She didn't know why she expected something different as she entered the conference room. The usual board were present in their expensive suits; three men and three women. Gabe stood at the entrance, his usual scowl remains on his face as Vanessa and Gregory pass him. "Geez, what's up his butt?"
"Shh, not so loud." She chastised, ushering him to the front.
"Alright," Gabe closes the door behind him and sits next to man #3. "The floor is all yours." The different expressions of intimation tempt her to melt into the floor had it not been for Gregory's reassuring hand squeeze as he stands next to her.
"Right, thank you all for coming on short notice," She began, already seeing interest draining from some shareholders. "We'd concluded that Chica had suffered a malfunction due to the current equipment that fails to fully investigate areas that would have otherwise been preventable."
She motioned for Gregory to pull up the website onto the projector.
"When we obtain this software, we can pinpoint the errors on Chica and get her to function properly, as well be prepared to stop future malfunctions for all animatronics. We're also pleading a case to keep Chica, we can have her go through the motions of reinventing herself to reflect a positive image to the public –"
Man #2 snorts. "Ha! Like an intervention? An intervention for a robot programmed to eat pizza, that's your idea? Pathetic." He rolled his eyes.
Woman #2 scoffs. "With the money this place pulls in monthly, you mean to tell us that there hasn't been updated equipment to lessen liabilities?" They were picking at her like she had been the one who made Chica go haywire.
Woman #1 adds. "$500,000 is asking for too much. This pales in comparison to the millions of dollars we'd lost in seconds after this incident went viral."
"Come on! Don't you believe in second chances?" Gregory asks. "Whatever happened to 'if you don't succeed at first, try again?' This can work!"
Man #1 sighs. "Sonny, it's nothing personal, but this isn't no lemonade stand. This is grown folks' business."
"With all due respect, sir, don't underestimate Gregory; he's a lot smarter than you're taking him to be," Vanessa interjects. "He's the one who detected the outdated and told me of this software."
A scoff from Man #3 "This generation really thinks they're 'smart' just because they could work on a computer. I had to build my business out of literal sweat and blood. You came up with an unoriginal idea off the internet and think you hold the key to success?" He stands up. "This was a waste of my time. I'm out of here."
Man #1 grimaces as he looks at his phone. "Not a chance with the news reporters outside. We won't get far without being hassled for a comment."
"What the hell? How did they know we'd been here? This place doesn't open for another couple hours!"
They all glared at Vanessa, who turns to Gregory holding up his phone with a sheepish grin.
Man #1 shakes his head in disappointment as he responds to Gregory. "I told you Sonny, this is grown folk's business."
"And I'm a kid, this place is a family entertainment center. We hadn't had a serious incident in years! You really want to compromise fun and safety to save money that you can make back in seconds? One chance! That's all we ask for!" Gregory exclaims. "And I won't hesitate to let people know how cheap you all are. Then again, what do I know? I'm not that smart to make a call to comment on certain things…"
"Watch it boy." Man #3 growls.
"Control that child of yours!" Woman #3 spats at Vanessa.
She stares back with a blank expression, watching them file out the room. Vanessa sighs, seeing Gregory's furious expression. "Sorry, kiddo. They operate on a different level."
"We have to get that software Vanessa; we can't destroy Chica. They're all stupid to think that fixing what's here is wasting money." He mumbles.
Woman #1 approaches them. Oh great, Vanessa thought. More degradement from people who think they know it all just because they have money.
Instead, she starts with a warm tone. "I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Lucia and I have to say that I'm impressed. My colleagues can be hard to please, and I myself, can be a hard case to crack, but there's something about you two that softens my shell," She turns to Vanessa. "You have quite an outspoken child. I'd never seen someone so young be so bold."
"Too boldly sometimes." She answered with a glare at Gregory who shrugged his shoulders.
To their surprise, Lucia hands Vanessa a check for the desired amount. "Please consider this as a small gesture. No repayments needed."
"Yes! Thank you!" Gregory grabbed the check grinning from ear-to-ear. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
She laughs. "It is my pleasure. Oh, and Vanessa." She leaned forward and whispered. "I know how much of an ass Gabe can be. Should anything change with Fazbear Entertainment, I would love to discuss future employment with my company." Vanessa is handed a business card and Lucia leaves.
