And here we are.
I do not own Five Nights at Freddy's. All rights go to Scott Cawthon.
Enjoy Chapter Twelve (Epilogue): My Racingstar
My Racingstar Chapter Twelve
Awaking to the dimmed light after taking a short rest, Vanessa looked around and remembered that she was in the Lost and Found room next to the entrance of the PizzaPlex. Seeing there was some rappers of sweets and a few drinking containers on the table that looked to have been there for days, the blonde cleared them off.
People really loved leaving their junk around to catch dust… or germs accurately but then – she couldn't really talk given her "lair" was a cesspit of this room in itself. Smiling a bit at the irony, her expression turned dim as she then looked behind her to the pile of clothes which a certain child lay upon. Breathing in and out very slowly.
Just sleeping. That's what she hoped was all he needed and it wasn't something serious. She was still crossing her fingers but it wouldn't be long now.
Vanessa looked up at the clock which was not in the illumination of the light from the low source but she could just make it out and it was now just going into 07:25 AM.
However, the woman's thoughts were not at the present but to an hour before…
After Gregory had passed out, Vanessa had cried out for the Glamrocks who in no time flat, rushed to her aid and were all relieved when they saw that Gregory was still breathing and was not what they had feared.
Confirming that, all four realised that they were sort of trapped in the old area due to it being at the bottom of the sinkhole and that the secret location that allowed entry to and fro had collapsed in on them, thanks to the damage already done to unstable place.
Fortunately, unexpected help came when as they returned to the main control area which also had doubled as "Vanessa's/Vanny Lair 2.0", down came the conglomerate of wires which belonged to the Blob.
Afraid at first, all were calmed when the Blob simply offered its tentacled arms down for each one and motioned for them to grab hold, helping and ascending them back up to the old PizzaPlace.
The Glamrocks went first, surprised at how easy the amalgamation was able to easily lift them above up top.
When it finally came to Vanessa, the Blob looked down at her and the boy in her arms concernedly and instead of one of its arms, brought down quite a few and slipped them under both, coiling them together and creating a cushioned like surface, almost like a platform for them and at last, carefully pulled the woman and the boy up to the above area on the surface.
Fortunately for Vanessa, the kick done to her stomach before and any access damage she had taken over the last day, wasn't anything too serious. Pain killers worked wonders when they were the right ones…
Placing them just at the edge of the big hole which Gregory had went down through last time, the Blob looked around to make sure everyone had made it out safely and finally brought up the worn body of Roxy in a similar fashion to Vanessa and Gregory, setting her down right in front of her bandmates, returning to a docile but still motioned state meanwhile.
"Thank you." Vanessa gave a grateful smile to the amalgamated animatronic, which replied by giving a small nod to her and also giving a glance at Gregory in her arms too. It carefully regarded the other animatronics who also gave a slow nod of appreciation. Freddy, picked up Roxy and held her up across his shoulder, before the animatronic conglomerate slinked back down into the ground.
As it descended down, Vanessa had noticed that the being's eyes were slowly getting dimmer as the moments past but quickly went back to making sure Gregory was okay and carefully caressed his forehead.
"So… is it over?" Asked Monty, like he wanted a full confirmation.
"It appears so." Freddy nodded to his bandmate, carefully adjusting Roxy on his shoulder, as the four relaxed in the ruined Pizza Place and more importantly, checked on the young boy. "Is he going to be alright?" The Glamrock bear addressed the blonde woman directly, who met his gaze though slightly looked away still in shame.
"I… don't know…" At first, Vanessa wanted to say something else but the simplest reply just came to her.
"I'm just glad it's done… Gregory, can at least rest now." said Chica, who sat down on the floor hugging her knees for comfort despite what she said.
"What I don't get is… What caused the bots and endos to get weaker and then shut off? I don't think that Golden Freddy guy would have been able to or maybe they were. Can't really tell." The green gator remarked.
"Perhaps he wouldn't have been strong enough… but then… it wasn't just Golden Freddy… was it Vanessa...?" After the Glamrock bear said those words, the other Glamrocks looked on in surprise at the blonde, who didn't meet their gaze nor reply.
"It was faint before… but it's all came back to me now... The places I went while Gregory was trying to get the others back to normal… East Arcade, Utility Tunnels, Monty Golf, West Arcade… I was helping you sabotage the arcade machines, wasn't I?" Freddy still got no reply from Vanessa but her slightly twitchy expression more than gave the answer.
"Vanessa?" Both guitar players said in unison while Freddy's curious tone finally got the young woman to face the three animatronics.
