Foxy winces at the strange creature's reaction; her voice is high and loud in her fright, and she bolts into the nearest tree's leaves. He doesn't like that whatever-she-is is scared of him, and he wonders if he should run.

So, he does.

Foxy takes off again, crashing less gracefully through the forest than last time. Branches whip him across the muzzle as he flounders his way around. Growling in frustration at the bothersome obstacles, he's too occupied to realize there's a small pot hole in his path, and the pirate ends up head over tail, landing in the midst of a rather large prickly bush.

Thrashing and trying to untangle his gangly limbs from the brambles, he curses the forest and swears under his breath.

"S-stupid little pokies," Foxy snarls, narrowing his golden eyes at the bush. Amidst his frustrated flailing, he's just managed to ensnare one of his legs in the thorny plant. He doesn't know how he's done it, but he's completely caught in the winding tangle of brambles. The thorns tear at his fur and make it harder to escape, and Foxy growls.

"Do you . . . need some help?"

Foxy jumps; in the middle of the annoying situation, he's forgotten why he was running away again in the first place. The yellow creature is hovering softly above him, her posture tense but less frightened than before.

Foxy hesitates, unsure of himself. He doesn't really want help from some random thing in some random place, but unless he wants to fight tooth and nail to get out of his mess, he's probably going to need some assistance.

Fluttershy's initial scare fades quickly as she clutches to her tree branch. The appearance of the . . . her thoughts trail off.

What was that thing? It looked kind of like a fox . . . but it also didn't. I don't even know what to think; it was so big, Fluttershy admits in her head. She taps her chin, racking her brain for a solution. Well, I certainly can't allow it to run around and hurt itself. Those Timberwolves could be troublesome.

The pegasus releases her hold on her branch and comes back into the open. To her dismay, the thing is gone.

It can't be too hard to track; I did it earlier.

Fluttershy glances around and finds a fresh trail of prints. She begins following them, keeping her eyes peeled and ears pricked. She expects her search to take a little longer, but upon floating under a large tree branch, she hears snarling. She pauses, frowning, before flying quietly forward, between two forked trees.

Oh, my . . . seems it's a bit stuck, Fluttershy notes, feeling a small twinge of amusement despite herself. It's twisted up in a large bramble patch. She doesn't know what the thing is, but she could never leave it to struggle. She pushes herself into the open, rubbing her forehooves together nervously.

"Do you . . . need some help?" she asks.

The fox thing's head pops up, and its body twists around to look at her. Fluttershy makes herself as non-threatening as she can; she knows how cornered animals can be. There are several moments of no answer, and the pegasus fears the thing will actually refuse.

But right as she's about to speak up again, it nods reluctantly.

Oh, good, I would hate to have to help you against your wishes, Fluttershy thinks, landing on the ground next to it. She reaches a hoof forward, but the thing flinches and tugs away just enough for her to notice. She pulls her hoof back to show no mean intent.

"I won't hurt you, promise. I'll be as gentle as I can; there's no need to be scared," the pegasus soothes, giving it her warmest smile. The thing shifts in the brambles, obviously uncomfortable. Fluttershy once again lifts her hoof to begin the task of untangling the thorny vines wrapped around its arms.

"So . . . what's your name?" Fluttershy asks. She doesn't want to keep calling it an 'it' the entire time she's here. "My name's Fluttershy."

It glances over at her; she thinks it won't answer at all this time, and she's not even sure if it can speak.

What is this thing? It's not flesh and blood . . .

Fluttershy takes note of the fact she isn't going to receive a response as it turns its head away again, and she accepts that. Instead, she goes back to removing the brambles, being cautious as to how she's going about it.

The pegasus tugs at a seemingly easy to remove bramble, but the thing flinches at the action and twists away.

"Oh, I'm sorry—did I make it scratch you? I thought it was looser than it is, apparently," Fluttershy says, readjusting her grip on the bramble before finally pulling it away. She's almost done getting the thing all untangled, and she hopes it won't bolt again as soon as she finishes.

Those hopes are quickly dashed as the last thorny hold is taken away; the fox thing immediately throws itself out of the brambles and scrambles away.

