-The Joy of Creation. -

-It is something i have struggled to understand & use as a proper philosophy for some.

-As time goes by. the answer always seemed to Elude me...-

The pizzeria was dead silent, save for the occasional humming of the fluorescent lights. Chairs placed upside down lined the long tables within the dining area. The east & west halls devoid of any life. Another day gone by, another day of children enjoying the fun-loving, entertaining Mr. Faz Bear. At Freddy Faz Bear's Pizzeria, He was the lone star of the show. The brown, fuzzy & jolly bear was one of the popular highlights of the pizza place. He would always walk off stage and sing to all the kids, even singing personalized versions of 'Happy Birthday' to all the birthday boys & girls. Even the adults were appraising of Freddy's child friendly attitude. Soon he grew into pop culture stardom. Already there were Freddy Teddy's, direct-to-video cartoons highlighting his magical adventures in 'Pizza Land', and for a long while had a successful line of limited edition Oven Frozen Pizza to commemorate his first few years of success. But as with all success, there is always a downside. The Showbiz Pizza industry is never a kind one. There grew a festering, bitter disdain for Freddy's franchise. Three Pizza chains; 'Chuck E. Cheese's', Hungry Howie's & Pizza Hut, Saw Freddy Faz Bear as a threat to their private empire. And begun to conspire against the ever popular pizza place. Sure it started with notes tied to bricks being thrown through a window, some party goers tires getting slashed. But then came the threatening messages. And soon, some of the Pizza chefs started getting jumped as they left work. The staff felt threatened and decided to hire a night shift guard. There came Michael Schmidt. Just your average joe looking for a steady paying job in a shitty economy. So tonight, came his first shift.

-Joy is something that brings smile and laughter to all.-

-My intentions have always been bringing joy and harmony to everyone.-

[12:00 AM]

The first day of the rest of his early morning life. Twelve-To-Six, graveyard shift. For some reason these hours were oddly comfortable for him. Being slightly a night-owl since high school. Mike walked into his newly appointed office and sat in his chair, laying back for the long haul. He picked up the tablet and started to casually switch between camera feeds. He stops at the main show stage. There was lonely old Freddy. Mike rested his elbow gently on the table, and laid his head on his hand, taking a moment to see the bear itself. The showroom itself was dark and silent, all for the slightly dim stage lighting. It cast an illuminated shadow over the animatronic bear. He was quite taller and bulky in size than most animatronics. His burly arms were hanging to the side. In one hand he held his microphone, a permanent part of him. On his head sat his traditional little fancy bowler hat. As Freddy smiles at the empty dining area, his eyes carefully, and delicately move toward the observing camera. Deep down, a secret curiosity began to fill the bear with intrigue. In the office, mike stretched back & yawned briefly, taking a moment to briefly check the halls. As he picked up the tablet to watch a few feeds, he got drawn back to Freddy. But slowly did he begin to realize, that the bear was sort of looking at him. Michael's eyes began to widen a bit. As if feeling the eyes just scanning him, Mr. Faz Bear decided to open his eyes wider too.

-Creation...The concept of bringing something into being. What was i really created for?-

-and who am i being watched by?-

[1:00 AM]

What followed was a silently intense and paranoid filled Staring contest between Mr. Schmidt & Mr. Faz Bear. Freddy started moving his head slowly towards the camera. The servo motors humming semi-quietly. Something deep down inside Mike that made him slightly afraid of animatronics. Just like all technology, there are flaws and defects. One moment you could be playing with one, it tries to give you a hug and then SNAP, your spine is immediately snapped in two like a Slim Jim. Personally for Mike, he read up on the 'Bite of '87', which was enough for him to steer away from any 'Family Themed Restaurant's for a long, long time. But the landlord increased his rent & is getting fed up with Mikes piss poor IOU's. His excuse ironically being 'I'm still looking for work'. But now he had to swallow and face his fears at this lonely little place in one of the dingier parts of town. And here he was, having an intimate stare down with nightmare fuel that can last for weeks. But it was what happened several seconds afterwards that made him jump. "Toreador March" begins to play audibly on the screen, triggering mike to jump back and grip his heart. A slightly uttered 'Shit' was heard as mike returned to his desk to look back at Freddy, eyes lighting up rhythmically to the musical box jingle. "Shit." He spoke, sounding agitated, looking back at him.

