Tape 1: 14 of January 1984

Begin recording…Ugh, hello? Hello? Is this thing working? With how much we are saving on basic tech, you can never be too sure. Well, if I have to re-record this later, that's on the doctor.

Alright, so…Damn, how come I'm always out of words precisely during the times I have to speak? I hate the habit. I'm not one for flowery introductions, so it would be for the best to go straight to business. Doc wants me to keep track for his council or something, as if I don't have enough on my hands, not to mention that none of this is to be disclosed prematurely, as if I'm speaking into a Goddamn void…Still, I suppose it would be for the best to make the most of this 'diary.'

Today, I am officially beginning the experiments sanctioned and planned by Dr. Chun, my rather persistent supervisor. No theory, no planning, none of that, actually trying to perfect the suit. A stage I waited quite impatiently, I have to concede, so forgive me if I fail to hide my…Interest at times. The laboratory is set, I have all the necessary materia, and when object Z arrives, I will begin immediately…Ah, yes, Doc insists that I do not reveal its actual name, just in case this tape falls into the wrong hands…Whoever that might be. It's quite a path ahead of me; programming it to be a suitable vessel would be enough of an undertaking, and when it comes to giving it life…Honest to god, I hope it's not a waste of my time. Ain't no money to compensate for that.

Tape 2: 18 of January 1984

Begin recording. Alright, the first worked just fine, so I won't waste my time checking, not to mention I'd rather get to the occasion itself. So, object Z was delivered as promised, in perfect condition, ready for all kinds of testing, music to my ears. A remarkable specimen, really; I see why Doc is so proud of it.

If I had to look for gripes, though, that would be the design. It's not that it's unremarkable…Quite the opposite, actually, but if we are going to use it as a vessel, then that creepy face is not something anyone would want to see near them. I can imagine those silver eyes staring at me and just…Yes, the design really needs work. Perhaps if Doc wasn't so self-centered, he'd actually get some consultation from actual designers, but not like it's going to happen now.

Alright, now to the point. Today I finally finished working on its system and tested its protocols. It certainly worked…For a few seconds. His movements are far too clumsy and robotic for my liking, and certainly for the liking of any possible soul that is going to use it unless they were disabled and had no legs anyway…Alright, let's not go there. Anyway, object Z collapsed on the floor after taking a few steps. Thank god I'm far removed from other people; otherwise, that bang would have had the whole house wondering; your soundproof walls aren't of much help here.

At least now I see the direction in which I should take all of this. Let's see if I can make that thing walk.

Tape 3: 2 of March 1984

Yes, finally, a breakthrough! It took me more than a month to finally find out, but god, it works; it truly does!

I'd rather not linger too much on how many of my nerve cells I slaughtered while working with this thing. The most memorable moments are it bumping into a wall, continuously walking into it, pretending that it's actually moving, and testing its voice processors; I'm still aching from the cacophony I heard from it. And not to mention the time when it tried the dance program…That must've been a clown show in all its glory. Too bad no one was here to watch. After all the botched attempts, I started to doubt if this thing could ever be human, even with the life we give it.

But today, I finally got the confirmation I was wrong! After numerous failed attempts to execute my most difficult protocol, after trying to fix this mess, to tamper in its files, I finally did it! It walked like a human being. One wouldn't even notice the difference from big distances or if it's in the dark. Then it performed a basic dance and a greeting with words! Words that didn't sound like a man who smoked all life out of his lungs or some twisted machine. For one split moment, I felt that it became…Something more. Not just an animatronic machine, but something independent, dare I even say…Alive?

Maybe this isn't a waste of my time after all.

Tape 4: 25 of March 1984

Today was the day of showing the suit to Doc and showing him whatever I've done so far. To say that it was…Underwhelming is to say nothing.