"No, it wasn't... When I was her, Vanny... I was... I dunno really what I was doing but… I at least tried in secret, to sabotage Afton's hold over the complex by putting a hidden virus program into the arcade machines and when we got control over you guys, I left in a failsafe, so if you fought hard enough against the corruption, you'd get your freewill back. I'm a… decent hacker… Didn't expect the ghost kid to also help with that… It just made things easier when he came up as the "irregularity" that Afton noted. I just used that as a cover while I did my own thing... And then at the end, before I came down here… I met him." Vanessa thought back to the time after she had rested enough before and after she had broken free.
"I met him as I was coming down to help you guys. Well, "help" is probably a backward way to describe how I was actually feeling. I had a feeling Gregory and you four were heading down to trace the source of the corruption, hence that little announcement to help lead you guys along and me being his… "acolyte" should we say. I knew all types of different secret entrances, escape routes but when I was getting halfway… it was still relatively fresh after I'd gotten my mind back, so I was still back and forth and I began to think…"
"What's the point of this…" Vanny muttered. "I've already crossed the point of no return. The kid is probably already dead meat anyway… So why… why do I-?! Arghhh!" The white rabbit shook her head violently back and forth, while the rest of her body shuddered uncontrollably to match. She hated this place… She hated all of it... Why her?
Then, out of nowhere, a hazy mist formed around her sight. She was about to chalk it up to being nerves when, in this mist that was first yellow now turned gold and something began to form. "What in the-"
Vanny was interrupted when the form of a bear appeared in the golden haze and manifested itself more clearly. The woman stood back in astonishment and slight horror and what she was seeing. The bear bore two white dotted eyes through its old Freddy looking costume it seemed like and they were looking right at the white costumed rabbit.
"What do you want! What, who are you?!" Vanny cried incredulous, to what was happening. She had seen many strange things over this last year but nothing could compare to this; an actual ghost appearing in front of her!
"Be at peace. I am not here to harm you. I've come to direct you to their location." A child's voice spoke out from the bear and then its form began to change into resembling a young girl or was it a boy? She couldn't tell.
Taking a moment to process this, the white rabbit noticed the golden aura of the child in front of her. "Gold... I feel like we've met before..." She pondered.
"This would be the first but I have lingered in this place. I am Cassidy." The seemingly omnipotent being introduced.
"Cassidy…" Vanny repeated the word. Again, there was a de ja vu feeling.
Golden Freddy's gaze narrowed some. "Though seemingly coincidental, this meeting was not by chance. I wanted to meet you. I also wanted to thank you. Due to your efforts, I am able to finally manifest myself, fully in this place." A lighter look had taken over its features.
"Manifest..." Vanny's eyes opened wide at the revelation. "The irregularity... It's you…?"
The child nodded.
She had to have a moment to take the sort of ghost's form and just what in the hell this meant… "So, I take it… you're a spirit of some kind?"
The child nodded again.
"Right... Sure, why not... And you know for sure that I've been racket with guilt and turmoil in my head over this?" There was a frivolous tone to the white rabbit's voice but when she looked at the ghost child, there was this… aura of nostalgia and… sadness… it made her not want to joke so much now…
"Your sabotaging of his plans is known to us, yes."
Vanny still, began to laugh. "So, you know about that do you? And help you? How much do you actually know? How do you know if what I'm doing isn't just a secret scheme?" The continued laughter began to slightly quiver as the ghost just merely gave a stone-cold stare right through the mask of the woman and into the person inside.
"We both know that isn't true. This place, his plans... and more victims... You are - just another one of his. Please - Vanessa. It's okay now."
Stunned at the child directly addressing her but gradually accepting, the woman gently removed her white rabbit mask and after clearing her falling blonde hair away from her green eyes, Vanessa showed that she had small tears coming out of them. "I… couldn't do it anymore..." She confessed. "Even before with the kids and the remnant... it was too much... I knew it was wrong... I bought into his whole utopia... That I was needed... after all that… and when the doubts were- I tried my best to do my part… I couldn't… He still had a hold... But then Gregory... He... finished the game and... I'm free..." Vanessa's happy expression then turned to sorrowful once more. "But... do I deserve this... I still have done horrible things... Even if they succeed, I-"
"Do not let the blame rest only on your shoulders. My hatred for him is what has brought all of this upon you. This entire event is my fault for allowing it to continue as long as it has. At last, I think I'm doing the right thing instead of making others suffer for my emotions... Forgive me once again Charlie…" The apparition looked to her hand in sadness and repentance. "I'm sorry that you were ensnared in this..." In saying that, the form of the child put a hand on the young woman's shoulder getting her to look right at him. "Don't hurt yourself with self-hate Vanessa. Your heart is pure despite what you've done. Unpleasant things may have been left in your wake but you have a chance to make things right and I know you will make the right choice."
