PHEW, SUCH A LONG HIATUS! Not sure why that was. Anyways, I hope this chapter makes up for it. It's a long one, but not to worry! I've not forgotten about this fic and I thank your patience! Now a little backstory, and where FNAF 2 and part or 3 and 4 fit in. They will have their parts to play later though.
As the bus came to a stop, Mike felt a sense of dread and nervousness overcome his mind. It felt so strange coming back to work without the intense levels of worry he'd experienced the past four nights. That maybe the robots wouldn't attack him like they had all other nights. Of course, paranoid thoughts of a surprise attack on him did ripple through his mind.
'I'll bet they'll spring on me the second I come in. They've had all day to lick their wounds and will be out for blood,' he thought to himself.
But mixed with the paranoia where questions. Why had the robots stopped attacking him last night? Even when all four of them were there standing in front of him. Bonnie could have crushed his chest when he was on the floor and Chica could have easily snapped his neck when he was there. But they hadn't. And Foxy and Bonnie had all referenced being out of control somehow. Not being in their right minds. What could that mean? The distortion of their voices and their eyes being blacked out had been gone after the battle. What about that?
Mike figured he'd find out tonight. Beneath his worry, he hoped that Freddy would honor the agreement they'd made for information.
'He did look and sound awfully sincere.'
XXX
Mike settled into his office just as the clock struck midnight, signaling the beginning of his shift. He turned on the tablet and looked at the stage. The main band stared off into the dining room before moving. This time, the screen didn't flicker or cut out. The three gathered up into a spot on the stage, not paying much attention to the camera. Mike turned to the dining room camera and saw Foxy making his way up the aisles toward the stage.
"That's a first, to see him over there," Mike said to himself.
He turned off the cameras as it seemed like the robots were somewhere more preoccupied at the moment. The phone rang again, Mike figured this would be another call from Flint. Maybe the guard had somehow managed to survive the attack Mike had heard last night. But not cheerful voice greeted him. Just some... mumbling. It sounded deeper. The way it was playing, it sounded like it was being played in reverse as words, if that was what they were, cut out at the end rather than before. Then the phone beeped as the message ended.
Mike turned the camera on every now and then to check if they had moved. Every time he looked, they were on the stage, talking amongst themselves. Mike sat the tablet down and took a sip of coffee. At least tonight was actually quiet for once. So far.
After more waiting, time that felt like hours but was really minutes, Mike checked the camera again. The stage was empty. Mike looked all around quickly and frantically. He soon saw all four robots in the dining room, moving toward the hallways. Their eyes still glowed in the darkness.
"Mike? Are ye there, matey?" Foxy suddenly called from down the hallway.
"Uh… y-y-yeah!" he called back, shifting uneasily in his seat. "I'm here."
"We're coming over now," called Bonnie. "Don't… freak out. We're just coming to talk."
"Don't panic Michael," came Freddy's booming voice. "We're not the same people you met when you arrived."
Mike waited as they came closer and closer. On the west hallway camera, he saw them walking up slowly. Paranoia struck again as all four of them were coming up to him. Mike figured it was safer if they stayed a good distance away. Just so he could remain in control of his fate if this was a trick.
"That's close enough," he said as they came up to the window. The animatronics stopped at once and just stared.
"Still don't trust us, huh Mike?" Bonnie asked.
"NO. I don't," Mike said levelly. "Not fully. Just all of you stay right there where I can see you."
The robots stood in silence for a moment before Freddy spoke up, "Okay Mike. We understand."
The robots each took a seat on chairs they'd brought up from the dining room and Mike sat facing them through the open door.
"So," Mike said, breaking the tension. "I think we should start by first asking; what are you guys?"
"Kind of a stupid question to ask since you kinda already know," Bonnie quipped, rolling his eyes.
"Bonnie!" Freddy snarled. The rabbit looked down.
"We're highly advanced robots, Mike," Bonnie said, with an ounce less of attitude. "Designed by Fred Fazbach. The human version of Fred here." He gave a nod to the bear.
Mike scratched his head and looked at the four. It didn't seem possible for one man to have designed them all by himself. Scientists around the world couldn't even make a computer the size of a two story building think for itself with today's technology.
"That's not possible," he said.
"It's crazy Mike, but it's true," Chica replied, flexing her wing like hands a little.
