So, I originally wasn't' going to upload this rewritten version on this website because I just don't get on much anymore. I did make a new account under the same name as my account on Ao3, but I also don't really get on that much either. However, I have been thinking about it and I realized I wouldn't even be trying to do this rewrite if it wasn't for the wonderful people who have taken the time to read my crappy original version. A version, might I add, is difficult for me to read because I made so many silly and confusing mistakes, I'm shocked it got as many people to read it before.

Anyways, because of all that, I decided to upload this rewritten version on this site too. I am much more proud of this version. It's still not perfect, I doubt it would ever be, but I do think if you are to look at the original version and then this one, you'll see so many differences. But that doesn't mean the story will be different. For those who read my older version, you'll still get the same story you already know, just with extra detail and hopefully better writing. I'm gonna shut up now and let everyone read this. Please comment afterward. I would really mean a lot to me.

Mike Schmidt ran nervous fingers through his curly brown locks as he stood outside the doors of the pizzeria. He gulped as he peeked through the glass doors on the inside. What he saw was the cleaning crew doing last minute work around the place. Some were sweeping along the floor, others were stacking chairs on top of the table, and there was one bagging the last of the garbage. Mike watched them do their thing for a moment before he took a steady breath to calm himself down. Once he felt he had a hold of his emotions, he pressed his palms to the door and pushed.

The sound of a bell ringing let the workers inside know of Mike's presence, each of them instantly stopped what they were doing to turn their heads in the younger man's direction. All of them wore the same blank expression, not letting the slightest hint of emotion grace their feature. Mike would be lying if he said he wasn't disturbed by the monotone faces of the cleanup crew.

"Uh…hi?" he tried, waving at them. They just stared for a few more seconds before returning to work without a sound or response, they even looked like they were working faster now that they got a good look at newly hired nightguard. Mike blinked in confusion, not sure how to respond to their odd actions. "Um…okay?"

"Mike!"

The man turned away from the cleanup crew and saw a pudgy, round, old man walking up to him. He gave a crooked smile that was slightly hidden by a grey beard, as he spread open his arms just as he was by Mike's side. "Oof-" Mike puffed out when the old man wrapped him in a quick hug before pulling back and patting him on the back. "Mr. Fazbear. Nice to see you again, sir."

Mr. Fazbear chuckled. "Likewise, Mr. Schmidt." The old man gently started to guide him through the building, around the cleanup crew. "Anyways, I'm so glad to see you arrived early as I suggested."

Mike gave a nod, looking around the main showroom of the pizzeria. "U-uh, yeah. Well I figured it would be best to listen to my new boss's suggestion on my first day, ya know?"

Mr. Fazbear gave a gentle laugh in return. "Smart, lad. Smart. Nice to see I hired a guy with a good head on his shoulders."

Mike smiled at the compliment just as he took notice of the décor of the room. The entire showroom was lined with round tables. Normally they would be covered in a white tablecloth, but Mike figured the crew folded them up for the night. Littering the walls of the room were crudely drawn pictures made by children. Some of them featured self-made portraits of the kids who drew the pictures, others were drawings of the same bear in a black top-hat, a yellow chicken with a bib, and a purple bunny with a guitar. Mike couldn't help but smile fondly at the pictures, thinking how nice it is that the employees even bothered to keep the children's drawings on the walls like this in the firsts place.

Turning to look to his right, Mike instantly took notice of a prize counter. Hanging up in rows were stuffed plushies of the same animals the children would draw as well as other types of toys for kids to win. Mike spent a bit longer staring at each prize, hoping to see a toy that may represent a particular animal he has yet to see signs of, but to his disappointment, he didn't find what he was looking for. He turned his attention back to his new boss just in time to see they were approaching a stage that was lined with purple curtains with white stars.

Standing in the center of the stage were the very animatronic animals that themed this pizzeria, Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie the Bunny, and Chica the Chicken. The three of them all stood still on the stage, each of their heads hung low and eyes shut. "Wow…" Mike couldn't help but whisper out as he got a good look at the animatronics, catching Mr. Fazbear's attention. "There they are."

Mr. Fazbear looked over at his animatronics before back at Mike. "Yep…" there was a shift in his tone, something much more resigned, but Mike didn't bother to pay it much mind. "Actually, I'm glad you brought them up, Michael because I should tell you about these three."

"Oh no need," Mike chuckled. "I know all about Freddy and the gang."

Mr. Fazbear eyed his new employee. "Do you now?" He went to straighten his tie, taking a quick glance at his watch.

"Oh yeah." Mike gave a smile as he unintentionally stepped closer. "I used to come here a lot when I was younger. I think around 12 or so. I loved coming over here as a kid all the time. One of my favorite things to do actually."

Mr. Fazbear didn't respond back at first, eyeing the new employee from the corner of his eye. He only looked away to take another glance at his watch. It read 11:45. He heard the front door open and close and both he and Mike turned to see the cleanup crew walk out without so much as a warning.

"Huh…they are…efficient, aren't they?" Mike questioned, raising a brow.

"They…they get the job done," Mr. Fazbear nodded. "Now, Mike, I do think I should tell you a bit more about your job." He patted Mike on the back. "I understand you already know about…" he gestured with his free hand at the animatronics again, "them…but they still need to be watched over very carefully during the night shift, understand? They…" the old man gave a tired sigh. "Look my boy, just listen to the instructional tapes that are in your office and stay in that room the entire night, do you understand?"

"I…" Mike didn't look fully pleased with the instructions but nodded his head and forced on a smile. "Of course, sir. Not a problem."

