A/N: I'm not really satisfied with this chapter, but I'm posting it anyway. The ending's a bit abrupt, but we finally shed some light on some missing characters.
-{[(•)]}-
It was midnight, and everyone was powered down or asleep. The building had become a bit crowded with so many occupants, so everyone was paired off to sleep in different room.
Loud banging on the backdoor startled some of the nearby animatronics into powering up.
One of them was Bonnie, who decided to investigate. He peered around the corner into the small space that housed the back door. His ears jerked up in surprise at the sight that met his optics.
"Oh no."
The rabbit quickly darted away to get the others.
He was back.
-[]-
"Everyone get to the security office! It's an emergency!" Bonnie whisper-shouted into each room he passed.
"Wha'?" Foxy slurred softly, stumbling after him. "Wha's tha problem?"
"I'll tell you when everyone's safe!" The purple animatronic responded anxiously.
Everyone was crowded into the small office, and the large entrance was quickly covered.
"What's happening?" Jeremy asked as he sat up. Bonnie shuffled back and forth, panicking too much to speak for a moment.
"He's back!"
Tired glares met the rabbit's soft exclamation.
"Who?" Freddy snapped and adjusted his bowtie. Fred nodded the sentiment beside him, rubbing one of his optics to remove some specks of dust.
"Him!" Bonnie waved his arms frantically. "The one who took the form of Golden Bonnie!"
There were a few gasps.
"Who?" Jeremy repeated irritably.
"He... He's evil," Chi twittered, flapping her hands worriedly. "He... killed children at our restaurants!"
Mangle made an odd hiccuping sound and Balloon Boy hid under the desk that had been pushed against the large entrance.
"He what?!" Mike suddenly cried. "No! No no no!"
"Mike?" Jeremy questioned, reaching out to settle the eight year old. "What's wrong?"
"Fritz went to get some water!"
-[]-
The redhead hummed quietly, filling up the paper cup. The kitchens were unusually warm- probably from all the baking Chica and Chi did now.
He sipped at his water for a moment, thinking. He was glad they had found a home. He missed his mommy and daddy sometimes, but they went to the special place, so now he had Mike and Jeremy. It had been scary living outside though, especially when someone got sick or the bad men found them. He'd always wanted a cool house like this, with lots of friends and food.
Finished pondering, the six year old wandered out into the dining area. He thought he saw a shadow moving on the other side, but nothing had hurt them since they came here, so he wasn't worried.
Unless it was a dog. He got attacked by a dog once and now he didn't like any of them. They were scary.
The boy moved past the party rooms just in time to see a flash of something disappearing into the vent. He also noticed that the animatronics who slept there, weren't there. Where'd they go?
By the time he reached their room, he was starting to get nervous. He hadn't seen anybody! Did they all leave him? He didn't want anyone else to leave him! He couldn't miss everyone else too! What if they went to the special place without him?!
He stopped short at the wall that seemed to have suddenly appeared. He reached out and pushed at it lightly, feeling the firmness.
"Guys?" He called tearfully. "Jerry? Mikey?" When no answer came, he touched the wall again, "Hello?"
-[]-
It was after Mike's announcement that everyone really began to panic. They started to pull at their makeshift wall, trying to get out and drag the six year old to safety.
That's when they heard it.
Something was coming through the vents!
Mike started to cry, weeping weakly into Jeremy's shoulder. The eleven year old stood as tall as possible, though he still looked quite terrified. The animatronics quickly moved the remaining furniture in front of the vent openings.
"What if it's Fritz?!" Mike sobbed. "What if he's a zombie now?!"
"He's not a zombie," Jeremy assured, not adding on the small 'I think' that wanted to escape. "We'll stop the evil guy and then we'll rescue Fritz and everything will be okay, right?"
"No! Fritz is out there with a murderer! He's gonna... gonna-"
"Mike, you gotta breathe!"
"I-I can't!"
"Ya couldn't speak if ya couldn't breathe," Foxy grumbled, but he looked anxious. He came over and gently pulled the eight year old to his chest. "You'll see, little one. Captain and Fred over there can fight off anyone who tries ta hurt you boys." Mike hiccuped but seemed to calm some.
"He's gone," Bon Bon announced. "We could use the other vent to get out there and grab Fritz?"
"We'll have to be quick! We need someone small and fast to go!" Fred ordered.
Balloon Boy darted over, waving his arms wildly. Before anyone could object, he disappeared through the vent.
"Well, at least he's good for something," Bon Bon muttered.
-[]-
Fritz started to cry after a few minutes of no one answering him. He kept trying to call for them through his tears, but it was difficult. His breathing was getting rough, and he was getting a little light headed. His legs were getting weak, so let himself plop down to the ground.
"Hello," a soft voice called. The redhead jumped and turned around. Through the tears, the boy could make out the vague shape of a rabbit. He held out his arms, sniffling. "Are you hurt, child?" The yellow animatronic scooped him up, carefully placing him away from any exposed wires or damaged parts. Fritz shook his head.
"N-no," he whimpered. He rubbed his eyes. "Everybody left!"
"They did not leave," the rabbit assured. "They are hiding, from me I presume."
"You? Why?" Fritz questioned. "Who are you?"
"I am... an old friend," the animatronic murmured. "Some bad things happened, and they do not like me much anymore."