Gabe approached them, that scowl still remains on his face. Vanessa had hoped that the man would be grateful that this idea could save the PizzaPlex's reputation.
"Consider this as a last resort," He warns. "Two weeks and not a second more. Permanently end Chica's software malfunction, or else I'll make sure no place will ever hire you other than McDonald's." He then turns to Gregory. "And for you to end up in an orphanage in Guam."
Gregory rolls his eyes. "Uh-huh. Will that happen before or after you get sued for screwing other men and women?" A shocked expression is on Gabe's face before he glares at Vanessa.
"I have no idea where he would have gotten that rumor from." She defends with an equally surprised expression. When Gabe leaves, a slight smirk displays on her face.
"Freddy!" Gregory slipped in the gaps between the doors, running to greet his friend. Vanessa stayed behind to finish opening the pizzeria, chuckling at how small Gregory is compared to Freddy's tall statue. She also notes, as she's approaching them, the lack of enthusiasm behind that smile as the animatronic greets her. He thinks I'm here to decommission Chica.
"We got something to show you," she hands him some papers, watching him glance over the documents with confusion.
"I do not understand. This looks like a confirmation receipt for a purchase."
"It's not just any purchase!" Gregory exclaimed and babbled away, updating Freddy on what had occurred. She sees the animatronics' expression go from confused to displaying hope as the one-sided conversation continues.
"Chatter-boy's right Freddy," Vanessa adds once Gregory finishes. She couldn't stop smiling herself. "We get the software and equipment, and we can update and restore Chica. She will be back to herself in no time."
"That is great news!"
"What news?" Monty inquiries alongside Roxy and Sun. Vanessa briefly informs them, immediately getting mixed reactions. ""Ya kidding me, right? After she nearly destroyed all of us the other night?"
"Chica was not herself, we all know this. That is why this update is needed."
"Of course you would want to know what's wrong, Romeo." Monty spats at Freddy. "I ain't feeling this. Just dump the duck!"
"For once, and hopefully just this once, I'm with Monty. This isn't going to be worth it."
"How would you like it if you were destroyed over something you could not control? Should we reconsider having certain members with unappealing attributes? Like your anger issues Monty? Or perhaps we should replace you, Roxy, since you either cannot stop doubting herself or you are too full of it? Heaven forbid these quirks could affect our fans."
"Hey!" Monty sneers.
"Take that back!" Roxy retorts.
Freddy maintains his composure and shakes his head. "Just as I thought. We are doing this for Chica. It is only fair that we give her a chance before we reconsider."
"Then I'm out. I want no part in this." Monty stormed off.
"Yeah, I'm out too. Have fun with whatever fantasy you guys want to dabble in."
"We plan too." Freddy retorts and lets out a sigh. "Perhaps it is the best for Chica's sake. She does not need anyone outside a strong support group."
"They always say, 'the more, the merrier'. In this case, 'the less, the best'! This is why Freddy's the leader and mascot." Sun explains, clapping his hands. "You can count me in. I want to help out wherever I can!"
"Thanks, Sun," Vanessa sighs. "Okay, step one is achieved. Now we wait for Chica and go from there."
Recalibrating... 79%... 92%...
100%. Recalibration Complete. Chica online.
Back in the charging station?
Chica doesn't remember returning here, and what time was it? Her settings seemed off. She is sure that it's not 4am on a Thursday in October 1987. Her circuits felt off, which tells her that she's been in here long enough.
Chica steps out of the charging pod, leaving the backroom and into Rockstar Row. She looks for Freddy, followed by Roxy and Monty, finding all of their rooms unoccupied.
"Maybe everyone's getting ready for the birthday performance tonight." She assures herself.
Her eyes widened. "Bawk! The party! I've got to get to Parts and Services!" She reenters her greenroom, through the back room, and into the elevator. Afterward, she dashes down the chamber into Parts and Services. "Freddy?!" She calls. "Vanessa? Gregory? Anyone here?" She looks from room to room. No responses from any of her friends.
