A/N: Well guys, here I am again after four weeks of inactivity. My new schedule leaves very little time for writing and sometimes unexpected stuff happens. To all of you who are still into this, I cannot thank you enough for being so patient with me. I'm sorry to make you wait again, but you can be certain that this story will go on, even though updates might come sporadically.

Speaking of the story, this chapter turned out to be unexpectedly long. Although it doesn't have many plot points, it will set the stage to something interesting that will happen on the next chap.

Also, happy Valentine's day to all you lovely couples. To the rest of you singles (including myself), happy reading!


Chapter 29: New friends

"Here you go buddy." With growing concern, I handled an old tablecloth to Jack, who was sitting and shivering on the floor of parts and service.

"T-T-Thank y-you." he stuttered forcefully through chattering teeth, slowly putting the unfinished puzzle that was resting on his lap on the floor before taking the tablecloth from my hand.

"How do you feel?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"C-C-Cold." he confirmed, his teeth still clacking as he pulled the tablecloth over his legs like an improvised blanket, "V-Very cold."

Since we brought him out of the secret room, Jack was getting worse with each minute. His weakness and cold had grown to the point where he could barely stand or walk. Concerned, I went over to Ferny, who was looking at Jack with worried yellow eyes.

"What do you think?" I asked.

Sighing, he crossed his arms and tapped his foot thoughtfully, before mumbling after a few seconds "I don't know. It's almost like he caught a really bad cold, but it's kinda hard to get sick after you're dead." He let his gaze fall to the floor. "I wish I could help."

"Me too." I sighed, looking at the shivering Jack one more time before turning my gaze towards the other three figures talking in the crowded parts and service room.

"So, let me see if I understand." hummed Jeremy thoughtfully, before looking at the ceiling and putting a hand under his chin. The place had closed a few hours ago, and when it did he returned as fast as he could to see us. "Everyone of you has two blood seals. That includes the Toys, Marionette and Walther, right?"

"Right..." repeated Sean, stretching out the word.

"One is on your bodies, and the other is in the red book that Walther always carries with him, right?"

"Yeah..." chorused Sarah in the same tone as my brother.

"If the seals on your bodies get broken, you'll become those creepy Shadow things that attacked Brandon and Jack." continued my cousin, "And if the ones on the book break, you'll be erased and will stop existing here or anywhere else?" Saying the last word unsurely, he looked at Ferny with worry.

"Correct." replied the latter matter-of-factly.

"But if you don't do anything, your evil side that has tried to kill me will keep growing until..." Jeremy's voice went to a sad whisper as he looked down at the floor, "...until nothing remains of you." He looked at me with pained eyes; I nodded silently and slowly. "The only way to make sure that none of that happens is by breaking Walther's blood seal in the red book. He will be erased, and you..." He stopped abruptly, and I could see that he was trying hard to control his emotions.

After a few seconds of silence, Jeremy finished with a bitter tone "You will die. Again. You will leave this world, and we will never see each other again." With a defeated expression, he sat on the floor and leaned his back against a wall of the room. When he stretched his legs he revealed white bandages below his recently-bought purple pants. "I don't want to lose you again." he mumbled with sorrow, "I'm sure there must be another way out."

After a few seconds of heavy silence, Sean limped up to our cousin and sat down on the floor next to him. "It's better than the other two options." he sighed, "Maybe you're right, but if you're not, then moving on will be the best thing for us." My brother rested his big brown hand on Jeremy's downed shoulder, and he returned the gesture to Sean.

It was then that the grey door of the room creaked open ever so slightly, and two glowing green eyes stared timidly at us through the crack. "C-Can I come in?" asked TB nervously.

"Off course lad!" replied Ferny in a grave and warm chuckle, taking up the pirate accent immediately. My counterpart smiled sheepishly and entered the already-crammed room. His expression turned into one of worry as soon as he saw Jack slumped down on the floor, and he whispered "Are... are you feeling better now Mr. Bucky?"

Still shivering like he had all day, Jack lowered his head, shook it weakly and traced an X on the tiled floor. Seeing him do that only made my concern grow. TB then walked over to me slowly with his ears lowered and his hand on his elbow, and immediately I felt a sting of guilt when I remembered the way I talked to him this morning.

"Hey Mr. Bonnie." he started in a uneasy tone, not looking at me in the eyes. I was about to reply, but then he noticed the sitting Jeremy in the corner of the room. "Hi Mr. Fitzgerald!" he called out happily, waving his light blue hand at my cousin. The latter smiled and waved back at him as TB's cassette player repeated the greeting.