"Choice..." Vanessa repeated and she looked down, deep in thought. When she looked up a second more however, the child was gone but she could now see a haze of yellow flowing in the distance. "Follow the yellow brick mist? Doesn't really have the same kick to it." She sarcastically muttered. Giving a small smile and making up her mind, she refitted on her mask and set off down the dark corridor into the depths below.
"That's a pretty far out story man but… why did you decide to help us?" Asked Chica, who broke Vanessa out of her trance.
"Deep down... I just couldn't do it anymore... I don't expect you guys to forgive me. I've still done terrible things despite trying to make up for them. It doesn't excuse anything. I should be in jail where I belong... It's only right." She held herself with her arms as the tears began to come down. "I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry for everything..." but she looked up when she felt a cold but still warm metal hand pat her shoulder.
"We forgive you, Vanessa. That monster had a hold over you like us and there wasn't much we or you could do but despite that, you still tried to help us in your own way." And then Freddy hugged her. For a moment Vanessa was stunned with shock but slowly she melted into hug letting out tears she'd been keeping for a while. "It's gonna be okay." The Glamrock bear said sweetly and the others soon helped Vanessa to her feet, giving hugs of their own which brought the young woman back fully into the real world.
It couldn't last for long however, rumblings and tremors were reverberating all around them and quickly the four realised they needed to quickly get back up top and rushed out of the ruined pizzeria and through the tunnel, being careful of course, to run in moderation as to not harm Gregory or Roxy respectively.
They just managed to get into the elevator when they saw the cavern complex begin to collapse in on itself. At first it looked to be the area finally giving in to all the damage done to it but Vanessa briefly saw a flash of white and purple in the dusk of the falling debris and thankfully, they made it out to the surface and out of the elevator safely before it fell and crashed back down below. The entire lower sink hole had been covered. The past finally being buried.
After they had made it back to the PizzaPlex, the four journeyed to the Lost and Found room, staying there to relax and stay with Gregory, until he perhaps woke up but it was to no avail. Time was then getting on and the Glamrocks knew they would have to go back to their Green Rooms, less suspicion arose.
Freddy announced he'd take Roxy to a secure location to make sure it be hard to find her. They would have to eventually explain what had happened to her but for now, all they could do was give her rest and after, all four shared a group hug, in solace at the fact it was truly over but still giving each other the comfort after such a tremulous night.
And with that, each animatronic left the room, leaving Vanessa all by herself.
"I'll have a hell of a time explaining this to the others…" Vanessa muttered to herself resuming herself back into the present.
Once they arrived, she knew she'd have to leave Gregory and just hope that no one looked into the room. Fortunately, no one really checked in Lost and Found, usually due to its rather run-down appearance and it was mostly regulated for certain S.T.A.F.F. who never used it besides her…
That would have to do to protect the boy from any outside attention. However, fate did love finding ways of making the opposite happen…
Just then, hearing a sound of one of the front doors opening and an echoing of footsteps reverberating through the nearby vent in the room, Vanessa saw what that meant and got up to leave to go and explain the long and tedious story but not before giving one last look at the boy sleeping. "Be safe little man. I hope you'll wake up soon."
Opening his eyes, Gregory awoke and quickly took in his surroundings, becoming aware of where he was very quickly but also, his thoughts flooding of what had happened after he clocked out and where everyone was. He thought he was in another place altogether for a moment but this was the real deal it seemed.
The most important thing though, was that he didn't feel tired anymore. Thank goodness. He'd been up on overtime before, his body probably forced him to sleep due to everything that had gone on in the day.
Rushing to the door of the Lost and Found room, he was glad it opened for him and then turned right to open another door leading to the large curved entryway.
However, it wasn't a liminal space like before, this time there were quite a few people walking around and Gregory then realised just how out of place he was compared to the cleaners and what he guessed were manager guys about the area. He really should have checked what time it was before he left Lost and Found.
In saying that, he quickly hid behind a nearby pillar just before the entry gates to the foyer and saw the entrance doors in sight. Now open. He could leave... he could finally leave.
But... what about the others...? Roxy... The moment he went through those doors, that would be it. He doubted that he'd be able to sneak back in the way he did last time... He wanted to know if everyone was okay but the new people here wouldn't know... they wouldn't understand or try to understand and he'd be taken away...
With a heavy heart, Gregory made up his mind and when the coast was clear, went to do a runner but not before giving one last glance at the golden statue in the middle of the foyer since this would be the last time he'd see it.
But as fate would have it fortunately or unfortunately, the youth bumped into something or someone, which caused him to fall backwards onto his rear.