[2:30 AM]

A half hour goes by, and all is quiet Outside the restaurant. Not a creäture was stirring, not even a hoodrat. But then suddenly, out of the darkness of the nearby alley, two headlights beamed to life. a white sedan began to pull into the parking lot of Freddy's Pizzeria. The lit-up logo on the top of the car contained a 'red hut,' with the name 'Pizza Hut' underlined in yellow. Four men in Red uniform shirts disembarked from the vehicle and began to creep towards the back entrance. The men held a sledgehammer, a crowbar, monkey wrench, and two hammers. It was more than obvious they were here to deliver a message to the local eatery. They heard the faint little musical jingle as they approached the back door. "Yeah i hear him. that's the one" stated an employee, clutching a crowbar tightly in his hands. A name tag dangled that said Davy. "Alright you know the orders. We break this joint down, turn the bear to scrap, and then we torch this place down." exclaimed another, tapping the monkey wrench excitedly in his gloved palm. "I heard from PR that they hired a security guard for this place." said another whose name tag read 'Bill', giving the sledgehammer to one of the crew members whilst looking around to make sure they were not being watched.

"Ah so fucking what. What are they gonna do; Shine a flashlight? Observe & report? Lemme tells you something Davy, if whoever is in there decides to act stupid and get in our way..." The red uniformed individual pulled one of his partners in close, the dangling pin on the shirt could read out 'Manager'. "Then they end up in the same Junkyard that we take ol Faz Fuck in dere! In fact, takeout whoever is in there. Far as I'm concerned, its guilt by association." exclaimed the Manager, clutching the sledge and standing near the back entrance. "Okay, one of you took care of the phone lines?" The manager asked. A hammer wielding employee stepped forward and nodded. "Yeah, one of our informants snuck inside and cut the lines before closing time" he uttered silently. The manager pulled him in and smiled mischievously. "Now that's what i call 'Employee of the Month' behavior." he beamed, looking at his crew. "By the end of tonight, we're all gonna be promoted. And you can bet your sweet asses im gonna give you all $50 raises." The manager said with growing enthusiasm in his voice. He then wound up his arms and swung the sledge against the back door, smashing it in to the sound of a cheering Pizza hut crew.

-when did life become this difficult and challenging?-

Mike held a mug of Coffee in his hand and proceeded to take a careful thunderous bang was enough for mike to spit hot coffee on one of the monitors. And oddly stop Freddy's jig, His eye's adjusted back to their original position With lightning reflex's, he picked up the tablet and checked all the cameras. It wasn't until he got to Cam 7 where his heart started racing. He saw shadowy figures, possibly holding weapons, were coming inside a smashed door. Adrenaline already flowing through him like a highly damaged floodgate, Mike quickly grabbed the office phone to dial 911, only being greeted by the beeping of a deadline. Changing to another camera feed to see an assailant charge toward his office. Quickly bashing the shudder door button, the door smashed downwards as the armed pizza hut employee ran to his window and immediately started hitting the glass. "Come on out Rent-a-cop! Get out here and earn your pay!" Taunted the hut employee. Within the light of the office, Mike could make out a name-tag with the name "Troy" on it. He was a Pizza Hut worker? Why the hell was an employee of another Pizza shop trespassing and vandalizing this place?

Mike swallowed a sudden lump in his throat and glared at the intruder. summoning more inner strength. "You better get the hell out of here before the cops get here!" he shouted. The armed employee laughed away, as the sound of destruction and chaos erupted throughout the Pizzeria. "Yeah, too bad the cops stopped coming to this part of town ages ago." he said with a sinister laugh. "No ones coming to save you." he viciously taunted as he continued to hammer away at the window, this time small cracks began to form. Mike was literally defenseless. Being just a night guard gave him no weapon.

