Second Interlude Chapter.
...
"Hello, hello, hey there, my friend
Welcome to our warm valley!
We'd love to hear your stories of old
Today you sing with Freddy!"
Freddy loved practicing his songs atop the emerald hill; it was the best place to stay. The bear could look at the sunrise before him, gracing the entire valley with its light. Seeing the rising Sun along with singing birds and feeling the cool wind that danced on his fur beneath the trees' shade made Freddy's voice bloom. He felt like he could perform anything he wanted like the whole world was his to take. Those were one of the best moments, along with when he sang with Chica and Bonnie. But today, he felt that there was someone else behind him, a familiar scent coming from the shadows of the nearby bush. Maybe Bonnie woke up earlier and followed him? No, it didn't seem like him.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Freddy said playfully, still half-singing. He didn't think it would be anyone malicious. After all, the Beast was gone, and the valley was free from her grasp.
"Oh, Freddy, you've found me again!" A girl's voice rang from the bush before a smiling cat emerged; she had pink fur and a hat similar to Freddy's. "Since when did your scent get so precise?"
"Kitty!" Freddy exclaimed, ecstatic to see his adoptive sister. What a pleasant surprise. I didn't know you came over here!" She lived in another place, the feline village, where Freddy spent much time during his childhood before leaving for the larger valley. "What a pleasant surprise! I didn't know you wanted to come over."
"I couldn't help it! I really want to see my little brother do what he loves so much, performance! I heard you and your friends were doing very well here. Everyone absolutely adores you. Can you tell me a bit more?" Kitty smiled playfully as he lay on her stomach and looked at Freddy with anticipation. There was a lot to tell; indeed, they hadn't had a chance to properly talk ever since the band's voyage to the fountain of youth.
"Oh, we just had our celebratory performance a few days ago in honor of saving the valley from Kragara and her evil crew! Everyone clapped and cheered. They loved our performance! Can you imagine? For the first time, our little band was before the entire valley. Chica was delighted, Bonnie was finally able to not be shy, and even our new friends, Foxy and Roxie, were there."
"Oh, I should've been there…But I'll come to the next one, I promise." She said with slight shame in her voice; Freddy knew that she would gladly come.
"You know, I have an idea. How about we compensate for it…By going on a journey together? Everyone is at peace now, and I don't have many plans for today. We can literally go everywhere we want!" Freddy explained with a jolly voice, noticing a smile emerge on Kitty's face.
"I love it!" The cat jumped on her paws. "But…Where should we go?"
With so many opportunities, a poignant question was brought to their attention.
- Where should we go?
- Uh…I don't really know; there are so many cool places, but…
- Maybe they'd want to come back to the youth fountain? I think Freddy would love to show it to Kitty.
- No, but it's too dangerous there…Hmm, maybe the bunny burrows? They can go and meet Bonnie and all others there!
- I like it…But wait, didn't you say that Bonnie is with Freddy in the valley?
- Yeah, but…It doesn't matter. He might have gone home last night.
- True…Ok, then, we can go there!
"The bunny burrows!" Freddy exclaimed in excitement. "Yes, I'm sure that Bonnie would be delighted to see us."
"Yay! It's been a while since I've been there; it will be so cool to see that place again."
And so the two began their journey towards the bunny burrows. Freddy didn't plan to start an adventure so quickly after his previous one, but he was more than glad to take on the opportunity. He was never one to enjoy staying in a single place when there was so much more to do and explore, the world was beautiful, and he wanted to make the most out of his time in it. And while they crossed the forests and sunny plains.
"Does Bonnie have a lot of friends?" Kitty wondered. "I heard bunnies live in really big families; it must be very loud in there."
"He said he didn't have that many before meeting me and Chica." Freddy shook his head. "But he was really close with his cousin from the nearby burrow. I think her name is Vanny. She came to our performance on that day to support Bonnie."
"Ooh, I would've met her back then if I visited…Well, time to fix that mistake, then." Kitty giggled. "And before we arrive, can you sing some of your songs to me? I love it when you sing. It must be one of my favorite sounds ever."
"Oh, you flatter me…"
"Come on, Freddy, I know you can do it!"
"Well…Ahem." Freddy took out the magical mic that he always carried with himself.
"Hello, hello, hey there, my friend…"
Freddy didn't expect to be so entranced in his own singing, but he couldn't help it. It was so fun, even when Kitty was his only audience. He would sing louder and louder as all the birds around him joined it, starting to sing like a large chorus. It was something truly magical, and Kitty giggled as she watched this wonderful display. With so much fun to have, their road felt much shorter than it actually was…
- Can I stop now?
