A Long Overdue Fix
By
End Of Grace
Chapter 13: Release and Imprisonment.
Mike stood still in the main hall as various work men went past, bringing in more wood,tools and dirt. It had been a couple of days since that night and Mike was still not sure what was going on with the older animatronics but he been too busy with the firemen, police, repairmen, Mr McBear, Dahl and most scary of all his mother. His ears would start ringing just remembering his mother's panicked worried screams when she learnt that he had refused to the hospital. He didn't have time for that, he had to arrange for Freddy and the others to go and stay at The Cove while this was all going on, but keep the…."Children" here, in his office, while trying to keep his story straight when asked by everyone. He hated lying, he really did but what was he going to say?
"Yeah, sorry about the fire and all that, but those broken animatronics are actually being haunted by the dead children, who are trapped and were seeking revenge, thought it was a great idea to burn the place down, killing two birds with one stone. Only it didn't work out that way and their still trapped and playing games in my office. So if you excuse me, I now need to rehome a dozen animatronics and call an exorcist"
Yeah, he could see the guys in the white coats already and part of him actually wished they would turn up, he could use the break. There was some yelling by the front doors that broke Mike out of his funk as he turned to see Jeremy walking in. Jeremy looked rough still but there was a look of determination about him that Mike can't recall ever seeing before.
"Jeremy….what are you doing here? Shouldn't you still be in hospital?" he asked as he took Jeremy's hand to shake it.
"Mark visited me before he left the hospital himself. Told me what happened" Jeremy panted before lowering his voice to a whisper. "Are there really kids trapped in those bodies?"
Mike jerked his head to the side and started to walk towards his office, Jeremy following him in silence until they were out of sight of the workmen.
"Well?" he hissed impatiently.
Mike sighed heavily as he fell against the wall, his eyes falling to the floor, as he shoved his hands into his jeans.
"Yeah...I don't know how...though I'm sure Freddy does...the four murdered kids have spent the last couple of years trapped in the broken spare animatronic bodies of Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy. When they were bought back here, they thought if they burnt the place down along with the animatronics and the purple guy, they would be free"
"Shit" Jeremy whispered as he rubbed his jaw but then frowned "Purple guy?"
"It's what the kids called the guy that killed them, the security guard, Billy"
"Oh yeah...fuck. Well...I guess...we can't blame them?" Jeremy's tone was questioning as he rubbed the back of his head.
"No. We can't blame them" Said Mike firmly, his look booked no arguments. Yeah, sure, he didn't like the idea of being killed but he would never actually blame the kids for doing what they did, they had been desperate and trapped.
"Ok, no blaming the kids, but seriously what are we going to do? I don't think they have exorcists in the phone book"
"Well tonight, I'm going to The Cove and having it out with Freddy, he knows something about the kids. Maybe he knows of a way to get them out too"
"Ok. What do you need me to do?"
Mike blinked and stared at Jeremy slightly agape "But I thought you didn't want to work here anymore?"
Jeremy sighed and looked away for a moment before he leant against the opposite wall and looked at Mike.
"I thought about it. I thought about where I could go, I mean I've only ever worked this place you know, I mean even with the training to do first aid and such, I'm still only a security guy and there aren't a lot of jobs willing to take you on with just that, other than other security places. And even if I want to them, the pay would nowhere near be as good as it is here and where else would you get all the crazy stuff going on with….well...whatever Freddy and the gang are…."
Mike giggled and covered his mouth to try and stifle his laughter but one look at Jeremy who was also trying not to laugh, they made eye contact and then fell about laughing hysterically. Crazy Stuff? Here at Freddy's? What an understatement. Mike continued to laugh, feeling the most happy and relaxed he had been in a while, as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
"I suppose when you put it like that, you would be nuts to look else where, but then you have to be literally certified to work here"
"I guess that's why you wear the white coat" Jeremy giggled.
"Yep, I'm the king of this nut house and you're all my bitches" Mike laughed as he punched his hand into the air, making Jeremy laugh even louder.
"You're going to have to fight Freddy for Mark if that's the case"
Mike bent over, gripping his sides, as more tears rolled down his cheeks, damn, he had needed this.
"Jeez, you won't believe how much I have missed having you here Jeremy, me and Mark were going out of our minds with the work"
"Yeah, so Mark was moaning at me, but he said you were hiring a young lady the night this all went down….."
"Yeah, Connie...she's the younger sister of one of the kids….it was upsetting for her to say the least"
"Gotta be, being her brother and all, I'm just surprised that's she's still working with us"
"You and me both. Almost had a heart attack myself when she turned up the next day asking what she could do to help. But I think having had a chance to talk to her brother...may have put to rest some of her demons….but anyway, she practically flourishing under Jenny's management and Foxy's promised to keep an optic on her, yet she's seems to be doing great."
"Any word from the stalker yet? Mark said he's been given you trouble"
Mike snorted at the nickname Jeremy had given Dahl and nodded "He's not happy obviously, started to question whether or not I'm really any good animatronics. He kinda shut up when I mentioned the murdered kids and that they were haunting the animatronic bodies"
"He believed you?"
