanket that Gregory had left on the examination table. Crouched he lightly tosses the blanket over the boy, a small grunt coming from the boy as he twists away clutching the blanket as it tangles around his legs.

Holding back a laugh Freddy watches the boy for a moment longer before standing. Returning to his computer he closes out of a few tabs before opening a new one. Typing in the guest catalogue he pulls up the temporary file he made up for the kid.

Tapping the desk he stares at the little information that was available before starting to type. He first changed the boys security clearance, jumping it up from a level 8 to a level 10. Allowing him access to every thing needing a security pass. Next he moved on to trying to activate the guest fast pass to the watch. An error window popping up, frowning he tries again and the error popped up again.

Growling he glowers at the screen trying once again to remotely activate the feature, completely ignoring the door opening.

“Having trouble there boss?” Foxy’s dual tone voice drawing his attention from the screen to glance at the red canine as they lean against the desk.

“Maybe.” Freddy sighs leaning back to study the fox, “Need something?”

The fox swings a bag off their shoulder dropping it on the table, “Kid forgot his bag.”
“Ah.” Standing he goes to take the bag to put the bag where Gregory can find it, Foxy sitting in his chair clicking away the error message.

“Trying to give the kid free rein?”

“Mmh.” The bear hums leaning on the table to check on the boy, the mouse clicking behind him faintly.

“You don’t have much for the kids info.”

“Still working on it.” Freddy answers satisfied the boy was doing alright and rejoins Foxy at the computer. The fox leans back squinting at the boy.

“He’s what 8? 9?”

“I’m not sure. He’s small but very mature.” Freddy leans over the fox to type in his name in the guardian section.

The fox unbothered by the close proximity continues to study the boy from a distance, their tail tapping as they cross their arms. “Going to give them your last name?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t want to assume.”

“Might want too if who ever is his actual guardian decide to notice he is missing.”

“Good point.” Freddy types in the information as the fox slips out of the seat. Sitting back down he is aware of the fox putting some distance between them, putting the examination table between them.

“So what about Bonnie?”

Pausing Freddy tips his head, fingers curling. “What about him.”
He cant see the fox but he can easily imagine them leaning on the examination table. “He’s registered as on leave. Yet Monty says he’s completely vanished, that no one knows what management did with his body or parts.”

Slowly standing Freddy puts the computer to sleep mode, not looking at the fox he leaves the station and steps outside. The fox silently following keeping some space between them. The door shuts behind them and Freddy stands keeping still.

“What are you asking Foxy?” Freddy asks slowly.

“Is he really gone?”

Freddy stays silent for a moment, his movement frozen as he tries to form the words. “Yes.” His voice box crackles as he says the word. His hands curl into fists as he looks at the mural. “He’s gone. And I have no idea what happened. Monty found him at 6:15, the staff in the area responded to his alert and they took him away.” His voice going flat, that day was one of the worst he ever had. Monty was the one to tell them when he was pushed into the rehearsal room with Bonnie’s guitar. By the time they finished performing the cameras were wiped and Bonnie was gone.

No matter what he did management wouldn’t hear of rebuilding him, the incident quickly pushed under the rug and only the guest’s questions keeping the rabbit in the minds of management. A hand falls onto his shoulder and he blinks meeting Foxy’s green eyes. The two sharing an understanding before the fox slips away, leaving the bear alone with the mural.

Looking at it he touches the image of Bonnie, his ears lowered. “I miss you, my star.” He rasps, “I don’t know what I have gotten myself into.” He confessed to the image, his hand resting over the chest of the rabbit. “He still hunts us, and now I have a child to protect.” Freddy shudder withdrawing from the image and steps away. Worry and what could possibly be regret bubble within his system, Vanessa’s unknown partner a looming threat. Not only to Gregory but any child that steps foot into the plex.

His jaw grinds as he clutches his teeth, anger pooling fueled by his worry and fear of loosing Gregory an adult. Looking at the image of his friends he steels himself and steps forward unlocking the door and going to his computer. They were fooled years ago by someone wearing an old custom and Vanessa’s stunt only proving that they can still be fooled by the same stunt. Not again. He will not loose anyone else from human meddling.

He works through the night, only his alarm that he had an hour until opening pulled him away from his computer. Saving and shutting everything down he leaves a message on the watch before leaving. Navigating the dark utilidor halls easily he steps out into the maintenance tunnels with no issue. Heading for Rockstar row he was to busy thinking of his new program to see through disguises he was unaware of the jingling of bells.

“Your almost late Mr. Fazbear.” The raspy voice of the night Attendant startles the bear out of his thoughts. Blinking he looks around before spotting the glowing red eyes of the Attendant as they crawl down from the overhead beam.

“Oh. Morning Attendant.”

The Attendant tilts their head, the bell on their night cap jingling as they bend arching their body over their head. “Morning. The child is asleep.”

“He was when I left.”

“Mmh.” The Attendant rolls standing to their feet towering over the bear as they rest their hands on their hips, “It is curious that you have decided to adopt. But who are we to judge.” They circle around the bear, resting their arms behind their back, “If you need any assistance you know where to find us Mr. Fazbear.” The animatronic says before taking a few steps forward then disappearing with a jump.

Staying in the center of the hall Freddy stares where he last saw the Attendant not sure if he has their approval or not. The lights flicker on a few moments later reminding him that he only had so long to prepare for the day. Shaking off the encounter he hurries for Rockstar Row, almost making it to his room until he heard his name being yelled. Stopping he looks towards Roxy’s room where the wolf is making a bee line for him. Chica hot on her heels as the wolf stops only inches from the bear.

“I have a bone to pick with you Fazbear.”

“Now Roxy.”

“Uh huh. You shut it.” She snaps, japing a finger into the bears chest. “What are you thinking letting a kid stay here?” Staying quite Freddy glances at Chica who is looking unsure her hands hanging at her sides as Roxy jabs him again. “Kids go with their families and stay with their families. We don’t deal with them after hours and certainly not by keeping one.”

Stepping back Freddy raises his hands up, Chica’s hand on the wolfs shoulder stopping her from following him. “I know its unorthodox. But this kid is different.”

“He’s not the only one to come from a bad home life. It’s not our responsibility.”

Straightening the bear lowers his hands, “He’s my responsibility now. I know he’s not the only kid with problems but he is different I don’t know why. But I want to protect him. He trusts me and I don’t want to break that trust.”

The wolf huffs crossing her arms, “I don’t care he destroyed us.”

Chica steps in pulling the wolf’s attention to her, “That’s enough.” She says firmly, “We need to get into our rooms.” The wolf opens her mouth but Chica cuts her off lightly pushing her towards her room, “Not now. We’ll continue this tonight.” Her tone held no argument as she pushes the wolf towards the green room leaving Freddy alone.

Sighing the bear watches them go before returning to his room, sitting in the chair by the vanity.