Looking up, he saw a confused adult man dressed in a simple navy-blue shirt with a clipped pen in his right pocket and black jeans. The man had middle length spiked brown hair and his expression then turned suspicious.
"Up you come. You lost kid?" He said, while offering his hand to the child.
Gregory took it but he didn't try to run. He could see a few people having a chat right at the entrance doors and he noticed the man in front of him had someone with him. The jig was up.
"Hey, he could be the kid Vanessa mentioned before in her last report last night?" The other person next to him said. He had a darker shade of brown to his different curled hair, with a white shirt but nothing in his pocket, though he had the same trousers as the man in front.
"Might be. But there are conflicting reports due to the scrambling of the info." The man replied to the other. "And of course, she's not around to give the scoop. Probably a good idea to talk to the Glam-"
"Greg…?" A voice interrupted a bit aways.
Gregory turned to see the three familiar Glamrocks, with surprised but earnest looks. He thought for a second it might be her… but he knew that wasn't possible now…
"Y-Yeah… Hi guys… I'm okay…" The child gave a small hesitant smile and a wave.
"It is you!" Freddy said happily as they rushed over and quickly enveloped the young man in a group hug but of course, careful not to hurt him.
"We thought you'd never wake up." Chica stammered and from her voice, it was almost as if she was trying to hold back tears.
"Man, we were worried." Said Monty, as they broke the hug.
"I know… Sorry for making yous worry and not crushing me again." The child joked which got the three to grin.
"Ehem." The manager man cut in, who had been watching incredulously at the reunion. "Sorry to spoil the party but-"
"Oh! M-Mr. Luis, Steven! He's with us!" Freddy stammered out which was met with a not so convinced expression from the man.
"Don't think so big Fred. We got reports of a kid staying back over hours, which in the event that someone does intrude, is "supposed" to be handled by our single security guard."
"I still don't get why they put just one on duty in a place as big as this..." Steven, the other S.T.A.F.F. attendant, mumbled.
"Well, in any event since it wasn't handled by Vanessa, it goes to us to get it sorted. Guys, you were already asked what happened before and you kept the info that you knew the kid…" Luis raised an eyebrow at the three animatronics.
"We're sorry…" Replied Freddy, who looked down at the floor ashamed. "He's… a dear friend of ours."
The S.T.A.F.F. attendant's expression lightened some. "Hm. I know you were just trying to protect him but keeping info like this is a sure way to get you in big trouble. It's Gregory, right?" He addressed the child below.
Gregory gave a small nod back, while the other three Glamrocks had looks of worry on their faces.
"You'll have to come with us to upper management big man. They'll have questions for you. There's a high probability you'll most likely be banned but..." Luis stopped midway when he noticed the expressions on the faces of the Glamrocks and Gregory's, "I'll give you a bit to say goodbye to them."
With that, Luis and Steven gave the others some space, while conversing about what went on the other night.
Gregory slowly turned round to face the three Glamrocks.
There was an awkward silence as both didn't know what to say until the youth spoke up. "What can I say...? It's been one heck of a day... But I should...be heading out now..." The last few words almost came out as a mutter. Gregory didn't want to admit that he'd have to go on the streets alone but then.
Saying that, the two men walked back over, "You all set to-"
"It's no problem, guys. He's with me." A familiar voice spoke and said person was now at the young man's side. "I'm responsible for him. And I'll take the full brunt of any punishment for it." Vanessa silently winked down at Gregory, whose expression turned into a small bright one.
She was back in her own security guard uniform though with her blonde hair not in a ponytail and being more noticeable falling down from her cap.
"She your guardian kid?" The other S.T.A.F.F. member eyed him, looking for any trace of funny business.
"Yeah... I got lost from here before and wanted to explore didn't mean to get that lost though... My bad..." Gregory gave his best smile.
"He sometimes does that. This was a new experience for him..." Vanessa gave a shaky laugh, while her co-worker gave an eye glance to the guy next to him.
"So, that explains the-"
"Yep." She finished his thought process.
"And-"
"Yeah… Sorry…" She did it again.
Luis shook his head and sighed. "Vanessa... You gotta tell us these things beforehand. At least this explains what's been up with you these past months." Luis seemed almost relieved at the revelation. "Some of us were really worried about you, you know? We get it's been tough for you but-"
"Oh, nah, you don't need to worry anymore. I'm all good now. Thanks to a certain someone, I had... an awakening experience you might say and I intend to show it these next coming weeks."
"Really...? Oh, well more power to you man. Glad to hear you're back to your chipper self but… probably not this chipper." Her co-worker took note of her much lighter attitude.
"Same here." She smiled back and down at Gregory who returned it with a light expression.
