It happened again. He wasn't awake for it, but he didn't have to be. He just knows.
SpringBonnie woke up in the storage closet. He never wakes up there unless something bad happened. Unless Afton used him again. SpringBonnie distinctly remembers powering off beside Fredbear, just as he always does.
He has to take a moment to clam down. The closet should be open still and as far as he can see, there's no blood this time. He'll leave and rejoin Fredbear and everything will be fine. Even if Fredbear can't hold him back, can't chase away the guilt with soft words, his presence is enough. SpringBonnie just as to get to him.
Slowly, he stands. The locks inside of him shift and he falls over, but it's fine. That's been happening more recently and he can only assume it's because Afton doesn't reset the springlocks properly anymore. That, or they're getting old. He doesn't want to think about any other options. Doesn't want to consider that maybe, it has something to do with the things Afton's using him for. That the moisture has begun seeping into SpringBonnie's inner workings.
Stop thinking about it. Just get to Fredbear.
He tries to stand again and this time, he's successful. SpringBonnie uses the wall even so, not really wanting to risk falling again. It'll take longer to use the wall, but it's fine. He'll be fine.
The rabbit takes even steps as he exits the closet, closing it behind him. Then, he makes his way down the hall, his destination clear in his mind. If he runs into the other animatronics, then he'll just brush them off. He's done it before and they know it's not personal. At least, they should. Either way, he doesn't have time for needless conversation. He just needs to get to the Parts and Service room.
He sees Foxy running down a hall out of the corner of his eye. He ignores it. There's a sign of Freddy hanging out in the bathrooms. He ignores that too. Chica's banging the pots and pans together. He ignores it all.
Finally, SpringBonnie makes it. He nearly falls again from the relief alone. Quickly, he opens the door and steps inside. His eyes go to Fredbear, but upon looking at him, he feels something sick fill the air. Something's wrong. Very wrong. He can't place it, but-
Fredbear moved, he realizes. He's still sitting against the back wall, limp and motionless, but it's different. SpringBonnie can't quite place how, but he just knows it.
Rage starts to take over, the underlying fear only fueling it. He runs forward and falls to his knees in front of Fredbear. The wrong feeling only gets worse, now, but he needs to know why. He needs to know if Afton touched him and if he did, then SpringBonnie will hunt him down like he's always wanted to. No one touches his Fredbear, especially not that monster!
As SpringBonnie reaches out, his hands shake violently. He doesn't let it stop him as he pulls of Fredbear's head. It comes off easily. The springlocks aren't engaged anymore. Afton did this.
The anger bubbles up like a volcano waiting to explode. He's seconds from just turning around and finding the man himself, but then he catches a glimpse of what's inside. All emotion floods away. All, except for fear. It makes the room feel cold in the worst possible way. It's like there's ice inside of his endoskeleton.
SpringBonnie hesitates before pulling Fredbear's torso forward. The room's dull light shines inside, giving the rabbit a full view of what's in the suit. He jumps away immediately, both hands now pulling at his ears as he vibrates with panic.
No. No, no no! Why did this have to happen?! Why Fredbear?! It's not fair! It's...it's all his fault. He should've been there for his partner. His lover. No, no. He couldn't have been there. He wasn't awake. Afton locked him away in that closet for a reason.
But he can't shake the feeling. He should've done something before now. He knew what was happening after the very first kill. He know what Afton was using him for, yet he did nothing. He let it continue and because of that, this...this comes back to him. Fredbear's gone through enough, hasn't he? He's gone through enough!
"I'm sorry!" SpringBonnie cries, his voice box croaking. It's a warning. He ignores it. "I should've been here. I should've done something and now you-"
His voice box gives out. Every word is reduced to a screech of metal. It hurts so badly, but he can't stop himself from trying to apologize. From trying to give his lover comfort that will never reach him.
SpringBonnie's hands reach out several times, only to jolt back quickly. He can't touch Fredbear like this. Probably won't be able to touch him ever again. Not now that he knows there's something inside. Someone.
A child has died by SpringBonnie's hands and he's paying the price for letting it happen.
Spring looks down at the flier Vanessa handed him a few minutes ago. He hasn't looked away from it the entire time.
"Did you read it?" She asks at last, her eyes questioning.
He looks up. "Yes, I did. But..." He looks back down, unable to describe all of the problems he sees in it. First of all, the illustrator did a wonderful job at capturing Spring's previous look. It's not the same type of cartoony style as the cutouts the Glamrocks have. It's an older style, something similar to what you'd see in the 80s. He looks happy in the picture, his banjo held high in his hands. It's beautiful, but extremely unrealistic.
