Silly Old Bear

David felt a special kind of elation while his fingers strummed up and down his electric guitar. It wasn't that he hadn't been playing. He'd made sure to practice every opportunity he had but that was when he'd been playing alone. He hadn't played for any kind of audience in quite a while, not since his last gig in college.

Even though his audience wasn't exactly bursting at the seams. Chica and Foxy sat in the dining room in front of the stage while Bonnie stood off to stage left with a critical expression. He was willing to bet that Freddy could hear through the walls from backstage.

She'd been a lot better to him over this past year. Sure, most of the time she was still cocksure and prone to pranks, but it wasn't anything as mean spirited as before. Now, she was actually tolerable. They were getting along a lot better, enough that she was willing to share her guitar skills with him and help him improve.

Yes, it did increase her already big head giving her the position of teacher in this situation, but David had heard her play. She was actually really good. If there was any chance he might be able to inherit that skill, he was going to take it.

He finished his solo play of Johnny B Goode with a smattering of applause from his two-person audience.

"Tha' was a fine performance if I ever saw one!" praised Foxy.

"Woo! Go David!" cheered Chica.

"Thank you, thank you all," said David, with a bow. He looked to Bonnie. "How was that?"

She considered for a moment. "Not bad. You've definitely got a lot of talent and skill. That cover was pretty much perfect. You say you taught yourself?"

"For the most part, yeah," affirmed David. "I picked up a few things from other players when I was in high school and college, but most of this is pretty much me."

"That's pretty cool. You could definitely use a little more work though. I noticed a couple of times you lost the rhythm of the song and it sounded a little off," she said. "How do you usually play?"

"Pretty much as fast as I can," answered David. "Most of the tunes I wanna play are pretty high in the tempo department."

"I get that, but there's nothing wrong with playing slow at times," advised Bonnie. "It may not look as cool, but it helps get a sense of your rhythm and timing. Do you always do covers?"

"Mostly. It's what got me into playing, wanting to play like those guys," he said.

"I get that, but you might wanna try writing your own stuff," she went on. "It doesn't have to be world beating and you don't have to play it for anyone, but it helps you figure out how your playing fits into a song. Like for when you play a rhythm or for when you play a solo, so you're not left lost when you actually play with a group."

David nodded. "Yeah, I see. You ever write your own stuff?"

"Dude, where do you think most of our tunes come from?" she asked. "The 'trons played pre-recorded crud and these really bad cover pieces. I do not want that stuff tarnishing our band. And you always use that pick?"

"Yep." He held it up proudly. "Pretty much had this ever since I started playing. Been with me for about- HEY!"

His fingers grasped at thin air when Bonnie plucked it from his fingers and tossed it to Chica. She squealed in surprise and fumbled for a bit but managed to catch it in her hands.

"That's something else we gotta do," she said casually, ignoring his expression. "I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that some of the best guitar players play with their fingers." She played a brief riff on hers and shivered. "Oh yeah, that feels good."

"I do agree," said David, taking his pick back from Chica when she came forward with it, "but did you have to just toss it like that?"

"Yes. Now," she continued, "maybe you don't have to get rid of it for good, but it's a good practice to get into. I can play with both, but I use the pick in my suit 'cause I don't have as much dexterity in that thing. But oh man, there is nothing like playing it with your fingers. It feels more… personal, you know?"

"I suppose I see what you mean." He tilted his head at her. "You really do live for your art, don't you?"

"Hey, it's what I was born for. Literally," she laughed. "I'm just lucky that I was born into something as awesome as rock and roll. Not, say, swinging a toy sword around and telling stories that are about as true as saying my feet are lucky."

"Wha' was tha'?" growled Foxy.

"Oh sorry. I was just saying about how your show is lame and so are you," she said more loudly.

"Ta ye, lass bu' at least I don't ferget there's a ceilin' above me head," retorted Foxy with a snicker.

"You…!" Bonnie's ears went rigid and she glowered at Foxy. "Like you've never done anything dumb!"

"B-Bonnie, calm down," Chica urged gently.

"Oh, so yer admittin' that it was dumb, are ye?"

"Wha-? I didn't-!" Her glare intensified. "You are treading some thin ground here, peg leg."

"Oh aye, thin like tha' ceilin' was?" Foxy chortled. "I may have done some odd things too, bu' at least I'm not damagin' Fazbear property."

"F-Foxy, I think that's enough now," muttered Chica to Foxy. But the damage was done.

"That's it!" She pulled off her guitar and slammed a fist into her palm. "Come here!"

Before either David or Chica could stop her, she dived right off the stage at Foxy. He clearly saw it coming and darted aside before she could hit him. As a result, she skidded across the table on her belly, knocking party hats onto the floor and chairs out of place. Chica squealed and scrambled to the stage with David.

"Damagin' restaurant property again, lass?" Foxy wagged his finger disapprovingly. "I hope this isn't becomin' a habit."

"Oh, I'm about to do some real damage to some very particular restaurant property!" She rolled onto her back and performed a helicopter spin with her legs to get back on her feet. "Here, lemme show you!"

