Understanding the Shadows

A/N: I'm finding that the further this story goes on the more interesting and complex it becomes. Who could Springtrap be after this time around? As usual I only own Larry, Crackers, Faye and Morgan. Everyone else belongs to Scott Cawthon.

Freddy looked around the room as he was caught in another lucid dream. He had been getting them lately during his small rest sessions, and it was starting to leave the bear concerned. Each dream seemed to be a continuation of the last one he experienced, and if the said dreams were to come true he would eventually see the last of his friends being destroyed. He jolted awake as Chica placed her hand on his shoulder and looked at him concerned. The restored bear shook their head and noticed that Fredbear had even made an appearance to check on him. The restored bear then noticed that the familiar looking shadow of Bon was also watching him intently.

"Bon….you rarely come out in this form…" Freddy looked at the toy shadow.

"He thought it may help you" Bonnie responded and turned his attention to Bon, "To know a little more about the shadow animatronics."

Freddy turned to his old friend and noticed that the toys looked interested as well, "I think we could all use a little more information about them really. I've been curious who has actually existed the longest as one…It would have to be you, right Fredbear?"

The shadow of Fredbear shook their head, "Actually I'm not. I'm relatively new in this type of existence as is Springtrap. The oldest of us shadows is actually Bon."

"What!? No way!" Toy Freddy looked shocked, "How!?"

"The day I sacrificed myself for everyone's lives I gained this form" Bon admitted looking to his friends, "Since then I've done everything I can to use it to keep everyone safe. We also seem to be the only ones who can actually manage to cause any damage to Springtrap."

"Then how was Mangle able to?" JJ asked.

Bon looked to the balloon girl, "I lent her my strength, it's something new that I just learned to do. I've been thinking that maybe when this nightmare ends that I'll no longer use it…"

"You should keep it" Toy Chica started and placed a hand on the shadow rabbits shoulder, "It's part of YOU, it makes you unique since none of us can do it. Shadow or not you're still our Bonnie, and we always want you with us as your complete self."

Mangle nodded, "Toy Chica is right! If it weren't for you things could have been so different, and for all I know my family could be laying in shambles. I wouldn't mind knowing more about the shadows….There's four of them in this building, and three of them are at least on our side trying to help keep us all safe."

Fredbear nodded, "I wouldn't put it past Springtrap though to separate himself into two separate entities if he needed to though."

"He can do that?" BB asked.

Fredbear nodded, "Springtrap now is Spring Bonnie, and the spirit of the man who murdered those poor children. They can exist separately if they wish, but they have greater power when together. I can only assume that the reason we're always targeted is that he can pull more power from us. He'll most likely see you toy models as the perfect victims though."

"Why us?" Toy Freddy asked.

"Because you're smaller than the restored models" Marionette spoke before sitting at one of the tables, "He sees that as a disadvantage since a smaller size means that there's a difference in strength. As we know he managed to overpower Mangle, so any of us, but especially the toy models are at a higher risk."

"That's not very reassuring" Toy Chica looked down sadly only to be pulled close by Toy Freddy, "Is there anything we can do?"

"Stay close and never travel alone" Golden Freddy spoke appearing next to the puppet, "The guard has been settled in for the night. Now then it seems like everyone wants answers on the shadow animatronics."

Everyone nodded and the golden bear sighed and took a spot next to the puppet, "As you already know the shadows are a result of the body going through a traumatic experience. For Bon it was his sacrifice, Freddy and his nightmare, and Fredbear the anger you once held towards the others aided with your becoming a shadow. I'm sure as time has moved on you've explored what you're capable of."

Fredbear nodded, "I have to a degree, there seems to be a great deal that we're capable of. I don't understand though Gold, you hold such immense power, why don't you become a shadow yourself?"

Golden shook their head and looked to Mari, "Because if I were to take such a form I may not be able to protect one of the things I hold close to the fullest of my ability. Now then I'm sure there are questions."

"Can you guys as shadows feel any pain?" Faye asked curious.

Bon nodded, "We actually can, a lot of it can stem from the trauma that created us. A good portion of the time my whole body feels like it's being destroyed again. I endure it since I know there is no other way to look at it."

"That's not good to hear you know" Freddy admitted turning to the toy rabbit, "You've gone through enough as it is! Not many can say that they've been dismantled like you have…and to keep carrying the scars…"

Bon shook their head, "It's not so bad when I'm close to everyone. Just seeing everyone functioning and continuing on with their lives makes it worth bearing."

"You were not kidding at all Bonnie" Fredbear turned to the restored rabbit.

Bonnie nodded, "Told you he was worse than me. Alright here's one you keep dodging no matter how many times I ask you. When you wonder around as a shadow why do you hum that lullaby?"

Bon looked down and then back to the restored rabbit, "Because it makes me think of you. If something were to happen to me, at least the last thing I would be thinking of and remember would be you. The big brother I adore and look up to."

