AN: This is a SEQUEL to Universal Language. Please read that one first!

Universal Language: Cuneiform

Chapter 1: Four Months Have Passed...

Mr. Jonathan Fazbear II, owner and operator of Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria (a family restaurant he had inherited from his father) was debating whether he had been blessed with an eager, bright employee or cursed with a destructive force of nature that was out to confound and annoy him.

Roni Byrd, now twenty, was the pizzeria's full-time night security guard. She worked from nine o'clock at night until six in the morning, since accepting the full-time position a month ago. Before that she had been a part-time miracle for four months (having survived and befriended the Fazbear gang, the first one to do so since 1993), and a near-constant, questioning, suggesting thorn in his side.

Although she had granted him some keen insights – after coming in for lunch one day she'd seen the animatronics show, walked straight up to him and declared it 'boring' and 'lacking in imagination and interactivity.' He had admitted that the songs were old and pizza-themed, but pointed out that there wasn't much they could do about it, especially since money at the pizzeria was currently tight. The next night, Roni had arrived an hour early for her shift, cornered him in his office, and set down a large folder and stack of 'Kid's Bop' and 'Now' CDs – the kind that had all the current, popular songs on them that you bought off TV infomercials. She'd thoroughly researched the laws involving karaoke and copyright, scoured through hours of Youtube videos, and even drawn up a preliminary list of kid-friendly songs the children would love to sing along to.

The animatronics had hopped right on board when she introduced the idea to them. After much brainstorming, they decided that each child would get a little token when they came in, and they could use that token any time during the visit to choose a song, get up on stage, and sing it with the band. They could also use tickets won in the few arcade games in the back of the dining hall to buy as many tokens as they wanted (though to keep it fair, each token cost fifty tickets – more than most kids could earn in only one day). The singing would only happen in the afternoons during the weekday, but would be available most of the day between shows on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. After some hemming and hawing, Fazbear had agreed and a week later, they had implemented the karaoke idea.

It had exploded. News of the animatronics singing more 'modern' songs had spread like wildfire through the elementary grape vine, and Fazbear had ended up having to nearly double his wait staff to keep up with the sudden influx of customers. Of course, this had led to people worrying about their kids safety, which had also been solved by the red-headed imp.

Roni had shown him an episode of 'CSI: Miami' in which a girl was kidnapped at a play place. The play-place shut down, and when talking to the forensic people (the only one of whom he recognized was the redhead with the sunglasses) the employees explained they used hand stamps to identify which kids belonged to which adult. Roni had suggested using colored bracelets instead – the kind that were made of paper and plastic and were impossible to get off without scissors, a knife, or vampire-like incisors.

She'd been bouncing off the walls of his office that day, firing ideas at him. They would have four colors of bracelets – brown for Freddy, yellow for Chica, purple for Bonnie, and red for Foxy. Fazbear had immediately shot down the red – Foxy wasn't an active part of the show, and despite Roni's less-than-subtle hints he wouldn't be returning to it anytime soon. After a moment of pouting she'd continued, explaining that the families last name would be printed on the bracelets, making it nearly impossible for someone to leave with kids who weren't theirs. Fazbear had warmed up to the idea, deciding to install a 'registration counter' by the front door where families would have to check in and check out, with several security cameras around the area to keep track of every single person who entered and exited the restaurant. Neither of the two mentioned the not-so-unknown 'missing children' incident of nearly thirty years past, but both kept it on their mind as they planned the new safety measures.

They went off without a hitch, and the three computers at the registration counter often found their lines fluctuating, depending on who the popular animatronic was that day. The brown wrist-band line was almost always full, while the purple and yellow lines switched, depending on how many Bonnie and Chica fans were there. Roni bought the printer with the red bracelets herself and tucked it away for when her questions and suggestions finally wore away at Fazbear's patience enough to reintroduce Foxy to the customers.

So Roni was both a blessing and a curse, Fazbear decided as he watched the custodians clean up the dining hall. It was 8:45, the place had closed at eight (it was a Sunday, and they always closed early on Sundays), and most of the staff had left. The two custodians finished sweeping up from the days party, took their tools to the storage closet, and left, complaining about how messy the children were. The store owner sipped his tea and looked at his watch. 8:50. Ten more minutes until Roni would arrive.

As soon as they were alone in the building, the animatronics began to move. Bonnie nearly dropped his guitar as his tired arms were finally able to hang at his side.

"If we have to sing 'Let It Go' one more time," he groaned, setting his guitar in it's stand and slumping down dramatically in the middle of the stage, "I'm going to scream."

Beside him, Freddy adjusted his hat and bow tie, then patted Bonnie on the head. "It has to lose it's popularity eventually." He reassured the bunny.

"Roni warned us about this," Chica pointed out as she set her little cupcake down and stretched her tired wings over her head. "She said that we shouldn't add the song, but you," she pointed at Bonnie, "insisted since you like the movie so much."

