The Second Victim: Golden's Stand

A/N: It's come to my attention that I'm either halfway done with this story or at least three forths of the way. As usual I only own Leo, Crackers, Larry, the kits, and the minor characters. Everyone else belongs to Scott Cawthon. This chapter will contain a "death", but please enjoy regardless. I also want to thank everyone for their feedback I do appreciate it. Please enjoy everyone.

Leo looked at the now collapsed Marionette that laid in Toy Freddy's arms. Hearing the screams of Golden Freddy and Springtrap sent shivers down his spine. Looking around he noticed that the animatronics bore the same troubled expression as himself and his brother. Bon, Freddy, and Fredbear looked especially troubled and at the door constantly as if they wanted to go past it. Freddy reached for the door until a voice snapped him back to attention.

"Don't any of you even think about it!" Golden could be heard from down the hall.

Freddy shook his head, "You can't face him alone!"

"You WILL let me do this on my own, Freddy. The same applies to you two as well….Bon, Fredbear, Freddy I know you want to help but this is something I must do alone. I need the three of you to remain there to keep everyone else safe. I know what the outcome of this will be, but I am not afraid either." Fredbear spoke and blocked a swing from Larry's controlled body.

Toy Chica looked down, "Goldy why!? Marionette is going to be crushed without you!"

Golden chuckled as he threw Larry back, "They're stronger than they look….Besides this isn't the end for either of us. Please just keep them safe, and never let them feel like they're alone."

Before anyone could respond the golden bear forced Springtrap from the hallway and back towards the main room. Golden Freddy knew that in reality he wouldn't stand much of a chance against Springtrap inhabiting Larry's body. However, all he had to do was ensure that the shadow remained occupied until 6 AM, then he'd be dormant until the next night. Gold knew fully well though that he would most likely be destroyed tonight, but was able to rest knowing that the shadow wouldn't be able to absorb any of his strength. The moment he gave his tie and hat to Leo he had transferred all of his strength to Marionette the instant they touched the items. He had prepared for the worst, and expected it to come as Larry began his assault once more.

"You're stalling" Springtrap finally spoke.

Gold nodded, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I just don't see you being worth my time to fight."

"You're bluffing" the shadow snarled and went after the golden bear once more, "Maybe I should just go destroy the one thing you seem to cherish!"

Golden quickly grabbed Larry and threw them across the room, "If you lay as so much as a stand on them I will tear you from limb to limb!"

Springtrap laughed and exited Larry's body, "You know fully well that while I'm like this there isn't anything you can do to stop me. Why would the mighty Golden Freddy attempt to take on something like me? What is your true plan? What are you really trying to protect? If it's those rotten children, I doubt they'd ever be able to appreciate a sacrifice like yours. All four of them are little brats."

Goldy shook his head and made a mental note to chew out the shadows realizing one of them had lent their strength, and he had a pretty good idea on who it was too. He had to give Freddy credit, he was indeed hardhead and stubborn when he wished to be. He turned his attention back to Springtrap and threw him back once more, "Three of them are horrendous little monsters I do agree there. Breaking into a place and vandalizing it is something even I won't stand for. However, the one you tried to kill tonight he's a sweet boy who just got pulled into the wrong crowd. I can only assume that it's due to the fact that he's been tied off from his usual friends he sees every Friday night since you arrived. He's been all alone due to an effort to keep him safe!"

Springtrap started to laugh, "You are that attached to a mere child!? And what will you do when you no longer interest them? When they move on from this childish world."

Leo couldn't take it anymore and found the intercom system, "I'll never lose interest in this place! You want to know why Springtrap!? It's because over time these characters have gained a special place in the hearts of many children, and I'm one of them as well! Come on Goldy…y-you aren't going to let some creepy kid stalker beat you…right?"

Golden chuckled a little and then revealed his endoskeleton eyes. Something he only did when the children were around, or he was extremely irritated. Without a second thought the golden bear began their assault on Springtrap, and the shadow of the demented man and machine was quick to retaliate. Mike and the others watched in agony as Springtrap started to tear Golden apart and laughed as the bear started to cease functioning. Just as Springtrap was going to land the final blow Golden started to laugh as the bell began to chime indicating that 6 AM had come. With his final amount of strength, he teleported himself to the back room. He collapsed against the wall and noticed that the shadows of Bon and Freddy were waiting for him. Shaking his head, he looked to his friends, "Take care of them, please keep them safe. Bon…keep practicing and finding the abilities that you and the others are capable of…teach the other two. Freddy, You've already shown you can be a great leader…. keep doing so."

Freddy nodded, "What about Mari? What should we tell them?"

