Take it Back

Susie blew a raspberry as she sat in the early morning traffic. Though she did enjoy her new job in the big city, making the commute from Little Borealis was no less irritating. At least she had the car today. This was one of the times she missed Freddy's. At least she could walk there. Driving was just stressful.

She thought back to her encounter with Bonnie a few days ago. It had been both surreal, but welcoming to see her out and about like everybody else. She smiled fondly at the memory of her impromptu rooftop concert. She'd gathered quite a few people to listen and had managed to take some requests before the cops came by to tell her to stop.

Something had been different about the synth that day. It seemed like there had been a great deal on her mind that she wasn't willing to go into. She'd actually stopped by the Fun Palace yesterday to say hi, but nobody had answered. She'd tried calling Mike and Jeremy, but neither had picked up. The rational part of her tried to convince her that this wasn't a big deal. They could just be busy or having phone problems. But given what she'd been involved in about a month ago and everything she'd learned…

She was brought out of her reverie by people yelling and honking their horns. She looked up to see a large truck, driving down the centre of the double-lane road. It was going a lot faster than it should. It barged aside a car going the other way, sending it spinning off the side. A few people in front were actually getting out and starting to run. She was about six or seven cars down the lane, but started to feel that might be the best course of action.

She opened the driver door, stepping out onto the sidewalk as the truck's tyres screeched. It turned, the trailer swerving to block the road entirely. It skidded to a halt, swaying and threatening to fall but eventually wobbling to a stop.

While everyone was staring, remarking on what might be going on or getting out their phones, Susie read the writing on the side. 'Hawthorne Enterprises'. A cold chill ran through her entire body. She dug out her phone. No signal. The dread only deepened.

"Get away!" she shouted to anybody nearby. "Get away from there, quick!"

An echoing slam came from the door. Whatever it was inside, it caused a section of it to bulge outward. It burst outward following another slam. Something jumped out. It looked like an animatronic in a mascot costume. The costume itself resembled a rabbit with golden fur with wide, bulging eyes and a fixed, manic grin.

"Howdy there, folks!" It had a high, trilling voice. "The name's Springtrap! You all look like you could use a little excitement in your lives! Well, don't you worry. I've got excitement for you in spades and I'm gonna use it to help spice up your lives! What's left of them, anyway."

He descended into a fit of giggles as something else lumbered out of the trailer. It was massive, with claws like razors and teeth like daggers. Red eyes burned in their sockets, its jaws opening in a bellowing roar.

It didn't take a genius to determine the best course of action. Susie turned and ran.

"I see," said Goldie. "These are certainly interesting developments."

"To say the very least," agreed Freddy.

The two groups had just finished catching each other up on what had happened. They were gathered together in the living room of the house, with Freddy having just finished recounting their own capture and eventual escape.

"I'm surprised at the Puppet," she said. "I thought I had him all worked out, but I'm happy to be surprised."

"There's always more than what's on the surface," chimed in Lidiya.

"Quite so," agreed Freddy. He smiled and nodded at her. "I'm happy to count you among us, Miss Holland. You've saved our lives twice, it seems."

"Well, you can thank Billy and his big sad eyes for the first time."

"You helped though, even if it was dangerous." Billy came over and hugged her. "Thank you, Miss Holland."

"It's um… it's Lidiya." She smiled broadly despite her red face and returned his hug. "You're welcome."

"I still can't believe… I mean, Phil…" murmured Mike, while he and Chica held each other. "Everything he did, all that he put himself through and he's… he didn't deserve that."

"No, he didn't," agreed Chica.

"And with him goes any chance of…" Goldie let out a shuddering breath. "Dammit Spring, why…"

"Chance of what, Goldie?" asked Freddy.

"It's nothing. Just… nothing."

"W-We can't ever forget what he did for us," said Chica. "We'll make sure he… he's remembered."

Theodore nodded from where he stood. "I concur. However, I don't wish to be heartless but it seems we have greater concerns."

"Dude, really?" Bonnie snapped. "You can't even give us five minutes?"

"I'm afraid he's right, Bonnie," said Goldie. "There'll be time to mourn Phil later. This news of Spring's plans for Little Borealis and what he's done with the fragments is very troubling."

Lidiya raised her hand. "Sorry, you mentioned something about those before but I'm still not exactly sure what they are. You said it was something to do with the kids?"

Goldie took up the explanation. "Think of them like digital ghosts. They're remnants of their minds, created during the brain mapping process for the newer synths Sid made. Compartmentalised memories and emotions from the moment of their deaths, used to give Sid a way of transferring his mind directly into his synthetic body."