"No...maybe...but he doesn't want that idea or story getting out, bad publicity and all that, so he's left it in my hands….but I gotta tell you...I'm on pretty thin ice"
"Oh like you can't sweet talk your way out of it" said Jeremy waving his hand dismissively. "Besides, that guy wants your ass so badly, he'll overlook anything"
"Gee thanks" said Mike sarcastically "If you're trying to make me feel better, you're doing a lousy job of it"
"If I was just a fellow guard maybe but as your friend it's my job to point out your problems and laugh at them"
"Your such an arsehole" Mike muttered with a slight smile as he punched Jeremy in the shoulder and started to lead him to his office. "You better meet them, incase I need you to guard this place when I can't, they don't wander around too much, puts too much strain on their animatronic bodies."
"So….what are they like? The kids I mean?" Jeremy asked.
"I'll introduce you….in fact would you mind taking over for a while? Mark will cover the night shift"
"Sure….but what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to hold a meeting with the animatronics…..and get some bloody answers" Mike said omiously.
-Line Break-
Mike dragged his feet into the Cove, it was late, near closing but still super busy. Kids getting ready to throw tantrums because they were tired and didn't want to go home while their parents sighed heavily because they wanted to go home with the minimal fuss possible. Freddy was standing by the game machines while Foxy, Mangle and Mangy were doing their final show, Chica and Chloe were surprisingly active in the kitchen while the staff covered the till points, Blu and Fred delivered the drinks and food to the tables, Shadow, Sooty, Plush and the Fredlings were all at the drawing table with a few youngsters while JJ, BB and Betty were cleaning the ice cream machine and restocking the condiments, while Net was entertaining in the far corner from his box. Mike frowned as he looked over at the large black puppet as he clenched his fists. He had spoken to the trapped children at great length and each one said it was Net that had trapped them there but that surely wasn't possible right? How could he do it? Then again….what did he know about Net? Like how he thought Goldie was only a porn addict but turns out he was the one that gave Billy aka the purple guy the idea to stuff the kids in to suits and then became a murder by killing Billy's brother. He then noticed that Net was looking over at him, looking concerned, he forced himself to smile and wave at him, though his stomach was twisting inside. He start to walk towards his office when Freddy suddenly appeared in front of him, making him jump out of his skin.
"AH! Damn it Freddy!" Mike exclaimed loudly before clutching his chest and hissed "Don't do that!"
"My apologies" said the bear softly "How are things at home? When can we move back?"
"Hopefully in an hour or two I'll get a message and it could be as early as tomorrow morning, but don't get your hopes up Freddy, there is still a lot to do and it may even be another week before we can even think of reopening"
Freddy let out a sigh as he hung his large head and Mike was suddenly feeling like the world biggest douche for upsetting the much loved bear. If any of the kids saw this, they would assume he was picking on Freddy and needed his sins kicked in.
"But hey at least you still get to work with kids right? I mean Foxy's looking after you and everything?" said Mike with a crooked smile as he rubbed the back of his neck as Freddy lifted his head and gave him a disbelieving look before turning his head slightly so he could see Foxy on the stage.
"Foxy has been an excellent host, he has done a wonderful job here, the children love him…." said Freddy in a proud fatherly way or maybe that of a mentor before sighing again as he looked back at Mike "but it's quite clear he's not willing to allow me onto his stage"
"You can't blame him for that" said Mike feeling slightly bad for the bear "He spent years….behind a curtain while you, Bonnie and Chica made kids laugh and play...all because he took the wrap for Fred. Besides….you and I have bigger things to talk about other then who gets the spotlight"
Freddy frowned "Mike…."
"Don't Freddy!" Mike straightened himself, trying to make himself taller and look intimidating, which to anyone else looking on would look stupid going up against a giant teddy bear. "That morning...you confessed to me that you knew, you knew, that those kids had been trapped in those bodies! But that's not all you knew was it? You also knew who actually did it"
"Mike…." Freddy's voice was a soft pleading whisper for understanding but Mike shook his head.
"Tonight...after everyone is gone….all of us….not the nightmares….just the gang. We're going to talk….and go from there but I promise you Freddy. If I ever find you or anyone of the others has harmed a child again…." Mike left the threat in the air, mainly because he couldn't think of one that would convey what he would do if that ever came to pass, he was so angry….no he was pissed and tired. He rubbed his face with irritation, his body shaking as he glared at Freddy. "Look, I'm going to the office to rest up a bit and do some well over needed paperwork, once the store is shut and everything is clear up for the night, come and get me. then….we'll talk"
Mike brushed past Freddy as he stormed to the back offices of the cove, his eyes stinging and his heartbeat was thundering in his ears, he needed some sleep and a huge pot of coffee he was going to face them all tonight. He hated this! He hated the idea of one of his beloved animatronics from his childhood being….well…. A monster. The children, no the ghosts, were all very sure of it, of the scary white clown like face with soulless eyes, with long black tentacles. He plunged them into dark abyss and trapped them into the bodies that would eventually fall apart. He thought back to the moment that he had fixed Net, the way the puppet shyly slid from his box and whispered "Boo" so sweetly. Their maintenance times….were a mixture of intense sex and sweet love making. Which made it even harder to believe that Net was the monster that the children described. Mike shook his head and steeled his resolve as he walked into the office. He would do some paperwork then get some sleep….at least that was the plan...but first he would have to deal with the large purple bunny in on of his doctor coats, lying suggestively on the workbench.
