Power: 37%
Auto update date and time: 11/14/1993 02:07:03am
In the stillness of the room, the only movement came from rattling metal, with relieved sobs cutting in and out from Spring Bonnie's speaker. Not even Greg's weak whimpers could be heard under them. Spring Bonnie tightly gripped the endoskeleton, leaving bloody handprints on its silvery frame. She nuzzled the mask against its head.
"...It's so-s-s-s-so good to have you back," Bonnie Wickes whispered.
It's good to be back, Freddy Wickes said.
Spring Bonnie lifted her head and gently nuzzled her nose against the endoskeleton's upper lip.
"I m-m-m-missed you so much."
You've always known I was here, Freddy Wickes told her, an' I've always tried to be with you.
Jeremy politely remained quiet to allow the couple a moment. Mike gently pulled away from Vanna and hoisted himself up to sit on the edge of the stage. She let him go, but joined him, with Vesper re-appearing beside her. Nearby, Will watched the animatronic duo.
"...Fred?" he whispered. "Is that…?"
If Freddy Wickes heard him, he made no indication. The endoskeleton gently set its hands on Spring Bonnie's cheeks. It aligned its eyes with the rabbit's empty sockets.
I'm not goin' anywhere, Bonnie. Not ever again.
A loud, broken sob crackled over the rabbit's speakers, with a series of smaller, quieter sobs following it. The endoskeleton eyes took in the living shine of human eyes behind Spring Bonnie's silver discs, and the soft sounds of human agony under the mask.
Now let 'im go, Freddy Wickes said. You've had your peace, an' he won't forget your wrath anytime soon.
Spring Bonnie slowly nodded, then nuzzled the nose against his head again.
"...D-d-d-damn you for being the-being the reasonable one," Bonnie Wickes said sweetly.
The smile was heard in her husband's voice as he spoke again.
Married you for your fire, Bonnie, and that meant learnin' when to contain it.
Foxy raised his hook.
Isn't too late to gut 'im like a fish.
"No," Vanna, Vesper, and Mike said firmly.
Foxy lowered his hook.
Fine, ye spoilsports.
Greg's got a lot to atone for, Freddy Wickes said. With the crimes on 'is head, prison'll be kinder in that he'll live, but every moment behind bars'll be its own punishment.
Spring Bonnie nodded, then turned to Will.
"Get the first-first aid kit."
It took a second for Will to break out of his stupor and register the order. When he did, he quickly gave the old a rabbit a small salute, quickly falling into habits from over two decades ago.
"Yes'm."
Will then headed for the back room. Every step felt like dragging a lead weight with it as he treaded that familiar path. His back ached with uncertain relief, and an uneasy haze slowly shadowed his mind. The second he crossed the threshold, Will reached up to pull off his hat and wipe his face. He then covered his mouth to bite back any sound as he finally allowed himself a long, silent sob. After taking a private moment, Will forced it back, then went to the shelves to look for the first aid kit, and some materials to use for splints.
In the dining room, the endoskeleton gently stepped away from Spring Bonnie, while Bonnie Wickes directed some of the other animatronics. Freddy and Chica positioned themselves behind the suit, ready to grab Greg when Bonnie Wickes released him. Foxy and the purple Bonnie stood nearby in case the other two needed help. Once Will returned with the first aid kit and some long metal parts, he motioned for Mike and Vanna to assist.
Once the group situated, Spring Bonnie carefully pulled off its mask, leaving bloody handprints on either side. The moment the mask lifted, Greg took a deep, gasping breath of cool air. He practically choked on it with relief. His red face dripped with sweat and snot over his terrified features. Dried blood stuck to his neck. His disheveled blonde hair adhered itself to his sticky face. Choked, pained whimpers caught in his throat as Spring Bonnie held out the mask for Vanna to take again.
Vanna took the mask, careful to avoid the bloody handprints. She carefully set the mask on the prize counter while Mike and Will positioned themselves on each of Greg's sides. Vesper floated beside her, then hovered near the Puppet's box and disassembled body.
The spring locks began to unwind as Bonnie Wickes slowly pulled them back into their proper positions. Greg cried out in agony as the spring locks twisted away from his mangled bones, with metal cracks and moist sliding along the springs providing a sickening undertone.