"I'd rather no' if it's all the same with ye." Foxy again managed to dodge her when she leaped for him. "An' they say I have a short temper. Did I touch a nerve, Bon?"

"How about you hold still and find out?!" she shouted, though she was smirking.

"Uh, should we try and stop them?" asked David to Chica.

"I um, don't think that's wise. R-Remember last time?" she whispered.

The memory brought stars to David's eyes and he could feel a faint pounding in his head.

"Yeah, let's just leave them to it." They watched as Bonnie managed to sweep Foxy's feet from under him and pin his wrists. "So, who've you got your bet on?"

"D-David, I'm not really sure that's… um…" She saw Foxy manage to get his feet wrapped around Bonnie's neck and knocked her aside. "Um… I think perhaps Bonnie. If her pride is wounded, she can get aggressive."

"What and Foxy doesn't? How about we say a pizza for the loser?" he suggested.

"Um…" She paused while Bonnie managed to bound right back at Foxy, laughing all the while. "A-Alright then. I just hope they don't hurt each other t-too badly…"

"FOXY! BONNIE!" Every head turned to see Freddy in the doorway of the backstage room and beside himself. "Stop this foolishness right now!"

"But boss-"

"I said now, Bonnie!" he repeated angrily. "Or do I have to peel the two of you apart myself?"

Very quickly, Bonnie and Foxy disentangled from each other. Foxy looked genuinely scared while Bonnie, though clearly disgruntled, seemed to know better.

"Children. That's what I'm dealin' with," he scorned. "And shame on you Chica and David for just lettin' them have at it. I thought you'd be more responsible than that."

"S-S-Sorry, Freddy," stammered Chica, looking thoroughly ashamed of herself.

"Oh come on," complained David. "It's not exactly the first time they've gotten into a tussle with each other. They never get hurt doing it, let them hash it out."

"Don't you be tellin' me what is and isn't appropriate, son," warned Freddy. "On that subject, keep down that infernal racket. I can hardly hear myself think."

"Aw, what?! We're just practicing with Davey!" protested Bonnie. "I was gonna join in too in a bit!"

"I said no, Bonnie," ordered Freddy firmly. "It's far too loud. Now, would you kindly keep the noise down and let me sit in peace?"

David folded his arms. "Maybe you might want to come out here instead? You certainly sound like you need some better company because it doesn't seem like you're keeping any at the moment."

Freddy turned his withering gaze to David. It was rather chilling to see such a normally gentle soul look at him that way, but David didn't falter his eye contact with him. But through the anger blazing in his eyes, David could see something else in them as well…

"I warn you, son," said Freddy in a low voice, "do not test me. I don't want to hear anythin' out of any of you. Not a peep."

He shut the door sharply before any of them could say anything else. The light atmosphere from before had all but evaporated. Chica was still looking shamefaced. Foxy's cheer was gone. Bonnie looked surly and moody.

"What the heck was his problem?" asked David.

"Not so loud, lad!" urged Foxy. "Freddy's jus' not in the best-a moods tonigh', is all."

"I could tell that much, Foxy," remarked David. "But I've never seen him flip his lid like that. You two have fought before and yeah, he's gotten annoyed but he looked like he was going to tear you both apart. He probably could too. He's not even letting us play!"

"David, please," murmured Chica, putting a hand on his shoulder. "If Freddy says we need to be quiet, then it's just best that we are."

"What a crock," muttered Bonnie darkly.

"Why is he always back there anyway?" asked David. "Ever since I started here, he seems to spend most of his time shut up backstage."

"He's go' a lot on his mind, Dave," said Foxy.

"Was he always like this?"

"No' always," admitted Foxy. "Bu' now, Freddy likes his own company. It's best we respect tha'."

"But he's got all of you," pointed out David. "You're all like family and this is the only time you really get together without your suits. Why does he always waste it shut up in the dark?"

"David, please try to understand." Chica sat him down on the edge of the stage. "Before you met us… let's just say we went through a rather emotional event. We… lost someone close to us and Freddy took it the hardest. H-He blames himself mostly for what happened. He'll be fine we just… need to be considerate of his needs."

"Oh." This was a bit of a shock for David. "Who was it?"

"A backstabbing traitor, that's who," remarked Bonnie sourly.

Chica flinched a fraction. "Bon, please…"

"Wait…" David thought for a moment. "It wasn't someone called Goldie, was it?"

Every eye was suddenly locked on David. Chica looked shocked. Both Bonnie and Foxy looked especially angry.

"How do ye know tha' name, lad?" growled Foxy. "Don't lie now."

"Hey, hey calm down," he said quickly. "When I first started here, I remember Chica was talking to Bonnie about her. Is that who it is? Is she another synth? What happened?"

"Um…" Chica looked away. "It's… not something we talk about easily, David. S-Sorry."

"Okay," he sighed. "I get that, I really do. But I've been with you for a year. Are you really telling me Freddy's not come around in that time?"

"Some healing takes longer for some than it does for others," reasoned Chica.