"W-wait, don't run away!" Fluttershy calls. She poises to speed after it, but finds herself not needing to as the thing actually hesitates. She watches it for a long moment, her eyes wide and asking, and soon enough, it settles into a crouch and stares back at her.

"Oh, thank you for not running. You don't have to be scared—I work with animals all the time," Fluttershy says. She takes a cautious step closer, watching its reaction carefully; like this, she slowly approaches. "Would you like to come back to my cottage with me? You don't have to worry about the scary Timberwolves and other creatures like you would out here."

Fluttershy tilts her head slightly at the thing, awaiting a response. It looks conflicted, and she's surprised she can read so much emotion on its face.

It's not living, per say, but it's alive. Metal? Some sort of robot? Fluttershy wonders as she stands there quietly.

"If you don't want to, that's fine, but . . . I'd feel better if you were somewhere safe. Do you understand?" she asks gently. Fluttershy stands right in front of it now, and at this height, she is about even with its face when it's crouched. Still, it doesn't respond.

Unnerved, Fluttershy backs up several feet and promptly splays out in the soft grass like a cat. She begins idly preening her wings as she awaits some sort of response.

Foxy watches the tiny yellow horse—what'd she call herself, Fluttershy?— lay down and fiddle with her wings. He doesn't understand why she's trying to help him or wants to know his name; it just doesn't make any sense. No one cares about him, so why would this random entity from another world?

Foxy remains crouched as she does her business without any sort of hurry or frustration. She doesn't seem affected by him not responding, or even by what he is anymore. He's easily twice as big as her, if not a little more, so it leaves him confused as to why she's not gone already.

Part of him wants to answer and talk to her and ask her where in the world he is, but . . .

Foxy shifts uncomfortably at the thought of interaction with this 'Fluttershy' and regrets the fact his shyness is getting the better of him. Again. He notices one of her ears twitch in his direction at the sound of grass crumpling under his feet.

But he also has no idea where he is or why he's here, and if he's to get any answer to these questions, she's probably his best bet. Not to even mention the fact that Foxy is scared of his predicament, and he wants someone to help him.

Even though he sits in Pirate Cove all day, alone, it doesn't mean he wants to be. Company is nice—as long as it's not another animatronic.

I'll never get home if I'm too much of a scaredy fox to even look for answers—besides, I don't like this creepy forest, Foxy thinks with a small shudder.

Finally, after much internal debate, Foxy creaks out a hesitant response:

"M' name's Foxy."

The reaction is immediate. Fluttershy's head perks up, ears alert, and she looks over at him.

"Oh, you can talk! That's wonderful," she says as she gets to her hooves. She stretches her wings before tucking them back to her sides. "So, Foxy, how did you end up in the Everfree Forest?"

Foxy pales at the question because he really doesn't have any idea. All he knows is he was in the pizzeria when he felt all weird, then he passed out and woke up here. Instead of explaining what little he does know, Foxy just shrugs sheepishly at her.

Fluttershy frowns, but doesn't press further. Instead, she continues, "Okay. That's fine. Maybe we can find out how. But for the time being, why don't you come with me back to my cottage? Then we don't have to spend any more time in the Everfree Forest. Strange things happen here all the time, and we'll be safer inside."

Foxy hesitates, but eventually nods. "A-aye, that sounds like a . . . good idea."

Fluttershy beams; Foxy finds it strange that she's so happy he's agreeing to come with her. Afterall, she doesn't even know him!

Maybe things are more different outside the pizzeria than I thought, Foxy admits internally. Unless she's the only one like this . . .

Foxy shakes the thought from his mechanical mind for now, not wanting to worry about it for the next few hours. He already has enough that's gnawing at him.

Fluttershy, during his internal conflict, has already turned and taken a few steps in the opposite direction. Foxy notices her glance over her shoulder expectantly and he hurriedly stands up from his crouch.

"Just follow me, okay? I know the way back, and you wouldn't want to get lost out here again," Fluttershy explains gently. She gives him a small smile at his responding nod and once again continues onward. Foxy follows her diligently.

He has a bit of a harder time of navigating the forest than she does, as he's over twice as tall and has to continuously push vines out of his face or duck under tree branches. But he never loses sight of her; Fluttershy's yellow is hard to miss, even in the darkness.