Mr. Fazbear seemed pleased. "Good, now get in your office. Just on the other side of the building, you really can't miss it. I'm gonna head out myself." He started walking away from the younger man. "Starting tonight, this place will be all yours at night."

Mike jumped at the words. "Wait, so I'm really the only night employee this place has? Just me…and," a smile graced the young man's lips, "the animatronics?"

Mr. Fazbear became stiff as he nervously messed with his keys. "Um…yeah. Just you, Mike. No one else." He coughed in his hand, keeping his back to the employee. "Just follow instructions and you should be just fine. I'll…I'll see you around six in the morning."

"See ya-"

In an instant, the lights around the room darkened as the lights were turned off and the front door opened and shut, Mr. Fazbear locking it in place on the other side.

Mike blinked at the odd behavior. He wanted to question it but seeing as his boss was already out of the restaurant, Mike decided it could wait till Mr. Fazbear returned in the morning. After a moment of staring out the glass door, the newly hired nightguard really started to take notice of the fact he was really alone in the building. Instead of being perturbed by the quiet, he just smiled wide and skipped over to the stage. He caught a glimpse of the time as he approached the tall robotic bear at the center. 11:50. Eh, ten minutes before his shift, and even then, who would really notice if Mike wasn't promptly at his desk at 12?

So, with a giggle in his voice, Mike waved at the animatronics. "Freddy, guys! Hey!"

Silence followed after. The robotic animals not moving an inch or even cracking open an eye.

Mike felt his smile lower as he tried again. "Freddy? Bonnie? Chica?" He eyed each one as he called their names, hoping for just a smidgen of a response. They still remained stock still. "Oh, come on, guys. Don't tell me you get shut off at night. Or maybe you are staying in character?" Mike stepped up to the stage, poking at Freddy's arm. "Freddy, it's me. Come on, Papa Bear. Mikey? Ring a bell? Little Mikey?"

The bear's head stayed hung low and his eyes didn't even twitch open.

Disappointment washed over the night guard as he watched the bear. He eyed the other two, but they also stayed as silent and still. "Guess you three really do get shut off at night. Damn…and here I thought I could talk to you. Hmm…maybe I can figure out how to switch you guys back on. I'm sure Mr. Fazbear wouldn't mind…OH!"

A thought crossed Mike's mind and in seconds he was backing away from the stage. "Maybe Captain Foxy is still up. I'll go check on him." He gave a wave to the animatronics in front of him. "I'll be back later guys." He grinned at them even if they weren't up to see and ran off.

His footsteps faded away as he ran down the hall. Mike didn't even take notice of the whirring noise the slowly vibrated around the room or the three heads that finally lifted. Three pairs of eyes also blinked open to watch the direction the young man left in.

Mike, meanwhile, quickly approached a room he knew too well, but was shocked by what he saw. The room itself was still there, but there was a closed door that blocked his path. A sign hung over the door, "Out of Order" it read. Mike turned up to see a dusty sign of "Pirate's Cove" faded in color after many years.

"They still have this place closed? I would have thought they would have brought Foxy back in by now." Mike questioned, testing the door. To his shock it was unlocked. He entered and saw the pirate themed room just as fun and colorful as he remembered, even though it was also closed when he would come in this room as a kid. Mike always did have special permission though, at least according to…"Captain Foxy!"

Mike jumped up on the stage, ignoring the purple curtain that tried to stop him in a futile attempt. He coughed when a layer of dust brushed against his face before pulling the curtain back.

"Yo! Foxy! It's me! Your first matey, Mikey!" There, slouched over on the ground of the smaller stage was a fox animatronic. His fur was messy and ripped up, showing off how it was really just a cheaply made suit for the robotic endoskeleton underneath. Mike could make out Foxy's metal legs much easier now, the fur almost missing completely and if it weren't for his faded brown pants, all of the endoskeleton's legs would be visible. Just like with the others, the fox's eyes were shut, and head hung low. His jaw was open but also looked to be busted, the lower jaw hanging down wider than what looked natural. "Oh, not you too, Foxy? And jeez, what happened to you? You've seen better days, Captain."

Mike stepped closer to the fox, running his fingers along the red fur. It was still soft to the touch, even if parts of the suit were tattered and knotted. Mike frowned at the poor condition the fox was in. This was definitely something he would try and fix while he was working here. Mike shrugged. He would be working for six hours by himself Mondays through Fridays now. Might as well take advantage of the spare time and fix up his friend.

"Don't worry Foxy. I'll figure something out to help you out later." He stepped back from the stage, looking at his watch in the process. He squinted in the dark, but read he still had five more minutes until 12. "Well, might as well get to my office." He gave a mock salute to the fox. "See ya later, Captain Foxy. First matey, Mikey needs to report to duty." He chuckled at his own joke before running off again, leaving the door to Pirate's Cove open.

The same whirring noise that came from the other animatronics came to life within the robotic fox. A paw twitch as golden eyes slid open. "M-mikey?"

Mike sighed as he plopped down on the chair to his new office. He took in his surroundings, seeing the desk piled on with empty paper cups and crushed up wads of paper. "Guess the cleanup crew doesn't bother with this room…" Mike muttered, grabbing a trashcan under his desk and tossing some of the garbage inside.

He took notice of the computer on the desk and turned it on. The screen came to life, and Mike could see the security footage pull up, settling on Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica. The camera moved lazily from side to side. noticed buttons on the side of the screen, pressing them. As he did, the screen flickered from one camera footage to another. "So, this is how I keep track of the restaurant. Okay. Easy." His gaze took notice of the battery symbol at the bottom corner of the screen and how it was already starting to lower. He remembered Mr. Fazbear mentioning in his interview how he would need to conserve power while working, which is why the lights should always remain off. "Oh yeah," he muttered, turning the computer monitor off for a moment. "I'll check on it again later."