"Bonnie….What are you doing with one of my coats on? Well...attemped to wear I should say" Mike sighed tiredly as he noticed that the arms of his once coat had been badly ripped over Bonnie's arm joints.
"I thought I'd play the doctor" said Bonnie as he shifted his body to a sitting position as he watched Mike shrug off his bag and shoes. "You have been running around like a crazy man recently so I thought I'd come to make you feel better"
Mike, tried to stay annoyed but hearing Bonnie saying he wanted to make him feel better, gave him butterflies in his stomach and a soft smile on his lips.
"Really? And here I thought you were just using me for sex" he said sarcastically as he tossed his own coat aside.
Bonnie jumped off the table and looked concerned as he raised his paws to his chest, so they rested over his pump.
"You know how I feel Mike. I love you deeply. And I was just worried about you….you took in a lot of smoke and those ghosts…." Bonnie's voice box started to crack under the strain of him trying to get so many words out at once. Mike chuckled under his breath as he placed his hands on either side of Bonnie's head and placed a soft gentle kiss on his muzzle.
"Sorry I worried you Bonnie" Mike whispered "I love you too"
Bonnie wrapped his arms around Mike thin waist and held him close, pressing his muzzle into Mike's mess hair, smelling Mike's shampoo and a smell that was unique only to him.
Mike pulled away for a moment and pressed his hands on to Bonnie's chest and pushed him back onto the workbench. Mike then climbed on top of him and tried to curl up and get as comfortable as he could.
"Er….Mike?"
"Yes Bonnie?"
"Um….what are you doing?"
"You wanted to help me out right? So you're going to be my bed stroke teddy bear until I need to get up and speak to everyone about what is going on at Freddy's? Is that ok?"
Bonnie squealed and hugged Mike in an almost bone crushing strength, making Mike wince as he struggled for breath.
"Bonnie! Can't breathe!" he choked as he smacked Bonnie's furry chest as hard as he could, trying to get the robotic rabbit to release his hold or at least loosen it.
"Sorry! I'm just so happy! We hardly ever cuddle like this! You always go back to your flat to sleep" Bonnie hummed happily as he rubbed his muzzle into Mike's messy hair.
Mike sighed and allowed his body to relax in Bonnie's strong servos, his head resting on his chest section, directly over his pump, which was making an oddly soothing sound, the was luring him into sleep.
"Hhhhmm, maybe….maybe I should do this more often" he muttered as his eyelids fluttered shut and his breathing evened out. Bonnie continued to gently stroke and rub Mike's with his servos, committing every inch of it to his memory bank before deciding to go into sleep mode. He was about to fall into it, when the door to the office opened and Shadow peeked his head in and ran over to them, happy and excited to see his parents together. Bonnie could see that the little bunny was about to talk, so he placed a finger to his muzzle to shh him, pointing down to Mike to show he was asleep. Shadow nodded and held out his servos to be lifted. Bonnie carefully leaned over and scooped the small bunny up and placed him on the other side of Mike, who the smaller bunny now curled himself up against, also slipping into sleep mode. Bonnie held them in his servos tightly for a moment and sent a remember message to himself that when he say father, to thank him for taking a chance on Mike, because now he was the most happiest being in the world.
-Line Break-
The Nightmare animatronics and the cubs and kits were all resting in the rec room at Foxy's, while the others gathered around the main floor by the stage where Mike, Jeremy and Connie stood. Mike scowled as he openly glared at Freddy and Goldie, but kept glancing over at Net, who sat calmly in his box.
"As you guys know, a several years back, four kids were murdered and stuffed into the spare suits at Freddy's. The suits were originally going to be destroyed but the police kept them for evidence sake until they were finally returned to us. What the police and I didn't know was that the spirits of those kids had been trapped in those bodies….FOR YEARS" Mike paused and looked around the room, BB, Betty, Mangle, Bonnie and Chica looked upset, Blu and Foxy were indifferent but Freddy and Goldie….looked guilty. He looked over at Net, who was smiling, and clenched his fists tightly. "Now, I'm not saying these kids were saints, far from it, these kids were horrible to everyone, including you guys. They had no respect for you or your home. But still….that is no excuse….they died painful and horrible deaths….and they certainly didn't deserve to spend years trapped in those rotting bodies either. The kids have told me about their suffering...they have told me so very intresting things as well...about how certain animatronics were behind their imprisonment. So I'm giving you the chance to come out and…."
"Belay that!" Foxy snapped angrily "Ya must be out of ya mind to believe such lies!"
"I'm with Foxy on that" said Blu "Our lives, our very creation is about loving and protecting children, so why would we hurt them?"
"Freddy? Do you have something you need to get off your processor?" Mike asked glaring at the old bear. The gang gasped and started to yell at Mike, calling him stupid, traitor, and a host of other names before Freddy raised his servo and said in a firm and loud voice.
"I knew the children were trapped"
The room became as silent as a tomb, as if Freddy's confession had caused everyone's processors to freeze, and most likely had. Freddy lowered his servo and hung his head in shame. Goldie took to his side and held his servo in his own for support as Freddy continued.