The only authority he had, was to Observe and Report. Before his very eyes; he observed the apparent vandalism and destruction of the Pizzeria, but reporting was useless since they managed to somehow disable the phone. Mike immediately turned to the monitors to see a guy with a sledge-hammer approaching the Show stage. Mike began to panic some more, knowing one of his prime responsibilities is ensuring nothing happens to that one, single Animatron. His ears perked up when he heard footsteps coming from the left. He checked cam 2A, while listening to the beating of the reinforced glass to see a crowbar wielding goon coming towards the office in the west hall. He then switched back to see the guy preparing to slug Ol' Faz bear. This was a definitive moment in Mike's life. To be stuck in his safe room whilst the vandals destroy the place with him in it, or go out and face very violent aggressors trying to ruin an innocent business. And on the first night, At Freddy Faz Bears Pizzeria, Mike took his job very seriously. The sound of running intensified as the Pizza Hut employee ran to mikes office. Only to run into an office chair colliding with his feet. The temporary diversion worked as Mike dashed out of his office and down the west hall, sprinting towards the show room.

[3:00 AM]

-why do they want to hurt me?-

Mr. Manager walked closer to the show stage, glaring at the bear with intensive malice. "Well well. looks like it's just you and me, Freddy." Said the manager, clutching the sledge-hammer tightly in his hands. "You've been a pain in my ass and the asses of all the big wigs. But now we're gonna make sure things are rather" he stops before laughing slightly and swung the sledge once for a display of strength. "Leveled. heh." The manager said, getting closer. Out of the kitchen came Pizza Hut Employee Bill, holding a box with fresh Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza. The Manager looked at him with an annoyed expression. "What? You didn't let us have our Union appointed lunch breaks today, So i made Brunch!" Bill cried out, before taking a slice of piping hot pizza. Upon contact he jerked and winced in pain as droopy hot cheese made contact with his skin. "Ow! Fuck! that cheese is boiling hot!" he yelled out, tossing the box and slice on the table, holding his bottom lip in pain. "That's Ironic karma for slacking on the job when your supposed to trash this place!" Shouted the manager, "But now that your here, you can make yourself useful and help me trash this Bernstein bear reject-"

"TOUCH FRED. AND YOUR DEAD!"

A defiant tone boomed throughout the Pizzeria. There stood mike, standing tall & erect in the face of potential death. The Manager and Troy looked over at him with surprise. "Well i guess PR was right again." stated the money, shrugging towards his Employee troy whilst looking over towards Mike. "Listen Kid, you're in over your head in this one. This place ain't gonna last and its an obstacle for everyone else. And just like all obstacles, They get demolished." The Manager stated coldly, tapping the top of the sledge on the ground. "And a shit stain like you ain't gonna stop us.". Mike started clenching his fists. Just who the hell did these guys think they are? What made them so different from any other Pizza Place? "That isn't an excuse to do any kind Vandalism in this place, Now get the hell out Or I'll throw you out by the skin of your fucking balls!" he barked out, stepping closer to them. The manager cocked his head in amusement. "I'd to see that happen. Troy!" he barked out, the employee already fiddling to get his hammers ready. "It's 'take out' time" he said, motioning to him.

Bill gripped both his hammers and started walking towards Mike. He Swallowed hard and began to approach bill. It was then that Bill went in with a right swing, and got blocked by mike as he grips his hand. Bill tries the other, only getting caught, head butted & thrown to the side as mike quickly took a makeshift fighting stance. Now mike wasn't a fighter by trade or chance, be he's watched enough Kung-fu films & Action movies to possibly throw together some tricks. Bill got back up to his feet, and began to charge towards mike again. Immediately mike began to dodge the incoming ballpoint hammers that edged closer to him with every wave of his hand. Mike began to strike back, but got countered by two smacks, one to his arm when he defended, and on his back as he tried to dodge him again. Mike staggered to his feet, grimacing in pain from the impacts, gripping the table for support. "Finish him off!" shouted the manager, as Bill shrugged his shoulders and went in for the kill. Thinking quickly, Mike grabbed one of the chairs, and immediately turned and struck Bill, sending him crashing near the show stage. "I'm not gonna tell you again. Get. OUT!" Mike yelled out, clutching the chair handles tightly, blood dripping down his arm & back where the hammer made contact. The manager looked up to see two of his other employee's running into the dining area.