The back of the suit opened again. Freddy and Chica both quickly grabbed Greg under his arms to prevent any attempt at escape. Greg winced and squirmed, more from pain than any desire to be free.
Oh, be still, Chica scolded him.
Mike and Will carefully guided Greg's arms from the sleeves, trying to mitigate the damage as much as they could. While they worked, Vanna took an alcohol wipe from the kit to wipe down her hands, before she pulled on a pair of vinyl gloves and readied a fistful of gauze.
Greg tried not to move or scream again as his broken arms slid along the sharp parts of the suit, with varied success. Spring Bonnie's torso remained bent forward, but she worked with the others to get him out as safely as possible. A mangled mess of torn cloth, rendered flesh, and broken bone slowly slid from the animatronic arms. The sleeves of Greg's uniform shirt were practically dyed a deep crimson red. His shoulders hung loose in Freddy and Chica's grip, both of them still slightly dislocated from their prior abuse to make him fit inside. Several parts of his uniform were torn, with small cuts all over his body.
Once his arms were freed, Vanna came over with the gauze to staunch the bleeding on his right arm. Mike grabbed a second fistful of gauze and began to assist her. Greg bit his lips and screamed behind them as they tended to his broken limbs.
"Fuck, this is a lot of blood," Vanna said as she worked.
Will quickly pulled on his own set of vinyl gloves and set about working on his other arm.
"Don't focus on that," he said as he carefully laid a makeshift splint.
As they worked, Foxy menacingly kept an eye on Greg, his hook at the ready, while the purple Bonnie circled the tables to assess the damage. He wandered to one of the tables and started to move it back into place.
"Leave it," Mike told him.
He held a splint in place as Vanna carefully wrapped it in gauze. Bonnie's ears twitched in irritation at the command.
Why? he asked, wanting to make the room right again.
"It's a crime scene now," Mike said. "The police are going to want to investigate it when they get there."
"Speaking of," Vanna said, as she wrapped another layer, "we should call."
"In a moment," Will said. "Let's make sure Greg's taken care of first."
He placed another splint and wrapped it. In took only a few moments to finish the makeshift casts. Once they finished, the purple Bonnie circled behind Greg and gripped his waist so he could help Freddy and Chica pull Greg from the suit. Spring Bonnie slowly tilted back up to stand properly. Several clicks and whirs indicated the animatronic parts sliding back into place as Bonnie Wickes reset it back into its robotic mode.
"M-m-much better," she said cheerfully.
Agreed, Jeremy said. It's crowded enough in here.
Spring Bonnie's headless body walked over to the prize counter to retrieve the head. A few soft clicks indicated its reconnection. Whole again, the old rabbit made its way back to the endoskeleton and made a point to cling to it once more.
Greg's legs shook as the animatronics held him up. The purple Bonnie let go of his waist to while Freddy shifted to allow Chica to brace him under his arms.
"Help 'im lie down and get his legs up," Will said. "Keep the blood circlin' so he doesn't pass out on us. I'm gonna get 'im some water. Mike, Vanna, clean up what you can with what's left in the kit."
Mike stood and carefully headed for the boys' bathroom to get Greg's blood off his hands. Freddy and Chica nodded in affirmation and did as instructed while Will headed to the kitchen. Greg winced and whimpered at each small movement. Once they got him situated, Freddy crouched down and shifted his grip on Greg's ankles to keep them properly elevated. He glared down at Greg as though daring him to try anything.
Greg lied still as Chica gently set his arms on the cool tile. He closed his eyes and simply channeled his focus on breathing. Chica then walked over to Pirate Cove to retrieve Dulcie.
Mike returned and knelt down beside the murderer. He then opened the small bottle of disinfectant and a cotton ball. Vanna started to disinfect the cuts, and rationed the few bandages for the worst of them. She tried not to think of what could have remained on those coils as she worked. Freddy kept watch over his prisoner as the humans tended to him.
Greg hissed as the disinfectant stung, and shuddered away from her. Vanna frowned, but kept working. She pulled his tie off and tossed it aside, then started to unbutton his shirt to get to a nasty-looking cut on his chest. Greg made a noise of protest, but had neither the strength nor the dexterity to stop her.