"At the time, we were really busy, Father couldn't be everywhere, so children tended to get away with a lot. None more so then these four particular bad kids, they were bullies, vandals and show no respect to us or the staff. We tried everything, talking to them, threats, banning them, even speaking to their parents as well, nothing did the trick and no sooner had we lifted the ban they would cause trouble. Then the...incident happened….and their spirits were shall we say already haunting the pizzeria. So we thought it best to tie them to the bodies they died in, we believed the police would destroy the bodies when they were finished with them so the children would have been freed then….away from us and our home….but….it didn't happen that way"
For a while no one moved or said anything, then Foxy slowly walked towards Freddy, his eye patch lifted up so he could gaze at the bear he knew since he first onlined, his body trembling with disbelief.
"Why are ye lying Freddy? Ya to soft, to big hearted to pull off something as….cruel...as this" his tone was almost pleading with Freddy but as Freddy shook his head his eyes went black and a growl escaped from his voice box. "YA LYING! There is no way, no how, would Freddy Fazbear harm a child"
"He didn't do it Foxy" said Mike crossing his arms "He just gave the idea his approval and I'm guessing you did too Goldie thought I'm sure due to the wipe you don't remember it"
Goldie nodded as he released Freddy's servo and wrapped his own around Freddy's large shoulders. Foxy staring at him, his jaw slack as he shook his head in denial.
"Tis not true….you wouldn't….couldn't…."
Mike wanted to wait before continuing just in case Foxy snapped and attacked Freddy but Betty who was close to tears came over to him and hugged his leg. He smiled down at her and knelt down so he could wipe her face with napkin.
"What is it Betty?" he asked softly, as the small girl animatronic hiccuped.
"You said...Freddy said yes to the plan….but does that mean Freddy is not the bad guy?"
Mike gave her a soft smile, he knew her and most likely BB's processors would have trouble understanding this, they were too child like, he should really think of upgrading them.
"It's not quite like that Betty. Freddy is still bad because he agreed to it, but yes someone else is the REALLY bad person for thinking it up and doing it….isn't that right Net?"
Everyone's heads turned to Net and those who were standing near him started to back away. The puppet said nothing but seemed to eagerly lean against the edge of his box as Mike came towards him. Mike stood before Net and felt a chill run down his back, as he looked into the endless black of Net's eyes, remembering his long tentacles rubbing and touching him as he watched Net's long black fingers twirl aimlessly around in front of his box.
"You did it, didn't you Net, you...somehow, locked those kids into those bodies...and left them to rot" Mike tried to keep his tone neutral but anger slipped in at the end. Yet Net seemed unfazed by his words, he just tilted his head to the side and placed a finger beside his white face to tap it.
"I don't know what you mean Mike..." Net began but Mike couldn't handle his calm demeanor any longer.
"DON'T FUCK WITH ME!" Mike shouted clenching his fists tightly as he pushed down the urge to swing at Net. He took a breath and mentally counted to ten, still pushing back his anger because Net seemed generally confused by his anger. Maybe there was a different side to all this? Had he missed something? "Ok...Ok...Let's get one thing out in the open first….Net, you are the one that suggested to Freddy about locking the kids souls into those bodies and was the one that did it, right?"
"Yes….but like Freddy I believed that their souls would be released upon being destroyed. I'm not a monster" said Net sounding hurt. Mike couldn't believe what he was hearing and neither could Jeremy and Connie either.
"You've gotta be shitting me, you locked four kids that had just been murdered into their animatronic prisons and you're actually more upset over the fact that we're think you're a monster for doing it?" Jeremy hissed.
"They spent years locked up alone and lost, don't you feel any pity or remorse? I mean look what they did when they returned, they almost killed your friends and destroyed one of your homes" said Connie in disbelief.
"Of course I feel bad for they entrapment in the police station, but I was not to blame for that, that was the police and we all know how incompetent they are"
"Ok, so you were to blame for them being locked up there," spat Jeremy venom dripping from every word "Then what about actually locking them up in those bodies in the first fucking place!"
Net huffed and looked annoyed at the question "They needed to be punished and it was the only way to protect the pizzeria at the time"
The Cove went silent, Connie raised her hands to her mouth, tears ready to fall. Jeremy stood beside her, taking her hand for support as he glared daggers at the puppet. The others looked at one another, trying to understand, trying to find answers, but finding nothing so they went back to looking at Net and Mike, their processors spinning while their pumps hang heavily in their chest plates. Mike hang his head slightly, his hair covering his eyes, as he stepped a little closer to Net, the puppet was practically purring at him being so close.
"Net. What is your primary objective?" Mike asked, his voice calm and monotone.
Net was taken back, he thought Mike would be happy with him, after all had done to protect the pizzeria, why wasn't he jumping into his arms?
"My primary objective? I don't understand…"
"Your core programing! Your reason for existing here in the pizzeria" said Mike, his body so tense it was shaking. Freddy gasped as he recalled his own primary objective and felt a wave of shame engulf him as he slumped against Goldie for support as his knee joints gave out.
Net searched his processor for the answer and when he discovered it, he wasn't sure what to make of it. "My primary objective is to entertain and protect children"
"Protect children huh?" said Mike as he looked up at Net, looking him squarely in the face, his eyes burning with anger "So tell me Net, how was locking those children's souls...protecting them?"
Net froze, he hadn't thought of it like that as he had been mainly following his secondary objective which was to protect the pizzeria, his home, at all costs. Which meant protecting from four vicious spirits who in life had been a danger to their home as well, he had ever right to do as he did, why couldn't Mike understand that?