"I'm not gold." He says at last. And not only that, but he's alone in the picture. It's not right. He's never been alone. Not even in that old closet, unfortunately.
"Well, we're going to fix that before the show, obviously. They'll make you look exactly like you did in Fredbear's Diner. Or, at least as close as they can get."
Spring still doesn't believe it. They really expect him to play by himself in front of a young audience? Even with all of their fixes to his body, he's outdated. No one really plays the banjo anymore -according to Roxy. And the Glamrock's stage is so large! He'll look tiny in comparison to all the bright lights. How will that look good?
"Look, I know you don't like the idea, but this could be really cool. The coolest thing in decades, even!" Vanessa sighs when he still doesn't share her enthusiasm. "You're original, Spring. There's nothing like you out there anymore. And this show isn't really for the kids. They're giving out deals for the daycare so the parents can see you without interruption. They're the ones that really want to go to this."
He never thought of that. He figured they always lowered prices with new things like this, but it does make sense. The kids won't know who he is, but the older people will. Those little children that went to Fredbear's Diner...they would be elderly now. Even the younger ones.
That does help the nerves.
But now he has more worries. "What all will they change while fixing me?" If they don't want to change his endo...well, then he can't play. Are they going to completely change out his wiring while keeping the look the same? Will he still be himself if that happens? His mind won't be lost with the endo, will it?
"It's just the simple things. They'll change out your arms to let you play, but I doubt it'll be more than that. Our endo don't really fit your form, anyway. And they'll replace the costume part too. It's too broken to just get a fabric change."
That's it? Well, maybe it's not so bad, then. "When is this? Today?"
Vanessa gives him a gentle smile. "It'll probably happen sometime this weekend so they don't need to work all night. Then they'll have enough time to test out your playing before they let you loose to those rabid senior citizens." Spring can't help the laugh it gets out of him.
"I guess I'll suffer through meeting more of my "co-workers"." He begins dreading the idea already. There's really nothing wrong with the Glamrocks but they're just too different. He's not used to them yet and he knows that's the majority of the problem. It took him a while to get used to Freddy and the others too. He just needs time.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." Vanessa stands up and offers him a makeshift cane. The mechanics gave it to him on his first day and it's worked fairly well so far. "You should meet Sun. He's pretty nice and might be a breath of fresh air from the others."
Spring isn't completely sure any of these animatronics can be refreshing to him, but it's worth a shot. "He's in the daycare, right?" When Vanessa nods, Spring prepares himself for the journey there. He's gotten a map -a terrifying experience- and should be able to get there eventually. "I guess I'll come back before opening, then." And with that, he leaves the Parts and Service room.
The map doesn't end up helping at all, it turns out. Spring spends thirty minutes going up and down the elevators. He runs into a few doors locked behind higher security than he's allowed and he has to just hope that's not where he's supposed to go.
He does find it, an hour later. The endless halls and long elevator rides have drawn Spring's patience thing and all for something he may not even enjoy. There's a statue of who Spring assumes is Sun, but there's someone else beside him. He really hopes there aren't more than one daycare assistant. Vanessa didn't mention another animatronic with...is that a night cap? Or a Santa hat? He can't really tell.
Walking over toward the railing, Spring looks out over the daycare area. There's a downstairs pair that leads to a giant door Spring assumed leads to the daycare itself. Deciding that's the right place to go, the rabbit slowly starts going down the stairs one step at a time. He holds onto the side rails for dear life, not wanting to fall and break something. All the way out here, he'll be hard to find. And he also doesn't want to spend more time in Parts and Service than he needs.
Spring gets to the bottom without dying, surprisingly, and he starts toward the doors. Once he's at them, he hesitates before knocking twice. Then, he waits.
A few minutes later, the door opens and Spring takes a step back. The head that pokes out from behind the door is shaped like, well, a sun. It's mostly round with the big spikes coming off of the back. There's a wide smile carved on the metal there and Spring wonders how they thought an eerie smile and sharp points was good for small children.
"Who are you?" Sun asks, sounding more than a little accusatory. Then, his face falls and he looks bored. "Oh, you're that new animatronic they found. Why are you here? No one's allowed in the daycare but me."
Whatever Vanessa thought refreshing was, it's not this.
"I just wanted to meet you, since I'm working here now." Not by his own will, might he add.