Mike spun around on his chair once, twice, getting a feel of his off. Everything seemed pretty simple. So once he was satisfied with everything, the night guard leaned back in his chair, propping his feet on the desk, right at the stroke of midnight.

The phone on the desk began to ring and Mike flinched, not expecting the noise. He eyed the device for a second before answering. "Uh, hello?"

"Hello, hello? Uh, I wanted to record a message for you-" A recording of a voice spoke out. Mike eyed the phone confused before he remembered his boss's earlier words.

"Oh, this must be my instructional message." Mike yawned, letting the voice go on. He listened in a bored manner, deciding to mess with the cameras even though he knew he needed to conserve the power. "Eh, how much power could the cameras really waste?"

Mike started to get the gist of everything within the first few lines of the recording. Previous worker, blah, blah, blah. Welcome to the job, blah, blah, blah.

"Upon discovering that damage or death has occurred, a missing person report will be filed within 90 days -" Blah, blah…wait…?

Mike paled at the casual mention of death in the message. "What the hell was that about?!" He sat up straight in his seat, listening closely to the message.

"Now, that might sound bad, I know," the recording continued on, "but there's really nothing to worry about. Uh, the animatronic characters here do get a bit quirky at night."

Mike raised a brow at the word choice for his friends. "Quirky?"

The recording continued to talk about the animatronics, how they may be irritable at night, but how he couldn't blame them really. Mike also learned they are indeed still active at night and even tend to walk around. "Weird, because they looked shut down to me."

Then Mike heard something he really wasn't expecting.

"Uh, they used to be allowed to walk around during the day too, but then there was The Bite of '87. Yeah. I-It's amazing that the human body can live without the frontal lobe, you know?"

"I…hold it, what!?" Mike pressed the phone closer to his ear while also searching his memory of anything that could deal with this supposed "Bite" the phone-guy mentioned. Sure, Mike remembered when he was younger how Freddy and the others would always be on their stage no matter what, but Mike never figured it was due to something bad happening. "Jeez, how old was I in '87 anyways? I don't remember this at all?"

The Phone-guy continued talking before Mike had time to really process anymore about the Bite story. He heard him mention how the animatronics might not see him as a person and instead as an endoskeleton without a costume on.

"Ooookaaaay?" Where was this going?

"Now since that's against the rules here at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, they'll probably try to…forcefully stuff you inside a Freddy Fazbear suit."

"…what…?"

"Um, now, that wouldn't be so bad if the suits themselves weren't filled with crossbeams, wires, and animatronic devices, especially around the facial area. So, you could imagine how having your head forcefully pressed inside one of those could cause a bit of discomfort…and death."

Mike almost dropped the phone at the mention of that. His breathing was quickening, and he stood up in his chair. "Excuse me!?" Mike barely heard the last few lines the person behind the recording was saying. Something about conserving the power, which Mike sort of knew already and only closing the doors only if absolutely necessary. The phone went dead after that and Mike numbly hung it up. His mind was reeling after all that information. He sat there silently, staring off at the darkened computer screen. He sat there for a good ten minutes before finally he started to respond. At first, he gave a dry chuckle. That chuckle turned into a heavier laugh which eventually morphed into a full-on guffaw.

Tears brimmed the corner of his eyes, and Mike wiped them away. "Oookay, I get it now. You guys are playing a prank on the new guy. Bonnie? Foxy? This was your doing, wasn't it? You guys knew I was coming in and wanted to get my goat." He laughed some more, turning on the camera. He grinned when he looked at the main show room and only saw Freddy standing on the stage. "Oh, so you guys are awake. Okay, real funny. Ha ha. Let's all have a good laugh at Mi-"

There was a heavy crash and the lights outside to his left started to flicker. Mike froze, dread making his body freeze. He gulped, turning off the monitor again and stood up.

"Uh…heh…" Mike's smile was forced as he peeked his head out the hall, hitting the lights. There at the end of the hall stood a familiar purple rabbit. Bonnie stood there ominously; eyes blank but locked onto the nightguard. "Okay, Bonnie. Very funny."

Bonnie's ears twitched at the noise. He took a heavy step forward, his large footstep echoing around the two. Mike gulped at the chilling effect it left. The rabbit took another step closer.

"You can…" Mike felt his heartrate spike. "You can stop this now Bonnie."

Bonnie didn't stop. In fact, he started to walk faster. His purple eyes started to shift, the glassy eyes slowly turning pitch black with only two small white pupils in the center.

"Okay, that's…that's new…" Mike commented, noticing the eyes. "Okay, you got me, Bonnie. You win. Just…" Bonnie was now only a foot away from Mike, a deep guttural groan emanating from Bonnie's mouth. "Du-dude, you can-" The rabbit lifted up a menacing paw, ready to swipe at Mike. "BONNIE, STOP!" Mike ran back in his office, hitting the button to the door. In seconds the door slammed shut, keeping the animatronic out. Mike heard Bonnie let out a frustrated groan and a few bangs followed after. After a terrifying moment, silence followed and Mike shakily reached for the monitor again, hitting the appropriate button after some fumbling, and was relieved to see Bonnie walking away and entering a party room.

His body moved on autopilot as he opened the door to his left and back in his seat.