"You'll still have to explain this to management but I'll put in a good word that it was a misunderstanding with some faulty tech. They should buy it with what happened with Freddy, along with your issues before and kids being kids but don't let it happen again."
"Thanks so much. Oh and I'd like to actually propose something to the guys up top relating to the PizzaPlex. I think some new location work is in order. These last few months have proved that. Me being here over the nights and everything."
"Hm. Yeah. I can agree. They'd already discussed moving it elsewhere but with your feedback it might go through. I'll make sure to give them the heads up. Hopefully you get that talk with them."
"You're a star Luis." The blonde complimented.
"Don't thank me yet. You still gotta do the heavy lifting yourself. We also got a few broken tables, bots and other stuff to get cleared up... More work but someone has do it." He sighed as he turned to leave.
"Understood!" Vanessa gave a fake salute.
Luis gave a small head shake but had a small smile on his lips as he left with his mate. "Glad you're better 'Ness. This'll take a bit to get used to." He said to himself.
"For sure but it's good to see her back." Replied a chuckling Steven, as both men left the area.
Afterwards Vanessa's cheerful expression turned to uncertainty, as she looked down at the child before her.
"Thanks… for that and for... before." Gregory said up to her awkwardly. This was the first time they'd spoken after what happened in the PizzaPlace despite the adventure of getting back up top.
"Yeah… Don't… mention it…" The blonde replied with a small mutter.
The boy had been through so much and she wanted to repay him for everything he had done. Not just for her but for the Glamrocks as well. But… after everything that happened… Would he…?
"…Gregory..." She said seriously, which got the youth to acknowledge her fully. "I... I know we put up the charade in front of the guys - and this'll probably sound crazy and you'll most likely be against it but... I'd... like... to… l-look after you..."
Gregory's face shifted slightly but she kept going. "…Knowing your homeless, you don't have many to depend on... and you've had to suffer for so long... I know how that feels... It's selfish of me to ask after everything but I want to make sure you never have to go through that pain again." There was a heavy silence that passed. The blonde adult was tense on what would happen next but Gregory then spoke back gently.
"I thought you were the worst of the worst... after what you did to me and Roxy... but then I met him... He was so bad... so horrible to me... to the others and even to you... We all were hurt by him but you were hurt the most with what he did... I still don't have big feelings on you because of what happened but... I could grow to like you... You're… actually pretty sweet..." The child smiled.
Vanessa tried her best to hold back from the response. It felt like a great weight had been lifted from her body and soul. Kneeling down she gently put a hand to Gregory's shoulder. "I promise I won't ever betray your trust. Thank you for this."
Inexplicably, Gregory then kicked her in the shin which made Vanessa yelp. "We're even now." The youth said with a serious look but it slowly changed into a lighter neutral look as he hugged her, while Vanessa after understanding what he meant, simply laughed and returned the hug, thankful for his blessing.
Before too long, after a lengthy discussion of relaying what happened, Vanessa managed to convince the higher ups that the situation the other night was simply Gregory accidently being lost and her irresponsible nature due to past trauma to do with her "father".
They had agreed to give Vanessa one more chance since she'd had it rough so much recently and she had a pretty good track record despite her short time at the PizzPlex. Any other company would have fired her on the spot but it seems the fates were smiling down on her or perhaps something else?
Regardless, the PizzaPlex was put on temporary lock down so that the renovations could be completed on the different courses, along with cleaning up the messes across the complex and finally filling up the collapsing sink hole that had been opened near a certain Glamrock's raceway.
Finally, the young woman and child were walking out together into the clear sunny day outside. Vanessa took Gregory home with her, making sure to fill out the documents and tedious paperwork as days progressed and soon, she was officially classified as the child's guardian, rather quickly, which surprised her but she didn't complain, though it would take longer for it to settle in fully.
Fortunately for Gregory, the young woman actually owned quite a few consoles and many long days were spent with them glued to the TV screen, playing all manner of games and eating candy and pizza with the occasional healthy foods. The blonde really did need to get a better diet plan going... Vanessa of course, did take Gregory out to buy some new clothes, while also bathing the kid at last, despite him not smelling too bad.
On the fourth particular day after the famous night, Gregory had longed to return to the PizzaPlex to see how things were going and missing his friends also. Vanessa had agreed to take him in the mid-Morning. Normal staff were finally allowed back in, since the work crew had been working tirelessly day and night both as crew and watchmen. The complex itself would reopen just a day after, with final preparations and repairs at last in place.
As they made it to the curb just a few meters away from the famous building, Gregory noticed a girl no more older than himself, just outside the entrance. She wore a white thin sweater, mid-short brown skirt, with long white socks and if focused, you could just make out her lit up Freddy sneakers, with her shoulder length blonde hair tied up into two short ponytails.