"How does one guy do all…. This?" Mike asked, gesturing to the four mascots.
"Well he didn't do it alone," Freddy replied. "He, his partners and his company, Animatronics Limited sought to make the ultimate in children's entertainment."
"But why for kids, though?" Mike asked again. "I mean, this could have been used for the military or private security. Why a pizza parlor band?"
"I guess dad liked kids," Bonnie said, shrugging. But his voice showed a deeper feeling beyond the nonchalant way he acted.
"Our 'father' never had children of his own. I suppose by making others happy, that made him happy too," Chica explained.
Mike gave a nod at this explanation. He was starting to trust Chica a little more than Bonnie. Bonnie had a punky attitude while Chica had a motherly quality. Though it seemed Bonnie's attitude was more of a cover for something deeper. Freddy was without a doubt the father figure. What did that make Foxy though? The crazy but fun uncle or the imaginative younger kid? Mike figured either one would fit him.
"Our father was a dreamer," Freddy sighed reminiscing, "He wanted to make a land where imagination and fun were made real for all children."
"Aye, an that's why he made us!" Foxy said excitedly. "A human person could make imagination real for a child, but they would tire out while we couldn't."
"It was also easier for us to remain in character at all times," Freddy added. "Tell me, Michael, while a man can act a part, could they keep it up constantly?"
Mike shook his head. It would be physically impossible for a human to keep up that act.
"Correct. And because of that, we were the perfect choice to bring that world of imagination to life for children. Being we are who we are told to be and not someone pretending."
"Dad always told us that one day we might have a string of pizzerias strung across the nation. Of course, we had to impress everyone first," Bonnie sighed, his tone hinting that this was a long loved thought.
"Are ye understandin' all of this Mike?" Foxy asked.
"It's okay if you don't. I hardly get it myself," Bonnie added.
"Yes," Mike said, nodding. "I understand it all. But though it doesn't explain why you four have been trying to kill me all week."
The four animatronics looked away, a gloomy look on their faces. This was a certainly sensitive topic to say the least. For a minute there was silence.
Bonnie spoke first, "I believe the best place is to start at the beginning. When we first were powered up." He turned and looked at Freddy. "You want to start, Fred?"
The bear gave a nod. "Yes, Bonnie, I think I shall. In the summer of 1981, we were brought online. It was there we met our 'father'. He greeted us and told us what we would be doing as the original band had been moved to another restaurant."
"Original band?" Mike asked.
Freddy gave a nod. "Yes. The original band. You see, Mike, we are not the first animatronics to work here. We are updated versions of the originals that were built two years earlier."
"When the place first opened, there were other versions of us four. My original design had two buttons on my chest, as did Fred's design. Chica's head piece was designed closer to Fred and my design and had a wider beak and Foxy had a more pointed muzzle. We know this because the originals are still back there for parts," Bonnie said, cutting in.
Mike was intrigued by this as he'd never noticed these other copies of the band back stage, but then he'd never stayed back there long enough to really notice in the first place.
"But wait, you said another restaurant. I've never heard of there being another Freddy's in town."
Freddy gave a static filled sigh as he began, "Well it hasn't been around for years Mike. But to fully explain what happened to it we must begin a couple years after we were activated."
XXX
1983
The day was closing on another successful day at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. Even though the sister restaurant was more popular, the pizzeria still held on to a good chunk of its original customers who didn't wish to drive the extra thirty minutes. The new restaurant was bigger and had plenty of space for multiple birthday parties. As the day came to a close, the band was busy tidying up. Fredrick Fazbach stood nearby watching them.
"Today was great, but I'm pleased we don't have two large birthdays again for a long time. I've been running on half power all day," Bonnie said as he tuned his guitar strings.
"I know Bonnie," Mr. Fazbach replied with a hearty chuckle. "But I'm proud of you all for weathering it as best you could."
"It was no trouble at all, lad!" Foxy said heartily. "Twas a truly fun day."
"Yeah, it was a pretty fun day," Bonnie said, cracking a small smile.
"I really loved that sing-along we had with that little girl Sally. She has such a great singing voice," Chica said cheerfully.
"Ay, she would be a fine siren to send any sailor astray to the rocks," Foxy chuckled in agreement.
Just then, an employee came up to Mr. Fazbach. The two turned away from the cast, though Freddy heard most of what was said with his sensitive microphone ears. His voice sounded shocked, even horrified at some points.