"Okay…maybe…maybe they aren't playing a prank on me…Bonnie would never let a joke go this far…then all that message said, it was true?" Mike heard shuffling to his right, and it was then he remembered Chica was also missing from the stage. He gasped, hitting the lights to his side and saw the yellow chicken peaking her head through the window of the wall. He yelped, hitting the door and shutting off the lights. He felt his body freeze up when he heard harsh knocking on the door before heavy footsteps leaving the area.

This really wasn't a joke. The animatronics, his friends, they really were after his life. He jumped when he heard more clanging in the background. Mike grabbed at his computer, looking for each animatronic. If this really wasn't just some cruel joke, Mike knew he had to get the hang of this fast or else…He gulped when the mental image of his body being shoved in the animatronic suit popped up in his head…well he was not looking forward to that becoming a reality. Time to get through the night.

Foxy curled in a ball on his personal stage, paw and hook clawing at his ears as he heard the dark whispers trying to take over his mind.

"Come on Foxy, you know you want to. Let's just go after him! It will be sooooo easy! Just get up and run!"

"Ye be quiet, demon! Ye can't tell this ol' pirate what to do!"

"You can't fight this off forever, Foxy! Sooner or later, you'll want to do it! You'll want to get him! You'll want to-"

"Shut it!" Foxy yelled, slamming his hook into the stage. The metal smacked harshly into the wood, but he managed to both keep his hook from getting stuck in the panel and drive away the voice in his head. Letting out a sigh, the fox closed his eyes, pulling up his eyepatch at the same time with his paw and running the pads across his face.

He stayed there, content with the silence. The fox preferred when the nights were like this. When he had more control. He could sit there on his stage with his thoughts running through his mind. And what a night to do so. After all, all Foxy wanted to do was think about this new nightguard.

"Mikey…? It couldn't be, right? He be gone long ago. Left, he did. There be no way he would be back in this here wreck…"

The name Mike was one the fox never thought he would hear again, but he did constantly think about. How could he not, though? Mike was…well Mike was special. He was special to all the animatronics, but Foxy always had a special fondness for the child that would sneak in his makeshift pirate boat set and play all sorts of games with him. Foxy couldn't stop the smile that crossed his snout as he remembered a particular day when he and Mikey pretended to fight off the kraken.

He heard a shout from the night guard in the distant, trying his best to connect the voice to the child he knew all those years ago. Maybe it was true…maybe that man he saw earlier, the one who looked at him with such joy and promised to repair his suit later really was the same lad. The same sweet and innocent kid that Foxy missed so dearly-

The voice started back up again and Foxy hissed in annoyance. He yanked at the fur on top of his head, trying to get rid of it. It vanished faster then normal, not that he complained. Foxy was usually good at drowning out the voice and the urge to go after the nightguard better then say Bonnie and Chica. He was no where near as good at fighting it off as Freddy, but Foxy was pretty proud of himself when he could keep ahold of his sanity in the beginning of the week.

Bonnie and Chica weren't so lucky. No one knew why the two had the most trouble at keeping control. It just seemed as soon as midnight struck it was a constant battle for the rabbit and chicken. Sure, Bonnie and Chica could return to normal at some moment during the night, but it was more common to see what they were becoming rather than their real selves.

Freddy was the one who held out the most during the week. He could almost always keep control the entire week. It was usually the fifth day of the week when his strength would give out. Freddy would spend so much energy during the earlier days of the week than by the time Thursday and Friday hit he was in just as bad a state as the others, if not worse.

Foxy shuddered as he remembered just how violent Freddy would get by the end of the week. Bonnie and Chica may lose control the fastest, but they were by far the least threatening and cunning. They would just toy around aimlessly throughout the hallway. Sometimes they would stay at the doors longer to waste power, but they were still the easiest to deal with. Even Foxy wasn't as bad. If he were to lose control and take off after the guard, he would normally be back in control after hitting the door a few times and then the pirate would make a quick dash back to his cove in hopes he could stay there for the remainder of the night.

Freddy, however, at least at the end of the week, would toy with the guard. He would mess with them through the cameras, seemingly staring right at them through the lenses, and right when the nightguard is distracted enough with the others, Freddy would hide out in the office, waiting, watching. Going just long enough to practically mock the guard as they desperately searched for the missing bear before the leader would pounce, pinning the guard down.

Foxy felt his body tense as he remembered this exact scenario happening not even two weeks ago. It was a matter of time, in the fox's eyes when this would all happen again. Soon enough, he and the others would be coated in the blood of the nightguard just like what happened not long ago. Bonnie and Chica would hog the bathroom for hours, crying oily tears into their fur as they desperately tried to rid themselves of the evidence of their crime. Freddy would console them before going to wash in solitude, wallowing in pity and shame at his actions. He could never face the others after a guard was…dealt with and Foxy doubted the bear would ever do so in the future. And while the other three would deal with their own way of dealing with the blood, Foxy would do as he always does, tear at his fur, ripping the ends that would be coated in more blood or perhaps taking a gallon of water and pouring over his body, not caring that he could short circuit. This was what he always done in the past and when the inevitable happened and another nightguard was claimed under the cruel trapping of the animatronics, Foxy would do the same again. An endless bloody cycle.

There was a particularly loud scream from the nightguard that caught the fox's attention. Foxy poked his head past his curtain, tilting an ear to listen for any other noises. He could hear Bonnie walking by slowly, but the fox didn't stop listening. He only did when he heard the office doors open and close again, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. The guard was safe still.

