Chapter 2: Dreams

"You're really lucky to be alive, you know that?" said a man about En's age with short black hair that was slicked back and wearing a blue jumpsuit. He had placed En on an operating table and was preceding to remove the bullet from his right eye. "If the bullet had gone completely through your head, you'd be 'dismantled' yourself."

"Even though the woman used an ordinary handgun on me, and not a specialized one like mine," En corrected. "I take it HandUnit called the police?"

"Yep," the man in the blue jumpsuit responded. "We cleaned up Freddy's body and put the woman into custody for assaulting a police-officer."

En flinched slightly as the bullet finally came loose. "But that's not entirely true, Techie, since I'm only sub-contracted to you guys."

"Maybe, but if people knew what you really were they'd be less sympathetic," replied the man in the blue jumpsuit as he placed the bullet on the tray next to him. "It's amazing how quickly we've adapted to the idea of humanoid Animatronics considering they were only found out six years ago in wake of Fred Bernstein's death and Fazbear Entertainment's collapse."

"Before Afton Robotics took over," added En.

"Despite the unfortunate accident that occurred right before the grand opening of their first Baby's World cabaret."

"Did anyone ever find out what the accident was exactly?"

"Not to my knowledge, and it's still an unsolved case."

"Maybe I'll look into it once I get paid for 'dismantling' Funtime Freddy."

"Not sure if Clara would approve. She's only hired you to go after renegade Animatronics, not solve actual police cases."

"Can't an Animatronic dream?"

Techie chuckled. "You guys don't have dreams, though. You're only programmed to do what you gotta do."

After that, En was silent as Techie attempted to repair his damaged right eye. Unfortunately, it had to be completely removed leaving a gaping hole where En's eye used to be. Then an electronic female voice called for En. Before he left, though, Techie covered his missing eye with some bandages that were lying around.

"You don't look half bad," Techie smiled half-heartedly. "Like a...badass anime character, or something like that."

"Really?" En looked at himself in the mirror and frowned. "I'm not sure I see the comparison, but I'll take your word for it."

"Enigma Ardell, please report to the Testing Room at once," the female voice repeated.

"You'd better get going," Techie stated, patting En on the back. "Or Clara's going to flip."

"You're right," En agreed, and walked out of the forensics lab. "As soon as you've fixed my eye, let me know."

"Sure thing, En," Techie waved.

###

In a dark room with one light, En sat on a metal chair while the electronic female voice spoke.

"Eggs Benedict."

"Benedict."

"Eggs Benedict."

"Benedict."

"Benedict Eggs."

"Benedict."

"Angsty Teen."

"Teen."

"Casual Bongos."

"Bongos."

"Bongos Casual."

"Casual."

"Exotic Butters."

"Butters."

"Exotic Butters."

"Butters."

"Butters Exotic."

"Butters."

"Congratulations," the female voice said to En. "You passed the Animatronic Obedience Test and will not be administered a controlled shock today. Please proceed to the front-desk to pick up your paycheck."

"Thank you," En said as he got up.

###

Outside, the sky had turned dark as a heavy downpour drenched the downtown area. But this didn't bother En, as he and the other Funtime Model Animatronics were built with waterproof skin. He quickly got into his hover-car and drove away, seeing floating holographic advertisements of Baby's World and Afton Robotics in general. A few blocks away, En parked the car near a rundown-looking apartment complex and got out. Inside the apartment, a few loiterers gave him sideways glances as he ascended several flights of stairs till he got to room 600. Unlocking the door, En stepped in and turned on the light.

"Surprise!"

A bunch of party balloons suddenly appeared, followed by streamers. Then on a small coffee table in the middle of En's apartment was a round white cake with a single purple candle lit. Behind the coffee table sat a young woman with red hair tied into pigtails, pale skin, shimmering green eyes, wearing a crimson dress that had a thinly veiled mid-drift, and ruby slippers.

"Welcome home, En," the young woman smiled. "And happy birthday!"

"Babe," En sighed. "Today's not my birthday, and you know it."

Huffing, the red-haired girl folded her arms. "I thought I'd cheer you up, since you clearly had a rough day."

"How can you tell?" En asked sarcastically.

"Because I'm a figment of your imagination, dummy!" Babe cried. "I see everything you see."

"Techie thinks you're just a glitch in my system, since Animatronics can't think creatively."

"Oh, you're no fun, En." Babe frowned and turned away.

Then as Babe started to vanish, En held out his hand. "Wait. I'm sorry."

Babe turned to face En. "Was it that thing Techie said? About Animatronics not having dreams?"

"Yeah, I guess that's been bugging me."

"Don't listen to him," Babe suggested, appearing right next to En. "He's just jealous that you get to kick robot butt and he doesn't."

En didn't move as Babe kissed his cheek and reappeared next to the birthday cake. He then took off his overcoat and shoes before sitting down.

"Here," Babe held out her hands. "I made you these."

In one hand was a yellow-and-green party hat, and in the other was a bright red nose attached to a string. Tepidly, En took the items from Babe's hands and put them on.

"Aw, you look so cute!" Babe remarked, and made a hand-mirror appear in her hand.

In the mirror, En saw the party hat was slanted a little and the red nose completely covered his own. "This feels weird."

"Why?"

"Because I feel like I've worn these before, but I don't know where."

"Hmm," Babe thought for a moment, but shook her head. "Well, regardless, you should make a wish before you blow out the candle."

This response confused En, but he didn't show it. Looking at the birthday cake before him, En closed his one eye and concentrated. I wish…

Before he could finish his thought, his wristwatch started vibrating. Opening his eye, En noticed the birthday cake was gone along with Babe. Behind him, the balloons and streamers had vanished as well. Reluctantly, he pressed a button on his wristwatch which showed an image of a middle-aged woman with medium-length blonde hair wearing a green coat.

"En, it's Clara," the woman's voice said sternly. "We found something interesting during Funtime Freddy's 'autopsy'. Get back here as soon as you can."

"Right away," En responded, and turned the wristwatch off.

To be continued…