"Oh god no. How could this happen?" "I'm not sure sir." "Look, tell the staff to take the characters off stage right away. I'll give them further instructions."
The employee took off as Freddy walked up.
"Fredrick, what was that about?" he asked. Mr. Fazbach turned back, his jovial personality returning.
"Oh, nothing at all, Freddy. Just being told some business I've been putting off for far too long at the factory," he replied.
Freddy almost didn't want to believe what Mr. Fazbach was saying cause it sounded too serious for that. But he didn't want to argue with him so he just let it go.
"Then I guess you better head out then. We'll manage the clean-up from here," Freddy replied.
"I know you will Fred. With you leading alongside them, this place will be spotless in no time," Mr. Fazbach said, patting Freddy on the back.
As Mr. Fazbach turned and left, the robotic bear though couldn't help but wonder what seemed to be bothering their creator. A hint of suspicion in his program made him figure whatever it was, it was probably best not knowing.
XXX
Later on, Foxy was readjusting his plastic treasure chest in Pirates Cove as he'd moved it around during the day for one boy's party. As the captain of his own side show, he liked to keep everything shipshape. He heard some footsteps approaching his cove. He turned to see it was the head security guard coming out, papers and his coat in hand. Likely heading home now as it was now night time.
"Ahoy thar, Mr. Flint," Foxy called as he walked past the Cove. The thin black haired guard stopped and stammered a little.
"Oh, uh, hi Foxy. Uh, how are things in the cove? Not too tiring I hope," the man said nervously. Foxy was surprised by his skittish attitude.
"Things be fine in the Cove laddie. But what's eaten at ye? Ye seem a bit nervous," the fox observed.
"Oh, uh… I guess I just got some business outside of work that has got me nervous," Flint said, casting a fake grin.
"Are ye sure?" Fox asked suspiciously. Something about the head guard's tone didn't sound right.
"Yes, I'm sure of it," Flint snapped. Foxy was off put by this now. He and Flint always got along well, and Flint never snapped at him.
"If ye're sure matey. Just remember Ol' Foxy's here ta lend ye an ear fer any trouble ye may be havin."
"Sure thing Foxy," Flint replied in a more friendly way.
"So what be all that there?" Foxy asked, indicating the mess of papers in Flint's hands. "Ye got more paper there then all the drawings in this here place."
"Oh, just some lines for another training tape to be left for employee's. Mr. Fazbach says my voice is uplifting and fitting for training tapes. This is some new lines he gave me today," the guard replied.
"I be seein' that. Well, I best be lettin' ye be on yer merry way home. I wish ye safe travels till the morrow," Foxy said, grinning.
"Thanks Foxy, "Flint said with a smile.
Foxy smiles and returned to setting his chest back into it's proper place. Flint began to leave but he suddenly stopped and turned back to the pirate.
"Oh, I just remembered. Nate will be coming in tonight to give you guys an inspection. You know, the usual to make sure you guys are show ready."
Nathan "Nate" Davis had worked as the chief mechanic for the restaurant for a few years before being moved over to the new restaurant. The older pizzeria had a different mechanic, Eddie Carver. The two men once worked at Mr. Fazbach's company and now worked as the mechanics for the pizzeria to train and assist staff for repairing and maintaining the robot cast. While the robots loved Nate and did miss him when he went to work at the other pizzeria, it was odd Nate would be coming over. He usually worked most of the night to tune up the robots over there and didn't have the time to come back to do checkups on them.
"Really?" Foxy asked, looking up from his chest of plastic gold. "What happened to Eddie?"
"Uh, well I heard from Mr. Fazbach he was fired a while ago for being caught smoking in the backstage area and being hostile toward the cooks and staff," Flint explained. "You know, it's probably just as well he was fired. Something about him always seemed….off."
"Aye, he be an odd fellow indeed," Foxy replied in agreement.
"Well, uh… I'll see you around tomorrow," Flint said, and he walked to the front entrance.
"Arr, safe travels lad. Beware the Kraken," Foxy called back before chuckling and returning to his chest of treasure.
"You too Foxy," Flint said as he walked off, reading through some of the papers. "'The company wants to make it clear the spring-lock suits are not to be used by staff or….' No.. not right. 'They are not to be used by staff.' That sounds better."