After making it through the night Jeremy decided to make his peace with the Toys, reminding them that it wasn't their fault and promising that he'll be alright. Although wary and nervous, the little children were still more than happy to make a new friend. While they talked, our cousin made sure not to mention that they too were humans. Eventually, after learning that they could speak to living people through cassette tapes, all five Toys allowed Jeremy to upgrade them just like he had done with us.

"Mr. Bonnie?" A small tug at my arm called my attention. TB was looking at me with a strange mixture of curiosity and nervousness.

"What's wrong little me?" I asked, bowing down to his height.

My counterpart shifted his gaze to the corner of the room, before he whispered sadly "Are you... mad at me?"

"What?" Seeing his broken expression only made my guilt grow when I understood what he meant. "N-No, off course not." I answered softly yet hastily, "I'm sorry for the way I replied to you this morning. It's wasn't your fault, it was mine. I'm the one who should be apologizing, not you." I ruffled his ears slowly, and a little chuckle escaped from his throat. "I'm sorry little me. We're okay, right?"

TB looked at me with happy, bright eyes and nodded. "We're okay." He smiled and handled me his rose. "Thanks for being such a good friend."

"Hey, I was about to say that!" I teased as I slowly took the plastic flower from his hand.

Then, for a second, I saw a little boy smiling warmly at me through the plastic eyes and metal body of that animatronic. "Do you want to play Pac-Man with me later?" he asked hopefully with perked-up ears.

I sighed. "Thanks, but I think it's better if I stay with Mr. Bucky for now. Is that okay?"

"Hmm… okay!" chirped TB, almost hopping out of the room as he waved at Jeremy and the rest of my friends.

After he closed the door I stood up silently and sat next to Jack, taking up the unfinished puzzle in my hand before offering it to him. "Do you still want to play?"

"N-No, t… t-thanks." he stuttered as he traced an X on the floor. Slowly and tiredly, he lifted his barely-glowing pinpoint eyes to look at me. "A-And… thanks f-f-for staying w-with me."

"No problem buddy." I relaxed my body against the wall next to him, and turned my head around just to see Sean, Sarah, Jeremy and Ferny looking at me with amusement. "What is it?"

My cousin stood up from his spot against the wall, took a few steps towards us and knelt down in front of me. Still smiling, he whispered "I'm proud of you Brandon."

"Umm, t-thanks." I stuttered with mild embarrassment as I scratched the back of my head.

"I mean it." continued Jeremy, his tone more serious but still gentle. "I still remember that before you met Fer and Sarah you were too shy to make friends, and you were always scared that no one would like you for who you are. But you've grown up, and I think it's great that you're giving those kids a friend they need." When he stopped for a moment, his eyes took a sadder tone. "I should've said that to you before. When you were... the old you."

He sighed bitterly. "After Walther did what he did, I realized I never told you that, well, I'm happy to be your family." Smiling feebly, he looked at the rest of my friends. "And I'm proud of you guys, all of you." The odd look that Jack was giving Jeremy did not go unnoticed by the latter. Chuckling, he added "Yes, you too Jack. I don't know you for that long, but I can tell you're a good kid. And if he was here, I'm sure your brother would feel very proud of you too."

A small smile formed itself on a shivering Jack's face as Jeremy laid down on the floor next to us. "This is my fifth and final night of the week guys." said the latter in a flat and almost bored tone, "Hopefully I'll convince Erik to move me over to the day shift; shouldn't be too much of a problem." Yawning, he rested his head on his folded hands as he stared up at the ceiling. "I'll have to come here in the morning for a birthday party, but it's no big deal."

"Please take care of yourself Jerry." begged my worried brother, "If this is your last night, we might become more dangerous than we've ever been before."

"And the Toys were still taken over for some time after 6 AM this morning." reminded Sarah.

"I won't forget guys." replied my cousin, before another deep yawn escaped his throat. Rubbing his eyes, he mumbled "Unlike you, I need to sleep quite often. So..." He rolled on his side and let out a smaller yawn. "I'll just..."

After a few seconds of silence Jeremy started to snore heartily and peacefully on the floor. Amused and surprised, we saw how he muttered something in his sleep.

"Poor doofus." lamented Sarah, "I didn't think he'd be so tired."

"I don't think he should push himself so hard." added Ferny, "What he's doing is inhuman."

"What do you mean?" I asked, "Holding us off from twelve to six and fighting for his life?"

"No, not that." answered my red friend sadly, "I meant going to college to study engineering."

A short-lived laugh rung through the room; even Jack couldn't hold back a small giggle. Sleep must be contagious, because a few minutes later I caught myself and my friends yawning and stretching our arms. At some point, with a few hours left before midnight, I must've fallen asleep for the first time in days.