"Liked. If I ever watched Frozen again I'm gonna hurl."

"Ye can't hurl, matey. Ye be a robot." Foxy had emerged, easily crossing the dining hall with large strides and plopping himself down on the side of the stage. "Are ye all as excited fer tonight as I am?"

"What's there to be excited about?" Fazbear asked as he sipped his tea, which had begun to cool thanks to his staring off into space and wool gathering.

"Did ye forget matey? Tonight be the night First Mate Roni got permission to bring her little brother aboard this ship!"

Fazbear wanted to smack himself in the face for forgetting that important fact. Roni had been talking about bringing her eight-year-old brother with her for weeks, having finally worn down her Grandmother enough to get permission. He settled for pinching the bridge of his nose instead.

"Two of them. I hope the restaurant is still standing in the morning."

Chica laughed at the mans sigh. "Oh she's not that bad, silly."

"No, no, I think dad is right to be worried." Bonnie had gotten to his feet and was staring at the front door, ears twitching as they awaited the tell-tale footsteps of their night guard. As usual, Fazbear rolled his eyes at the nickname but didn't interrupt the purple bunny. "Roni can be really hyper sometimes. Remember at Easter, when she brought in that huge chocolate bunny and munched on it all night?"

"Didn't you spend the rest of the night screaming 'cannibal' whenever you saw her?"

"That's beside the point. By three o'clock she was literally bouncing off the walls!"

"Yes, because the janitors had just waxed the floors and she was running around in her socks." Freddy pointed out. He ignored Fazbear's raised brow and frown, focusing instead on the other three animatronics. "Look, Roni is a good guard, and obviously a good big sister. I'm sure tonight will go fine."

Any rebuttal the others might have had was cut off by the front door swinging open, allowing the night air to swirl in and mask the smell of stale pizza for a moment. Two figures stepped in – well, one stepped in, and the other shuffled behind her.

Roni was in front, all 5'3" of her. The short woman had recently turned twenty and despised the animatronics for their height, though she loved them for everything else. She was in her guard uniform – a purple button-up shirt, slacks, and a cap with a gold badge on the front declaring her 'security.' Her red hair was in a pixie cut, and there were several silver studs along her ears.

The shadow behind her was a foot shorter, and was peeking out under her arm with wide eyes the same color as his sister. His hair was a darker red and stuck out wildly, creating a permanent bed-head look. He was dressed in a purple t-shirt and jeans, and had a construction paper badge pinned to his chest. The word 'security' was written across it with a backwards 'y' at the end, scrawled in a shaky hand that hadn't yet developed all the right fine-motor skills. He had a backpack covered with pictures from the popular Transformers cartoons slung across his back.

The animatronics instantly recognized the boy – Donatello "Donnie" Byrd. After being hired and learning that employees got a free pizza once a week, Roni had begun bringing him and their grandmother to the restaurant every Friday for dinner. The little boy adored the animatronics, while his grandmother (a round woman with curly white hair that was impossible to impress with their songs) found them 'creepy' and 'unnecessary.' Both Roni and Donnie always ended up apologizing to the band before leaving, or Roni would apologize that night, for their grandmother's attitude. The animatronics always waved it off – she was not the first, nor would she be the last, to find them 'creepy.'

Now, Donnie was here and they would finally get a chance to formally meet him and, hopefully, become his friend. Roni had been telling them all week about how excited her brother was to come for the night shift. Now, however, he refused to move out from behind Roni, grabbing her shirt to keep her from walking farther into the room.

"Ah, Miss Byrd, it's lovely to see you." Fazbear finally broke the silence and, after motioning for the animatronics to stay put, strode across the room to greet the guard. "I see you brought help tonight!"

Roni nodded, smiling at the man. "Good evening Mr. Fazbear. Yes, my little brother wanted to come help me tonight." She grabbed her brothers shoulder and tried to pull him out from behind her, but it was a fruitless effort. He stayed glued to her side.

Fazbear chuckled and crouched in front of the boy, bringing them eye-to-eye. "You must be young mister Donatello, correct?" He asked, giving the child a small, comforting smile. "You know, the animatronics have been very eager to meet you."

"They have?" Donatello came out from his hiding spot a bit more, staring at the man in wonder.

"Oh yes," the older man nodded. "Bonnie has been talking about coloring with you, and Freddy wants to sing with you. Miss Chica there," he waved behind her, "Wants you to help her bake cupcakes, and," he slowed his voice down and leaned forward, whispering, "You get to meet the very best animatronic there is."

"I do?" The boys eyes were as wide as saucers.

"Yes. Foxy the Pirate came by tonight, just to say hello!"

"A pirate!?" The boy seized his sisters arm again, pulling on it hard. "You never told me there was a pirate here!" He spun to face Fazbear. "Is he – is he a real pirate? Like Jack Sparrow?"