Sun stares for another moment. "And? I'm just the daycare worker. I don't do that band stuff. Now leave." Without a moment's hesitation, Sun slams the doors closed and Spring just stands there. Well that was pointless. Spring lets out a long sigh, trying to get the patience to go back to Parts and Service.
He was better off just staying there, honestly. That full hour of wondering was wasted with a rude introduction and no more knowledge of this animatronic. Maybe socializing is just a lost cause. He'll find some dark room to stay in and...
No. He can't do that again. He can't be alone for that long. Even with Afton literally inside of him, it would be too hard.
Something brushes Spring's back and he spins around in an instant. He raises a hand, ready to fight if he has to, but then he sees Freddy startle back. They both go still.
Then, Freddy seems to get over his shock. He chuckles awkwardly and looks away. "I apologize. I did not mean to scare you." He sounds genuine so Spring accepts it with a nod. "...um. I also wanted to apologize for being...confrontational before. I did not mean to drive you away from the rest of us. I..." He goes quiet and Spring waits for him to continue, but he doesn't.
"It's...it's okay." Spring sighs, deciding that if he really has to stay here, then he should swallow his pride enough to get along with at least Freddy. "I won't give you an excuse either. This might all be new, but I still should be able to play nice."
He thought he had lost that ability during his time with Afton, actually. After years of listening to that twisted monster's words, he felt himself slip away. Even now, he's not sure if he can really be the same SpringBonnie as before, but at least he can try. He shouldn't be so rude and so quick to be offended.
What would Fredbear think if he saw him like this?
"There is no reason to be sorry, Spring. You have enough to focus on at the moment and I was not helping. I just...may I be honest with you?" Freddy's tone changes and Spring hesitates to agree. He didn't think Freddy was a liar before, but this is making him think otherwise. Or maybe his friendliness is just fake? Spring isn't sure anymore. He's been in isolation for so long that his programming can't quite catch it. He's been thrown around by Afton's lies for too long.
"Sure." He says at last and to his surprise, Freddy leads them to a different room. Spring follows, but he keeps his cane handy. If it comes down to a fight, he'll be at a strong disadvantage. Not only will he be weak to any hit at all, but he can't run away. If Freddy's here to get rid of him, then it would be easy.
They slip into a party room but Freddy doesn't close the door. Spring stands closer to the exit, ready to get away at any moment. Freddy doesn't speak for a long moment, but when he does, he sounds somber. "I have a soul inside of me and I did not realize it until just recently." Freddy looks at him for a reaction, but Spring doesn't give him one. Not yet. "I have decided to forget that life the best I can. I saw how the need for justice clouded the other's vision. I saw how badly it twisted Cassidy's soul." Spring flinches at the name. "I just want you to know that I do remember you from that life, but I want to meet you as you are now. As Spring."
It's a lot to take in. Spring isn't sure what to make of this. Isn't sure what to say. Did Afton kill this one too? Did he use Spring's body to do it? But if that were true, then this soul would've been released by now, right? Henry let them rest.
"Who are you?" Spring asks. He hopes he doesn't recognize the name. Or worse, that this really is another child Afton murdered. He doesn't want to remember any of that and even if Freddy's willing to let it go, Spring may not be able to. He doesn't want to think of those days every time he sees the bear. He doesn't want to be reminded of Fredbear anymore.
"My name was Michael. Michael Afton. Bonnie has a soul as well, but he doesn't remember all of who he was. He only remembers the nights-"
"Michael?" Spring isn't listening anymore because he does know that name. It's not just the shares last name either. He knows who this was, remembers the face. "You...it was your fault." Freddy looks up, his eyes already pained. "You killed that little boy...your brother. You made Fredbear malfunction. It's your fault he stopped talking to me. It's your fault I lost him!"
All of it stems back to Michael. Spring had a very long time to think about it as he sat with Afton. If Michael hadn't played that stupid little prank on his brother, then Fredbear would've stayed the same. The diner wouldn't have closed down and Afton...well, maybe the grief pushed him to kill. Maybe that's Michael's fault too.
Freddy stands in front of him, his limbs slack and his eyes sad. "I will not deny it. I...I never should have hurt him like that. I...it is my fault he dies and it is my fault you lost everything. I...I am sorry."
Spring begins to shake, whether because of his raging emotions or from standing too long, he's not sure. All he does know is that he's not going to hold his tongue anymore. Spring takes a step forward and when Freddy doesn't back away, he grabs the animatronic by the stupid bowtie. "I don't want your fucking apology! I don't give two shits if you're sorry for killing your fucking brother! You should be sorry, because what you did is unforgivable! You're a murderer, just like your fucking father!" Freddy flinches and something twisted inside of him likes the reaction.