"I remember that part." Lidiya shuddered. "My god, that is just… god, that's awful. Jesus, how did I not see this sooner?!"

"We didn't either. Hawthorne was good at letting other people take the fall." Bonnie smirked unpleasantly. "Bastard deserved what he got, but I guess we still need to clean up his mess."

"Only this time, it's not just you guys." Clyde surprised them all by standing up and looking at Goldie. "What are we going to do?"

"That depends largely on what time we have left," replied Goldie. "Did he say anything about when this 'party' would be happening?"

"Nothin' specific," answered Foxy. "But we got the impression it's happenin' soon. He'd just finished wrappin' up those synths in their new suits and it seemed like he was waitin' fer the Puppet ta bring us around ta his way of thinkin'. But now we're gone…"

"It could happen anytime. I think I saw a radio in the kitchen," said Jeremy. "I'll go and tune it to some of the local stations, see if anything's coming through."

"Can you not simply check online?" asked Freddy.

"No internet access," replied Goldie. "It seemed like Fred was careful as you could be for not being tracked here, especially not by an AI."

"It's amazing to think that he lived here." Chica gazed around the room. "I wish we had more time to look around some more. It would be nice to have more insight into him, even if it's just a little."

"When we're done, I'll give you the grand tour," said Bonnie.

"Maybe we won't have to do anythin'," said Hermana. "Maybe the Puppet'll deal with Spring and hey, problem solved!"

"That still leaves him to be dealt with though," said Vevina. "And I'll say this right now: he may have saved us, but he sure as hell isn't off the hook."

"You don't have to tell me twice," said Clyde. "I think there's a few more windows he could be thrown through."

"Oi, make sure you save some for the rest of us."

"Guys, I've got something!" Jeremy brought in a radio from the kitchen. "You're going to want to hear this."

He turned the volume up and an all-too familiar voice came through the speaker.

"… there, folks! This is new your radio channel, Springtrap Soundwaves. Broadcasting all day, every day from Little Borealis with a very special message. We've got ourselves the party to end all parties going on today! I'm talking music, dancing, singing, presents, treats and goodies and everyone's invited! Everyone." He giggled shrilly. "So come on down and join in! Believe me, you're not gonna want to miss out and if you do, don't sweat it! I'll be bringing the party to you, real soon."

Springtrap descended into a fit of laughter before static cut him off. Jeremy turned it off when the message played on repeat.

"It's started," murmured Freddy. "We need to move."

"Lidiya, are the springlock suits ready to go?" asked Goldie.

"All patched up and the new one's up and running." She looked at Mike. "You don't have to do this, you know."

"Neither do you and no way I'm backing down now." He gripped Chica's hand to control how much his was trembling. "I'm ready."

"Alright, here's the plan," announced Goldie. "The priority is the town. We need to get people out of harm's way and stop Spring. However, I think it's reasonable to assume that he's taken control of the factory and we can't leave that in his hands. If he's taken out the Puppet and is in control of the bots, that only adds to our problems. It needs to be shut down."

"I can do that," said Lidiya. "The primary shutdown controls are in Sid's office. They operate independently of the digital system, but I'll need to access them to shut them down." She held up her keys. "This will get us in."

"I'll go with you," said Jeremy. "I'm betting that Spring will have left something to guard the place while he's gone."

"Count is in," piped up Billy. Theodore, Clyde, Hermana and Vevina gathered around them. "We're not leaving you behind."

Jeremy patted his head. "I don't think we could if we tried."

"A good plan, with one slight deviation. Vevina, can I ask you to come with us?" Goldie gestured to herself and the Fazband. "We're going to the town to meet Spring head on."

Her eye widened. "What?! You can't seriously be asking me to ditch my lot! Don't get me wrong, I want to smack the crazy fucker as much as you lot, but we're all going together."

Goldie nodded. "Ideally you would, but I imagine that Spring will bring the bulk of his force to bear on the town. If that's the case, we'll need you there as one of the heavier hitters. I've been given to understand that you've been working on a personal project in the Fun Palace."

"Aye, but there's still problems with it. It's hard to get the thing to do what I want and keep my focus."

"This should help then." Lidiya tossed her a portable drive. "I've compressed the Hand-Unit operating system from this place and transferred the essential functions to that. It should help you with managing what you need on the harness. Goldie told me about it."

"Did she now?" She looked at the drive and placed it in her pocket. "If this works, Lid, you'll be alright by me."

