BOOM!
A flurry of rocks and cement was sent flying in all directions.
"Annnd, there we go. An exit." Flash casually pointed at the gaping hole in the wall. Beside him stood a bulky animal, carrying a red I-beam girder and looking quite satisfied with his work. Flash grinned at his friend clad in a construction vest, then took a few steps forward. "Heh—guy's a natural at wrecking AND building stuff."
His companions, one of them, didn't seem too thrilled about the idea…
"I hope the company won't bill you for that," Fox muttered, staring at the exit with wide eyes.
"We're leaving now; they won't know who did it," Flash responded, waving a dismissive hand.
"Yeah, but they have security cameras—"
"Nobody'll go back," Flash cut in quickly, walking forward briskly.
Fox gave a deadpan expression at this, then sighed to himself, trying to keep up with Flash.
Flash paused mid-step, then glanced at the older man with a more serious expression.
"…where's Toxic?"
"Kidnapped by Bowser?" Fox joked, then glanced behind him. He blinked and stared blankly. The girl was missing.
"Oh, great…" Flash muttered, dragging his hand down his face.
"…okay, I didn't mean for the joke to actually happen," Fox mumbled, looking around quickly.
"Hold down the fort, Paul," Flash ordered, then walked back to the gaping hole. The Gurdurr nodded and glanced around cautiously.
The boy stopped at the hole, then called out gently:
"Toxic? There's an exit now!" he called. "We can leave this freaky place!"
Flash couldn't hear anything; not immediately. At first, he couldn't understand why Toxic didn't want to leave… unless something had happened to her. He was raring to go back in, but… But after a few seconds, he heard it. Whimpering. Whimpering that sounded like it was from a piteous mutt, full of terror and sadness. And then, sobbing.
It was definitely Toxic, but Flash had a hard time believing that… he'd rarely heard her in this state.
"Toxic?" he called again, furthering into the diner. His footsteps echoed throughout the building, until this sound ceased at the sight of a girl, curled up and leaning against a wall in the hall. She stared blankly, tears rolling down her eyes. Her sounds of sorrow had ceased, seemingly, and Flash's brow creased.
"Hey…"
His gaze drifted down onto something that had seemingly dropped out of her hands. It looked like… a totem? Whatever the case, it looked old…
He reached down to take it, but Toxic's hand gently slapped him away.
"Tox—?"
"N-no!" her voice broke, cracked and in shock. "Don't pick that up!"
"…" Flash frowned at her, most definitely concerned. "…okay. I won't pick it up. But we need to get out of here, Toxic."
"I ju-just need a minute…" she responded, visibly shaking. What happened…? Why was she acting this way?
The pair waited in silence, until Toxic pulled herself to her feet. Half way through, Flash assisted her, and she blinked at him, before giving a weak smile.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm f-fine. Just… let's go, okay?" Her response was quick, a little too quick for Flash's taste, and she soon briskly walked down the hall, towards the hole. It seemed she was very eager to get out…
Staring after her for a moment, Flash shook his head. He frowned slightly before setting off after her, thinking about what she could have possibly seen. He stopped momentarily, and glanced back at the totem on the floor. It was animalistic, and… just out of place, even in the Fazbear establishment. He didn't trust it at all, but…
He told Toxic that he wouldn't pick it up. So he wouldn't. He'd keep to his word. He trusted she knew what she was doing…
Eventually, he reached the exit again, soon spotting Paul keeping an eye out, and Fox and Toxic conversing.
"Man, are you alright?" Fox stared at her with a firm expression. "You're all red… It looks like you've been crying…"
"I-I'm fine. Don't worry about me," Toxic responded, forcing a chipper smile. "Just… the nerves and everything. It'll pass!"
Fox was suspicious at that.
The nerves had gotten to her a while ago, whilst she was in the office with him. She'd been very frightened, but regardless kept going, maintaining a positive outlook on the situation, despite her description of feeling pessimistic. She wasn't crying then… but she was now. So she must have seen something her own cheery spirits couldn't have combat… but what?