Under the shirt, something gleamed. Mike caught the chain first as Vanna pulled the shirt away, then what hung on it.
In his visions, he never saw the ring for certain, only felt it slip away. But as Mike stared at the ring on the chain, there was no doubt in his mind it was the same one. It was a thick gold band with an inscription of sorts inside, meant for a finger too big for even Greg's thumb. Mike grabbed the ring, and in a swift motion, pulled the chain up over Greg's head.
"...N-no..." Greg managed. "Don't…"
Mike ignored him and looked at the ring in his hand. A dull shine caught the light as he tilted the ring it to read the inscription:
Our dream came true. 6-19-1963
"Freddy…" Mike said quietly.
Yes? both Freddies asked, almost simultaneously.
"Sorry," Mike said. "Forgot there were two of you now."
He stood up and walked to Spring Bonnie and the endoskeleton.
"I'm pretty sure this is yours."
The endoskeleton held out its hand, with Spring Bonnie shifting her head on its shoulder to better see. Mike carefully handed over the ring, and noted Spring Bonnie's eyelids raise. The endoskeleton held up the ring to read the inscription himself. Its eyelids tilted in sadness.
Always wondered why he took it, Freddy Wickes said.
A sharp gasp crackled on Spring Bonnie's speakers.
"He stole your w-w-w-wedding ring?"
She turned to Greg, who simply let out a weak groan. Spring Bonnie's face once twisted into a look of hate. She let go of the endoskeleton to start stomping towards him.
"You'd better-better hope there's a Hell, Gregory," Bonnie Wickes said, "because w-w-w-when I'm-when I'm through with you-"
Spring Bonnie suddenly halted, unable to take another step. She turned her head to see the endoskeleton gripped her shoulder, locking her in place.
Bonnie, enough, Freddy Wickes told her. What's done is done.
He handed the ring back to Mike.
It's of no use to me now, Freddy Wickes told him, but I'm thinkin' the police'll wanna see it.
Mike nodded and gently placed the ring in his breast pocket. Will came back with the water and a damp paper towel. He knelt down beside Greg and wiped his face, then carefully helped him drink. Once he finished, he turned back to Spring Bonnie and the endoskeleton. Will swallowed hard before he spoke.
"...I'm still...tryin' to wrap my head 'round all this," he said softly. "Even seein' it with my own eyes...I can still hardly believe you two're here. That you've...been here all this time."
The endoskeleton nodded.
It's me, Uncle Will, Freddy Wickes said, the old jaw creaking with each word.
Will frowned as he pushed himself to his feet.
"Can't hear you, Fred," he said softly.
"It's us, Uncle-Uncle Will," Bonnie Wickes confirmed. "Y-y-y-your favorite niece and nephew."
Will chuckled a little.
"Circumstances bein' what they are, it's...good to see you...see you both again." He turned to the endoskeleton specifically. "I looked for you, Fred. I...I tried, but..."
The endoskeleton simply nodded again.
I know, Freddy Wickes said.
He gently nuzzled Spring Bonnie's head, which elicited a soft, contented purr from the speakers. The endoskeleton turned back to Will.
Saw you take care of Bonnie for me, Uncle Will, Freddy Wickes continued. And I watched this place...wear you down, break you. Y'don't need to worry 'bout us anymore.
Vanna stepped towards Will and repeated what his nephew told him. Will simply nodded. He sniffed hard and turned away, then pulled his hat down over his eyes. After a moment, he composed himself and turned back to Spring Bonnie and the endoskeleton. Will's voice shook a bit as he spoke.
"Always tried to-to do right by you both. Best I could do was try to...just keep your memories alive."
The endoskeleton gently held out a hand and gestured for Will to come forward. Bonnie Wickes moved one of the suit's hands to give him room, and enjoyed Greg's gasp of pain in the process. Will obeyed, and found the endoskeleton's cold metal arm around his waist and pulling him into the group.
S'good to finally hold you both, Freddy Wickes said. Havin' the building as a vessel was good for watchin' you, but it was hard, bein' all I could do. Took a good decade t'figure out I could even do more, let alone communicate. Just wish I figured it out when Bonnie needed me.
Vanna transcribed for Will again as the old man awkwardly patted the endoskeleton's back. The speaker crackled on again.