She noticed him and gave him a small wave and he quickly did so back, giving her the same smile she had given to him. Maybe they would see each other again someday? She then turned and ran back to her parents with a cheerful expression.
Both Vanessa and Gregory walked back through the familiar doors into the entryway, which surprisingly still looked the same with the same neon colours… Gregory was still not impressed…
"Feeling, okay?" Vanessa asked. She was wearing an opened purple insulated coat with a simple white t shirt and black trousers, with casual sports shoe wear.
"Yeah, being away for a few days it's weird." The youth replied who was wearing a shirt which held the same colours as Vanessa's coat with mustard shorts and new Freddy shoes.
The blonde chuckled. "I know the feeling. Being at a place so long and then being away. A bit disorienting." Saying that Vanessa gave Gregory a light push forward "But go on. I'm sure they're eager to see you, just as you are for them."
The child nodded cheerfully but then looked back when he noticed Vanessa was leaning up against the side pillar at the door, simply standing. "You're not coming in?"
"I will later on but you should spend some quality time with them. Besides, I'm just a third wheel. Go on, I'll join later I promise." She gave a genuine expression, which got Gregory to nod as he walked through the entry gates to the foyer area.
As he did so, Vanessa smiled as she watched the child travel upwards to the back of the entryway and to the elevators leading to the Atrium, all the while she took out her phone and dialled a certain number with someone answering after a couple seconds.
"Luis, hey. Thanks again for the other day. I know it's been a while but... I think it's time we picked up where we left off before. How about it?"
The brown-haired boy walked out onto the purple-pink character spaced carpet of the Atrium and took the whole place in. It looked absolutely the same but if anything, it felt like this was the first time he'd seen it.
"Gregory?" Turning, Gregory found the source of the voice and found Sun Moon smiling back at him but with a warmer smile than the normal permeant creepy grin he had on his face.
In contrast to Moon, Sun had a stylized sun-shaped head, with a tan-ish side of his face curving over the other colour half and overlapping the nose and the other half being amber. His head had spikes on its perimeter that resemble sun rays, with a yellow shirt adorned with two buttons, yellow pants with maroon stripes, and a faint maroon gradient could be seen on his body just above the fabric sash of his waist frills. Both his neck and waist frills were maroon with a yellow stripe wearing orange elf-like shoes with a star symbol on the outer part of the shoes, and a moon symbol in the inner part and still had his iconic maroon ribbons with bells wrapped around his wrists.
"Sun? You're alright?" Gregory's eyebrows raised in a stunned expression but also joy.
"Yes indeedy!" The daycare bot did a big twirl as he spun over to the youth. He'd have to get used to the jester animatronic quirks but surprisingly, it wouldn't be how Gregory thought. "I was found in Parts 'N Service and was fixed up big time! Very close too! Any more minutes and that would have been me a goner! Some of my personality was lost due to data corruption but I'm making my way back one step at a time!" Sun then dropped his arms and stood in a more natural stance next to the boy. "In a way, I'm sort of relieved to be a bit more "normal". I was really erratic before… 'Specially when I was Moon. But I still like to have tons of fun! I just hope the kids will still like me…"
Sun then felt a tug on his baggy pants and saw Gregory give him a reassuring smile. "I'm sure they will. I think you're pretty nice and…" The youth's expression shifted a bit. "Without you, I wouldn't have been able to get Freddy back. Thanks a lot. I'm glad you're okay." He looked back up and gave him a warm look.
"Nice children must be saved Gregory." Sun gave the child a wink but then did an over-the-top backflip which landed him straight on his face. "I'm okay!" He gave a casual thumbs up laying flat on the floor which got Gregory to giggle but then his entire body shot up like a stick, almost like a cartoon character. "Oh! What are we doing standing here! There's so much to show! We have so much time and so little to see!" The daycare attentdant began frantically walking forward and beckoning the child to follow, which he did but Sun then stopped and said, "Wait, strike that reverse it." He realised what he worded wrong before.
From where Gregory was standing in the last few moments, Sun directed him to the upper left corner where the Fazecade was located and they both hopped into the elevator. Sun looked to be holding something in but he only waved his index finger at Gregory when he wanted to ask what was up.
Now walking out into the familiar location, the neon lights seemed to be a bit dimmer, Gregory wasn't complaining but Sun beckoned him onwards to the main DJ area, which the youth stepped onto the polished floor when all of a sudden:
"SURPRISE!" Out jumped the Glamrocks and the Music bros, well DJ dropped down some more like it, which nearly made the young man fall on his backside.
"Guys. Everyone!" Gregory replied happily, he looked to see another certain person but couldn't see them, however, he didn't let it show.
