Inspiration has me hooked on this story. Onward I say!
Note: FNAF references will be used here.
Disclaimer: *is the same as always*
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~Palace Mech Shop~
Liz looked up at the lights on the ceiling as she lied on the table. It felt like she was in a hospital... that is, if the doctor doubled as a garage mechanic, as she was lying on a worktable.
Christian was analyzing her arm, once in a while murmuring words like 'fascinating', 'intriguing' and 'holy snap how did they get screws that small?'. After fifteen minutes, he walked over to her. "Well, it's more advanced than our tech, but I think I can figure out what goes where."
"I can help. My Uncle Bon taught me the basics of mechanics when I was a freshman in highschool," Liz replied. She sighed. "…guess he was right- I should've carried blue-prints with me just in case."
"Who's Uncle Bon?" Oliver asked, standing nearby; on another table, Drippy was balancing a wrench on the tip of his nose.
"He's a member of my family- well, my animatronic family," Liz sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "It's a long, sad story…"
Oliver sat down. "I'd like to hear it. It'll help us understand what's going on, at least. How long have you've been part-robot? What exactly happened?"
Liz closed her eyes, thinking back. "Well… When I was a kid, I was kidnapped and sent to live with these awful foster-parents. I had two foster sisters- one was left out in the woods to die, the other was abused and ended up missing… well, I guess I was next on the list because they wanted to beat the daylights out of me."
"Ruddy parenting if ya ask me… Why didn't ya turn into Tracker an' show 'em youer own form of tough-love?" Drippy asked, hopping over.
Liz shook her head. "I couldn't. They beat me so bad as a human that I couldn't transform. Well… I managed to run away. I ended up in a small town called 'Hurricane'… and that's when Purple Man found me."
"Purple Man?" Oliver questioned.
"Did he happen to look like a giant dinosaur with a doofy voice?" Christian asked, looking up from his work.
"Uh, no." Liz answered.
"Thank God," he resumed his work.
Liz looked at Oliver. "His real name was Vincent- n-not to be confused with my friend. We call him Purple Man because he wore an old purple security uniform. Well… he took me into an alley, and tried to kill me." She winced at the memory. "I'll never forget… he stabbed me over and over again… I thought I was going to die then and there…"
"Who saved you?" Oliver asked.
Liz gave a small smile. "…Zeke did. He was sent back into the past, and our paths crossed that fateful night. Well, I was broken and bleeding so bad that no hospital could help me- he must've known this, because he took me to the animatronics. Bonnie- or 'Uncle Bon'- was the one who managed to give me mechanical parts.
"It took some getting used to… I learned that I wouldn't be able to transform into Tracker for a while until my body completely adjusted- which took at least 20 years. Being part-animatronic slowed down my aging progress. I may be in my 30's, but I still look 21… Anyway, I was adopted by the managers of the Pizzeria where the animatronics lived and worked. Their names were Freddy and Teresa, and they've taken care of me for years… until I was reunited with my birth-family."
"An' how did they react to finding out their little wolf-girl was living with robots and was half-mechanical?" Drippy asked.
"…Honestly, they weren't that shocked. I guess when you come from a family of werewolves and we've all been through one crazy thing after another, it's actually a step-down from the shock." She looked up at the ceiling again. "That was the day I managed to turn into Tracker again. Once I sorted out who I really am, I could embrace my wolf-side again- artificial parts and all."
"Aw, I love a happy ending," Christian commented, resting his chin on his palm.
"Oi, I thought ye were attaching her arm!" Drippy scoffed.
"Well pardon me for getting wrapped up in someone's life-story!"
"Here, Chris, I can help you out." Oliver said, looking at the arm and Liz's socket. "Hmm… maybe I can use a spell to fix it… after we connect a few wires…" Concentrating, Oliver used 'Rejuvenate' to fix the wires, and 'Healing Touch' to mend the torn skin… though not by much. "Sorry, but that's all I can- huh?"
"Crikey! Lookit that!" Drippy exclaimed, watching as, once together, the wound fully healed up, not even a scar remained.
Liz sat up, slowly moving her arm to make sure it was working right. "That's better." She saw the stunned look on Oliver and Drippy's faces. "Oh, it's um… because of my werewolf-traits. We happen to be fast-healers,"
"They sure don't show that in the movies,"
"Well, since you're all fixed up… mind sharing information on your mechanics?" Christian asked, eagerly. "This is so amazing! With tech like that, we wouldn't just heal our guards, but make them more powerful! …Plus, it would be cool to have a metal limb or two."
"Don't think much of it. It takes a lot of maintenance to handle artificial parts," Liz replied, sliding off the table. "For instance, I have to go in for a checkup every six-months, and if something gets loose, my parts will either short-circuit or stop working entirely. …Learned that the hard way when I was 10, and kicked one of the Plush-Traps into the ball-pit due to a wonky leg gear."
"Gosh, Liz, you sure had a strange childhood," Oliver stated, astounded.