- Come on, Chris, I love your singing! No one can hear us here anyway.
- I don't know; I think it sounds a bit silly…
- Don't say that. It's very cute.
- If you say so…But can we just skip to the moment they came to the bunnies?
- Yeah, ok…Who's going to be who? Maybe you're Freddy and Kitty, and I'm Bonnie and Vanny?
- That would be a bit awkward.
- If others weren't so mean about it, maybe we could've had more people in our game.
- Hm…Maybe I should invite Lizzy next time? She likes playing with me, and Dad says it's important for her to sometimes spend time with other girls now that Mum…You know.
- Hey, don't cry, I…I think it's a great idea! I think she'd make a great Vanny.
Eventually, Freddy and Kitty finally arrived at the bunny burrows. What the two saw before them immediately brought excitement to their hearts. The entrance to large golden plains might not have been very distinct to another's eye unless one was to look closer. With some scrutiny, a traveler would discover countless burrows in the ground, all of them leading deeper into the tunnels where rabbits and bunnies abided. This was the home of Freddy's dearest friend, Bonnie, who one day left his big family to search for fame and a band that could help him hone his skills. He found it in Freddy and Chica.
"Do they all live underground? It must get dull without the sunlight." Kitty said as Freddy led her to Bonnie's burrow.
"They don't stay inside for too much. Bonnie said they leave to spend time under the sky every day, and it's more than enough for most."
"For most?"
"Well…If it were everyone, maybe I would've never even met Bonnie!"
When they approached the burrow, they heard two playful voices from the inside, a boy and a girl, with the former being very familiar to Freddy.
"What about glitter? I think others would love it if we decorate the burrows a little!" The girl rabbit with white fur ran around the place as if trying to collect some of her things, while a rabbit with purple fur stayed nearby with a red guitar beside him.
"I think you could use it for my performance…I'll be on our new stage, and then you can toss it around at my entrance."
"I like that; how about…Oh, look, we have guests." The white rabbit pointed at Freddy and Kitty, making Bonnie jump up in surprise.
"Freddy?! What are you doing here?" His voice echoed with shock, yet it didn't take long for a smile to emerge on the bunny's face.
"Not happy to see us?" The bear chuckled and waved.
"Of course not. I just wasn't expecting you at all!" Bonny and his friend rushed to their guests who stayed at the burrow's entrance. "Freddy, Kitty…What brings you here?"
"Wanted to visit a friend and have a bit of an adventure; isn't that enough of a reason?" Freddy exclaimed, "And by the looks of it, you've been doing just fine."
"Oh, I am…You showed me the taste of true adventure, and I think I want a little more now. But I also learned that you don't always have to travel far to have a good adventure…" He looked towards the white-furred rabbit. "Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce us. This is Freddy, my best friend, and his friend, Kitty."
"Nice to meet you; I'm Vanessa, but everyone calls me Vanny."
"Bonnie told us about you…You were at our concert in the valley, right?"
"Yes, I was, and it was wonderful! I'm proud of how far my bun-bun has gone…" She spoke playfully, causing Bonnie to sigh at the nickname. "And I'd love to hear about your adventures, but first, we can show you around!" Vanny seemed gleeful about the prospect.
"That would be very kind of you." Kitty encouraged her.
"There is a lot to see, and I'm sure other rabbits would love the guests. We have markets, attractions, and even a museum from the old times. You're welcome to see it all."
"Thank you, thank you." Freddy adored their hospitality. "Attractions sound very exciting…"
"That's where most of our guests go first and foremost." Vanny smiled. "Maybe if you're lucky, you'll cross paths with the one that came here yesterday…"
"Another guest?" Kitty wondered.
"A very important one," Bonnie spoke up. "It's Fredbear himself."
"Fredbear?" Freddy couldn't believe his ears. Fredbear was one of a kind, a bear they discovered in faraway lands, the one who drank from the youth fountain and achieved immortality. Freddy's band met him and his close friend, a golden bunny, on the isle; both have lived for hundreds of years and spoke a language that no one else understood…Nevertheless, they quickly learned, and when deciding upon names they could take in the present, they named themselves in honor of their new friends. He rarely left his own abode, but perhaps now that the fountain was no more, he felt more free to travel the realm and do whatever he wished.
"Yes, believe it or not. He came here not so long ago and decided to stay in the northern part…Said he wanted to look how the old home of his friend looked."