"I'm guessing the reason behind disobeying it was because of the secondary objective which is of course protecting the pizzeria from harm or danger, but still you should know better then the others since your older, that your primary objective COMES FIRST! NOTHING TRUMPS IT!"
Net flinches as he sinks down slightly into his box, he doesn't like the sad, angry look on Mike's face, not at all, and what makes it all the more painful was the fact that he had put it there.
"They were bad children" he muttered defensively "Plus if we allowed them to haunt the pizzeria, they would have harmed others…"
"I DON'T CARE!" Mike snapped "I DON'T CARE THAT THEY WERE BAD KIDS! They were fucking murdered Net, they died in terrible pain and their lives were stolen from them, and then they weren't allowed to rest in peace because of you!"
Mike rubbed his face with both his hands and looked around at the other animatronics. They all looked confused and angry. He walked over to Foxy, the large animatronics eyes were black and his hook was resting in his servo, his sharp teeth were clenched.
"Foxy….Captain, as Freddy is also in trouble for his part in all this, it's down to you"
Foxy jerked slightly "What do ya mean lad?"
"This is a crime Captain, had this really been about protecting the pizzeria, we could have swept it under the rug, but it's not. Net has broken not only his primary objective but the rules of Freddy's Fazbear's...no the rules of your creator. Since Freddy is also guilty of this crime, it down to you to punish them, it's only right and fair, for what those kids have been though"
Foxy looked down at Mike, his black eyes returning to their shining gold, his servo and hook falling to his side.
"Ya….ya asking a lot of me lad. Freddy means a lot to me...and Net is part of my crew"
"And isn't it the job of the Captain to punishes those who disobey the rules?"
Foxy straightened himself up, brushed himself off as he gently pushed Mike to the side "Aye it is"
Foxy stood before Freddy, his own knee joints threatening to buckle, his voice box crackling under the tension.
"Freddy Fazbear, ya stand accused of breaking the primary objective, how do ya plead?"
"Guilty" said Freddy softly, his head low, his optics refusing to look at the fox.
"Then I decree ya be "Out of order" for the period of three months once ya pizzeria is rebuilt. Even after that ya will not be allowed to work with the children without supervision for another three months after. Bonnie, I'll be leaving that task up to ye, watch him and make sure that no child comes to any harm."
"Yyy...yes...captain" said Bonnie, oily tears flowing down his face, his processor refusing to believe Freddy was involved in this mess. He loved children, he wouldn't hurt them for the world, at least that is what he had thought.
Foxy looked over at Mike, as if asking for his approval, and Mike simply nodded. Not that he would have argued, this was between the animatronics and it had to stay that way, that way when Freddy's and Net's punishment was over, all would be forgiven but certainly not forgotten. Foxy then turned to Net, who was now standing up in his box, looking pleadingly over at Mike.
"Net, of all the animatronics, ya stand accused...how do ya plead?"
Net looked back and forth from Foxy to Mike, his body trembling, his tentacles tying themselves up in knots. "Mike….please...believe me...I really was protecting the pizzeria…"
"I know Net but you need to answer Foxy's question" said Mike as he looked down at the floor.
"I ask ye again Net, how do ya plead?" Foxy asked with a lot more authority as he slowly raised his hook. Net glared at the fox, his box groaning under the strength of his fingers gripping the edge.
"Not guilty! I was protecting the pizzeria" He wanted to point a finger at Goldie and speak the truth, but he had already decided that he would leave the gold bear out of this, besides the next six months were going to be hard on Freddy, he would need Goldie. He looked over at Mike, who now had a hand covering his face. Why? Why couldn't Mike understand?
"Then this be your punishment. You too are to be "Out of order" but unlike Freddy you will not be walking around free. Also since ya pleaded not guilty and ya were the one behind the children misery, ya punishment is to be longer. One whole year, sealed away in ya box, in the back storage room where no one will be allowed to go until ya are to be released" snarled Foxy as he banged his hook down on the table like a gavel.
There were several gasps, Chica bursting into tears, BB and Betty running over to Mike to hug his legs tightly and hide their faces. Mike rubbed their heads softly as Mangle walked over to her mate and hugged him from behind. She could feel him shaking. He was angry and upset and after tonight he was going to need a lot of hugs to get through this.
"Before you seal me away, may I be allowed to take my music box in with me? And maybe a book or two?" Net asked in a meek yet tired voice as he slowly slid out of his box. Foxy looked over at Mike, who simply nodded, before looking back at Net with contempt.
"Personally I'd rather seal ye up right now. But I'll be merciful this once, gather what ya need while me, Bonnie and Blu move ya damn box from my cove and into the back dark room where ye belong. Goldie would ya mind guarding him while he gathers his things? I don't trust him not to run away"
Net left the shop floor quietly with Goldie, Freddy looking exhausted, upset and oddly relieved as he sat down on one of the chairs. Foxy turned to Mangle and kissed her cheek before turn back around to signal Bonnie and Blu to help him move Net's box. She then walked over to Chica and mentioned to the kitchen, which the yellow chicken nodded gratefully as she followed her. Mike knelt down in front of BB and Betty and continued to pet their heads.