"You're here-you're here now, Freddy," Bonnie Wickes said, gently, "and I much prefer-prefer you th-th-this way."
She let out another purr and nuzzled the mask against the endoskeleton's head.
This is a little awkward... Jeremy said at last.
"Oh, hush," Bonnie Wickes said. "You had your-had your turn with your loved one."
But she pulled the mask away from the endoskeleton's face and simply rested it on her beau's shoulder. Freddy Wickes' deep, boisterous laugh rang in the minds of all who could hear it.
Will tried to think of something else to say as he shifted out of the endoskeleton's grip.
"...Good to have you back too, Fred," he managed, "and...there's two more of our kin you've yet to meet proper."
He gestured for Vanna to come forward, and then turned to the prize counter to beckon Vesper over. Vesper gently floated over, then hovered near Spring Bonnie. The endoskeleton looked between the two twins. The jaw closed in a strange grin.
Will started down the east hall to get to the phone in the security office.
"I'll let you catch up while I call it in," he said. "In my experience, it takes a bit to send someone out to this part'o town."
Vanna watched him go, then turned back to her aunt and uncle in their robotic forms. Vesper hovered near her. The endoskeleton looked over them both.
My time came 'fore you two were born, Freddy Wickes said, but I saw the joy you brought to this place when you were little.
Vesper grinned back.
"Puppet said you were here," she said in her strange monotone, "but we never found you. You are good at hide and seek."
That got her uncle to laugh.
Seems we both are, Vesper, came Freddy Wickes' soft baritone. I'm glad we both were found, and I'm glad Puppet kept you safe.
Spring Bonnie gently nodded in agreement.
"Puppet has always-has always looked after what I-I-I-I loved most."
The endoskeleton then turned to look at Vanna. She gave it an awkward wave.
"H-hi, Uncle Freddy," she said.
Vanna, Freddy Wickes said gently. He raised a hand, and Vanna stepped closer, allowing him to give her a brief side hug. I...well, after what happened years ago, I can't say I expected you to ever come back, but it was a great surprise these last two nights. And lookin' at you now, it seems Bonnie's fire is still burnin' down the bloodline.
Vanna beamed with pride.
"Thank Mike," she said softly. "He brought me here."
"More like you strong-armed your way into joining me," Mike corrected.
"Just like our friendship," Vanna sweetly shot back.
Mike smirked, then scolded the purple Bonnie for attempting to pick up a fallen chair. The rabbit let go, then made another round around the room. He gently smacked one hand to keep himself from making another attempt at fixing the mess.
Well, however you got here, I'm glad you made it, Freddy Wickes said. And Mike, I think I gave you more'n your share of fright. Didn't mean that, but to put it in simple terms, it takes a bit to "tune in," and then I gotta adjust the dial a bit. Spooked more'n my share of folks in previous attempts, so thanks for bein' steadfast enough to stick around.
Mike simply gave him a weary nod.
And thanks, Freddy Wickes continued, for bringin' our family together, even while searchin' for your own.
Mike shot a glance to Spring Bonnie.
"We both needed answers," he said quietly.
We all did, Jeremy piped in.
The voice box crackled back on.
"Vanna."
Vanna turned to Spring Bonnie.
"Y-yes, Aunt Bonnie?"
Spring Bonnie lifted a hand toward her face, then stopped after seeing the blood trails left on the golden fingers. She awkwardly lowered it.
"Thank-th-th-thank you," Bonnie Wickes whispered. "It was nice-nice t-t-to see you again."
Vanna tried to blink back tears as a bitter smile formed over her lips.
"It was nice to remember you."
"I just wish-just wish I got to see you g-g-grow-g-grow up," her aunt said.
Vanna reached up to wipe her eyes. Spring Bonnie pantomimed picking up Vesper, who floated with her until she was "sitting" in the crook of the rabbit's arm. Vesper moved her arms around the robot's neck, part of her elbows phasing into the shoulders.
"I can't remem-em-em-ember the last time I saw-saw you two together," Bonnie Wickes said.
"It's been over twenty years," Vanna whispered.
Vesper left a ghostly kiss on the rabbit's cheek, then floated a little higher so her gaze could be level with the Spring Bonnie's.
