Here we are, chapter 1. A few words before we get started. OCs are going to be heavily featured. The timeline is going to be confusing. Things aren't going to connect right away. If any of this is a problem, leave now.

A LOT of this chapter is essentially a giant flashback. Sorry about the liberal use of italics. Sooo…yeah. Enjoy!

I shouldn't have to say this, but here it is. I do not own ANYTHING FNAF related.

10 years later

Flipping through the newspaper at her kitchen table, Shadow sighed. She needed a new job now that the grocery store down the street was closing, and she wasn't liking the options she saw in the paper. Unfortunately, a degree in animatronic engineering and programming didn't get you a very good job anywhere. Perhaps it was time to act on her mentor's claim that she would return to Freddy Fazbear's. It had certainly been long enough, and she had a decent enough grasp on her own abilities.

"Perhaps a visit to him first…see what he says."

Nodding to herself, Shadow stood up and lifted a hand, pulling it down in a sharp motion, leaving a rippling hole that led to darkness. Pausing, she smiled, remembering the first time she had encountered her mentor.

When she felt Bonnie's grip loosen, then completely disappear, she collapsed and curled into a ball, sobbing. If she hadn't forgotten her coat Sunday night, then she wouldn't have ventured to the pizzeria to pick it up and Matt might still be alive. They had never been that active during her shifts…maybe they'd wander a bit, but they'd never get close to the office, let alone try and kill her.

Suddenly panicking, she sat up and looked around frantically. Realizing she wasn't in parts and services anymore, she relaxed, and looked around curiously. She seemed to be in an old house, the moon shining brightly, throwing shadows around the hallway. There was a grandfather clock at the end, and a doorway on her right.

Standing up, she cautiously opened the door, revealing a child's bedroom. There was another door across from her, a closet on the left, and a bed to the right. Sitting on the bed was a plush toy version of Freddy Fazbear, looking much friendlier than the one that had just killed Matt. Smiling softly, she picked it up and stroked its head, petting the soft fur.

Hearing the opposite door creak open, she looked up, only to freeze in terror at the glowing red eyes peering though the doorway. The next thing she noticed were the teeth, bared in a sharp grin. Backing up quickly, she tripped over one of the toys on the floor behind her, falling on her backside. Door fully opening, the massive, torn up black bear animatronic made its way into the room and closer to her. Closing her eyes tightly, waiting for pain, she was confused when all she heard was an amused chuckle.

Opening one eye, she was greeted to the view of the black bear leaning down slightly, a massive clawed hand held out to help her up.

"Wh-what…wh-who are y-you? Where…where am I?"

Chuckling again and pulling her to her feet, the black bear answered her, deep voice giving her chills.

"You can call me Nightmare. As for where you are, you somehow made your way to the realm of nightmares, where my brother and I reside. How is it that you came to be here little one?"

Shivering, she shrugged.

"I don't know…one minute I was in the parts and services room of Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria in the grasp of Bonnie, watching my friend and fellow security guard die, the next, I was here. All I remember is…darkness."

Eyes narrowed thoughtfully, Nightmare grunted.

"I'm afraid I have no way to return you home little one…until we can figure out how you arrived, and if you can leave the same way, you'll have to keep my dear brother and me company. If you truly came here from the pizzeria perhaps you can be of use to us…"

Smiling nervously, she looked up at Nightmare.

"S-sure. Anything I can do to help."

If possible, Nightmare's grin became wider.

"Fret not, I have a sneaking suspicion I know how you came to be here…and with a little bit of work, we will have no problem returning you home little one. Now come and stay close. Our realm is not forgiving to mortals."

Scooting closer to the massive black bear, she stayed close as he led her further into the darkened house. Passing a hallway, she could hear a skittering noise as something moved around, and jumped when a small, tattered yellow rabbit came out of the hallway. Looking back to check on her, he shook his head at the sight of the little rabbit.

"Plushtrap, do behave yourself. We have a guest."

When it seemed to smile up at her, she smiled back tentatively, getting a delighted sound out of it before it scurried back down the hallway and out of sight.

"He was…uh…cute?"

Nightmare nodded.

"Yes, and he's quite the little troublemaker given the chance. He will likely seek you out at some point during your stay here, he doesn't get to see humans often."

Humming quietly to herself, she nodded.

"It sounds like a very lonely existence here. If you don't mind me asking, well…why do you look like an animatronic?"

Nightmare laughed, looking quite amused.

"I was wondering if you would work up the courage to ask me that little one. It is just the form we choose to take. We are just a few of many beings that live and feed off the fear mortals feel. Fear of animatronics is actually quite common in you mortals, so we found these forms fitting for our purposes."