Turning quickly, Michael saw the two others from earlier. "It's about time you two showed up, now take care of this Minimum wage slave!" he ordered the pair. Wasting no time, Davy charged toward him, thrusting the bottom of the crowbar to mike, whom intercepted it with the chair, getting it caught and twisting it out of Davy's hands. Whacking him aside with the chair, he turned to Troy, whom already looked a little panicked and clueless on what to do next. Mike raised an eyebrow quizzically and took a step towards him. Troy took one back, the wrench shaking in his hand. He faked a swing and caused Troy to open himself by attacking. Mike spun to the side as Troy started swinging away, only to feel the full force impact of the chair on his back, Sending him flying into a recovered Davy. Bill immediately became enraged and made a dash toward mike. He threw the chair toward Bill, be he strafed to the side. Jumping up and delivering a drop kick to mike, which caused him to both lose his security cap, and send him into a line-up of chairs. The manager began clapping his hands in pure enjoyment. "This is as much fun I've seen in this place more than in the day time!" he said, resting gently on the handle. "I'll say it again kid, This bear ain't worth your life" he taunted, watching as his crew were properly recovering and began to advance toward the table Mike fell off.

-What makes them better than all?-

-Do they have a better understanding to the concept of 'Joy'?-

Mike rolled to the side & attempted to get back up after the painful blow. Trying to capture his breath, after having the wind knocked from him. He saw their legs move closer. He had to think quickly, or these guys were going to kill him. Mike struggled to find something else to use as a weapon,When his eyes landed on a small fork. Was probably accidentally left by the cleaning crew. he took it and hid within the tables. "Game over man, you should have run when you could." Davy said. He hopped on top of the table menacingly. But then he saw no sign of the night watchmen. "Da Fuck?! where did he go?!" he exclaimed loudly, looking all around the dining area. The suddenly, a sharp intensive, stabbing pain overcame him. He howled loudly in pain, as the fork went deep into his crotch. Dropping the crowbar; and doubling over in pain, gripping his bleeding crotch.

-why does this person fight for me?-

-does he understand the joy I bring?-

Mike grabbed the crowbar and leaped from the table, Striking Davy downwards across the face. Bill came at him quickly spinning his hammers, but mike bobbed & weaved, countering by jabbing him in the bread basket; Then taking him by the arm & throwing him to the side of a table. Immediately the manager hopped off the stage and charged towards Mike. Swinging the hammer downwards, mike rolled to the left & got greeted by a kick to the face by the manager. Recovering quickly, Mike positioned himself defensively, clutching the wrench tightly in hand. Mr. Manager cracked his neck side-to-side. "I guess it'll take upper management to sort you out" he said. Mike swung with his left. The manager weaved and side kicked him in the gut. Mike moved back a little as the Manager began to swing again. Mike saw an opening to strike back, but the manager brought the sledge upwards to block. Thus allowing Mike to deliver a hard front kick to the manager. This only staggered him back slightly as mike unleashed a volley of wrench strikes, all to only be blocked successfully by the Manager. Suddenly, Bill throws one of his hammers is at Mikes hand, immediately losing the wrench. The manager came at him hard as Mike was frantically dodging. Then came a ball bleeding Davy from behind, striking mike in the shoulder with the crowbar. Wincing in pain, Mike immediately countered with a back fist, striking and slightly disorienting him. Mike turned and got struck very hard in the gut by the bulk top of the sledge-hammer, followed by an elbow to the face. Mike crashed into the table, where he has held in place by Davy & Troy. Bill then strode back over to them, & with a pissed off look, struck him several times in the chest. The painful impacts caused him to black out almost instantly...