"...Are you happy now, Aunt Bunny?" she asked. "Now that you found your Freddy-bear?"
"M-mo-m-m-more than I've been in a-in a while," Bonnie Wickes answered. "Thank you, Vesper."
Vesper smiled, and gave the rabbit another spectral hug around her neck.
"You'll take care of her for me, won't you, Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Freddy?" Vanna asked.
Spring Bonnie and the endoskeleton both nodded.
"I promise," said Bonnie Wickes.
Of course, Freddy Wickes agreed.
Vanna reached for Vesper, and shuddered a little at the sudden coolness of her touch. She forced up a smile.
"I finally found you," she said. "Sorry it took over twenty years."
"I knew you would," Vesper answered.
The little ghost moved to her sister and hugged her. Vanna ignored the chill that came with her presence, and did her best to return it.
"I'll see you again," she promised.
Vesper nodded and let her go. For the first time, the tears on her face ceased. She smiled brightly and touched Vanna.
"Tag!"
"Hey!"
"You won hide and seek," Vesper protested.
"...Yes," Vanna said, softly. "I guess I did."
Vesper smiled at her sister, then frowned, looking over at the present box.
"...Will Puppet be okay?"
"Yes," Spring Bonnie promised.
She looked over towards Greg, who had since settled into something resembling rest despite his broken arms.
"I believe we have-we have its pieces to retrieve."
"Already on it," Mike said.
Freddy kept hold of his legs as Mike approached. He knelt down beside Greg to search his pockets. Greg slowly lifted his head watch him, still a bit lightheaded from the blood loss.
"Wh-what are you…?"
Mike ignored him and simply pulled out his keys.
"Retrieving stolen property," he said.
Greg glared upon realization. Mike then tossed to the keys to Vanna, who gave Greg a mocking salute and headed out the front door.
"Even-even after all these years," Bonnie Wickes said, glowering at Greg, "you're still trying to st-st-steal my work."
Greg ignored her.
"...You should have just...let them kill me," he said, taking careful breaths between the pain.
It's still an option, Foxy said.
Mike shot him a small glare.
What? Foxy asked with a shrug.
Mike shook his head.
"They had a very good reason not to."
I can't think of a worse Hell than being stuck with him for eternity, Jeremy said.
Will returned a few moments later.
"They're on their way," he said. "We got about ten minutes."
Greg rested his head back on the floor. A devious smile formed on his lips.
"The police...come," he said, working to stay focused, "they find me here. You t-tell them...tell them you found the murderer. ...Then what?"
"Then you go to jail," Will said simply.
"With what proof?" Greg asked. "Nothing's been recorded. There aren't any...surveillance tapes because the manager...is a cheapskate."
"Convenient," Will told him, "but we took other measures."
Mike reached into his pocket to pull out the tape recorder. He shoved it in Greg's face.
"Thanks for confessing," he said.
"Might want to...take a closer look at it," Greg said.
Mike did as he said, and turned the tape recorder to look at it. The entire front was cracked and digging into the cassette dock. He remembered how it dug into his side when he fought Greg, but hadn't been concerned with it at the time. It probably cracked against the floor when Greg pinned him. Mike yanked open the cassette dock. To his horror, he found the small tape just as cracked, the plastic caving in.
In fury, he threw the broken tape recorder at Greg's chest. It smacked into him, and earned a pained laugh from the murderer.
"Nice try," Greg said.
"Mike," Will said, "do me a favor and get the cupcake from the office."
Mike gave him a strange look, before he remembered something. With a new vigor and a confident smirk, he got up and dashed down the east hall. Will then casually strode over to the Puppet's box and looked behind it. A moment later, a triumphant, "Fuck yeah!" echoed down the hall, followed by Mike's returning footsteps. He held the cupcake as carefully as his firstborn child.
Will shot him a brief smile. Greg glared at him, before he turned back to Mike. His eyes narrowed in on the pink frosting.
"What did he do?"
"This," Mike said, reaching into the cupcake.
It took a moment to loosen the object, as it was wedged firmly against the curvature of the inside frosting, but when he jostled it loose, Mike pulled out one of the devices Will showed him and Vanna earlier. It was a silver metal circle, with metal wires crosshatched across the middle like a speaker, and a small black box attached to the back. A little red light on the box indicated it was on.