Something cold next to me woke me up. As my vision focused I glanced around the dark and silent room, until the small digital clock below the security camera caught my eye: it was already 11:15 PM. Everyone else in the room, including Jeremy and Jack, were sound asleep. I stood up quietly and slowly, went over to my cousin and gently shook his shoulder.

"Wh... What?" he muttered as he looked around in all directions, clearly startled.

"Jeremy, you have to go, now." I urged.

After shaking his head to wake himself up, Jeremy answered with a decided nod when he checked the time. "And the rest?" he asked.

"I'll wake them up later, after I hide Jack in the secret room." I turned around to do exactly that, while my cousin stood up and walked towards the grey door. "And... Jeremy?" I called out when he was starting to turn the doorknob.

The young man turned around, before replying a whispered "Yes?"

"Please... please take care of yourself." I begged, surprised by how desperate I sounded.

After a short silence, Jeremy looked at me and smiled sadly. "You too." Then, he opened the door and left the room. I needed a few seconds to understand what he meant. My friends and I were also in danger, but in a very different way.

I knelt down in front of the unmoving and tattered golden figure in front of me. "Jack?" I whispered, "C'mon buddy, time to wake up."

There was no answer, and I realized with dread that the cold I was feeling earlier was coming from his body. "C'mon, just wake up sleepyhead." I shook his knee gently, but he didn't move or make a sound. "Jack? Can you hear me?" I tried again anxiously, "Jack?!" I rested my hand on his shoulder and shook it with more strength. "Wake up buddy!" Fear started to take the best of me as my voice began to quiver. "Hey! Hey! Come now, please..." He remained as silent, still and cold as a corpse. Finally, I cried out "WAKE UP!"

Slowly raising his head to look at me, Jack finally answered with an incoherent groan. "You gave me a good scare buddy." I sighed in short-lived relief, as I realized that he was shivering and trembling intensely. My friend was awake, but he was far from well.

"I'm sorry, but we need to go." I whispered. Jack gave me a weak and silent nod as I grabbed his icy hand and pulled him up on both feet. Before he could stumble down, I managed to wrap my arm around his shoulder. He did the same to me and soon we were slowly walking and stumbling towards the door of parts and service, while I tried to ignore the freezing cold that his body was giving me. Seeing how difficult it was for him to keep standing, I asked "Do you want me to ask someone for help?"

"N-no." he croaked, his teeth still chattering. "J-J-Just you, p-please."

"Alright, just me." We made the rest of the way to the kitchen in darkness and silence. After a few minutes we were in front of the familiar kitchen shelf once more. I laid Jack down against a close wall and started to push the shelf aside, while my withered body creaked in protest. As soon as the opening in the wall was big enough, I grabbed Jack by his shoulder again, stepped inside with him, and sat on the floor in front of him as he did the same. He began to look down, seemingly trying to avoid my stare as he traced circles on the tiled floor.

"I know sometimes you don't like talking to people," I started in a soft voice, facing him, "but you have to tell me what's wrong with you."

Jack lowered his head more as he traced another circle in silence, ignoring me. With the way to the kitchen still open, there was just about enough light to see him shake his head.

"Listen to me buddy." I leaned closer to him, "Everyone is worried. My friends, the Toys, Jeremy, me… everyone. We want to help, just like we did when you couldn't walk. But you need to say what's wrong with you."

Once again, Jack shook his head and traced a circle on the floor.

"Please." I begged, trying to find his dim eyes, "Why can't you tell me? Whatever it is, I'm sure tha-"

"Leave." replied Jack, his voice as cold as his body. "Y-you're m-m-my f-friend, right?" Stunned by his interruption, I nodded sheepishly. "Then, y-you need t-t-to leave, close th-this room, and m-make sure I c-c-can't g-get out."

Baffled, I stared at him keenly. "And why would I do that to you?"

"B-Because I'm going t-to b-be bad!" he shouted, raising his head to glare at me with not-so-dim, glowing eyes. "I c-can see th-that, and I can s-see that I'm w-worse than a-any of you!" Still looking at me in the eyes, he paused for a moment, before lowering his head and whimpering "I'm s-sorry, j-just go. P-Please."

It took me a few seconds to understand what he meant, and when I did, I wished to be wrong.

"He's right Pizza Boy." said a nonchalant voice to my right; a voice I had grown to hate these past days. I slowly turned my head to see the thin figure of Marionette standing in front of the hole leading to the kitchen. "If you care for the life of your cousin, you should do as your friend says." There was no concern in his voice.

Jack glared at the puppet with the same distrust and spite as the day we faced Shadow Bonnie, and I finally realized that he saw his real nature before I did. "I'm not going to lock up my friend like some kind of monster." I growled.