"Come on now. You're both big animatronics now, there is no need for tears, it's all over now" he smoothed them gently as he reached into his pocket for a rag and quickly wiped their faces. The twins gave him two oily smiles and hugged him even tighter, they loved how he was always able to calm them down. "Ok guys, I need you to do me a big favor and show Jeremy all the things that's changed since he was last here ok? I think he's forgotten everything" said Mike as he winked up at Jeremy, who groaned but went along with it anyway, as a few things had changed around the place and he needed a heads up. The twins giggled as they took his hands and started to drag him around leaving Mike and Connie alone.
"Are you ok with this Connie? I know it's not exactly the justice you wanted…." said Mike but Connie cut him off with a small shake of her head.
"To tell the truth Mike, all I want right now, is for my brother and his friends to rest in peace. I'm glad Foxy stepped up and did what he did, for a moment I thought he was going to leave it all to you"
"Would that have been bad?"
Connie smiled "Yeah...for you. You love these guys deeply and it hurts you when you feel you need to punish them, so you end up being soft on them really. Plus the animatronics would try and get around you, then you would end up letting them off the hook. At least this way it was fair. Now if you'll excuse me, I promised the Fredlings and Plush a game of monopoly"
"I'm glad your getting on with them so well, do you think you'll be ready for the manager spot when the nightmare place opens?"
"More than ready! Are you coming? We could use another player?"
"No...I think I'd better wait…" said Mike pointing over a the lost looking Freddy.
Connie gave him an understanding smile before she walked off to the rec room to play with the nightmare animatronics. Mike walked over to Freddy and pulled up a chair beside him. Neither of them said nothing but Mike could tell that Freddy was grateful. It was an hour or so later that Foxy came back an informed him that Net wished to speak with him before Bonnie and Blu sealed him up. Mike's heart fell into the pit of his belly as he slowly walked towards the back storage rooms. Bonnie and Blu were standing by the door both holding large and heavy looking chains.
"You don't have to do this Mike! He doesn't deserve it" Bonnie spat angrily.
"He deserves a lot worse than this" Blu hissed.
"Hey these are Foxy's orders and since he's the next one in change after Freddy, you should listen to him" said Mike firmly. "Net is being punished and that is that"
The blue rabbit shrugged it's shoulders and looked away with an annoyed expression. Mike opened the door and went to go inside but Bonnie gripped his shoulder tightly.
"Don't let your guard down Mike. Call us if he gets out of hand"
"Don't worry Bonnie. I'll be fine" said Mike as he walked into the storage room and closed the door behind him. Net was inside of his box arranging things inside of it when he noticed Mike. He gives Mike a sad smile as he leans over the side of his box as Mike stepped closer.
"You got everything you need Net?" Mike asked politely.
"I think so. Books, pillow, flashlight, extra batteries and my music box"
Mike nodded and started to fidget as things suddenly became rather awkward. What could he say? Sorry but you deserve this? Why didn't you plead guilty? Then a thought came to his mind. "Net...can I ask you something?"
"Of course Mike, you can ask me anything?"
"Well...you must have some kind of power right? Or something weird that allowed you to do what you did to those kids"
Net tilted his head slightly "I wouldn't call it a power per say. I think of it as having an extra sense"
"So...you've always had it or was it something that Mr McBear gave to you"
Net smiled creepily then as he lean over his box "I'll tell you a little secret Mike. Father bought me from an old junk shop when I was nothing but a simple marionette. I use to belong to an old magician and puppeteer who used to travel around putting on little shows for children. But one day the magician decided to give up and I and a few of his belongings were dumped in the shop where father bought me and upgraded me"
"So you're saying you learnt it from your magician?" said Mike skeptically
"Either that or I inherited his magic. Makes a lot more sense then me just having this ability right?"
"I guess….so has your name always been Net or did you have another?"
"My old owner used to call me an awful name….he called me "Ennard""
Mike snorted back his laughter and quickly used his hand to cover up his smile "Er...nice name"
Net reached out and took Mike's hand away from his face and tugged him closer. "Mike….why didn't you believe me?"
"Net...please…"
"Mike….please give me answer…"
"Because….I know you did it...I know you don't care about the fact that they were locked up for years...that you feel no remorse for what you did. All because you believed you were doing the right thing of protecting your home. So...Yes Net, I believe you, I know you believe you did the right thing, the problem is Net...is that you were wrong! So very wrong and those poor children suffered for it. Yeah they were bad but they didn't deserve the hell they were put though"
"So you do understand…."
"Yes…" Mike sighed with frustration "But I don't agree with it. And if I ever find out you used any of those weird powers on me or the staff…."
"I won't use my ability on the staff Mike; you should know me better than that" said Net as he thought to himself "It would be a waste of time and talent on those simpletons"
"Ok...just as long as we're clear on that. Is there anything else you want before I call Bonnie and Blu in here?"