Spring Bonnie's already glowing eyes lit up even more with recognition. The speaker from the body crackled to life.
"My audio-audio activation sensors!"
"Yep," Will said. He pulled another from behind Puppet's box. "Maybe you remember these, Greg."
He watched as Greg's face turned white, then red, then white again.
"Bon had 'em in mind for a new line of robots when she was ready to expand to a sister location," Will said, turning to Spring Bonnie. "Wasn't that right?"
"Y-yes," Bonnie confirmed. "They were m-m-meant to record and playback a child's voice-voice for entertainment pur-purposes. I nixed the idea when I-I-I-I realized it could be used-used to copy a parent's voice and trick them."
Will smiled.
"They also hold a lot more data than a cassette tape, and can record for...twenty-four hours? Got two more hidden 'round here."
He turned to Greg.
"And if I recall, you told me earlier that you were involved with Vesper's disappearance."
"And he told me about Jeremy's death," Mike added. "In detail. Right by the cupcake."
Greg looked between them both to shoot them death glares. He ground his teeth against each other.
He was in the back room earlier, Jeremy said. He didn't say much before he shut the suit down, but maybe there's audio of him tampering with it.
Mike took the cue and looked at Will.
"Is there another one in the back room?"
"Should be on Fred's endoskeleton," Will answered, looking over at his nephew's current vessel, "and one on the main stage."
The endoskeleton glanced down at its chest. Freddy Wickes recalled where he watched Gwen Carlisle place it, and directed one arm to reach into the metal ribcage for its prize.
This one? he asked, as he held it out for Will to take.
Will grinned, having a guess as to what his nephew just said.
"That's the one."
Greg gaped at Will.
"...How?" he managed, after a time. "When? I-I looked at the...at the cupcake just this morning! It was empty!"
"None'ya," Will told him.
Inwardly, he thanked Gwen for following his instructions, and Waylon's forceful, anal tendencies to keep his employees on their schedules, including their breaks...where Gwen would fill in for Greg on his.
The door jingle rang as Vanna came back in, using the bottom of her polo as a makeshift bag to hold Puppet's pieces. Goosebumps covered her bare arms, and her teeth chattered as she hastened her pace to the prize counter.
"Shit, it's cold outside," she said. "Should've grabbed my coat first."
Greg desperately thought of another avenue.
"S-so the police...listen to that recording," he said. "They're not...they're not going to believe that ghosts controlled those suits! That they did...this."
He slowly lifted his left arm.
"They'll hear our fight," Mike pointed out, "and know you started it."
"They'll also hear us yelling at Aunt Bonnie to stop," Vanna added.
Greg chose to ignore Mike, responding only to Vanna.
"Speculation," he said. "For all they'll know...you did it, and blamed the robots. ...Or did something to them."
Spring Bonnie's speaker crackled with amused laughter.
"Oh, Gr-Gregory," said Bonnie, reaching up to tap Spring Bonnie's forehead. "You forget my robots' visual recording c-c-capa-c-capabilities."
Greg smirked.
"They're also encrypted, and the software to unencrypt them hasn't been used in years."
Will frowned.
"...He's right," he said. "That's why I got th' audio activation sensors. The computer with Bon's software gave out years ago."
He glared at Greg.
"But we got your confessions and the fight. That still might be worth somethin' to the right judge."
Spring Bonnie's eyes and smile widened as her laughter increased in volume. Vanna glanced at her.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"Puppet-Puppet can help them," Spring Bonnie said.
"How?" Vanna asked.
"Puppet has a hi-hi-d-den-hidden drive," her aunt answered. "One with all of my-all of my best secrets. I'll sh-show you how to fix it, and then its software can be-can be accessed."
"Toolbox is in th' back," Will said, pointing a thumb to the back room.
Vanna wasted no time, and ran to go get it. Spring Bonnie turned to Mike.
"Get something to write-write on," she instructed.
Mike nodded. He set the cupcake and its treasure down on the prize counter and searched the room, finding a pen at the hostess stand and a paper menu from a stack underneath. Bonnie Wickes had him write down access instructions to get to the drive, as well as a username and password.