"No," Fazbear shook his head, and watched as the boys face fell in disappointment. "He is far, far braver and stronger and faster than that Mr. Jack Sparrow could ever hope to be! He's sailed all seven seas, and has fought off Black Beard, Blue Beard, and Red Beard."

"I didn't know there was a Red Beard!"

"That's because Foxy the Pirate Fox is the only one who ever faced him and lived to tell the tale!" Donnie was now staring up at the man, something akin to hero worship beginning to crowd his eyes. Fazbear obviously had him hook, line, and sinker. "Would you like to meet him."

Wordlessly, the boy nodded, automatically releasing his sister and taking Mr. Fazbear's hand. Roni groaned and rubbed her abused shoulder in relief as the man escorted her little brother across the room to the stage, where the animatronics were watching with amused expressions. After making sure her arm was still connected, she followed.

Foxy was now standing by the stage, and was it her imagination or was his tail wagging? He had his hands on his hips and watched as the man and boy approached him.

"Captain Foxy," Fazbear stopped a few feet away from the animatronic, his hand moving to Donnie's shoulder, "I would like to introduce you to someone very special. This is Donnie."

"Is it now?" Foxy's maw split into a grin, showing off his sharp teeth, as his eye patch flipped up and he peered at the young boy. "Ye look like a strapping young lad! Tell me, what are ye doing here this late a' night?"

Donnie took a deep breath and puffed out his chest, making sure his security 'badge' was on straight. "I'm a security guard tonight, Captain Foxy!" He explained.

"A security guard, eh?" Foxy tapped his hook against his chin. "We already be havin' one o' those matey, I don't think we be needin' another one." Donnie's face fell, and behind him Roni looked ready to throw down with the animatronic until he cried uncle. "Ye know what I do be needin', though?" The fox crouched down and placed his non-hook hand on the boy shoulder. "I be needin' a first mate! Would ye be interested in the job?"

Joy rekindled, the boy could only stare at Foxy and nod his head up and down as though his neck had become a spring. A look of relief cross both Fazbear's and Roni's faces (both had been gearing up for an ass kicking for a certain tricky fox).

"I be needin' an 'aye' there, lad!"

"Aye, captain!" Donnie released Fazbear's hand and grabbed Foxy's instead. The pirate immediately swept his new matey off towards Pirate's Cove, already answering questions and regaling the boy with stories of his travels. As soon as the two were behind the purple curtains, out of sight and ear shot, Roni released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She flopped down on the stage beside Bonnie, who had sat back down and was pouting about his sore arms and having 'Let It Go' stuck in his processor.

"Thank you, Mr. Fazbear. I don't know why he got so 'shy' all of a sudden. It's not like him."

"To be fair, it is a bit dark in here, and the animatronics can cut an intimidating figure to those who don't know them." Fazbear patted her knee. "I think Foxy will take good care of him for the time being."

All five looked towards Pirate's Cove, where laughter could already be heard, as well as the sound of wood thwacking against wood and fabric flapping. Freddy shared a smile with his band mates – it had been a long time since they'd heard the fox laugh in such a carefree manner.

"I should get going, before my wife starts to worry." Fazbear drained the rest of his tea and threw the paper cup in the trash bin nearest the stage. "Oh, Miss Byrd, I did want to show you this." He pulled a newspaper clipping from his breast pocket. Roni sat up and took it, face lighting up as she read it.

"Old Restaurant Given New Life By Innovative Ideas and Precautions." She read aloud as the animatronics gathered around. "Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria has slowly been losing money over the past few years due to a stagnant ritual and old animatronics, which have been far outstripped by today's technology." Freddy and Chica growled, while Bonnie's ears drooped. "The restaurant has been given a second chance, however, thanks to the introduction of new safety measures and activities."

"Parents now have to register at a front counter when entering the restaurant, and families are given color-coded wristbands with their names printed on them to help prevent child abductions. Camera's have also been added around the only entrance in or out, providing twenty-four hour security footage in case the unimaginable does happen. The front counter is wired directly into a police facial recognition database, and the footage will recognize sex offenders and violent criminals and the floor manager will be notified if they are present. The police will also be called automatically. These safety measures have put parent's minds at ease, and have increased patronage at the restaurant ten-fold."

"Also new is the animatronics routine. A karaoke system has been set up with all the latest and greatest songs available. Each child receives a token when they arrive and can use it to sing a song with the famous Fazbear Band. More tokens can be bought by winning tickets at the arcade games. Mr. Jonathan Fazbear II, owner and operator of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, says that this has brought more life to his restaurant than he ever imagined.