"I won't lie, I think seeing him would be quite a treat, but I don't want to detract from…"
Freddy couldn't finish as he heard a different sound coming from the bushes. It was laugh…No, a cackle, a rather malicious one. The quarter stepped back and looked at the bushes with caution and fear emerging in their eyes.
"W…Who's there?" Kitty shouted. She didn't have to wait too long to get her answer, for a black bunny with angry red jumped out and unbelief himself, causing Freddie and Bonnie to gasp and collectively let out one word.
"Buster!"
It was him, the one that was once Beast's second-in-command, causing Freddy to unveil unpleasant memories just from the sheer sight of him. Buster was the one that captured Bonnie in the open sea, and after the Beast died, he disappeared along with Saber and Monty. Everyone hoped that he would not trouble anyone again, and yet.
"You idiots!" Buster chuckled. "You learned nothing! Still talking about such important things in the open, not at all concerned if someone overhears…But now you've unveiled me your greatest secret!"
"Buster, stop!" Bonnie shouted. "Please, there is no need to fight anymore…Why do you still want to hurt us? You saw what the youth fountain did to Kragara. We were trying to save her if anything! Now is the time to make peace while we still can."
"And miss out on a perfect opportunity to gain true magical power? Never! The fountain might be no more, but its powers rest with Fredbear…And he will tell me the truth! And if not, be forced into servitude. And thanks to you, I know exactly where to find him!"
Just when Freddy expected a reprieve, an old adversary would show himself and threaten to disrupt their peace…
- And then he would jump and scratch Kitty a little, so Freddy would try to get his revenge!
- Eh…Are you sure, Lily? I don't want anyone to get hurt.
- Me too, but…I think there has to be some danger; it would be strange if he just ran away.
- But he's very scary already.
- Not too scary…He just jumped out, and that's it.
- That's pretty scary…Mike does that to me sometimes.
- Really?
- Yes…Just jumps out in that Foxy mask from under my bed like some monster…
- That's horrible! I thought he protected you…Did you ask him to stop?
- He doesn't care…He grew very angry since Mum left. And his friends join in on it as well…
- That's very mean, you should talk to your dad about this.
- He's too busy for that. He doesn't like it when we bother him…Let's just continue.
Buster gave them no time to rest before rushing into the nearby burrow and making his way to the north. He was looking for Fredbear, no doubt, and Freddy and his friends couldn't allow someone so vile to get his hands on the mystic's powers.
"We need to stop him!" Freddy commanded, remembering his role as a leader. "I wish I knew this place well, but…Can you help me?"
"Of course!" Vanny responded. "I know the burrows inside and out, and whoever this bully is, we will find him in no time."
"Is Fredbear still to the north?" Bonnie wondered. "That's where he must have gone."
"Then let's not waste any more time!"
With those words, the group rushed inside the burrows, following in Buster's steps. He was a quick bunny, perhaps the quickest of the Beast's crew, and it won't be easy to catch him in time. All Freddy could hope for was that Fredbear would be strong enough to defend himself before they arrived.
They rushed across the very heart of the rabbit's home, the places Freddy hoped he would be able to visit without the unfortunate circumstances that Buster's appearance created for them, but he would have to save it for later. Of course, many noticed them.
"Hey, Vanny, I was just looking for you…"
"Do my eyes deceive me? We have guests!"
"Where are you all going? We could have…"
Of course, they would explain everything when those tribulations were over, but for now, they had to press on. Freddy was especially disappointed when they had to pass by the markets, a hall with countless small burrows where every rabbit brought their wares to sell.
"Wanna buy some necklaces? Mine are made from the best jewels there are!"
"How about getting the best fur color you could ever imagine? I am a master at that, green, purple, blue…I can make all pure gold!"
"Souvenirs from all around the valley! Come buy, you'll find everything!"
As they bypassed all that tried to inadvertently slow them down, following Vanny's quick foot, the group finally reached a lone northernmost burrow, the one big enough for a bear to fit. There were sounds of a fight coming from the inside, and so they feared for the worst.
"Fredbear is here; come on!" Bonnie encouraged everyone to move inside. It was time for a fight. When they finally charged into the fray, they saw Buster tower over a wounded golden bear…
- Wait, what do you mean he's wounded? Haven't you watched the show? He's magical; he's stronger than Buster!
- But Kragara caught him once, remember?
- That's because she was strong too, but she died, and no one can match Fredbear now.
- So he doesn't even need Freddy?
- I don't know…Maybe. It's just not right, you know? Fredbear can create things out of thin air, like…Like dad! Have you seen the robots Dad made?