The pirate was about to tuck himself back in his stage when he notices footsteps approaching. He eyed the entrance to pirate's cove and sighed at the sight of Bonnie. The rabbit's ears were pinned back in shame and that was evidence enough to the red animatronic that Bonnie was back to normal at least right now.

"H-hey…" the purple rabbit started. "Can…can we talk?"

Foxy eyed the clock on the wall. It was already 5 in the morning getting close to 6. Time sure does fly by when he is wallowing by himself and fighting off the urge to become a murderer. "It be dangerous to talk now, ya know?"

Bonnie nodded his head. "Yeah, but…I really need to talk to someone, and I really don't want to disturb Freddy and who knows if Chica is herself or not."

The pirate let out a sigh, knowing how true Bonnie's words were. "So, I be the last resort?" He meant it as a joke, but Bonnie flinched back, rubbing his head nervously.

"Oh, don't put it like that, Foxy. You know I love talking to you, man."

"I'm kidding, lad." Foxy lifted his eyepatch that had fallen over earlier and gave the rabbit a wink. He patted the floorboard with his paw. "Come aboard me mighty ship already."

The guitarist scoffed. "It's not a ship, pal."

"It be a ship!" The pirate defended. "It be the finest ship to ever sail the ocean blue!"

With a roll of his magenta eyes, Bonnie stepped on the stage, letting the curtain flutter past him. The two were surrounded by darkness, not that either animatronic minded. They settled on the ground, Bonnie closing his eyes. Whether it was just to calm his nerves or to keep in control, Foxy wasn't about to question it. So, the red animatronic waited a few moments before speaking up again.

"So, what be it ye wants?"

Bonnie seemed to hesitate, his ears dropping down. He eyed Foxy for a moment before sighing and speaking. "That new nightguard. You saw him, right? He came to you before his shift?"

"…Aye…" Foxy answered after a brief pause. "He looks to be a good lad. Strong, smart. I think he may be able to survive the nights…"

The rabbit let out a groan, shaking his head. "Come on, ya stupid fox! You know what I'm getting at. Do you think it's really him? Mikey?"

Foxy didn't want to answer that question. It was the question that would keep gracing his mind since the night started, but the pirate fought hard to keep the truth away. Because if the guard really was the same Mikey, if he really was their Mikey, then that would mean they could…No, Foxy didn't want to think of that thought. "What do you think?" he decided to throw the question back at Bonnie, wanting to hear the rabbit's opinion first.

The guitarist cringed, not expecting the pirate fox to do that, but sighed, lowering his head. "Yeah…I'm sure it's him. I saw him, like face to face. Right before he slammed the door in my face. It…it was Mikey, Foxy. He may be an adult now, but I'm sure it was Mikey."

Foxy let out a heavy breath. He was afraid of that answer. "If that be true…then what be the plan, laddie?"

The bunny shrugged. "I don't know. I was hoping you may have an idea." He ran his paws over the top of his head. "Should we, I'dunno, confront Mike? Like, talk to him after his shift."

"Would that really be the best of ideas?" Foxy questioned. "Besides, might be something for Cap'n Freddy to make a final decision on. It be breaking the rules after all."

Bonnie scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Please, that idiot has a pole so far up his ass he doesn't know how to bend the rules for even a little bit. I already know what Freddy would say. He only lets us talk to kids anymore these days, not adults."

"Even if one adult may, in fact, be Mikey?" Foxy questioned. Bonnie thought it over, raising a paw to his mouth in thought. "Look, lad. If this new guard really be Mikey, then perhaps Cap'n will let us all have a word with him. Maybe…maybe we can even-"

Foxy couldn't finish his thought as Bonnie let out a sharp gasp. The rabbit flinched, bending over, clutching the back of his head with both paws. "Damn it, no! Not now!"

"Bonnie!?"

The guitarist went limp after a moment of struggle. He didn't even seem to move for a moment and the pirate was about to place a cautious paw on the rabbit's shoulder when suddenly Bonnie lifted up his head. His magenta eyes were gone, now pitch black with that single white dot in the center of both eyes. Bonnie let a disturbed smile grace his face as he locked eyes with the pirate. "Hello, Foxy!"

Bonnie's voice was dark, twisted, full of an evil intent and Foxy was not about to have any of that. The pirate raised a hook, glaring dangerously down at the rabbit. "Ye better release me friend right now, ya damn devil!"

A purple paw quickly raised up, and Bonnie chuckled, his eyes returning to normal almost instantly. "Fo-foxy, hold it pirate! I was just kidding. It's six. It's six. I was just gaining full control again. That's all."

The pirate looked up and indeed saw the clock on the wall read six. Foxy let out a huff as he still threatened his hook above the rabbit. "Don't you be doing that to me, lad!"

Bonnie's laughter grew more energy as it began to echo around them. "Sorry, sorry! I couldn't resist! Hahahaha!"

The pirate groaned, rolling his eyes. "What am I going to do with ye?"

Bonnie just shrugged, taking a few steps to the edge of the stage. "Eh, who knows. Guess that is a question to be answered at a later date. Because I must return to my stage." Bonnie gave a mock salute, stepping backward, not paying mind to where he was walking. "See ya later, capt-AAAAH!"

Foxy gasped when he saw Bonnie tumble backward. He ran to the edge of the stage to observe the damage only to grin and chuckle at the sight he saw. Bonnie was sprawled out on his back, eyes blown wide in shock and mouth agape.

The guitarist let out a cough before shooting a deadly glare at the pirate. "If I hear one laugh out of that mouth of yours, I'm ripping off your good hand." He warned, already knowing where this was leading to.