"Ha ha, and I grew into an even stranger adulthood," They walked out of the shop, heading down the corridor. "C'mon… I want to check on Zeke. Poor little guy must be shaking like a rattlesnake's tail, still…"
"I wonder what happened…" Oliver's tone was quiet. "I mean… why would he just kill Swaine?"
"Gotta admit, there's been something funny bout him, mun…" Drippy said, thinking back. "When he an' I were making ouer way to that village, we got ambushed by bandits… They started talking crock bout his sister, an' for a moment his eyes turned purple."
"That's what happened with us!" Liz gasped. "Melissa was saying awful things about us… and that's when Zeke transformed."
"So it wasn't a curse? He was just mad?" Oliver guessed. "But… if that was the case, wouldn't you have seen him change more than once?"
"Sounds like he needs some Anger Management right away," Christian commented.
"N-No… I think it was more than that." Liz replied; something jogged her memory. "I think… he must have done this before. When I was little…"
"Really? What happened?"Oliver asked.
Liz closed her eyes, concentrating. "It was a long time ago… my memory's kind of fuzzy, but I remember something… Yes, some other animantronics broke into the restaurant. They were attacking us all… one of them was about to kill me… and Zeke transformed and killed it before it could." Realization hit her. "He killed it… because it was going to kill a child! That's why he transformed!"
"You mean… he changed because you were in danger?"
"That's one way to enforce Child Safety," Drippy scoffed.
"That must be the root of his transformation… Zeke can't stand child abuse, animal abuse, or sexual harassment, so if someone is practicing or even threatening to do those things, that must be what triggers it!" Liz exclaimed.
"Well at least it's justified," Christian stated. "I know I'd want to kick ass if I caught someone doing those things,"
"But… why did he kill Swaine?" Oliver asked again. "He'd never do any of those things!"
Liz sighed. "I don't know… my only guess is he was so pent up with rage that he lost control,"
Christian pondered. "You know… I'm not sure if this was the same guy, but… Someone- or something- was running up to me back in the indoor court. I was worried it was going to attack, but it said it could tell I was 17, then ran along."
"What would that have to do with it, mun?" Drippy questioned.
Liz thought back. She remembered when she first saw Zeke transform… he was running toward Freddy… but stopped when she crossed his path… "Because… he would never harm a child," she recalled. "T-That might be a reason- since you're not an adult yet, he spared you."
"But why would he kill adults?" Oliver demanded.
"I wish I knew…"
"…because it's hard to sense their innocence." A voice answered. The group looked ahead, seeing Zeke and Luna walking forth.
"Ezekiel!" Liz ran forth… then slapped him. "You little idiot! Don't scare us like that!"
"…ow… glad to see your arm's better…"
"Liz told us everything, Zeke… but, how long has this been going on?" Oliver asked. "What made you kill Swaine?"
"One question at a time, please." Zeke took in a deep breath. Luna held his hand. "It's been going on for years. I was traumatized years ago… and when I'm Fluffy- that is, when I change into my Dark Ego- it's hard for me to tell friend from foe. I only spare kids because… well… I was still a kid when it happened. Anyone 18 or older isn't as safe- unless they're a kid at-heart."
"We figure Swaine must have shot at him and posed as a threat… Fluffy was trying to protect Esther." Luna added.
"I don't expect anyone to forgive me," Zeke added, a sad look remaining in his eye. "But believe me, I never- EVER- want to hurt a friend…"
"In order to achieve forgiveness, you must forgive yourself for your actions," Oliver spoke. "You have done a great wrong, but if your heart truly repents for your actions, there is no reason to carry the weight of guilt. The pain will go away in time, but we cannot hold a grudge for that is what our enemies will expect from us." He gasped, blinking after he was finished. "…wow. That was a lot."
"Er, I think what Ollie's saying is… we're going to be shell-shocked about this for a while, but if we focus on it too long it's going to cause a rift in our alliance." Luna stated.
"That's probably what Phiroseth wants…" Drippy sneered. "Send that little floozy to rile up Zeke, make him go on a rampage, an' try to tear ouer group apart! Well, it's gonna take a lot more than that to break us up, mun!"
"…though it did come close…" Zeke murmured, still remembering the look of disdain in Marcassin's eyes.
"Speaking of Swaine… how do you think he just came alive like that?" Oliver asked.
"We're still trying to figure that out," Luna replied.
Liz pondered. "The only thing that comes close is what happened back in the Faycare Center…" she remembered. "Those two littlies that died… they ended up coming back to life, too."
"There must be a common element we're missing in both those cases." Drippy noted.
Christian pondered. "…Maybe God just sent them back because it wasn't their time?" he guessed. "I-I dunno, this is the first time I'm hearing any of this…"
"Don't ya have a room to clean up, mun?"
"Tch. Excuse me for lending a thought," Christian scoffed, walking off.