"But don't you all miss him?" he asked. "He's back there every night, he barely comes out except for when it's near the end of my shift or when we play our game and even then he sometimes leaves himself out. He's like your leader. I can tell how much you all respect him, even I do. You're seriously telling me you'd rather have him back there than out here?"

All of them shifted around uncomfortably, glancing at the backstage door. That said to David all he needed to know.

"I'll be right back." He got up from the stage and strode towards the door.

"Wha'-? Dave, wha' are ye doin'?!" Foxy made to stop him. "Ye can'-!"

But David had already opened the door and walked inside. There sat Freddy at the table, his top hat lying next to him so his bear ears were on show along with his neatly combed brown hair. He looked up when David entered, extremely perturbed.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the others standing a few feet behind him. They seemed torn whether to try and drag him away or let him carry on his course and see what happened.

"I don't recall givin' you permission to come in, son," he said quietly. "If you wouldn't mind…"

"I do mind, actually." David folded his arms. "I really think it would be best if you joined us."

"Not right now." He turned away from him. "Go on now, get out."

"No," said David firmly. "You spend all of your time sitting back here and what good does it do you? What good does it do Bonnie or Chica or Foxy?"

"What good it does or doesn't do is none of your concern," replied Freddy sharply. "I won't tell you again to leave me alone."

"You're going to have to because I'm not going anywhere until you snap out of this funk," retorted David.

Freddy turned slowly to look at him again. "What makes you think you're in any position to tell me what to do?"

"I'm the night guard." David tapped his badge for emphasis. "It might be your name above the place, but from twelve till six, I'm the one in charge."

"David, I am not in any mood to be pushed right now," warned Freddy. "Now, I'm goin' to ask you one more time to get out of this room and-"

"You can't keep using what happened with Goldie as an excuse, you know," cut off David.

At the mention of the name, Freddy turned sharply to look at him. He rose from his chair, his face hard set with steadily mounting fury. The look in his eye sent a chill down David's spine, but he persisted.

"Look, I know I don't know what actually happened, but you can't just keep using it as an excuse to distance yourself. They all feel bad about it too, but at least they're not shutting themselves away every night. You tell Foxy not to dwell on his mistakes, but you can't even follow your own advice. There's a certain point when you have to-"

David didn't get the chance to finish because Freddy crossed the room in four strides, lifted him by his shirt lapel and physically tossed him from the room. David slid across the floor, his back complaining from the impact.

"David!" The rest of the gang hurried to help him to his feet.

"I'm fine," he assured them. He looked at Freddy.

That same expression was still on his face and despite how far he was, he seemed to tower over them all. When he spoke, his voice was shaking with anger

"You're right, David. You don't know a damn thing about what happened!" Without another word, he slammed the door. David could have sworn he saw cracks around the frame.

"Ye went too far, lad," said Foxy.

"You have to push the boundaries sometimes, Foxy or else you don't know where they are," he replied. "But now I do know, I can figure out where to go from here."

"You mean you're gonna do that again? I never thought I'd be the one to say anything like this, but seriously, don't," advised Bonnie.

"Not tonight, no," clarified David. "But for as long as it takes, I'm going to keep at it."

"But why?" Chica looked horrified. "Why not just leave him be? I've never seen Freddy s-so angry…"

"That's exactly why," he said. "He needs to learn that it's time to try and move forward or he's just going to get left behind."

I am on fire with these updates!

RiftBlade00: Having sympathetic characters will do that to you XD

Balloon: Yeah, the focus is more on Mike and his dad in this one. The title is related to that: Old is his dad, New is Mike.

JJ: Content related to the Purple Guy will be revealed as time goes on. For now, just stick with me until he does show. There's still many more facets of FNaF I have yet to explore. I do have a plan for these stories and he may or may not appear.

Alexis: Jeremy himself will appear at a later time but feel free to see her as FemJeremy if you like XD

Kliff: I'm glad I can give you that level of detail. And come on, you know what she's been through, of course she's a little desperate.

Guest: I'm assuming that's you, 1OneHuman. If it isn't, my apologies and thank you. I'm glad you do see Bonnie fleshing out more. That's something that will be very prevalent in the next story for all of the synths. And sorry, it's just you.

1OneHuman: Hey it was you! Yeah, it's not a nice feeling at all. Thank you, glad it's still holding your interest.

Okay, just a general thing here about how Purple Guy and the child murders will be involved. I understand you all want to see it, but it has to be considered carefully. No child murders have occurred at this version of Freddy's, there's no animatronic suits for their corpses to be stuffed into and for their spirits to possess and most of the supernatural elements of the game will be more scientific in basis in this one. Be assured, I am considering very carefully how to do this but it does require careful thinking. It needs to fit in credibly with the universe I've established and it has to be done right.

Also, I know we all like Rebornica's take on Five Nights but remember, Vincent is their interpretation of the Purple Guy. I want this to be my version of him, not theirs. Not saying their version is bad, I just don't want to use him.

For now, I ask you to be patient and trust me that I am putting thought into this. Hopefully the fruits of my labour will be shown.

Be strong, be swift, be just.