Foxy couldn't resist the urge and broke out in a hearty laugh, slapping his paw on his head while his hook arm rested carefully against his stomach. Bonnie's complaints could barely be heard over the sound of the laughing fox.

While the two went through that, Mike, meanwhile was slouched in his seat, gasping for air and trying to calm his erratic heartbeat. Why? That was all he could think as the night played back in his head. Why were Bonnie and Chica acting like that? Foxy and Freddy let the guard alone, which Mike wasn't sure if he should be grateful for or not, but that didn't stop his frantic questioning on the behavior of the rabbit and chicken. There was just no way…no way that his two childhood friends would attempt to kill him like that, but the way the two acted during the night…Mike wasn't sure what to believe.

The guard noticed it was six and decided he needed to get out of his office while he could. He was done with his shift and there was no way he would spend another minute in this place when he didn't need to be there. He stood up quickly, eyeing his left exit. Bonnie had gone missing for a while, so maybe this would be safest. With a surge of bravery, Mike bolted down the hall, keeping an eye out for the purple rabbit or anyone else.

He was just about to turn a corner when a sound caught his attention, coming from Pirate's Cove. Mike raised a brow as he listened. It was laughter. Not just any laughter, it was undeniably Foxy's signature pirate laugh. He cautiously moved closer to the side room before peeking inside. What he saw was the collapsed Bonnie, irritated face crossing the rabbit's features and Foxy laughing to his fake heart's content at the display of the animatronic.

Mike too, felt a smile return to him despite his still frantic feelings. This…this is what he expected to see during the night. His old pals acting as goofy and silly as before. Tripping over themselves, laughing and joking, and overall being happy. Not…whatever the hell they were doing in the earlier hours. The sight of Foxy laughing and Bonnie letting out an annoyed comment to the fox brought out the guard's own gentle chuckle at the sight as he hid from view.

Bonnie felt his ear twitch at a noise behind him but ignored it for a moment as he addressed Foxy some more. "Oh, haha. Very funny, that's right." Bonnie grumbled, making his way to his feet and brushing off any dirt from his arms. He huffed before rolling his eyes.

"Oh, like ye wouldn't have done the same if it be me that fell." Foxy said, smirking.

The rabbit put up an act, closing his eyes and crossing his arms, sticking his nose in the air. "I don't have the faintest idea what you mean, my dear friend. I would never laugh at the misery of another."

"Bullshit, and ye know it." Foxy shot back.

Bonnie couldn't hold in his own laughter as he let his shoulders rise and fall in mirth. Oh, it was good for the rabbit to laugh, especially after a night of stress and anxiety. He took in a breath before facing the entrance of the cove. "And Chica! I know you're there. I heard you earlier. You can't hide from me."

Mike tensed up, looking around. There was no Chica around him which led to one conclusion. Bonnie thought he was the chicken. He backed up, his fear returning as he watched the rabbit start to approach him. His mind played back the earlier part of the night, when the same robotic rabbit launched at him in that menacing way. This time, Bonnie just casually strolled over to where Mike was curling up in, but the same dreadful feeling still graced the nightguard. Mike wanted to bolt back to his office, but before he could get his legs to work again, a huge purple paw patted down on Mike's shoulders.

Bonnie's smirk fell when he realized he didn't grab onto his chicken sister, but instead the night guard. The words in his mouth died instantly as his glassy eyes locked onto Mike's own fear filled ones. Bonnie flinched back, paw releasing its gentle grip on the human. Bonnie took this time to get a better look at the man and there really was no doubt in the rabbit's mind. Same blue eyes, same curly brown hair. This really was… "Mikey?"

"Bonnie?"

The rabbit felt his insides freeze up at the call of his name.

Foxy heard the two and slowly began to approach. He stepped up behind Bonnie, peaking over the rabbit's shoulders. "Oh my…" Foxy started. "Mikey…Tis…tis really be you matey?"

Mike cast a glance over at the red animatronic, a flood of childhood memories rushing back at him as he gazed up at the golden gaze of the robotic fox. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words just wouldn't come out.

The three stood there in silence, neither one knowing how to speak to the other. Thankfully a decision was made for the rabbit one what to do next.

"Bonnie! Where are you!?" There was no doubt that was Freddy's deep voice. It flew across the halls until catching the three's attention. Bonnie practically jumped with relief as he turned in the direction of the voice. "C-coming Freddy!" The rabbit cast one final glance down at Mike, a conflict of emotions rushing within his gaze he gave the man, but Bonnie just couldn't keep standing here any longer. The stab of different emotions was getting too much and Bonnie bolted from the spot, giving a sympathetic look to the fox animatronic.

Foxy glared in Bonnie's direction when the rabbit was out of sight. "Damn that, hare…" he hissed.

Mike also looked at where the rabbit escaped to before gaining the courage to look back up at Foxy. He gulped, seeing the fox shake and wondered if that was a good sign or bad. "C-captain Foxy?" he tried; nerves clear as he stuttered the name.

The robotic fox flinched, squeezing his eyes tight as he tried to gain back his ability to speak to the man. He sucked in air that he didn't even need before pushing it back out. He cracked an eye open, covering the other with the eyepatch. Once he got a good look at the man, the man that was no doubt his Mikey, he began to step away himself, ears pinning back in shame. "Mikey, it be best if ye quit now. Ye…I won't be able to ensure ye's safety during the week if ye stay."