Whatever the case, he had a feeling it wouldn't 'pass'.
"Okay, we're all out now," Flash walked up behind them, then glanced around. "How to go about fixing this…"
"You g-guys seen Darky?" Toxic asked, drying her eyes and trying her best to regain her voice. She didn't want her friend to notice too… she disliked worrying everyone. "Sh-she was doing something to help out…"
"She's here too?" Fox blinked, then shrugged. "I'm just going to assume everyone on the forum is going to be here."
"No fourth wall jokes, Fox! That poor thing has suffered enough!" Toxic perked up again, pointing at him accusingly.
"Really?"
"Yeah! Especially since we're living, walking fourth wall breakers!" She flailed.
Fox shrugged in response, rolling his eyes with a smile.
Flash chuckled. She was herself again.
Though that still didn't stop him worrying.
"So, Darky's here," Flash got them both back on track. "Where'd she go?"
"Well… um… she told me to go inside this building for safety—"
"…not the best place."
"It was the only option, okay?" Toxic pouted. "Darky was looking out for me; there was nowhere else! Besides, whatever she's fighting… I was hopeless against. At least in FNAF, you have actual DOORS to defend yourself! Not a crummy piece of wood!"
"Still didn't change that they were trying to kill us," Fox added in. Toxic was about to add to that, but couldn't think of something to talk back with. Instead, she pointed.
"Okay. How about this? FNAF, or THOSE guys?!"
Fox's pupils shrunk.
"...okay, I take FNAF."
There was a vast wall of white closing in; it was moving, shifting… but that was only because it was made out of a vast amount of living organisms. They were moving, exposing their teeth, exposing their fearful appearance. Worst of all, they were multiplying; they were layering themselves, getting bigger and bigger, and taller and taller.
Flash scowled at this enemy, and glanced at Paul with a wary expression. The Gurdurr noted this expression, and soon mirrored his master's. Toxic squeaked fearfully and hid behind Fox, closing her eyes and pretty sure a plank of wood wouldn't help her this time.
"Where's Darky?! Where's Sonic?! They were meant… they were meant to be fighting these guys! They were meant to be beating them! Where are they?!" Toxic panicked, looking painfully worried.
"I'm sure they're fine, Toxic…" Flash muttered.
"Flash? We got a plan?" Fox asked, glancing at the younger one hopefully.
"Heh. Now?" Flash asked, looking at Fox with a serious expression.
"Oh, no…" The man's eyes widened. "You're… You're not thinking of fighti—?"
"Hell no! RUN!"
The pair suddenly ran left, and Toxic opened her eyes, squeaking in fear.
"WAIT FOR ME, PEEPS!"
"Paul! Return!" Flash yelled, holding out his Pokéball. Soon enough, the Gurdurr vanished in a flash of red light, and he attached the ball to his belt quickly. He withdrew another one, throwing it into the air.
"Crystal! We need you again, girl!"
The black and white creature surfaced from the light, letting out a cry, and one the equivalent of 'wut' at the sight of the massive wall of critters after them.
Slowing down, she allowed Flash to jump on. The boy turned around, looking for the nearest person to help up.
"Fox!"
"You sure I won't get shocked or anything?!" he called, squinting at the Zebstrika cautiously.
"This isn't a Ponyta! You'll be fine; come on!"
Reaching his hand out, the boy leaned over one side of his friend, nearing Fox's suddenly-moving hand. After a few tries, they managed, hands connecting and gripping firmly. Flash pulled Fox on, with a little bit of difficulty. Fox was lurched over the back of Crystal, and had to cope with the speed of the Pokémon whilst trying to steady himself on the ride carefully.
"Right! Where's Toxic?!"
"I'M HEREEEEE!" came a scream, Toxic running, but obviously lagging. Toxic was not necessarily good in the stamina department… she'd have to stop soon…
Her eyes scanned their source of transport, and she immediately frowned. There wouldn't be enough space for her without risking everyone falling off…
"Flash! We need to slow down; I don't think she could reach us!"