Amidst the trek through the forest, Foxy's attention begins to wander. He still maintains his pace in following Fluttershy, but he finds himself noticing the smaller details in the forest. Large, low-growing flowers bloom in the underbrush; unidentified creatures zip through the overhead tree branches, travelling without being seen; tangled vines that creep over the forest floor. He wonders what else lives in this strange place.

Foxy's so deep in his own thoughts that he almost misses when Fluttershy starts talking.

"My cottage is just over these fields. It'll be lighter when we finally leave the Everfree because the stars will be out, which will be nice," Fluttershy says as she walks. The trees suddenly stop a few feet in front of them—the edge of the forest. She strolls out into the moonlight, fully expecting Foxy to follow her.

Except Foxy doesn't follow her, instead slamming to a halt at the last line of trees. His circuits freeze, and he gets that strange feeling again, the one that makes him nervous.

"Foxy?"

Fluttershy's voice calls out to him. Foxy jerks his head down to look at her. She's gazing up at him with a concerned expression on her face.

"Are you okay?"

Foxy doesn't answer; he doesn't know what to say. He feels like he can't follow her—it's just like looking out the window at the end of the hall except he's outside the window and it's just not right—

"I-I can't," the pirate stammers, and he sinks back into a crouch, hiding himself partially behind the thick trunk of a tree. He suddenly realizes why he gets that tingly feeling when he looks out the window into the sky. "I-it's too big, there's too much, I don't—" He cuts off, clinging to the wood, ears down. Shaking, he refuses to look up again, instead flipping his eyepatch down and closing his eyes.

Foxy hears Fluttershy's hoof steps grow nearer, until she's standing right beside him.

"It's okay," she murmurs soothingly. Foxy feels a soft touch on his back, and he realizes she's petting him in an effort to comfort him.

How pathetic this must look, Foxy thinks miserably, still not opening his eyes as he cowers.

"What's so bad about going out of the forest?" Fluttershy asks—not judgmentally, just concerned.

Foxy shakes his head, unsure of how to answer. It's so stupid, that he can't just walk out into an open space, but it's just so . . . empty.

Finally, he sputters out, "the pizzeria, i-it's confined, limited—I've never been outside, ever, and it's too, t-too big, I can't," he digs his fingers into the tree trunk, "'m sorry, this is so dumb—"

Fluttershy gently shushes him, continuing her soothing motions over his back. "It's okay to be scared, Foxy. There's nothing 'dumb' about it. I'm scared of lots of things; the Everfree Forest scares me, in fact. But sometimes we have to face our fears."

Foxy finally opens one eye, peeking over at her. Fluttershy is looking at him with eyes caring and understanding, and Foxy can't believe that this little horse from another world is the first one to show him any compassion since '87. But something about her words and her actions make him feel better, and he uncurls himself enough to switch positions and sit down for real, leaning against the tree instead.

"Why . . . why are ya bein' so nice to me? Ya don't even know me, or what I am," Foxy murmurs, "but you're helpin' me. I don't get it."

"Oh, don't be so silly," Fluttershy replies with a wave of her hoof, and Foxy tilts his head in confusion. "I'm not going to just leave you out here on your own. Even if you are unlike anything I've ever seen, it doesn't mean you don't deserve help. Everybody should be treated with kindness."

"But—"

"—And, if that means making sure you can get to somewhere you'll be safe, I'll make sure you can do it." Fluttershy smiles gently at him, setting a delicate hoof on his knee.

Foxy glances over his shoulder to once again look into the distance. The open fields seem endless and enormous, and he winces.

"I . . . still don't know if I can do it," the pirate admits, his voice low.

"We can stay here for a while, if you want," Flutteryshy says.

Foxy casts a sideways glance at her, unsure. He doesn't even want to take one step into the open, so how's he supposed to go however long to get to Fluttershy's house?

"Maybe ya should just leave me 'ere," Foxy admits, shoulders drooping. "I'm not your problem . . ."

It's what anyone else would do.

Fluttershy looks shocked, as if she's appalled that he would ever even suggest the idea.

"Why do you keep acting as if you shouldn't be saved? As if you're worth less to me than anyone else in the same sort of situation?" she asks, a frown on her face.