Mike wasn't expecting such a line. It practically confirmed that Bonnie and Chica were indeed trying to hurt and kill him tonight and there would be a strong possibility that Foxy and Freddy would follow suit too. That should be enough for the guard to just quit now, like the fox was telling him too, and be done with his life at the pizzeria, but…

His mind once again replayed all his childhood memories he had at this place. The time he would play pirate with Foxy. When he would sing songs with Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica. The times he would eat Chica's specialty made pizza, the games he would play against Bonnie, and all the bearhugs he would receive from Freddy. All those memories and more rushed around in his head.

No…he thought, as he looked up at the shameful looking fox. There was no way he could abandon his friend now. Something was up. This wasn't just some mistake in their code. Freddy and the others were way to kind to willingly kill. Something was making them do this. That had to be it!

"Foxy, there is something wrong right?"

The pirate looked down at Mike, confused at first.

"Something is making you guys act like this, right? Because…because I know you guys!" Mike clenched his fist tightly, smiling a bright smile to show he understood now. "The animatronics I know would never harm a fly! So, something is wrong with you guys and making you do this, right?"

"Mikey…" Foxy blinked his eyes, not fully comprehending the change in Mike's attitude.

"That's it! So, what is it!? What's making you guys act so crazy at night. Maybe I can help! I can put a stop to it!" Mike laughed, thinking that it was all so simple. "Just tell me, Foxy, and I can-"

"Mikey…" the pirate started, pressing a paw to the man's shoulder. "Mikey, calm ye self. You already be getting in over your head." He leaned down to be more eyelevel with the human. The animatronic recognized that look that was building up in the guard's eyes. That determined look that would stick with him until he accomplished whatever goal was coming to mind. Normally Foxy would encourage the fire that was flaming within Mike when he got like this. It was something the pirate would do often when Mike was a child, but this…Foxy feared where this fire would lead the man to now. And the pirate was not going to live with himself if this would just leave Mike at the wrong end of his hook or worse. No, this was the first time Foxy would have to snuff the flame before it grew. "Listen to this ol' pirate, lad. There is nothing ye can do. It just be too dangerous for ye to be here. Please, Mikey, quit. Leave the pizzeria and never return. Ye would be safer that way. We…we wouldn't be able to get to you then."

"I…" Mike's smile fell and his shoulders droop. Foxy hissed back at the pained expression crossing his favorite human's face, but knew this had to be done. "Captain Foxy?"

The animatronic backed away, crossing his arms over his chest. "It be best if ye just forget about us, lad." He stepped into his side room, needing to be away from Mike or his own emotions would give way. "Goodbye, Mikey."

Mike watched helplessly as Foxy snuck back on his stage and hide behind the curtain. "What…?" He couldn't believe it. Captain Foxy was giving up? When he clearly was in pain and needed help, the ever-determined fox was pushing Mike away and letting whatever was wrong with him and the others consume them? Did the others feel the same as the fox? Was that why Bonnie ran off before Mike could even properly speak to him?

"No…" Mike shook his head. "No, this isn't right." He came here to reunite with his friends and he wasn't about to just abandon them when there was something making them act…well Mike didn't want to fully say how they were acting. All he knew was there was indeed something wrong and the more Foxy pushed away, the more Mike knew it was true. Despite how they acted during his shift, the way they were now, there was no way the animatronics were behaving like that on their own accord. "Fox-"

A hand grasped at Mike's shoulder and the guard gasped in fright. He turned his head just in time to see Mr. Fazbear standing by his side. "S-sir?"

"Michael." Mr. Fazbear started. His skin looked pale and his eyes were wide in shock. "I'm…I'm surprised to see you still here, boy. Shouldn't you…" The old man took a look inside Pirate's Cove, "shouldn't you be heading home now."

Mike stepped back from his boss, a glare forming on his face. "You knew…didn't you?"

Mr. Fazbear didn't look fazed by the question as he sighed, stepping away from Mike. "All jobs have their risks, boy." He started making his way back to the main showroom, ignoring the fact that his newest employee was following him like a hawk, eyes stabbing into his back. "I needed a new night guard. You have to understand, monsters like those things need to be watched, to make sure they don't cause any havoc in the city." he gestured to the stage where Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica stood. The three flinched at the harsh accusation, but ignored their owner, getting into position like they were supposed to.

Mike's rage fueled him as he noticed his friends' reactions.

"Honestly, Mike, just imagine the chaos that would come if they escaped?" Mr. Fazbear began unlocking his office door. "I can't afford that. This building has too much blood on his hands already thanks to those things. I can't afford anymore scandal."

"Are you serious!?" Mike demanded, stepping up to the man. "I can't believe you! Not only do you purposely put employees in danger, but I also can't believe you would treat the animatronics like that too!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Mr. Fazbear questioned. "Are you…defending those things? Michel, they are machines. Objects. What's gotten into you?"

"They are my friends!"

On stage, Freddy, Bonnie, and Chica watched Mike in awe, unable to believe that the nightguard would defend them even in the slightest. Not after what happened during the night, and not after everything they've done in the past…

Mr. Fazbear groaned, rubbing his hand across his face. "Are you hearing yourself, boy? You are talking about them as if they are real. As if they are as alive as you and me."

"Can you really say that about them?" Mike gestured to the stage. "You've known all of them longer then me, and you can honestly tell me they don't think and behave just as human as us!"

Mr. Fazbear went red in the face. "They are killing machines!" he snapped, throwing his hands in the air. "The only goddamn reason I keep them around is because I have a life, I need to take care of. Trust me, boy! If I had things go my way, these damn monsters would have been scrap metal long ago!" Mr. Fazbear slammed open his office door, never once tearing his glare from Mike. The two had a stand off before the old man huffed and marched into his office, plopping on his desk and lighting a cigar.

