I do not own the song used in this chapter. That right belongs to Avicii.

After Hours

Jam Session

"Alright, I think you've all got it down," Mike beamed up to the animatronics up on stage from his seat before them, and received similar smiles in return. "Just a few quick notes before our last run-through," Mike pointed to each animatronic in turn. "Freddy, the song pitches up at the end of each chorus, so don't forget that. Chica, make sure not to come in early this time. Bonnie, I'm certain that there won't be any big problems this time around, but there are then just keep powering through – that actually goes for all of you.

"And for the last time, I'm sorry that the song doesn't have three verses like every other song in the world. I didn't write it." Mike turned to the seat next to him, where Foxy sat staring up at the stage like it was the most important thing in the world. "Foxy, any other comments you've come up with?"

"Hmm?" Foxy turned to his human friend, briefly confused but catching up quickly. "Ah, nay, nay. Ye put together a fine show, lad."

Mike nodded and turned back to the three on stage. "Okay, whenever you guys are ready."

Mike was proud of the animatronics. Earlier that night, when they'd heard him humming a little tune to himself as he checked the cameras, they'd all been curious. Understandable, given that the only songs that the animatronics ever played were the same songs they played twenty years ago. Music had evolved a lot since then, and Mike was disappointed to see that his friends were so out of touch.

So when they had asked him to teach them to perform that song he'd been humming, Mike had been surprised but receptive. He'd never really thought of himself as a teacher, but if they really wanted to learn, then who was he to stop them?

And it hadn't exactly been easy. As fast as the animatronics were capable of learning, they were far from perfect and often made mistakes at first. Bonnie in particular had a nasty habit of immediately stopping when something went wrong, and Chica was always coming in way too early. But they'd slowly started overcoming those weaknesses, and now Mike had to admit that they put on a pretty good, if not stellar performance, especially considering they'd only been practicing for a few hours. There was still some room for improvement, but Mike was certain that they would be just fine.

The three animatronics up on stage all looked to each other and nodded in assent before turning to face front once more. "Cue up the song, Mike," Bonnie called out.

Mike pulled out a remote and turned on the onstage speakers, giving the animatronics a thumbs-up. Within seconds a fast-paced guitar melody began reverberating throughout the dining hall, and Bonnie quickly began strumming along to match it. After a few seconds, the guitar died down and Freddy stepped forward to sing.

Feeling my way through the darkness

Guided by a beating heart.

I can't tell where the journey will end,

But I know where to start.

Mike could feel his head bobbing along to the beat.

They tell me I'm too young to understand.

They say I'm caught up in a dream.

Life will pass me by

If I don't open up my eyes.

Well that's fine by me.

Now it was Chica's time to join in. She had a tendency to come in a beat or two early, so Mike was a bit worried. However, she came in with perfect timing, her voice blending with Freddy's, and Mike felt himself relax.

So wake me up when it's all over.

When I'm wiser and I'm older.

All this time I was finding myself and I

Didn't know I was lost.

So wake me up when it's all over.

When I'm wiser and I'm older.

All this time I was finding myself and I

Didn't know I was lost.

Freddy and Chica's voices died out, and that rapid guitar beat started up once again. Mike had to give Bonnie credit; it was a difficult beat to follow, and yet the rabbit had picked it up with surprisingly little trouble. As far as Mike was concerned the only real danger was that Bonnie would make a minor error and then completely stop again. It was a bad habit of Bonnie's, most likely brought on by a lack of confidence uncharacteristic of him. Mike had made certain to address it as best he could, but his only real advice had just been to "just keep going." It was up to Bonnie to put it into action.

And apparently fortune was shining on the pizzeria, because Bonnie finished the guitar solo without event. It was Chica's solo now.

I tried carrying the weight of the world,

But I only have two hands.

Hope I get the chance to travel the world,

But I don't have any plans.

Freddy joined back in for the next quartet of lines.

Wish that I could stay forever this young,

Not afraid to close my eyes.

Life's a game made for everyone,

And love is the prize.

And then the bear and bird catapulted into the second chorus together, backed by Bonnie's skillful guitar playing.

So wake me up when it's all over.

When I'm wiser and I'm older.

All this time I was finding myself and I

Didn't know I was lost.

So wake me up when it's all over.

When I'm wiser and I'm older.

All this time I was finding myself and I

Didn't know I was lost!

Freddy went for the high note and hit it perfectly. That was another thing Mike had been afraid of, but it seemed he'd been underestimating his friends.

And as Freddy continued to sing alone, the song neared its end...

I didn't know I was lost!

I didn't know I was lost!

I didn't know I was lost...

I didn't know... I didn't know... I didn't know...

Freddy finished his part, and Bonnie began playing the long guitar solo that led to the end of the song. Without realizing it, Mike began to clap along to the beat. Foxy, having only one good hand, simply struck his hook against the exposed metal on his chest. It kind of dented the metal and tore up the fabric on his chest even more, but the fox was too happy to notice. Plus, Mike could probably fix it later.

Finally, Bonnie struck the last note and the song came to an end. Mike stood up and started applauding, and Foxy whooped loudly. The three animatronics bowed to their two-man audience before setting their instruments down and coming down off of the stage.

"So, how'd we do?" Chica grinned.

"How'd you do?! That was great!" Mike praised the robots vehemently. "I can't believe it only took a few hours for you guys to learn that song so well!"

"Yeah well, when you spend twenty years playing the same songs over and over, you kinda jump at the chance to try something new," Bonnie snarked good-naturedly. "But seriously, this was pretty fun. Can't wait to do it again."

"Assumin' you wouldn' mind teachin' us some more songs, son," Freddy added, his statement pulling double time as a question.

Mike had to give the proposition some thought. The night had been one of interesting discoveries, both for the animatronics and Mike. The thought of teaching the animatronics new songs to perform was something Mike had never even considered; it just never seemed practical. They took a long time to rehearse, and even then there was no real chance that the robots would ever get any opportunity to perform what they'd learned during the day. At least not without raising a lot of questions.

And yet these last few hours had been both fun and surprisingly rewarding. Teaching, Mike had learned, was tough but gratifying. At the end of it all he felt good about all he'd done, regardless of whether he'd ever be known for it. And his friends were so happy to learn more about the world as it was today... maybe he really could keep teaching them new songs now and then, if not every night. Hell, maybe he could teach them other things as well. He'd be... Mr. Schmidt, teacher. He liked the sound of that.

Mike grinned. "Well, it'll take some planning, and we certainly won't be able to do anything on a nightly basis, but... maybe a couple of nights a week or so we can work something out."

All four animatronics cheered at Mike's words. Surprisingly, Foxy was the loudest. "Ha ha ha! Good ta hear, boyo! Lettin' Cap'n Foxy show off 'is talents, smartest idea I ever 'eard!" Without warning Foxy swung his arms out wide and started belting out a painfully off-key rendition of "A Pirate's Life for Me." Everyone else winced and covered their ears, but the fox's yowls still slipped through the gaps between their fingers.

Still, Mike couldn't help but laugh out loud at the sight, and even the other three animatronics all chuckled. If this was what he had to look forward to, Mike thought, teaching probably wouldn't be so bad.