"I can only hope they remain asleep a little longer." Golden groaned as he started to shut down.

However, once the golden bear heard the faint sound of pop goes the weasel they knew that it was not the case. He watched weakly as the Marionette entered the room and fell next to them. Though they were only a mask, the golden bear was no stranger to being able to read the puppets expression. With an uneasy hand he pulled the distraught puppet to him, "Mari…. listen…"

The puppet shook their head and turned to the shadows of their friends, "Please if you would."

Freddy and Bon nodded and returned back to the office and looked towards their friends. Leo looked down and then to the restored bear, "Freddy, is the puppet going to hate me now? It's my fault that Golden that he-"

"That's enough Leo." Freddy started and pulled the troubled boy into a hug, "I fear that Golden fighting Springtrap was going to happen eventually. Next time your brother tells you to not come here please listen. You were fortunate enough to be able to outwit him this time around, and for the three of you."

The three bullies looked up at Freddy, fear evident was in their eyes. They watched as the large brown bear talked quietly to the lavender rabbit and soon the two nodded. Without any warning the rabbit ripped their face off and looked at the children, "Get out, leave the child alone. If you ever return to this place, I will ensure you regret it."

Without saying anything the children screamed in fear and ran from the building and out the window that they had snuck in. Mike sighed and looked to his kid brother, "Let's go home."

"Not yet!" Leo wiped his eyes, "I have to see him!"

Before Mike could protest Leo rushed out of the office and made his way for the back room and noticed that the puppet was apparently crying into the golden bear's suit. Uneasily the boy approached the two animatronics and fell to the floor, something was most likely dying because of him. Marionette looked up noticing the boy and wiped some stray oil away from their eyes, "Yes, Leo?"

Leo looked down and hung his head, "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault…I….I took away someone you held dear to you."

"That is true, you did" Mari started and then approached the boy lifting their head up to meet them in the eyes, "But I can't think of any other way he would have chosen to temporarily leave this place. I am quite upset with you, you out of all people know better about this place."

Leo looked back down feeling tears form once more, "Marionette, I have a question. C-Can I take some of the fabric from Goldy's suit?"

"Why?" Mari asked quite curious.

Golden chuckled weakly, "Take what you need Leo, I won't be needing it."

Leo nodded and approached the bear and started to take some of the casing, "Golden….t-thank you…I….I really messed up didn't I?"

Golden shook their head, "You're young these things happen. Tell me what do you need this for?"

Mari watched as the young boy leaned in close and whispered something to the golden bear who seemed to nod in agreement. Their attention then turned as they felt a hand take their own and realized it was Toy Chica who looked worried about them. Everyone else gathered around the puppet as well showing their concern for their wellbeing. The kits approached Goldy and looked down sadly realizing the bear was no longer functioning, "Papa, what happens when we quit functioning?"

Foxy was struggling to find the right words until Mangle stepped in and pulled the kits close, "We just go to sleep until we're fixed and rebooted."

"Nothing else?" Morgan asked obviously scared.

Mangle nodded, "Nothing else, I promise."

Everyone turned their attention to Golden and realized that there would be no one to read to them in the Prize Corner now. Marionette sighed and returned to their box and looked at the books that lined the shelf. With Goldy gone for the time being they knew if there was anything that the golden bear would want, it would be to continue to spread cheer and happiness to the children. As the day started they noticed that children were already gathering but looked extremely confused and constantly asked where the golden bear was.

"Goldy had to go away for a bit to start feeling better" Mari cooed to the children who seemed to understand to a degree.

"Will he come back?" one girl asked.

Mari nodded and sat down cross legged with the children around them, "Until then will it be okay if I read to you?"

"Of course!" The kids cheered happily and one handed a book to the puppet.

Freddy and the others watched from the show stage and Pirate's Cove as Mari started to read to the children that visited them. A part of their world had gone missing, and was shipped off to be repaired. With Goldy gone Freddy knew that one his top priorities now would be to keep Mari safe and the toy models safe, and on top of that to keep tabs on Springtrap. The restored bear was starting to feel overwhelmed by feeling two hands on his shoulders and one take his he noticed that his friends were there for the long haul. The restored bear nodded and started to sing once more as their performance started for the fourth time that day. All the while he kept looking at Larry who seemed to remain dormant even as children looked at him. He wasn't the only one keeping an eye on the eagle, Fredbear made constant trips outside of his room to ensure the eagle hadn't moved.

'It's only going to get worse from here. Can we really stop him? Do we really stand a chance against two entities that are almost entirely evil? Gold, you place a lot of trust in us. Please hurry back we'll need you.' Fredbear thought troubled as the children and their parents started to leave.

=End=