"Where is everyone?" She leaves Parts and Services, navigating through the underground utility tunnels. She reaches the Atrium, horrified at the sight of a red substance being scrubbed by cleaning bots with brushes. Please tell me that it is not blood.
She takes in the broken tables and chairs in a dumpster on wheels. She approaches the bots when they skitter away from her. The more she tried to approach them, the more they moved away. She takes one step, and they take three. "What happened here?"
"Chica!" She sees Vanessa on the other side of the Atrium, gesturing her over.
She rumbles across the area, ignoring the bots avoiding her and in front of the woman. "Ness, what's going on? What happened?"
"Just follow me." She says. Chica obliges, following her to the end of the hall and inside one of the bright conference rooms. She didn't know what to expect, walking in to see Freddy, Gregory, and Sun smiling at her. "Uh? What's going on here?" she starts with a nervous chuckle.
"Nothing's wrong. We just want to have a chat."
"You guys are freaking me out. Why are you being so weird –" she pauses before she gasps. "Oh! You're kicking me out of the band? Is this because I missed the party?" Chica frantically asks. "I swear I was there, I thought I was..."
"Oh no, friend, you were there." Sun assured. "Quite the life of the party, I must add." Gregory nudges him.
"We are not kicking you out, Chica," Freddy added.
"Then what is this about?"
"Chica, do you remember when you said you haven't felt like yourself these last few weeks?" Vanessa inquiries. The animatronic scratches her head, trying to recall past conversations with no effect.
"No. Actually, yes, I had... have? Maybe not... No, I'm sure I did. Didn't? Wait, why does that matter?"
"Chica, you need to see this." Gregory prompts her attention to a 'd thought it would be an embarrassing video of herself making a fool. Then she watched the tape. Three seconds in, Chica went from being annoyed to shocked by how she saw herself. Up until Vanessa's USB shut down her system, inches away from the girl's face.
"I did that?" Chica whispered, her legs shaking. "Oh my God, I did that? I don't remember that. I swear I–" she looks around. "How come I can't remember that?"
"I did a system overhaul, restoring your memories and settings to your last auto-update," Vanessa explains.
"I couldn't have done that. That can't be me. That – what happened to me?"
"That's what we are trying to figure out."
"You mean, you don't know? You're Vanessa! You've been here for years, and you don't know?!"
"All I know is that the technology we have currently sucks and needs to be brought to the 21st century. The equipment's on its way, and we'll have you back to yourself in no time."
That doesn't sound promising. There's something else."And?"
"And we need to recover your reputation. I'm hoping that, by doing some positive reinforcements, people will change their minds and not be scared of you." Gregory adds. "Gabe gave us two weeks before he wants you decommissioned. The earlier we start, the better. So, what do you say?"
Everyone's waiting on a verbal confirmation; she doesn't have the chance to respond. The door opens and enters Gabe. "Chica! How wonderful to see you standing again." She notes the fake happiness in his greeting.
"What do you want?" Vanessa asks.
"I come in peace and bearing good news – no pun intended, Freddy. – Follow me to the Atrium." He commands.
In the Atrium, Chica shivers, knowing that this place will never feel the same to her. She takes a glimpse at the cleaning bots finishing their tasks. At least I know that is not blood they are cleaning up. Monty and Roxy were on stage, goofing around in an unlike manner. While Chica wonders why they weren't a part of her 'intervention', something else caught her attention.
A female tiger. Busty with white and gray skin and black tiger stripes, light bluish-green eyes, an ice blue star designed around her left eye, platinum-blonde hair in a Jheri curl style with dark-colored rainbow tips. She wore a black leather jacket with fringes coming off and the pauldrons, a black retro high-waist bikini bottom, and a spiked belt that exposed her stomach. Chica could already tell that Monty had a crush on her, acting like a mindless idiot with Roxy soaking in every moment (possible for blackmail material later on), but who is she?
With a gleaming smile, Gabe announces. "Everyone, I would like for you to meet Tessa. Fazbear Entertainment's newest guitarist for the PizzaPlex."