Noticing her pale face, he laughed again.

"Not what you were expecting to hear little one?"

She shook her head, eyes slightly widened.

"Not at all...though I suppose I should have expected something along those lines. You said you had an idea how I might have ended up here? Please tell me I didn't die and end up in some purgatory."

Placing one of his massive clawed hands on top of her head, Nightmare smiled gently at her.

"I do believe you have a rare gift little one. Some may see it as a curse…your parents, do you know both?"

Frowning at the ground, she shook her head.

"I only know my mother…she said my father left before I was born, to protect us. I never understood though…how would him leaving have protected us?"

Nightmare sighed.

"I do believe little one that your father was a being of fear, much like myself and my brother. It is extremely uncommon, but we will take human forms and walk among the mortals at times. There have been a few incidents in history where one of us will breed with a human…the offspring is powerful, but usually does not survive past its fifth year. Did your mother ever tell you the name he went by?"

"No…she's always been extremely tight-lipped about any information on my father. She never even showed me a picture of him."

Nightmare nodded.

"I can think of a few that may have ventured into the realm of mortals in the past 30 years…but I cannot say with certainty which of them could be your father. Perhaps it is better that you never know. But we are getting off topic. Thanks to your father, you have abilities that many would envy. Untrained though, you are more likely to hurt yourself than anything. It is fortunate that you found your way to my realm in your time of need, instead of one who would use you. I can teach you to harness your abilities, though it is your own choice in how you use them, should you accept my tutelage."

"I think I would like that…I don't want to be helpless ever again."

She stopped, suddenly realizing that the whole time they had been talking, they had continued to make their way through the old house. They had come to the end of a hallway, and it ended in a shroud of darkness. With a gentle pat on her shoulder and a motion for her to follow him, Nightmare disappeared into the darkness. Cautiously reaching out her hand, she was met with no resistance, but a chill went down her spine. Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the veil of darkness, finding herself on an old stone path leading up to a crumbling castle.

Nightmare was further up the path near a large gate that he was slowly pushing open. Rushing to catch up to him, she jumped when Plushtrap scaled up her back, sitting on her shoulder. It bumped its head against hers, making a sound that vaguely resembled purring. She heard Nightmare chuckle, and he slipped through the gate. Following him, she was greeted with the sight of a courtyard, with a partially destroyed fountain sitting in the middle, stagnant water in the basin. The second thing to grab her attention was the second massive bear, this one a golden brown, purple bowtie and top hat instead of the yellow that Nightmare wore. When it spoke, it was with the same rumbling growl that Nightmare used.

"You seem to have picked up a stray, brother."

It chuckled.

"She follows you like a little shadow."

Nightmare grinned.

"I do believe I like that name. Little one, would you be averse to being called Shadow?"

Tearing her gaze away from the golden bear and looking at Nightmare, she shook her head.

"I don't mind. I sort of like it too."

Looking pleased, Nightmare placed a hand on her head and gestured to the golden bear.

"Shadow, this is my brother, Fredbear. I will be teaching you most of the magic you'll be able to do, but he may also teach you some things. None of what we teach you will be easy. Everything we teach you will be crucial to your own survival should someone, or something, come after you. Do you understand?"

Shadow nodded.

"Good…let us begin with something very simple, but very important. You will be able to use the darkness around you to travel quickly, and with practice, between worlds. This is how you will return home, but not until I am confident you can do it without harming yourself or ending up somewhere you do not want to be."

Nightmare gestured to Fredbear standing on the other side of the courtyard, arms crossed.

"Use the shadows cast by the fountain to travel behind Fredbear. Visualize where you want to go, and then go."

Looking nervously at Fredbear, then at Nightmare, Shadow stepped into the shadows cast by the fountain, closing her eyes and thinking of the darkened area behind Fredbear. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted to the sight of the massive bear with his head turned 180° to stare at her. She yelped, earning a chuckle out of both bears, and Plushtrap clinging tighter to her shoulder.

"That…is slightly creepy."

Nightmare walked over, examining her carefully.

"You do not seem to be missing any pieces. This is good. For now, though, we are done for the day. I can see the exhaustion in your eyes little Shadow, and it is not wise to continue this when your energy is drained. Come, we shall return to the bedroom. Though slightly dusty, you can retire peacefully for the evening. We shall continue when you wake."

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Shadow stepped through the portal, disappearing into the nightmare realm, the portal closing behind her.

Ahem. Well. Yeah. I really have nothing to say to close this out. Review, I love me some reviews!