"Puppet can access it on its-on its own for its own purposes," Bonnie Wickes said, "such as overriding an unauthorized change and retreiv-v-v-ing information, but it cannot share that infor-for-for-mation without manual ac-ac-access. Once it's powered back on, it can-it can be connected to a computer. Once the information is accessed-accessed manually, the encryption softw-a-a-are can be downloaded."
Greg glared at the Spring Bonnie suit, and the furious look on his face said enough. Vanna soon re-emerged with the tool kit and joined her aunt and Mike at the prize counter to begin Puppet's reassembly.
"You can't...do this!" Greg cried, trying again to free himself from the robots' grasp. "I have rights-!"
"There's a sign out by the front door warnin' 'bout surveillance," Will said, "and this particular equipment was authorized by the buildin' owner."
"Waylon wouldn't have-!"
"Who said anythin' 'bout Waylon?" Will asked. "He just manages the place. He doesn't own anything."
"Then who-?" Greg asked.
"You're lookin' at 'im."
Greg stared at Will. Mike and Vanna's heads both snapped away from their work for a second to look at Will.
"You're the building owner?!" Mike asked.
"Yep."
"Then why the hell are you working as the janitor?"
Will smiled, and shot him a wink.
"Didn't suspect a thing, did you, Mike?"
"I-I-I-I left it to him," Bonnie Wickes said. "There was-there was no one else I could trust."
Will nodded in agreement.
"Yep. Put it under a rebrand in '72, and just kept a low profile ever since."
His smile faded, and in that moment, he aged another decade.
"Always had a public face to keep eyes off me," Will continued. "First it was Shirley Reid. She was here for the rebrand of Fredbear's to Freddy Fazbear's, and then the...new location in '87."
His gaze went to Spring Bonnie. The suit shied away from him as Jeremy recalled his and Will's last meeting.
When his body was found.
"...She quit in early '88," Will said, turning his attention to Mike. "I don't blame 'er. Place was barely open two weeks, and we got five murders, with the last one finally confirmed."
Mike started to say something, but stopped when he saw the audio activation sensors on the counter. He simply nodded.
"Made it easier to...well, handle all th' incidents here," Will continued. "Waylon knows, but he's under contract to not say a word."
"So that's why he listens to you," Mike said. "I kind of wondered about that."
"Yep," Will confirmed. "He worries 'bout the stuff I don't have time for, and I clean up the messes - and not just the cake crumbs and soda spills."
A glance to Greg.
"Gonna have to make one soon, though, now that I know where Fred's buried."
Greg started to say something. Chica vindictively nudged a toe into his left arm to make him scream.
We've heard enough, she said cheerfully.
Freddy maintained his grip on Greg's legs while Foxy kept a watchful eye on him nearby. The purple Bonnie paced the room, every now and again stopping himself from fixing a table or picking up a fallen party hat, gently smacking at his hand instead. Mike and Vanna carefully followed Bonnie Wickes' instructions to put Puppet's pieces back in place, with Vesper hovering nearby, watching quietly as they worked.
It took a few moments to screw the servos back in, re-attach the head, and properly wire them back together. A soft power-on sound marked their success, as did the blue LED lights blinking on from the back of Puppet's empty sockets. Vesper let out a soft, delighted noise and clapped her hands. Vanna smiled at her, then started to put the tools away.
"It just needs one more thing," Mike said.
He went over to the stage and picked up the mask, then brought it back to place over the smooth endoskeleton skull. Thanks to the bent hook, it was a little loose when reattached, but it stayed in place. The crack in the forehead and a few scratches in the paint showed its battle damage.
Spring Bonnie affectionately looked over their handwork, ending at Puppet's face.
"Little one…"
A small beeping sound came from inside the mask.
Bonnie, Jeremy said, we're losing power, and fast. We need to charge.
Spring Bonnie went quiet for a moment as Bonnie Wickes checked the battery status.
"Sixteen percent?" she cried. "How are we-are we losing that much power?"
It's an old suit, Jeremy said, and there were some small surges when we fought over it. It also ran down pretty fast last night with just normal use.
Spring Bonnie nodded and immediately went for the cord wrapped around the waist. Upon seeing the end, with a cut cord and metal wires inside, she cursed.
"Gregory," she snarled.
"That ain't gonna stop anythin'," Will said. "The police'll just have to replace it to get to the files."