"That's sad!" The six year old frowned. "They should forgive you! Jerry and Mikey always forgive me when I mess up, and so did Mommy and Daddy!"
"That is why I am here," a crooked, broken grin emerged. "I will ask for their forgiveness."
"And when they forgive you they can fix you up and help you feel better!" The little boy smiled, a small gap in his teeth. The animatronic liked this one; it was adorable.
"Hello?" A timid voice called. "Hi! Hello! Hi!"
"BB!" Fritz beamed, looking around his new friend to see the helium-filled animatronic. "Look! I found your friend!"
"Ah, Balloon Child-" the yellow rabbit began, but the smaller animatronic squeaked in fright and began to retreat. "No! Wait!"
"He just wants to say sorry!" Fritz cried, squirming to chase after the little robot. But BB was gone. "Why'd he do that?"
"They are scared of me..." The rabbit whispered. "I knew it, but I did not understand it. I suppose I must take my leave."
"No!" The redhead scowled. "Tell me your name and I'll go make them listen."
"My name is Springtrap," the rabbit sighed. "You may try, child, but they will not listen. I have done much and do not deserve forgiveness."
"Springy, no! We'll get this all figured out, and then we can all be friends!" Fritz insisted. He pushed himself down and darted away. "Stay there!"
Springtrap sighed with a smile and sat on the tiled floor.
-[]-
"Guys!" Fritz called and crawled through the vent. He couldn't believe he hadn't thought of this before! He even saw Springtrap try to go in! "It's Fritz! I gotta talk to you!"
"Fritz?!"
Jeremy pulled him out of the vent and gave him a crushing hug. Mike worried over him, checking for injuries.
"Oh, we were so worried! Are you okay? What did he do to you? How are you? Did he hurt you? Are you injured? What did he say? Balloon Boy saw you! Oh, please, don't scare me like that again!" The brunette rambled.
"What? No, you've got it all wrong! He's really nice, and he just wants to apologize! He was so friendly and he made me feel better and-"
"Fritz, he killed people," Mike fretted, stroking the vibrant red hair. "He hurt kids!"
"That doesn't make sense!" Fritz shouted. "He just wants to be friends again! He's really sad and upset!"
"He lied to you!" Jeremy snapped. "He wants to destroy everybody! He's evil!"
"No... No!" Fritz shrieked. "Just talk to him! You'll see!"
"Fine!" Foxy snarled. "Let's talk to tha scum, an' then we can tell 'im ta get lost!" The old animatronic ripped into the makeshift wall, bringing it down with a loud CRSSSSH.
Springtrap stood hesitantly on the other side of the wall; he made no moves towards any of the animatronics or children. Fred and Freddy stepped forward, postures defensive.
"Springtrap," Freddy greeted lowly.
"I came to apologize," the rabbit gulped softly. "I regret all that I have done, and that He made me do. I-" He broke down for a moment, flinching and fidgeting. "I cannot stand the thought of all that has... occurred at my hands."
He made a sound suspiciously like a sob.
"If you do not wish for my return, then there shall not be one-"
Everyone was startled by the bright flash of gold that filled the room.
"Spring!" A golden bear darted forward.
"Goldie?" Springtrap whimpered. They embraced.
"Ah'm so sorry," 'Goldie' breathed. "I saw what was happening and did nothing to stop it. I could have, I could have prevented most of it, I suppose. But He used me just as much!" The bear turned to the rest of the animatronics. "It wasn't Spring's fault! He messed with our programming, messed with our parts! We had no choice!"
"This seems to be a recurring theme," Marion muttered.
"We'll forgive you," Fred offered to the distraught animatronics. "We'll always forgive what you couldn't control."
"Thank you," Springtrap practically wept. "Thank you!"
-{[(•)]}-
They were finally happy...
Right until Mike got so sick he couldn't walk. The cold weather started to set in, and the river started to freeze. Their resources dropped away one by one until they were desperate.
Jeremy remembered the homeless shelter and soup kitchen he had seen several times on his way to work. Maybe they could get help for Mike!
The people were very friendly and caring. They gave them warm beds and medicine and food like they hadn't had in months. They carried Mike and Fritz everywhere, and the other homeless people taught Jeremy how to play poker.
Everything changed when the police arrived.
They went for Mike and Fritz first. The six year old panicked and managed to escape out the back door, but Mike was too sick to even get out of bed.
Jeremy could still remember his best friend's struggle for breath as the police officer carried him out to the car.
Then the police tried to get Jeremy to go with them. When he refused, they tried to physically steer him in to the car, promising it was for his own good.
He fought them off with everything he had. He ripped open the car door and quickly carried Mike away. The police might have been able to stop him if he hadn't thought to hide in the first dumpster he found. The only reason he even won the fight against them was because he played dirty and kept outwitting them.
Fritz came to them later that night, shivering and weak with fear. Jeremy snuggled his boys close and swore to never go to another homeless shelter. They hid out until the morning came, then they hopped on the next bus to the nearest city.
Jeremy thought the view from the window might have been familiar, but he dismissed it and cautiously fell asleep.
-{[(•)]}-
A/N: Any connections from that last memory?
QUESTION OF THE UPDATE: How many of you watch GTLive, Markiplier, or Pewdipie? I'm just really curious, since their popularity seems to keep growing and growing!