"It's incredible," he stated in an interview. "I never imagined that the place could be this full of life – I was really worried we were going to have to shut down at the end of the year, but thanks to these new systems we've earned enough to keep the restaurant open for at least a decade, if not more! The customers are happier too – the parents feel safer, and the children love being able to sing with their favorite band."

"When asked if he planned to reinstate the 'free-roam' program that made the restaurant unique in the 1980's. The free-roam program enabled the animatronics to walk around the restaurant and interact with the customers. It was scrapped after an unfortunate even in 1987 when a security guard was attacked due to a badly malfunctioning animatronic. Fazbear said he hadn't thought of it. "We'll have to hire some engineers first, to make sure the animatronics are in perfect condition and completely safe. I never want anyone here are Freddy's to be injured or afraid."

"This reporter, who has two young children of her own, is personally amazed at the changes Freddy Fazbear's Pizza has made. It is a place I went as a child, and it is a place my children love. These added safety measures and entertainment make it all the more worthwhile. As one parent to another, I encourage you to check it out this weekend!"

Roni finished the article and examined the pictures that accompanied it. One was a small shot of the outside of the building. Underneath it was a much larger picture of the three animatronics singing, with a young child with a bright-blue microphone singing along beside them, looking as though all his wildest dreams had come true. She laughed at the picture and passed the paper to the animatronics, who peered at it in delight.

Fazbear had retrieved his briefcase while she was reading and now stood ready to go, waiting only for her reaction.

"This is awesome," she pointed at the article. "Is this why it's been so insanely busy this weekend? That's from Friday's paper, right? I didn't see it in yesterdays or today's, but I missed Friday's."

"Yes, it's from Friday's paper." He nodded, loosening his tie as he inched towards the door, exhausted and ready to sleep. "I'm glad you approve. The lady who interviewed me wanted to talk to you, too, about how you came up with your ideas for the karaoke and security system."

"Oh?"

"Mm-hmm. We'll set it up later. For now, get to work." He winked, then was out the door and in his car, eager to get home, kiss his wife, and rest his aching bones for a few hours.

Once he'd peeled out of the parking lot, Roni looked at the other three. "We should put that article up on the bulletin board near the bathrooms. A little good press can go a long way."

Freddy nodded and left to go do so, walking slowly so he could re-read the article again and again as he went. Roni was certain the smile on his face wouldn't be going anywhere for the rest of the night.

There was a crash from Pirate's Cove, a loud laugh, and then the sound of wood thwacking plastic. The guard rolled her eyes and stood up.

"C'mon guys, we'd better go rescue Foxy from my little brother."

Foxy was having the time of his life, even if he didn't think that Donnie was quite playing fair. They'd started a sword fight with wooden swords soon after arriving in his cove. A few minutes into the fight, the lad had thrown up his hands and cried 'wait!' before going to his backpack, which he'd dropped by the curtains. He had put down the sword and pulled out a short black and silver stick, then squared off against the fox once more. With a flick of his wrist, a plastic tube cut into sections slid out and lit up with a green light, flashing every time he knocked it against something. With an 'okay, go!' he'd attacked Foxy once more with the odd sword.

"Donnie!" Ah, the others had arrived. Freddy had pulled back the cove's curtains, revealing the three confused animatronics and one upset big sister. She climbed up onto the stage, scowling, as Donnie lowered his flashing sword in confusion. "Really, I thought I taught you better than that!" The guard stomped over to his backpack, which was closer to Foxy now, and pulled out an identical black handle. With a flick of the wrist, it extended into a red flashing sword. "Really, play fair now." She winked at Foxy and handed it over, taking his wood sword away.

"Lass, what be this?" He asked, examining the plastic closely as it flashed.

"It's a light saber!" Donnie chirped. "Don't you know what a light saber is?"

"They haven't seen the Star Wars movies yet, Donnie."

The boys jaw dropped, and he looked at the animatronics incredulously. "You haven't? What has my sister been teaching you?"

"Hey, I'm a great teacher!" Roni put her hands on her hips and glared at the boy.

"No you're not! You're a terrible teacher! Honestly, not showing them Star Wars yet. You've worked here five months!"

Roni turned back to the fox. "Captain, may I borrow that?" She asked sweetly. Without waiting for a reply, she dropped the wood sword, grabbed the light saber, and charged at her brother. Donnie immediately took off around the Pirate's Cove stage, screeching in laughter as he did so. "Get back here you little brat! I'll keel-haul ya! I'll make ya walk the plank! Donnie, I am your sister!"

Foxy stepped off the stage to join his friends, all of whom were watching the siblings with varying smiles of contentment and amusement. After Roni thwacked Donnie on the head, and her brother retaliated by hitting her several times on the shoulder, Bonnie sighed.

"I told you," he muttered, "dad was right to be worried."

AN: And so begins Roni's second adventure with the animatronics! Bonnie is right to be worried, though not for the reasons he thinks...

Please review so I can know what y'all think! Thanks!