Almost immediately, Freddy knelt beside the young youth. "Gregory. It's good to see you again after so long." He beamed.
"It's only been a few days, Freddy." The youth chuckled.
"Of course! That can be quite a long time for some! Including yours truly!" The kid continued to giggle at the Glamrock bear.
"What's up little guy, you been keeping good?" Monty asked.
"Yeah, I've been staying with Vanessa for these last few days. She's actually adopted me too!" The youth replied happily.
"Aw, no fair. She gets to see you every day while we have to wait!" Chica falsely pouted.
"Aw, don't worry Chica, I'll come visit you guys often, I promise!" Gregory reassured her which lightened her spirits. "So, was this all planned?"
"You bet!" Freddy replied joyfully. "When we heard you'd be coming back today, we insisted we give you a big surprise welcome back!"
"More like you insisted Freddy. Nice to see you again Gregory!" DJ Music was clung on to the neon wall and smiling down at everyone.
"You too DJ and Lil'. Glad to see you guys are alright."
"Wouldn't call overtime duty alright but we can go with that." Lil' Music groaned.
"I always thought I could help with vent duty…" Sun Moon mused.
"You kiddin'? You'd get stuck in the ducts with your big prickly head!"
"Well then again as Moon, I could get around easier?"
"Hm, there's a-"
"Guys, we're here for Greg Greg, not potential cleaning opportunities." Chica interrupted.
"'Part from cleaning up after your eatin'." Monty snickered.
"Oi!" The Glamrock chicken squawked.
"Now, now guys. That's enough. Like Chica said, we're here for Gregory and Gregory? After all you've done for us. We actually are working on a special production show, just for you." The Glamrock bear smiled sweetly at seeing Gregory's surprised look.
"I… I don't know what to say…"
"Still a work in progress but we will work hard at it! But also, as a thank you. We'd like to give you a big group hug! If you'll accept it?" Freddy's eyes looked on in a cute way.
"Sure, a hug sounds nice." Gregory replied with enthusiasm.
"Awesome! Bring it in everyone!" Freddy declared and the group went in to embrace the youth but there was one small issue…
"Um, guys? I don't think there's gonna be enough room and uh…" Lil' Music looked upwards, "Big bro up there isn't exactly hug proof."
Saying that, the other animatronics' expressions dimmed but then, Sun clicked his fingers "I got it! One thing better than a hug, a fist bump!" He said and looked around for approval.
Freddy glanced at the others and then at Gregory, who shrugged but nodded, almost wanting to laugh.
And in a few moments, everyone had put their fist to the air to meet DJ's hanging fist, which he brought down gently. Freddy helped Gregory up onto his shoulders so he could match the others and they all connected the fist bump, giving a cheer right after.
"We'd love to stay and have a big party but we'll have to get back to work the day after and we need to rehearse for our schedules." Freddy said sadly, while plopping Gregory gently down.
"But we'll be up for talking after said shows!" Said Monty cheerfully.
"I'll be too, if I don't have too much vent duty." Lil' Music stated.
"Sounds good." Gregory agreed.
"Oh! Oh! Freddy, Gregory! Come with me! I have something to show you both!" Sun suddenly sprung to life once more and jumped right to the edge of the large DJ area.
"But Sun, I have to rehearse for our show tomorrow…"
"It'll only take a bit. Trust me!"
Freddy was about to politely decline more when, Monty and Chica stopped him. "It's no problem, man. We can do a quick sound test while we wait. You go on with Gregor."
"For sure! It won't be too long!" Chica nodded.
"Well, that sounds alright." Freddy turned back to Sun. "Lead on Sun."
"Yes sir!" The daycare bot gave a salute and both Freddy and Gregory followed the jester bot to the elevator but not before Sun gave a hesitant glance at Chica and Monty, who gave him a reassuring thumbs up.
"Come visit us in the Fazcade some time Gregory!" DJ Music's voice boomed across the room.
"I will! Thanks DJ!" Gregory shouted back while getting in the elevator and saying goodbye to the other animatronics.
After exiting the Fazcade elevator, Sun proceeded to lead Gregory and Freddy both back to his play area in the daycare centre but not the specific part where the kids would normally play but up at the top where the curtain room resided, which Sun showed the secret way to get up to through the back stairs that were also connected to the utility tunnels.
Getting in, they saw parts of spare endos, plushies, accessories, soft play toys, drawings of the characters in the PizzaPlex, the works for his room and finally a breaker for this part of the facility, with a small tunnel going into another section. However, what Sun revealed was a secret compartment located on the left lower side of the Freddy logo in the compact room.
A door opened after Sun pushed a small button on the underside of one of his own plushies and all three entered the small door, careful to watch their heads.