Marionette raised his lanky shoulders as he leaned against the kitchen shelf. "I knew you'd say that Pizza Boy." he chuckled, "And I was hoping you would too. I didn't want to miss this moment."

Suddenly, Jack let out a short cry as his body slid down against the wall, panting painfully as he held a hand on his chest. I went over to him in panic as he rolled and twisted on the floor. "You said he couldn't be taken over!" I shouted at the puppet, more scared than angry, "That he was immune!"

"I said he was resistant." Irritated, Marionette spat out the last word slowly while I marched over to him with a clenched fist. "They're two very different th-" He was interrupted by a clumsy swing of my fist, but he stepped aside quickly into the secret room as Jack's body began to twitch.

"YOU DID THIS TO HIM, TO US!" I screamed, stepping back from the puppet just to charge at him with another swing of my fist that he dodged effortlessly.

"Yes, you could say that." replied Marionette calmly as my hand flew through the empty space where he had been a moment ago. "But as I said, it was a one-time thing." He stepped away from my fist once again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Jack was laying motionlessly on the floor. "What I did to your minds using my seal is irreversible; I can't stop it even if I wanted to." With a surprising amount of strength, the puppet caught my last strike in his opened, spindly hand. "I can see you're angry," he whispered mockingly, leaning his face close to mine before pushing me away, "while actually you should be thanking me for setting your real nature free. Speaking of which…" His voice took a dark and excited tone as he looked at the back of the room, "Your oh-so-sweet-and-innocent friend is starting to wake up!"

I turned around to see the golden figure stand up slowly and effortlessly with his back turned to us. He stood there, unmoving and silent, as I took some slow steps towards him. "Jack?" I called out feebly, "Are you alright buddy?"

"Shut up." hissed back the thing in front of me in an icy tone. He raised his opened right hand in a 'Stop' gesture, and immediately I felt my knees give out as my chest started to burn in an unnatural, indescribable pain. Unable to move, I saw how the shadowy silhouette in front of me turned around slowly, just to look at me with black, cold and hollow eyes.

"Who... who are you?" I croaked out forcefully, though I already knew the answer.

"Buck." he replied flatly, walking over to me in a slow and confident pace, before kneeling in front of me. "The kid tried to warn you, but you didn't listen." The thing spoke very slowly in a hoarse, breathy voice. I could tell that Jack's difficulty with speech was still there, but I couldn't stand to look into his dark and lifeless eyes. I lowered my head away from those black holes. "Look at me Bonnie." I disobeyed, and then Buck growled "I said look at me!"

I let out a little yelp as his freezing hand clamped itself on my jaw, and forced me look into his eyes. "You're useless." continued Buck in the same cold, emotionless voice. "You had four days to kill the guard, and you failed every time." He tilted his head at me curiously, before his mouth curved ever so slightly in a horrifying smile. "I'll make sure we win this time."

"Well said Bucky!" I heard Marionette cheer next to us, "With you on our side, there no way…" His happy voice cut off immediately as soon as the tattered golden bear raised his hand in the same way he had done a minute ago. He let me go, allowing me to lift my head and see him glaring at the puppet with that empty, terrifying stare.

"You're not better than him." he muttered angrily, pointing at the slender figure with his opened hand. For the first time since I met him, Marionette seemed genuinely scared. "You don't even try to kill." The puppet let out an ear-piercing shriek of pain as he went on his knees, his hand on his chest. "I should erase you." continued Buck, "I want to erase you."

"P-please, don't!" begged Marionette, "I gave you the…" he grunted in pain, "The chance t-to come out, remember?"

"Which means…" Once again, Buck tilted his head and grinned evilly, "that I don't need you anymore." The puppet only looked up at him in terror and agony, not daring to speak. "I'll take that as a yes." Buck unexpectedly lowered his hand, leaving Marionette panting of pain on the floor as he went back to me. "And you, my friend…" The sarcasm in his voice sickened me. "You will not fail, right?"

"I will not kill!" I hissed back, "And you won't either, Jack! You've fought this thing before, and you've always won! Please, don't lose this time!"

Buck stared at me silently, before whispering "You won't be so rude once I'm done with you. You see, I've won already."

Another unnatural wave of pain from my chest made me holler as the world around me blurred and blackened. The same darkness from previous nights crept into me with more strength than ever before, and I realized that if Jack could get rid of my evil side, Buck could awaken it.

"I'm sorry Jeremy." I moaned out weakly as my little resistance melted away, "I'm sorry." Unable to fight back, I gave up.

"So, let me ask you again." said a familiar voice calmly after a few seconds of silence. "You will not fail, right?"

"Right." I whispered decidedly as I came back to my senses. "I won't fail."