"I'm just a stranger!" Foxy blurts out, his emotions getting the better of him. He feels a snarl growing in his throat. "Why aren't ya scared 'a me? If ya were anythin' like people back home, you'd've left me to rust soon as ya saw me!"

Fluttershy is obviously startled by his outburst and she flinches, one wing coming up to shield her face. Foxy realizes just how close he got to her and retracts, settling back down again. He looks away in shame, embarrassed by his little show.

There's the sound of feathers ruffling from his left, and Foxy thinks maybe Fluttershy did leave after that; he wouldn't blame her if she did. Afterall, he wanted her to run away . . . right?

Went and showed her the monster ya really are, huh? Good job, scarin' away everybody. Foxy sighs softly to himself. Well, it's probably fer the best anyhow. I'm used to bein' alone. Everyone's a whole lot safer without me 'round.

Foxy finally glances over to see if she truly did leave, and he has to admit that a part of him is upset to see the space unoccupied. Fluttershy has flown away, leaving the animatronic to wallow in his confusing whirl of emotions by himself.

Foxy sags against the tree trunk and has the urge to just power down.

"Feel better now?" Fluttershy asks suddenly from his left.

Foxy jumps at her voice, not having expected to see her again. He turns his head and sees her standing there, looking at him her head tipped to one side.

"H-huh?" the pirate stammers. He doesn't understand what she means, or even why she's back.

"You threw your little fit, and I want to know if you feel better now."

Foxy's circuits heat up at her words. He scratches at the ground with his fingers, unsure of how to respond. She's called him out, and he has to admit he doesn't feel as agitated as he just did.

Without a reasonable answer (and also because he's embarrassed), he just shrugs and doesn't meet her gaze.

"I'll take that as a yes," Fluttershy continues. She sits down again. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Foxy does not.

He shrugs.

Fluttershy hums. "We will later, okay? But for now, let's please get to my cottage?"

Foxy tenses and glances into the open space fearfully before Fluttershy clicks repeatedly at him, drawing his attention back to her.

"Hey, don't think about how you're afraid of it; I have an idea. Why don't you just close your eyes, and I can guide you until we're back at my place?"

Foxy cocks his head, confused.

"If you don't know you're in the open, it shouldn't be as scary, right? No difference between walking outside and walking inside if your eyes are closed." Fluttershy offers a small smile and shrugs, looking hopeful. "No harm in trying, right?"

I really doubt just closin' my eyes'll somehow help me be less of a coward, Foxy thinks, but I suppose she's right. Wouldn't hurt to try . . . an' I still wanna get outta here . . .

Somewhat regretfully, Foxy nods in agreement to Fluttershy's proposal. She perks up, a grin on her lips.

"Oh, that's perfect!" she coos. "Now, let's get started."

Fluttershy motions for Foxy to get to his feet, and he does. The end of the trees is only a foot away now, and he does his best to not think about how never-ending this world seems and how empty and spacious and dark and lonely—

Foxy shakes his head and attempts to ignore the trembling in his circuits. He stands there, at the forest's edge, with Fluttershy right next to him—though she hardly stands up to his waist.

"It's okay; my cottage isn't far. Close your eyes and then tell me how you feel," Fluttershy directs, gazing up at him. Foxy does as she asks and shuts his remaining eye, the other already covered by his eyepatch.

There are several moments of silence on both ends before Fluttershy prompts again, "Are you okay?"

"M-maybe, I dunno," Foxy admits, eyebrows furrowed. "It's . . . b-better, I think?"

"Wonderful. Let's take it slow from here." Foxy hears Fluttershy's wings buzzing, and soon after, a soft touch on his shoulder. "Just do as I say, alright? I'll guide you. Go forward?"

Foxy nervously obeys, feeling as the air pressure shifts and no longer feels as stifling. There's a slight breeze now that they're out of the forest, and the pirate whines in his throat at the knowledge he's out in the open.

"Shh, it's all okay. You're doing great so far. Just keep walking . . ."

A/N: Expect lots of Foxy characterization in these beginning chapters especially. They're not too eventful but things will start to get more interesting as we continue. :) Also the animatronics definitely don't line up with current FNaF lore (like the previous story as well), so no dead children's souls or anything.