- Do you mean the ones in Circus Baby's World? Yes, I love them, especially Kitty!
- No one else could do such a thing, only someone as talented as Dad…And Fredbear is very cool, too. No one can match him.
- I guess you're right…Maybe we can do it like this.
When Freddy and his friends rushed into the inner burrow, what they saw was a fierce battle. The black rabbit attacked a creature that far exceeded his size and power. Fredbear, usually a calm bear, looked at him with eyes full of anger.
"You dare to return and disturb my peace?" The bear spoke. "After I forgave you and let go from the isle? Your audacity knows no bounds!"
"You lived for hundreds of years, and yet you couldn't predict this? Idiot…Do you realize how far Saber, Monty, and I have gone to have a fraction of your power and bliss? We would not abandon our pursuit, never!"
Buster attempted to jump at Fredbear, yet the golden animal teleported to the opposite side of the burrow right before the bunny's eyes. While Buster recuperated and attempted to see his enemy, Fredbear raised his paw, creating a bolt of lightning in his arm. Without hesitation, he launched it at the opponent, causing Buster to grunt in fury as he fell to the ground.
"Looks like he doesn't need too much help…" Bonnie chuckled.
"Is that the mighty Fredbear himself?" Kitty spoke in awe. "Wow…"
"You're still strong…" Buster coughed and stood up, looking at the golden bear. "I wonder if you would be so confident if you knew what we've done to your best friend…" Those malicious words made Fredbear stop as fear and worry emerged in his eyes.
"What? What have you done to Spring Bonnie?!"
"Why do you think I came alone? My comrades have a task too, a task of taking the weaker of the two…They already have their claws on him, no doubt!"
"I won't let you harm him!" Fredbear roared and made his way toward Buster, but his rage got the better of him. The black bunny jumped aside and clawed into Fredbear's fur, making the bear scream in pain and fall to the ground. He was very attached to his friend, and if anything was about to happen to him, Fredbear was prone to foolish decisions.
"Idiot." Buster chuckled over the wounded Fredbear. "Now, to get you…"
"Don't even try!" Freddy's resolved voice echoed in Buster's ears.
"Already here…Pathetic pests." Buster turned around with a sinister smile on his face.
"There's four of us and only one of you…" Bonnie noted. "So, you know, if you aren't stupid, you should probably give up."
"Just one of me? Are you so sure? Perhaps I was just time…Come here, and let's get the party started!" Buster whistled, and moments after his battle cry, a hole emerged in the nearby earth wall, far larger than the one needed for a rabbit to slide through. It was then that Freddy knew what they were in for, for the two allies of mischievous Buster emerged in the shadows at this very moment. A dark-skinned wolf with hungry, ravenous eyes, one of the most ruthless pirates in the wild sea, even Foxy considered him a threat…And a green alligator who abided not far from the hidden isle, one of Kragara's mightiest.
"Finally, and here I thought you left all the fun to yourself!" Monty chuckled as the alligator rose along his ally.
"Ah, it's them…" Saber licked his teeth. "Oh, I've been hoping for payback ever since that day!"
"Well, what now?" Vanny grew far more cautious. "We've got company…"
"Wouldn't be the first time we taught them a lesson!"
Freddy stood tall as the leader of the group. The times when he would get scared of the Beast's crew were long gone, for he saw them for who they trebly were. Powerless, angry, and jealous, unable to accept the peace they were being graced with. It was time to fight them once again and save Fredbear, and with that, the entirety of bunny burrows and beyond…
- Pack up, Chris, we're leaving.
- W…What?
- Wasn't I loud enough? I said we're leaving.
- But Mike…You promised you would give us an hour to play here.
- Well, too bad, my plans changed. Blake said he wants me to come a bit earlier before the birthday party starts, and I have to drop you off at home.
- Please, Mike…Lily and I have such a good moment here! We reached the best part.
- Best part? Nah, I heard what you've been on about, and I know how it will end. Another time good guys defeat the bad guys. How fun and original…Play this game with your plushies if you want to.
- But I want to play with Lily…Just ten more minutes!
- I don't care! Stop wasting my time, and let's go.
- P…Please…
- Oh, for fuck's sake, are you going to cry again?
- Why are you so mean to your brother? That's…
- Shut up; you can play your dress-up games with him another day. And you, Chris, come along if you don't me to get angry.
- I…Okay…
- Good boy. And wipe the tears off your face! You're not a baby anymore, so stop acting like one.