"Happy to be in the good books of the tough fox lady," she replied. "The delivery systems for Spring and the Puppet have been finished as well. If the Puppet isn't a factor anymore, I'll just keep that one with me. No sense leaving it here and it could still be useful."

"Mike and I will take the other one," said Goldie. "We can use the in-built storage in the springlock suit to carry it."

"Goldie, I appreciate that but I can't have my hands full carrying your head and AI core," said Mike.

"You won't have to. Remember, those suits were originally meant to help programme the movements of the animatronics and to get us used to them. There's a slot for an AI core in the back of the head." She chuckled. "I'll be Jarvis, you be Tony."

"Sounds good to me." He grasped her arm as she grasped his. "Least I won't be alone in that thing."

"Wouldn't dream of it. Besides, Spring will be expecting me. Even after what he's done, I… I don't want to just leave him. Not this time."

Mike nodded in understanding.

"Meanwhile, guess I'll just have to make do," remarked Jeremy good naturedly.

"Sorry Jeremy, there's only one of me to go around."

He waved a hand. "It's fine. Rhodey didn't get an AI for his suit, so I think I can deal with being the War Machine in this."

"If you wanted, I could sit on your shoulders," suggested Billy.

"I think we'll be alright. Anything else?"

"Only this." Goldie waited to be certain everyone was listening. "I think it's fair to say that this is the end. To do what we must, we're going to have to do something you've avoided for a very long time: show ourselves. It's not just our lives at stake. It's everyone's in the town that has, whether they know it or not, become our home. What happens after, I can't say. But whatever does happen, we deal with it like we have with everything else and we do it together. You all know what you have to do. Good luck, everyone. I'll see you on the other side."

There were murmurs of ascension and a smattering of cheers from those gathered. Everybody exchanged one last look before, in a flurry of movement, they started to prepare for their departure.

There wasn't room for Mike in the driver canopy. The suit was simply too bulky so he had to sit in the trailer while Freddy drove, with Bonnie in the passenger seat. Vevina, Foxy and Chica were in the back with him which he was grateful for. The other group had taken the second truck and had just left them on the road to Greater Borealis. They'd taken the other turning to Little Borealis.

Mike had no idea what they were in for, but he knew it wouldn't be anything good. He'd already seen what Spring could do with his new abilities and the idea of there being four more of those monsters like the one from before… it chilled him. Still, he wasn't helpless this time. He wasn't going to be so easily trussed up like a chicken by Spring now.

"How are you there, Mr Stark?" asked Goldie's voice in his ear.

"Still getting used to this." He moved his arm experimentally. "It's a lot lighter than I would have thought."

"That's the hydraulics doing most of the work. Not their intended use, of course. But then again, the same can be said for all of Fred's creations."

"Yeah."

He looked at the mechanism they would be using to deliver the Purge virus. It was large enough to fit in the palm of his hand, with a long spike emerging from the end. Just insert it into Spring's core, Lidiya told him and it would do the rest.

"I didn't think it would ever come to this," said Goldie.

"None of us did," said Mike. "I'm sorry, Goldie. I know what you'd prefer to do."

"Yes," she whispered. "But you were right. He has to be stopped and I can't let my personal feelings get in the way of what's important. Whatever it takes, we will stop him."

"Whatever it takes," echoed Mike. He laughed a little. "God, remember when it was just me, sitting in a pizzeria with you guys after dark?"

"And that was when things were at their most normal," put in Bonnie, talking through a gap between the trailer and the canopy. "Things only really got weird when you showed up, Mikey."

"Ya sayin' that me comeback was weird?" asked Foxy.

"Coming back from what you did? I mean, kind of," she replied. "For the record though, still glad it did."

"Thanks, lass. Though if I'm honest, I only really picked meself up again after herself showed up." He nodded at Mike, but he knew who he was actually referring to.

"Which is ironic, considering that my strategy was to attack your insecurities." Goldie sighed through the suit's speakers. "Good lord, I was in a dark place back then. I still have trouble comprehending that you all forgave me in the end."

Bonnie shrugged. "Eh, forgive is a bit of a stretch. You're okay, I guess."

"You really know how to make a person feel special, Bonnie. Speaking of special, I couldn't help but notice the especially long hug you have Hermana before we left," said Goldie. "Care to comment?"

"What?" Bonnie's face turned blue. "What's the big deal? It's just a hug."

"Actually, I'd noticed that too." Chica smiled mischievously. "Did something happen while we were away?"

Bonnie looked away. "Dunno what you mean."

"Aww that's just adorable!" she squealed. "Can I just say, I completely approve."