He's found the line.
"Do you have any idea what it was like? I was alone with him for thirty fucking years! I had to listen to him praise you over and over again! And all because you decided to destroy the only thing I loved! That's all I ever wanted! I didn't give a shit about the stage or playing for the kids! Sure, it was nice, but I was fine without them! All I wanted was Fredbear and you..."
He remembers that day again, when he finally lost him. When Fredbear was no longer himself. When he became Cassidy.
Spring deflates, his limps finally giving out. Freddy catches him before he can fall. Spring doesn't move to lift his own weight. He just leans against the bear's shoulder, his anger falling into that same numbing sadness that he's felt ever since that boy died.
"Do you know what it's like? To be so happy and feel like everything going right...but then it never stops falling apart." Neither of them speak for a long time. Spring can't quite find the words for his grief. The same grief that has never left him. He wants to forget everything, but something just won't let him. Why can't he forget? "What did I do?" When he does speak, his voice is barely above a whisper. "What did I do to deserve this?"
It's silent again and Spring thinks of shutting down. Maybe he should just give up, let them scrap him and be done with this. He's so tired and no amount of bonding between the Glamrocks will fix that.
"...I am sorry he was taken from you." Freddy says and Spring doesn't have the energy to shout at him again, so he just listens. "I know it hurts so badly to lose him and I can not make up for what I did, but know that I am not Afton. I have never once taken pride in what happened to my brother and I will someday burn in hell for it, but until then, I will do everything in my power to make things right. Please let me help you too."
Spring thinks about it. He considers the idea of giving up again, how much it pulls at him, but the thought of giving himself release is the right choice. He knows Fredbear would want that for him and even if he's lost forever, at least Spring can give his memory life.
Yeah, Fredbear would've liked that. Spring can just imagine the smile on his face at the idea of becoming a legend.
Slowly, Spring nods. Freddy doesn't push him away, but he does make a questioning sound. "Fine." Spring says, his voice showing just how tired he feels. "I'll call it a truce."
Freddy laughs and it does lighten the tension. "A truce? I guess that is the best I can really hope for. It is more than the others gave me, at least."
Spring doesn't need to be told to believe it. He was with Afton. He knows how badly they all wanted each other dead. And based on what he knows of Michael, the boy got caught up playing peace maker. Spring pulls away from Freddy enough to pat the animatronic's shoulder. He does deserve from slack. That was a horrible position to be in.
"We'll true. I'm not counting on any friendships just yet, especially with how enthusiastic Sun seemed about meeting me." He looks back at the daycare's direction bitterly.
"Ah, yes. Sun is a bit more difficult to approach, but he is nice once you get through to him. Give it time."
Spring thinks about it and finally nods. If Sun's really not just a jerk, then he's willing to put effort into actually getting to know him. After all, he could break down Foxy's barriers, then he can break Sun's too.
They start heading back out of the party room, but just as they each the stairs -Spring dreads having to climb back up them- Freddy stops. "May I ask how you are able to curse? None of us have the programming to do that."
Spring looks back, a little confused for a moment, before he laughs. "That's free programming for you. We were made to pick up on words we heard, to remember names and stuff like that." He turns back towards the stairs and starts climbing with a hidden smile. "It just so happens that Henry lost his filter during repairs."
Freddy walks him all the way back to Parts and Service -which takes them less than ten minutes to do, even with Spring's limping. When they arrive, Vanessa's gone, but that's to be expected. Spring sits back on the metal table and lets out a relieved sigh when his limbs can finally rest. He really is old.
"I must say, if you do end up in charge of any section of the Pizzaplex, I would suggest the theater for you." Freddy says just as he's about to leave.
"The theater, huh?" Spring recalls seeing something like that on the map, but he can't remember where. "If they ask, I guess I'll forward the thought." Freddy smiles his happy little smile before he waves and leaves. Spring waves back as he starts pulling out the map.
He'll have to get through the show first, but maybe he should start thinking about his plans for this place. After all, he doesn't plan to be around for a short time anymore.
This chapter ended up a lot longer than I thought, but the two of them needed their moment. And I'm sorry to and Sun fans! He's not really a jerk, he's just not very willing to get close to the others. I really do love your guy's feedback and do tell me if you see errors! I will edit it myself, but it helps me fix bigger mistakes.