What was inside was a big wide area with red curtains on either side, going all the way to the back with a certain part located at its heart.
"I'd been working on this for a while after what happened. The others said I should have waited to tell you a bit longer than them but I just couldn't hold it in and wanted to show you…" He said hesitantly.
"Sun..." You've been working on this... All by yourself...?" Freddy could barely believe it as he walked closer.
"Yes..." Sun put his arms behind his back and shifted about back and forth nervously.
"This..." The Glamrock bear began but he couldn't continue still in disbelief.
What Freddy was looking upon was accessories, plushies and props all lined up and built into a sort of shrine with plastic flowers and bowling balls on the sides and in the middle was a picture of a certain animatronic surrounded by bowling pins. It was an entire memorial dedicated to Glamrock Bonnie.
"I hated seeing you guys so sad... So, I tried my best to look around and find some scrap... since... you know, I go about everywhere when I'm Moon and I was able to find and collect parts, pictures, anything that resembled him. I even was able to find his first bowling ball he threw!" Sun said happily but his tone then turned neutral. "I know I sometimes get a bit too into my job and I can be annoying sometimes but... never doubt that I always think that we're all friends and I hope the feeling is mutual from you guys." The daycare animatronic then gave Freddy a heartfelt look. "If you guys ever feel like paying your respects or just to relive some happy moments with him. You can come here."
"Sun..." Freddy wasted no time in hugging his fellow animatronic which Sun took in surprise but then soon returned the comfort of it and almost got too emotional with the gratitude and feelings but restrained himself.
Patting each other one last time before they broke off, Sun turned down to address Gregory. "There is one more thing... But I'll let you find out for yourself little fella."
"Huh?" Gregory wondered what he meant.
"Try Parts 'N Service. You'll find something interesting there. Oh and come visit me in the Daycare sometime Gregory, even though you're kinda in it right now!" Sun gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to the child.
"I will! Thanks Sun!" With all this, Gregory was glad to be among his new friends and to see their happy expressions but as he looked around hesitantly and thought about what was just said, his smile slowly faded.
"Is she..." But as soon as he went to ask further a finger hushed him.
"Your answer to that question is waiting for you downstairs. You'd better go now!" Gregory's face soon rose into a relieved ecstatic smile and he happily nodded but before he did Freddy stopped him. "Oh, Gregory?"
The Glamrock bear gave a generous and earnest expression. "Thank you. Truly." With an understanding nod, Gregory left the memorial for the dear Glamrock rabbit and quickly made his way downwards, saying hi to a few of the S.T.A.F.F. members and Lil' Music who he saw cleaning the vents as he did, even seeing Vanessa with Luis who gave him a happy wave, as he passed by and down.
Finally, he made it into Parts and Service, rushing through the double red doors like no other and stood right outside the tall cylinder structure, which seemed to be all misted up on the inside.
Gregory waited with patted breath to see the door open but his smile fell when they opened to reveal absolutely nothing... No... Were they just trying to make him feel better...? But no... He knew it deep down... She had taken too much damage...
She was gone...
The child's face fell low. Looks like she didn't-
"Greg?" A voice from behind made him look up and slowly he turned around to see a new and improved Roxanne grinning at him with her arms folded and brows raised playfully. "Why the long face Racingstar? Didn't I tell you; we've got a match to get to!"
And before Gregory knew it, he was in the arms of his new best friend, as both embraced each other with joyful relieved expressions, almost wanting to give into tears but keeping their bright looks full on and with that, they happily made their way to the racetrack hand in hand with their friends waiting in the wings.
"Hey, I'm Roxanne Wolf. If you're looking for high-speed motor mayhem, Roxy Raceway is the place to be. Nobody likes being left out so, sign up today and let's all be winners! Sound good? On your marks, get set... Go!"
And there we have it! Despite some hiccups along the way, we eventually got there to the end! Very fitting that it's now the month to the year that I first posted this story. Thank you guys so much for reading and especially if you've been following this story since the start and have reviewed every chapter with enthusiasm and feedback to boot! I loved writing the characters and I hope I did them justice!
For Credit music, have a listen to Midnight Star: Follow The Path and if you want to know what happens next, there is a small epilogue picture on my Twitter: Malus Phillips, which is also the cover for this story! All done by the talented Xerxes Kare, so do show the guy some love. Special Thanks to PlaguedGuard as well for the Slavic Translation.
Also, as a side note, the other reason I'm usually so busy is that I do a Fan Series based on the game Skullgirls: Skullgirls No Encore. If you're interested at all, please do check it out if you enjoy my writing. With that shameless plug out of the way, thank you once more and as always, review at your leisure and have a good one!