"There is one thing" said Net as both his hands and tentacles shot out and wrapped themselves around Mike's body, pulling him almost into the box. Mike opened his mouth to scream and Net took that moment to cover Mike's mouth over with his own, pushing his tongue in and swirling it around Mike's own. Mike struggled against Net, trying to pull himself away, but Net was to strong. Net noticed that Mike was turning white and slowly pulled away from his mouth as Mike gasped loudly for air. He pressed his white face against Mike, nuzzling him as if he were a cat, enjoying the coolness of Mike's skin. "I'm not giving up on you Mike. I do not care if you can not fully love me in return because of Bonnie. I just want to love you" he whispered as he lowered Mike back to the ground and pulled his arms and tentacles back. Mike placed a hand over his mouth as if he was going to be sick and quickly stormed out of the room saying nothing. Net chuckled slightly as Bonnie and Blu came in, both glaring at him with such malice, he wasn't afraid of them or the heavy chains they carried. No, he was going to curl up in his box and dream, dream of his long haired human with kind eyes, loving him and possessing him.
-Line Break-
Adam blinked helplessly as he put his cup down "So this puppet thing...really didn't care?"
"Not one bit" said Mike sadly "Even after the year was up, he still didn't care, he believed he did the right thing and nothing anybody said changed his mind"
"Ok. But what about the kids? I mean how long did they stay stuck in those bodies for after all that?"
"Well, we got the old local priest that use to tend the church that they all use to go to on sundays, he obviously remembered them, he even did their funerals, so it was a great shock to him when he met them. Of course, he wasn't an exorcist, he had to call the vatican for a professional one to come along. And sadly, because it was all official and such, the families had to be informed"
"Shit, I bet that didn't go down too well, did any of them sue?"
"No thankfully. I think they just wanted the whole matter like me to just be laid to rest. The priest that came was really good, a nice old guy, but damn he was so suspicious of the animatronics. He had this weird pendent thing that swung on its own that told him where spirits were and according to him, all of the animatronics possess a soul, which of course made him think they were all possessed"
"Well...yeah...because why would a machine have a soul?" asked Adam.
Mike laughed and smiled at Adam brightly "Haven't you heard the saying that if you love something so much it takes on a life of its own? After all of those years of being loved by children, it's quite easy to beleive that of Freddy and the others and of course my children as well"
"Ok...but what about Freddy and Net….I mean Net is still being punished isn't he?"
"What? No! He was released after a year Adam" Mike said sternly as he gripped his injured leg "No….he's now imprisoned for something else. As for Freddy, no sooner was he allowed back onto the stage, it was like it never happened, except his friendship with Foxy was never the same again. Anyway...where are you stationed tonight? The Cove?"
"Nah, I'm at Freddy's tonight….er does Shadow want to walk back with me?"
"He's….staying here the night. He needs a bit of maintenance and well…" Mike leaned in and whispered "I think he's a little upset that you've taken a shine to Sooty rather than him"
Adam blushed from the roots of his hair down to his toes "I..I..I that is? I don't...I mean"
Mike laughed so hard he held his stomach because it hurt so much "Don't worry Adam, your secrets safe with me, I won't tell anyone about the maintenance your giving Sooty"
Feeling as if his cheeks were about to catch on fire, Adam stood up and muttered something about getting some much needed sleep and food before running out of the apartment. Mike wiped away the tears in his eyes as he continued to chuckle. After a deep sigh, he went back to the large folder of papers, that had everything to do with the so called "Sister Location" and frowned as he read the newspaper clipping of a young woman named "Charlie", who voiced one of the animatronics, was declared missing after attending the opening party of the location. Her father, Mr Afton, who was the designer and builder of most of the sister animatronics, insisted it was "Baby" who had kidnapped his daughter. Mike placed that one to one side and then pulled out another newspaper clipping about Mr Afton, which stated that the man had been found hanging in the warehouse where his creations were being stored. Mike rubbed his chin as he looked at both clippings as an old familiar sense of dread and survival rose up inside of him.
At quarter to midnight, Adam stomped up to Freddy's pizzeria, his mind buzzing as his heart started to race. Yeah...Sooty was kinda cool. He was really good looking. Fantastic kisser but he was a BEAR! A FUCKING BEAR! Sure he was really smoking hot with a really sexy voice and a huge dick but that didn't change the fact that he was a bear! Damn it, his ears felt like they were on fire, he really needed to calm down. He walked thought the main floor and spotted Sooty on the stage and felt his heart almost exploded in his chest. The moonlight was peeking in through the windows and was giving Sooty an unnatural glow. For some reason Adam's hands started to itch. He was overcome with this sudden need to stroke Sooty's fur, just to see if it was as soft as it looked, while Sooty was asleep….it wouldn't hurt right? Adam slowly stepped towards the stage, being careful not to make to much noise in case it woke up mummy bear Freddy, who was sleeping beside Sooty. He was about to reach out and touch, when a small crash came from the kitchen, along with a string of cuss words. Now, Chica was usually the only one allowed in there and she never swore, not to mention she was also sleeping on the stage. Adam put down his bag and pulled out his phone and blackjack he know carried for protection before making his way over to the kitchen. He opened the door slightly and peeked in. There was a tatty looking old man, helping himself to the birthday cupcakes and sweets the pizzeria kept for the parties it threw, happily muttering to himself as he stuffed his face. Was he homeless? Should he call this in? Didn't seem right to do that to the guy, if he was just hungry? He pushed the door a little more, allowing it to creak to get the man's attention, so as he didn't scare him. The man didn't even turn around, instead he continued to eat as he called out.
"Hey Jeremy, do you think you can talk Chica in to warming a pizza up for me? I'm starving! Haven't' eaten since yesterday"
"Er...Jeremy is working at The Cove tonight sir, I could call him if you like?" said Adam as he held out his phone, as the older man turned around, glaring at Adam.
