"Hey Mari. 'S been awhile." Springy said in a soft voice. "Not as long as I'd like," Mari responded. "You should have stayed hidden. Well, this spares me the trouble of finding you." Springy sighed. "Well, here I am. Listen, I know you're upset… about us, about our decision… Just know that I blame myself too." Goldie nodded. "Mari, we all blame ourselves. Trust me, the bite has been haunting me for years now." Bonnie, who finally caught his breath, nodded. "Mari, I know you think you're the only one that carries this pain, but we're all carrying it. And yes, Freddy's is a bit one sided when it comes to money-" Mari frowned at that statement. "If you truly believe that you would have quit your job already," He interrupted. "Not necessarily. I kept my job as Freddy's advisor because I want to make sure this never happens again." Bonnie pulled a piece of paper from his coat. He unravelled it, showing that it was a blueprint. The blueprint was for something called "the Jerry Chen Party Room." Mari rowned. "What the hell is that?" "It's a memorial to him. Freddy refuses to acknowledge this even happened, but I won't let him forget it. I've been pushing to get this room built at one of our most populous locations, so we can look at the grand room and promise ourselves that no child will ever be harmed in an accident like that ever again." Tim looked around, unsure of what would happen next. Mari's gaze held, but Springy and Goldie nodded in solemn silence. "But Mari, think about it. What if we didn't just dedicate a room, what if we dedicated a building. What if we dedicated a restaurant to him, with a plaque by the door so everyone knows who he is." Goldie spoke up. "Mari, do you think this is how Jerry wants to be remembered? As the cause of this strife and hatred?"
Mari scowled. "You can't say how he wants to be remembered. You… You don't…." Mari suddenly stopped. He dropped the lighter to the ground, and fell on his knees. Tim couldn't see it through the mask, but he could tell Mari was crying. Bonnie moved over and hugged him. Goldie and Springy then joined the hug. The group said nothing for a few minutes, as they started to cry. "I… you're right. I'm sorry. You all feel the pain I do. I've thought… for all these years you all didn't care. But I see that you do." Bonnie stood up. "Mari, you can still join us. Maybe we can save this town before it's gone forever." Mari sighed before standing. "No… I think you're better off without me." "Mari wait-" "I think I've done enough already." With that, Mari turned and left, leaving the group speechless as to what had happened.
"So… that happened…" The group had returned to Chickadee's after the incident with the Marionette. Bonnie had slumped in a chair while Goldie sat at the counter. Springy was sitting on the floor, even though there were multiple empty seats. Tim awkwardly stood by Rachel. The two didn't really know what to do, as the three sat around. "Really thought he'd say yes…" Bonnie muttered. Goldie just shrugged. "I kinda figured he'd say no." Rachel glanced at Tim. "He could prove to be helpful in design, we still need to find someone to help with that." Tim nodded. "I guess we can get the building now, but at what cost?" The two friends stared sadly, wondering if their dream and forever ruined a friendship.
"Are you sure?" Chica asked for the third time. "Yes! For crying out loud, I was punched, not shot!" A disgruntled TB yelled. "Yep, he is definitely NOT ok, he was slapped by a crowbar, not punched." Foxy called back. "Was I? Huh. I thought that was a strangely strong right hook…" TB trailed off. "Alright. You better lay down… " Chica guided him over to a green couch in the cafe's small break room. Ashley watched the group, before turning to Tia. "Man, I can't help but wonder if this is really worth it…" Tia shrugged. She was sketching something in a notebook, not paying attention to the two groups in the cafe. "I personally don't think it is, but that's just me." TF came through the door suddenly, holding the hand of a child. "Chica, do you mind? His father's… at it again." Chica stuck her head out of one of the rooms. "Oh no. Well of course." Chica ran over and took the boy's hand. Ashley watched as tears fell from the boy's eyes. In one hand he held an old teddy bear, and he took Chica's hand with the other. "Here, you can lay on the couch in the back. TB, if you're not going to lay down get off." Ashley turned to TF. "What was that about?" TF sighed. "Timmy's father has been drinking again. His wife has her hands full trying to stop him from doing anything… stupid, so she asks me to take care of her kid."
TF rubbed his eyes and looked around, noticing Bonnie, Goldie, and Springy slumped in the corner and Tim and Rachel having a hushed conversation by the counter, "Sorry, it seems this was a bad time… What happened?" Tia rolled her eyes. "I'm sure it's a long story, and honestly, I don't want to know." Ashley shook her head. "You know Tia, maybe Tim and Rachel are right," She stared at the direction Timmy had gone. "Maybe this town IS worth saving…"
A/N: Sorry for slow updates, I had to rewrite this chapter 3-4 times, and it's still shorter than I'd like it to be, but i Figured I had to get this out ASAP.