-these men have lived Joyless lives...and have decided to take away the joy of others .-

[4:00 AM]

"Wakey-wakey." Said troy; as he kicked Michael in the ribs to wake up. Sharp pain rain throughout his body. His hands and arms were being held by Davy & Bill. Troy hunched over slightly, still in deep pain after having one of his testicles forked. "Don't think you won't pay for this." he said holding the fork up, Dangling it in front of Michael's slightly bruised & blooded face. He immediately jammed it into his shoulder. Mike gasped out in pain. The Pizza hut employee's laughed as they each started getting a turn physically torturing him. Mr. Manager strode towards them. "Not many night-shift guards actually put up a half-decent fight." He said, holding Mike's head up by his chin. "You ain't half bad kid, but you signed up with the wrong people." he said, letting go of him. Michael took a deep breath before looking up towards the manager. "Just answer me this...Why are yo doing this?" he said, weakly trying to stand. The manager looked at him with a smirk, and simply shook his head. "It's simply business." stated the manager bluntly. "It's a dog eat dog world, and this Pizzeria has been wearing a nice pair bacon-scented pants for too long." he chimed on. Freddy Faz Bear's eyes & head turned to Mike & the Manager, As if listening to them. "Freddy's been taking our profits & customers, and the higher up's have had about enough of it." retorted the manager, turned around & walked back towards Mike. "As far as the rest of the industry concerns itself, there is only room for one Animatronic Mascot." He said, coining a reference to a well-known, nationwide Pizzeria-chain mascot. "And i ain't one to play favorites neither, i could careless about the rat. I just want to continue getting a check at the end of every week." the manager finished, holding the Sledgehammer across his shoulders. "So tonight's the night that Freddy Faz Bear's Pizzeria, Place is history!" exclaimed the manager, walking casually back towards the stage.

As the manager walked back toward the stage, Mike struggled to free himself, but the rival Pizza employees were already reapplying the pain mike inflicted on them. After getting smacked by a crowbar across the face and getting struck in the abdomen several times, Mike fell to his knees in defeat. Only being supported by the pizza hut employees Troy & Bill, Mike looked up weakly to see the manager, walking back towards the titular Freddy, whom was looking out at them as if silently observing. With a smarmy look on his face, he faces mike. "You really did pick the wrong line of work today." started the manager as he started pacing back and forth across the stage. "There could have been so many other places for you to work security at. a Cinemaplex, a general store. Heck, you'd a been better off being a mallcop!" he projected to him, pointing and waving the end of the sledgehammer at him. "At least you could have ridden a neat little segway! But now its a bit too late to reconsider your career, cause you are about to watch it be turned into a broken down mess. And when I'm done with Freddy Faz fuck here, I'm gonna finish you off and send both of you into the trash!" raved the manager. The latter half of that sentence somehow caused ol Freddy's eyes to dart toward the manager. Only Mike was somehow able to notice it. He couldn't help but feel as if, somehow, someway, Freddy understood what was going on. He watched, he listened, he observed the fight from that stage. Mike tried to struggle, but the guys held him tightly in place. Being forced to watch a child-friendly mascot get smashed to bits. "And now...we bid adieu, to a very special bear." Said the Manager, readying the sledge with both hands, raising above his head. "Farewell Freddy. The world was just not Ready for you." he chuckled as he brought down the hammer with all his might. Mike cried out "No!"

-I will not let them bully others into submission.-

[4:45 AM]

What followed next, would be engraved within Michael Schmidt's psyche for a very long time. A brown, furry hand immediately grabbed the top most part of the handle. Stopping the sledgehammer in its place. The manager had a look of shock that mirrored Mike's and the employee's expression of disbelief. Suddenly, the little musical jingle Freddy played earlier started up again, his eyes flashing to the tempo. His head immediately turned towards the manager. And with a sudden eyebrow raised in a questionable manner, Freddy broke the tense silence by speaking. "Uh oh! looks like someone doesn't know the rules!" Said Freddy, his tone recognizably jolly and cheery. The manager freaked out slightly as he tried to pry free the sledgehammer. "What the hell!? he ain't supposed to be active!"

'No...he isn't.' Mike thought to himself.