"Who are you?" he snapped suspiciously "If you're here to cause trouble…."
"Shouldn't I be saying that? I am the night guard here and you should be counting yourself lucky I didn't just call the police!"
"OH! You're the new guy right? Awww! Mike said he hired a cute kid for the job he wasn't kidding"
Damn! Adam could feel the heat rising to his face again "Yeah, names Adam….Don't think Mike or the others mentioned you before"
"Oh...that's because I'm a secret weapon….well more like guardian angel for this place. Name's Matt" the older man said as he took a huge bite out of a cupcake and then looked down at his watch. "Say you better get to the security room now, it's coming up to midnight, you don't want Freddy to be pissed at ya"
"What about you? If Chica sees this mess, she might stuff you in a suit, or worse"
Matt laughed out loud "You're probably right. Besides, I better come with you and actually do what I'm here to do"
"And what's that?"
"Oh, just checking in on my little prisoner, come on, let's go"
The man was actually taller than he was and surprisingly strong. His hair was short but just long enough to look wild and messy. He smelt bad too as if he hadn't washed in days and his clothes seemed to echo that fact. Yet what alarmed Adam, was the way the man walked, as if he was some sort of predator, the way his eyes and teeth gleamed in the dark. This man was dangerous. Matt switched on the lights in the security room and pranced in as if he own the place before dumping himself in to the large chair.
"Ah this brings back memories. I see Mike still hasn't gotten rid of that annoying fan. Seriously! He forked out for air conditioning but still keeps that thing" Matt moaned as he poked at the old black wired fan before pushing himself away and over to the heavily locked box and playing music box. "Anyway, better check on the puppet"
"Wait...you're telling me, that's where Net is! I thought he was locked up in the cove"
"Well, he was originally, for what he did to those kids...you know about the murdered kids right?" Matt asked as he inspected the box.
"Yeah...he trapped their souls or something…." said Adam still feeling as if he should ring somebody and find out whether this guy should be here or not.
"Yeah….well that was then. It's what he did after he got out that got him sent here. Though if I had my way….well if all of us bar Mike had our own way….Net would be locked in this box burning on top of a fire while I cook marshmallows"
"What the hell did he do to deserve that?" Adam asked leaning in closer.
"Best you don't know kid!" Matt snapped as he pushed out his arm to make Adam back off. Adam almost fell backwards after tripping over his feet to get away from Matt, only to fall against a furry chest and two strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist. He looked up and saw Sooty staring down at him.
"Er...hi Sooty"
The purple bear smiled back and lean in and kissed Adam's lips softly. Sooty than raised his head and noticed that they weren't alone, as his grip around Adam's waist became tighter and protective.
"You!" Sooty growled as he pushed Adam behind him "You're no longer welcome here"
"Just doing a little checking in and then I'll be on my way Sooty!" Matt smiled menacingly.
"My father made it very clear the last time you were here, that you were no longer welcome, now get up and leave before I make you"
"Your father no longer runs the pizzeria little bear, Mike does and Mike wants me to check on Net and I will do as Mike asks, even if it means upsetting all of you. Now, why don't you take your little toy there and let me get on with my work"
Sooty roared as he launched himself at Matt sending the human and the locked box to the floor with a crash. Despite Sooty's size and strength, Matt was able to hold the animatronic bear back, kicking him directly into joints, making Sooty cry out in pain as the bear continued to try and bet the man into unconsciousness. They continued to toss about on the small floor, knocking things over without a care until they knocked over the music box. The room went silent as the three of them watched it fall to the floor with a loud clang as it fell to pieces. Matt and Sooty looked at the broken music box in horror as a loud screech cried out from the chained up box, which was now wriggling and bouncing on its own, as if something inside of it was busting to get out.
"SHIT! NOW YOU'VE FUCKING DONE IT!" snapped Matt as he pushed Sooty off and slammed his hands on the chain box, holding down the lid. "Go and get your dad, get everybody, You! Kid! See if you can get that music box playing, it might be our only chance"
Sooty ran from the room as Adam scrambled to the floor, looking for parts and trying to get the box to play. He had fixed his sister's music box with no problems, so why was he all fingers and thumbs now, why couldn't he do it. The terrible sounds were getting louder and a black...tentacles were slipping out of the gaps in the box as the old man tried to keep it shut.
BANG!
Adam was flung across the room, his body hitting the wall with a hard thud, his vision becoming blurred before he blacked out. As he slowly started to gain consciousness again, he felt something soft playing with his hair and soft warm breathing near his ear.
"Sooty" he moaned as he struggled to open his eyes but when he did, he gasped out loud and struggled to get away. It was definitely not his Sooty. It was a….thing. With a broken mask for a face. It had a large crack down the middle of it's clown like face and it smiled down at him, as it black tentacles started to slid towards him too. Adam looked around the security room and round it trashed and both large metal doors were locked down tight. Matt was out cold, his face covered in blood, he didn't appear to be breathing. The black tentacles wrapped themselves around his legs while others grabbed his arms and held them above his head. It cupped his face with its hands, gently stroking his cheeks as it leaned in a little closer and whispered.
"Boo!"
To Be Continued….
A/N: No, I haven't forgotten this, I'm going to keep going, so please Review!