'Those two certainly are close' Fredbear thought as he watched the restored and toy rabbit interact. Looking around he noticed that all of the models shared a strong bond with one another, just as it should have been from the beginning. The old former mascot was happy to see that the toy and restored versions of the classic characters were able to get along as well as they did. They all seemed to have a sibling like bond with the exception of Foxy and Mangle. He hadn't failed to notice the interaction between the two mysterious animatronics of the group though either. He was still quite curious about the puppet, and the golden bear that hardly left their side. The golden bear hardly seemed to fuss about anything, but if the marionette was in danger he almost seemed to be in a panic.

"You still with us Fredbear?" Freddy asked.

Fredbear nodded, "Sorry was just thinking about something. I'm quite curious about it actually. Golden and the puppet, they seem inseparable. Is there any reason for that?"

"They care for one another deeply" Toy Freddy responded looking at the puppet and golden bear, "Neither one will really admit it, but if anyone ever did anything to try and hurt Marionette Golden would tear them apart. The same applies if anyone tried to hurt Golden too…..and if anyone tried to hurt any of us….It'll be a bad day for them."

"What can we say? We're protective of our "children" all of them" Marionette spoke looking at Fredbear.

"Children?" Fredbear asked curious.

Golden nodded, "Marionette gave the toy and other models the gift of life. I had shared my powers with my fellow models and have looked after them since. Since then we have found it's much easier for us to watch over them together. We're just one big happy family in a sense."

"I think I understand" Fredbear rubbed his chin, "Since I'm still new to this whole shadow thing just what are we capable of?"

Freddy chuckled, "I learned the hard way with a crash course. What do you think Bon, should he get the crash course too?"

Before the toy rabbit could even answer they immediately went after Fredbear causing the old mascot to be caught off guard. Barely dodging the toy he noticed that it meant business, and that was probably a good thing in this instance. Fredbear watched a few times as Bon managed land a few hits, and then retaliated and managed to throw the toy back and winced as Bon fell to the ground. The toy rabbit struggled to get up slightly and reverted back to their normal form. Fredbear quickly rushed to the toy rabbit and kneeled in front of them, "I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you!?"

Bon shook his head but kept his eyes closed, "We seem to be able to do something else now. You watched as I lent my strength to Mangle against Springtrap….it seems that the three of us may be capable of it. So while I rest…. someone else wanted to join in on the fun."

Before either of the other shadows could ask Toy Freddy quickly tripped them and stood by his resting friend, "Bon, you're sure this won't hurt you?"

"I'm sure Freddy" Bon responded and opened one of his eyes revealing it to be normal.

Toy Chica and the others watched as Toy Freddy wrestled with Freddy and Fredbear with Bon's lent strength. It was something she couldn't quite understand; the shadows were able to lend their strength to those who needed it. Part of her wondered how they were able to do so, and if it had any effects on the shadows themselves. Once Toy Freddy was done having his rumble with his counterpart and Fredbear Bon opened his other eye and got up stretching. He noticed that the toy chicken looked concerned and decided to ease her worries, "Don't worry it doesn't really affect us. If anything we're still the ones who are doing the damage, it's just someone else throwing the punches. It's only for dire times, besides that just leave Spingtrap and Larry to us."

"Bonnie…" Toy Chica looked down sadly, "Not this time, we're all in this together! I want to do everything I can as well to keep our family safe!"

Toy Freddy nodded as did everyone else. It was true that the shadows were the ones who took on most of the burden, but they shouldn't have to handle it alone. Freddy chuckled slightly and thanked his friends for their support, and that he would do everything in his power to put an end to Springtrap. Fredbear nodded in agreement as did Bon, it was the three of them against the demented remains of Spring Bonnie and the murderer. Though it didn't seem like it, the odds were even for both sides. Freddy and the others were certain that Springtrap would try to lure someone away again, and thus claim another victim to gain more power.

They weren't sure if it would be one of them, or an innocent child. It didn't matter though their main priority was the safety of everyone in the building. Their attention was pulled away as they noticed Mike walked into the building looking extremely angry and upset.

"Mike you alright?" Bonnie called.

The guard looked to the rabbit, "I'm envious of you Bonnie. You and your little brother get along so well….I got into a fight with Leo…he's hanging out with a bad crowd right now…I'm just so worried but he won't listen to anything I say!"

"Is there anything we can do to help?" BB asked.

Mike sighed and rubbed his temple, "Go easy on me tonight at least? I need to keep calling to try and see where he is….I'm worried."

Freddy and the others nodded, "Do what you need to do then Mike. We'll just stay close to ensure that someone doesn't try anything."

"Thanks guys, I appreciate it" Mike responded and made his way for the office with the animatronics behind him. He was terrified that the group his brother was hanging with was nothing but bad news. Most of them had records for being vandals and breaking into places. He knew Leo was upset that he refused to let him come back to the building since Springtrap had become more aggressive. His worst fear is that Leo and his new "friends" would try to break into the building, and what made him sick was the thought that Springtap would harm them.

=End=