"Everyone, try to think what the two scenarios have in common. Drippy, go apologize to the mechanic before he throws a wrench at ya," Luna stated.
"What? But- agh, fine…" Drippy hopped off. "Wait up, Chris-mun, it was jus' a quip!"
Liz looked at Zeke. "Anything come to mind?"
Zeke winced, his hand gripping Luna's at the sad memory… the Littlies lying before him as he cried, gripping Swaine's shirt as he mourned in guilt, staining the orange shirt with his tears… "I remember crying. That's all." He sighed.
Oliver pondered a moment. "Crying…" he whispered, then let out a gasp. "Zeke, come with me. I think I might know what happened!"
The young wizard grabbed Zeke and pulled him down the hall- dragging Luna along too as they were still holding hands. "Whoa! Slow down! Can't you just explain it?" she stammered.
"W-Wait up!" Liz exclaimed, racing after them.
They passed by Christian and Drippy. "Oi! Where ya goin' all of a sudden!? Wait for th' Lord High Lord o' th' Fairies!" he hollered, racing after them.
"…Lord High Lord of the One-Liners sounds more like it," Christian commented, before heading back to work.
Oliver took Zeke into the indoor court; he looked around, before spotting a wilted plant in the garden. Stepping over, he had Zeke kneel over it. "Um, Oliver? Care to say what's on your mind?" the immortal teen asked, confused.
"A long time ago, when I lost my mom… I stayed in my room for three days. I held Mr. Drippy- he was a doll at the time- and began to cry. When my tears fell on him, he was released from his doll form. …When you were crying about the Littlies, did any of your tears fall on them?"
"I-I guess so, yeah… Wait, are you saying my tears brought them back?!"
"Well… you are immortal. Someone said Yunicron horns have amazing healing abilities; Phoenix Feathers also help revive unconscious allies on the battlefield… Maybe, since you're immortal, your tears have a powerful affect as well." He pointed to the wilted plant. "Try crying on this plant."
Zeke blinked. "I… I can't just make myself cry…" he rubbed his arms. "I mean… I want to… but I've been crying so much, that… I don't think I can conjure another tear."
"Well… think of something that makes you cry! Like the funeral scene from My Girl, or the sinking of Artax from A Never Ending Story," Luna suggested.
Zeke shook his head. "It's not working,"
Oliver rested a hand on his shoulder. "Zeke-"
The wizard gasped; Zeke's eyes suddenly began to glow along with Oliver's wand; a portal appeared between them.
Liz gasped and Luna covered her mouth. The vision showed a funeral… on the headstone was the name, Vincent M. Elric—your gift of laughter will never die. 1992-20... the last part of the year was covered by a bouquet of roses.
The image ended. "Vincent…" Zeke sobbed, his tears falling onto the plant.
"When… will that happen?" Liz gulped.
"I don't know… but… it might be a long time… *sniffle* I hope."
Luna winced... but shook her head. "Well he's still alive now. Oliver, what about the plant?" she asked, clearing her throat.
Oliver watched… but nothing happened. The plant didn't revive. He sighed. "It didn't work… I'm sorry, Zeke- I shouldn't have put you through that…" he apologized, resting a hang on Zeke's shoulder.
The immortal shook his head. "No… I'm sorry… I'm sorry I keep failing everyone…" tears continued to spill from his eyes. "I can't even help a frickin' plant… what use am I to everyone?!" he stood up and took off running.
"Zeke- oh no…" Liz ran after him.
"Zeke… I'm sorry!" Oliver called, running after him as well.
The immortal stopped, hiding in a nook in the wall, watching everyone run by. "Where is he? Did he open a portal somewhere?" Drippy asked.
"I think we should give him time, guys…" Luna replied. "He's still upset… it's going to take a while for him to get over this. …That vision didn't exactly help, either."
"Well, crikey lass, we ain't got time! We've still got items to collect! Zeke'll have to drop the self-pity an' focus on saving th' world!"
"…Tell me, Drippy, have you've ever been drop-kicked by a werewolf?!" Liz (or Tracker, it sounded like) sneered in response.
"I really thought… I just figured that was his special power. I know there's something he did that helped them," Oliver murmured, as they walked onward.
"He'll come around, Oliver. …C'mon, lets see how Swaine's doing in the meantime." Luna coaxed, and their receding steps echoed down the corridors.
Zeke was alone in the silence, slumping down the wall and burying his face in his arms. I'm sorry, Oliver… but there's nothing special about me. Nothing. He thought.
…
Christian entered the indoor court; he started his work by checking the gardens for any broken gears or shrapnel.
He passed by a wilted plant… which was slowly returning to its green color, blossoming bright.
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A/N: So, yep. Unbeknownst to Zeke, his power is special after all ^^
(Admit it, who all had it figured out already?)
Next chapter, we see what's going on with Swaine- because I'm sure if I delayed any longer, his [other] fan-girls will lock me in the basement until I do.
In the meantime, please review but don't flame.