"Sh-Shut up, there's nothing to approve of!" Bonnie's ears lowered, her cheeks burning cold. "She's… she's cool, I guess. Gonna hang out when this is all done. J-Just hang out though, don't read into it!"

"I won't." Chica turned to Mike and mouthed 'I will'. The two of them giggled.

"Heard that!" said Bonnie.

"Wait, Hermana and Bonnie? I thought she had a thing for Foxy. How come she doesn't anymore?" asked Mike.

"She did?" Foxy blinked in confusion. "When did that happen?"

"I do believe that question has just been answered," chimed in Freddy.

Mike noticed that Vevina, who had been sat quietly in her own corner, had her ears perked up with interest. She kept her gaze on the ground, but Mike saw it flicker to them every now and again.

"You really didn't know?" asked Chica. "She wasn't exactly subtle about it."

"I really didn't! I just thought that was her way-a bein' friendly!" Foxy scratched his head with his hook. "Seems obvious, now ya say it."

Goldie chuckled. "No wonder he's a captain, with instincts as keen as that."

"How was I meant ta know? Not as if we've had many chances fer romance up until now. Ye lot," he said, gesturing around to the Fazband, "are basically me brothers and sisters. And I can't exactly go makin' passes at the parents or staff, can I?"

"Didn't stop her," remarked Bonnie, jerking a thumb at Chica. "Does anybody sense a workplace harassment suit?"

"Oh shush," said Chica. "You're the one always calling Mike a pervert."

"And can you blame me? Fraternising with one of the performers, shameful!"

"Guilty as charged," said Mike. "But you never gave any thought to dating, Foxy?"

"It would depend. It'd have ta be somebody…" He thought for a moment. "Spirited. Lotta fire in 'em. Someone who isn't afraid ta speak their mind. Good sense-a humour is a must, somebody who's not afraid ta take a lil' leap inta somethin' new."

"What if…?" They all looked around when Vevina spoke up. She looked away, carrying on in a much more quiet voice. "What if they were a little… rough around the edges?"

Foxy considered before responding. "Well, I'm not one fer throwin' stones at glass houses. So long as they're patient with me, I can be patient with 'em."

"Aye. Well." She managed to glance up. "Whoever that ends up being… they'd be lucky to have you."

Foxy chuckled. "Not sure I'd agree with that."

"I would," she said in almost a whisper.

"Oh." A small smile came to Foxy's face, along with a blush. "Cheers, Vev."

She returned it before glaring at everybody else staring at her and returning to a sullen silence. Mike took another look around at them. Bonnie returned his look with a nod and a wink. Foxy offered a salute. Freddy's eyes smiled in the rear-view mirror. His hand found Chica's and she squeezed it.

"Guys?" Mike had Goldie lift away the faceplate of his suit. "Whatever happens, I'm glad I took this job. Even with all that's happened, I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

"The same to you, my young friend," said Freddy. "You'll always have a place with us."

"Aye, never was there a truer first mate." Foxy clasped his hand and shook it. "Glad yer ridin' this one with us, lad."

"Yeah. For a stammering wimpy perv, you're alright." Bonnie laughed but gave a more genuine smile. "Seriously though, you're pretty cool, dude. Don't ever forget it."

Goldie's warm voice met his ears. "You gave me a chance that I still don't think I fully deserved and I've never been more grateful for anything. You are my best friend, Mike Schmidt and that's no lie. Even if they're not with my own feet, I'm happy to take these steps with you."

"As am I." Chica beamed and kissed him. "I love you."

"And I love you," he murmured. "Date night when this is all over?"

"Hell yes."

She grinned and Mike grinned back. In that moment, he felt like he could take on anything.

"Everyone? We're almost there," called Freddy. "The town's just up ahead. Seems there's a blockage on the road ahead. One of those trucks, stretchin' across both lanes."

"Can we go around it?" asked Mike.

"Nowhere to manoeuvre. I think we're goin' to have to be more direct." Freddy shifted gears and Mike felt the truck pick up speed. "Brace yourselves, everyone! This is going to be bumpy!" `

They did so, pressing against the walls of the truck while staying low. Seconds later, the whole trailer jolted and rocked. Mike heard something screech and crash somewhere to their left. Then he heard the screaming. The distant roars.

"This is it everyone!" said Goldie through the speakers. "Mike? Ready to open those doors on my mark. Ready?" She waited until he had his hand on it. "Go!"

Mike shoved open the doors and stepped out into the chaos, his friends at his back.

Yellowscar1: And now, it's reactions to his plans in action XD

Arc of Carona: Well, you never know, do you?