The animatronics backed away, lowering their heads in shame at the words being thrown their way. Chica felt oily tears well up in her eyes and Bonnie and Freddy were quick to hug and comfort her before she broke down. Mike noticed and ran to her.

"Chica?"

The chicken sniffled, looking between the bear and rabbit down at the human. "Mikey? It's really you." She smiled, stepping closer. Freddy looked like he wanted to pull her back but stopped as she leaned over and wrapped her wings around the man. Chica squawked happily, resting her head against Mike's head. "Oh, my little Mikey! I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!"

Mike smiled. "Shh, it's okay, Chica." He pulled back. "I knew it. You guys aren't acting like this on purpose!"

Freddy sighed. "Mike, we would never hurt you willingly, but…"

The guard looked over the bear, worried frown etching on his face.

"But there is nothing that can be done. Mr. Fazbear is correct. We are just…monsters. It's best if you just quit and leave." He locked his eyes with the guard. "If you don't there is only so many ways this will end for you, and I do not want to see you hurt or worse."

"Freddy, you guys need help. I can figure it out. Mr. Fazbear may have given up on you, but I won't! I'll save you guys! I can do it!"

"No." Freddy shook his head. "This is just something that goes way above your head. Nothing can stop this, Mikey. Trust me, I've been around long enough to know how this will all turn out. Police haven't been able to put a stop to it, Mr. Fazbear hasn't been able to put a stop to it." The bear sighed. "What is wrong with us isn't just some simple malfunction. This is…this is…"

"It's a freaking curse…" Bonnie interjected. The others looked at him as the rabbit messed with his guitar. "A stupid damn curse that just will continue. It won't end because nightguards will still be taken in and we will still be going after them at night. It's a cycle that won't end and you shouldn't have to be caught up in it."

"Mr. Fazbear is causing this, isn't he!?" Mike accused, starting to turn around to go back to his boss.

"No, no!" Freddy grabbed the man to stop him. "Mr. Fazbear has his own role in this bloody mess, yes. But there is so much more to this situation and it doesn't start with him." Freddy sighed. "Mike, you have your warning. Quit, please. These nights only end one way, with another death and I…I can't have you die, Mikey. Not because of us. So please, just leave."

Mike looked at the desperate faces of the animatronics. He remembered Foxy's own attempt to get Mike to leave and never return. The way the robotic animals were acting, it was like they truly believed there was no way to stop this.

Mike won't accept that. "No." He backed up, a confident look locking onto his features. "No, I know there has to be a way to stop this madness. I know for a fact now there is something making you guys act like this, and I'm gonna get to the bottom of it and save you all and any future employee of this place. No one else needs to die here. No one else will die here! I'll make sure of it. I'm not quitting, and no one is gonna stop me!" He smiled at the band. "You tell this to Foxy too. I'm gonna keep coming back until I figure this all out. Just you wait!"

"Mikey, wait!" Freddy went to stop the young man, but Mike ignored the bear's attempts to stop him and instead made his way to the front door.

Back in his office, Mr. Fazbear watched this entire exchanged and sighed. He stood up, meeting Mike halfway before he could leave.

"I know you want to blame this all on me, kid."

Mike glared at his boss, anger twisting inside him.

"Don't let your emotions for those things cloud your judgment. I've done that before too and…well damn Mike, if only you knew…" Mr. Fazbear sighed, taking a puff of his cigar. "Mike, I don't like to think I'm the bad guy. I know I've done bad things. I've intentionally lured good, innocent people to their demise. But…but if you knew Mike the history the Fazbear company has been through…hehe, well even if you did, it probably wouldn't make a difference." The old man took another puff, looking up at the younger man. "Mike, you really shouldn't dig your nose where it doesn't belong. If you keep digging you may find a lot of things you wouldn't like. Just do your job, kid. I actually do make it so you can survive each night. It's doable."

"Why hire nightguards in the first place if you know they could still die though?"

The old man shook his head. "What would happen if I don't have a nightguard. I can't afford that. If something terrible happens here, I can cover it up. If something terrible happens out there." Mr. Fazbear gestured to the outside with his head. "Well, I can't afford that. I've put too much into my business to just watch it collapse." He stuffed his hands in his pockets, leaning on the wall. "Please understand Mike, there isn't much we can do for them…the animatronics I mean. They are a lost cause. In the end, it's best just to remember they are just a bunch of scrap metal that can sing and dance. Nothing more, nothing less." He turned away, walking back to his office. "It hurts less that way."

Mike watched him enter his office before turning back to the robotic animal band. Freddy and the others watched him too, waiting for something, they just didn't know what. The guard smiled at them. He knew what they were waiting for. They were waiting for a freedom from this "curse" as Bonnie puts it. And no matter how many warnings he gets, from Mr. Fazbear and the animatronics, Mike would not back down until he helped his robotic friends.

"I'll see you guys tonight. I swear."

Freddy felt his hands tighten around his microphone. He smiled at the promise, despite the conflicting emotions he felt. "We'll see you then, Mikey."

And there you have it! The new and hopefully improved Facing the Past! Chapter two will be uploaded very soon. I doubt someone will finish this by the time I upload it, but just in case, if you don't see it by the time you reach the end of this chapter, come back, because it should be here. Again, please comment. All comments mean a lot to me. And if you are a person who read my older version, I won't lie, I'm especially curious to see what you guys think. Not to say those who haven't read my older version aren't welcome to say what they thought too. ;3 Either way, I hope everyone enjoyed this and will continue to read more. I look forward to the future of my fnaf trilogy.