But it does mean we don't have much time right now, Jeremy said. As soon as the power's gone, we go back in the dark.
Spring Bonnie looked over at Mike, then back to Will.
"...Give-give-give me one minute, J-J-Jeremy," she said, "then you can have the r-r-rest of time battery."
Thanks, Jeremy said. After tonight...that means a lot.
Will gently patted her shoulder.
"It was good to see you, Bon," he said, "and...an honor to work with you."
Spring Bonnie nodded.
"Thank-thank you for everything, Uncle Will," she said.
Will gave her a small salute. Spring Bonnie then reached for the endoskeleton. Freddy Wickes stepped quickly to close the gap and embrace his wife one last time. The broken sobs crackled back on the speakers.
I'll see you again, Bonnie, Freddy Wickes promised. I waited twenty six years for you. I can wait a little longer.
Spring Bonnie nuzzled her nose against the endoskeleton lip.
"My-m-m-my Freddy-bear," Bonnie Wickes whispered.
They mimicked a kiss, before Spring Bonnie shifted back into its default pose. The suit froze for a moment as the ghosts shifted. The pinprick eyes faded away, then came back. Mike smiled a bit as the animatronic's expression changed to something a bit softer, and he knew his brother had taken control again.
"You bastard," he said, his smile wavering a little. "You come back just to leave me again."
The suit's smile widened a little. Spring Bonnie's mouth silently clicked up and down as Jeremy spoke.
At least this time, I can say goodbye.
He turned to Vanna, then to Will, before turning back to Mike.
And I'll know you'll be taken care of.
Mike stepped toward the suit.
"I always have been," he whispered. "Whether I wanted it or not, someone's always watched out for me."
He gave a glance to Vanna, who shot him a smile. She gave a small salute to Jeremy, who returned it with a nod. Jeremy then moved the arms around Mike. The forearms hovered just inches away to keep the night guard free of blood.
This is goodbye, Jeremy said, softly, but not forever.
Mike somehow managed a nod and wrapped his arms around the animatronic torso.
"I know," he whispered. "It's...easier, knowing what happened. I have...I have answers now."
He reached up to wipe his eyes, trying to keep it back. Jeremy tightened his grip in assurance.
So do I, he said.
The good ear drooped forward.
...Tell Ma and Da goodbye for me?
"I...will," Mike promised, trying not to choke up. "They'll want to...know."
He rested his head against the animatronic's chest, letting himself go numb.
"This isn't forever," he whispered. "The...investigation…we can still...after..."
Spring Bonnie shook his head.
Mike, when this is over...I need to move on. So do you...
Jeremy lifted a hand and gestured to the other animatronics.
...And so do they.
Mike followed his gesture, to Freddy steadfastly keeping Greg in place, to Chica gently petting Dulcie's frosting, to Foxy standing guard, to Bonnie circling his way back to the group.
Each of them with a child inside, just as trapped as the others. His eyes found Vesper still hovering near her sister, with Puppet lying on the prize counter, still powering on. He knew what needed to be done to free them once the police finished up here.
"...Damn you for being right," Mike whispered.
I'm the older brother. It's my job to be.
Jeremy set the clean hand under Mike's chin and gently lifted his face.
Thanks for everything, Mike.
Mike forced up a smile and gave him a small nod. Jeremy let him go, then moved the Spring Bonnie suit by the prize counter. He sat down against it, watching the rest of the room.
"Goodbye Jeremy, Aunt Bonnie," Vanna said, softly. "Rest well when the battery runs down."
It was nice to meet you, Vanna, for the short time I got to, Jeremy told her. I'm glad Mike found a good friend in my absence.
Vanna smiled.
"It was nice to meet you too. Sorry about the cupcake."
That got a small laugh from Jeremy.
Don't worry about it.
Get some rest, lad, Foxy said. You earned it. And t' Bonnie, this old pirate salutes ye.
He made the appropriate gesture.
We'll take it from here, Freddy promised.
Bonnie Wickes took over the suit again.
"Th-thank you. All of you."
The ghostly pinpricks faded away, leaving only the blank silver discs in the hollow sockets. A moment later, the gentle power-down sound filled the air.
Not long after that, red and blue lights shone through the front windows.