"Yeah! I had too much sugar!" Toxic agreed.
"I'd say that everyday…" Fox grumbled.
"What was that?!"
"Nothing!"
"Alright, slowing down—"
"Wait!" Toxic breathed. "There's no space for me! I—I'll hide!"
"Don't give me that bull! It doesn't work!" Flash narrowed his eyes. "Now hang on—!"
Suddenly, time seemed to slow down; it went from a fast-paced situation to a sluggish one. Toxic turned to see the wall lurching forward towards her…
…only to be decimated by a Shock Wave of electricity.
She stared in shock as they fell to the floor, momentarily stunned, and had little time to react when she was hauled onto the back of the zebra-like creature that had seemingly come back for her.
There was little space left, but… she'd been put in the middle. Poor Fox was close to falling off at the back.
Fox looked extremely unbalanced, and looked down at the floor that was just begging for a floor kiss.
"Uh… we aren't gonna' be long on this thing, are we?"
"We'll be on it long enough," Flash responded, staring forward.
Toxic stared down at the clip-clopping heels on Crystal and looked at Flash curiously. Her eyes lit up slightly, and she gave a meek smile.
…yeah. These are my friends.
"Fla-Flash—"
"Can we talk later?" he asked, abruptly. "Kinda in the middle of defying our deaths."
"…okay," the female responded with a nod. Flash's behaviour had shifted… he'd seemed so… caring and good-humoured before… well… he was still that now, but when his friends were threatened… he'd turned quickly, and Toxic found expressing her thanks difficult at this point in time. She sighed quietly.
She was so useless… she hated it.
Fox, clinging on for dear life, glanced to see the wall decreasing in size.
"We're getting further away!"
"But that still doesn't fix the problem…" Toxic muttered sadly. "I hope Darky and Sonikku are okay…"
"Toxic, they'll be fine. It's Darky. And Sonic. Need I explain?" Fox asked with an optimistic smile.
"…nah," she responded with a small smile. "I have faith… but… I still worry…"
"That's confusing logic," Fox replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
"It is… but that's what I live with." The female author chuckled to herself. "This day has been… the most awful day ever, but…"
"If you say something cheesy, then I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'll have to put you down." Fox acquired sunglasses!
"…where did you get those?"
"FNAF place. Stashed in the corner. I guess the night guard wears them when he's completely owning the animatronics." Fox shrugged.
"That's cool…" Toxic laughed. "But seriously, you cannot halt the cheesey stuff! That's our most powerful weapon!"
"Guys…"
"Don't make me hurt you, Toxic!"
"If thou does be brutish, I shall be brutish back; I will kick you off dis ride, boi!"
"That was… an odd mix of eras."
"OFF DIS R—"
"GUYS. If I have to say 'guys' again—"
"We're sorry, Flashy-kun!" Toxic frowned, turning her attention away from Fox and to Flash. Fox sweatdropped and then looked ahead.
"…That's…"
"A city. Big one," Flash answered, his gaze focused on the horizon.
"Then there's hope!" Toxic grinned happily.
"…no. There's only despair."
"…eh?! W.T.F.?!"
"Stop, Crystal!"
The Zebstrika skidded to a stop, and then glanced around, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. She looked slightly protective of the group as she took a couple of steps back.
A shadow was cast in front of them… this shifted, and there stepped something round, big… noticeably black and white with a terrifying red indentation for an eye.
"…! IT'S SO CUTE, I'M GOING TO DIE!" Toxic screamed. Then paused. "…huh, those actually represent my feelings and scenario here."
Flash's expression grew repugnant; he KNEW what this meant!
"This isn't good… Crystal—"
"Stop."
Behind this robotic creature, stepped a boy, wearing a mask and clad in a cloak. His sombre gaze scanned them, seemingly showing signs of inspection.
"…I'm not going to kill you, you fucking scrubs."
Suddenly, everyone found themselves grinning at this insult.