I turned a lifeless machine with some basic programming in it into a suitable vessel for life, and all I get from him is his signature dry "carry as you were" and a small raise of my pay? And I can't even demand more if I'm not to get him angry and have me fired! Like, seriously, who does things like this? I'm working day and night for what might be considered salvation, and what is he doing? Working with the patients? Smiling and nodding while telling them lies about how they won't die? Too good for him, if you ask me…

Well, at least there was one pleasant surprise. Professor Bairren came all the way from the USA to convene with Doc and the others, including me. Probably wanted to see Z in his full glory, can't blame him. At least he showed some appreciation and genuine interest in the project; were it not for him, I would've just sat there silently and listened to some old doctors discuss this between themselves. The prospect of another life for those whose bodies failed them is an interesting one for him. I swear he got disappointed when he realized that we weren't at that stage of testing yet. At least that's an incentive for him and his sponsors in the New World to continue with their aid.

Well, I'd best not disappoint him and continue my experiments. Who knows? Hopefully, our next meeting will be ripe with discovery.

Tape 5: 28 of April 1984

Alright, today's the big day. I have finally begun experimentation with 'materia'! I had no idea how this would turn out, but Doc said I should take all the necessary precautions. Can't say understand why just yet, but better to be safe than sorry.

Speaking of the first tries…They were, as expected, unimpressive. Speaking of good parts, I finally got a chance to test the spring lock function now that working with it has become relevant. It's a clever system; I give that one to Doc. A simple way to partially disassemble the endoskeleton and open up access to the core, perfect for connecting it with the storage.

But let's discuss the observations themselves, as few as they are. The three attempts I did prior to recording this all ended in the same way, the soul got stuck in the endoskeleton for a few seconds, and the longest one was stable for around 20 seconds before dissipating. Alas, zero signs of life so far. Z remains lifeless and motionless without me activating the protocols I've already tested. His containment capabilities are nowhere near as high as required.

Never mind, it's not like I expected to do it without a bunch of failures beforehand. I remain optimistic; we are, after all, as Professor Bairren would say, at the "key stage."

Tape 6: 13 of May 1984

Begin recording…

I planned to continue my experiments today, but the news…They just soured me up, you know? Here I am, working with Z, wasting all those souls Doc and his crew gathered all across Asia…And then a call from Doc himself, surprise, surprise! I was expecting something banal, like naming a date for the next conference, and what do I get? We've lost a quarter of our financial support! And not just that, it's the one that came from Professor Bairren's foundation!

Yes, you heard that right; he is not supporting us anymore. Apparently, he and Doc had a "falling out," or that's whatever he's willing to actually tell me. Now we're not only ending the partnership, but we're also cutting all ties and associations. Just like that, the man who was at the foundation of RADSLA going out without even saying goodbyes? This just makes no sense. He was the one actually interested in research, in discovery, dammit! All the others are one and the same. "Patients this, patients that"…We're on the brink of the discovery of immortality! Immortality! And all they care about are those goddamn patients…Do they even understand how many people would give up all their money for this? How many of those damn things we'll have to make? Is he seriously expecting this to just stop when we deal with patients? How shortsighted can he be!?

I'm ranting, aren't I…Hardly suitable content for a tape of this nature; maybe I'll throw this one away later. I'll come back when I'm back to my experiments and when I cooled off a little. All this work…It's tiring.

Tape 7: 21 of June 1984

Another one…And another.

That's about it; honestly, that is all the summary I can give. Well, alright, I wouldn't waste a cassette if I had nothing to say at all. Anyway, my last month has been one of the bleakest in my work. I've lost count of how much materia I've wasted when trying to make Z work. I changed the ratio, changed the methods of connection, and tried to import the soul when it was active or offline; it's all futile. It's just a robot, damn it…A good one, ahead of its time, but you're not going to pull your borderline-magical bullshit and hope that it works…Says the one who wastes his time here trying to make it work.

Honestly, it might have something to do with Professor Bairren leaving. I've come to the realization that all my hopes for someone treating this discovery with the respect it deserves were laid on the Professor, and what now? The stupid council has no idea how to handle it. They are too shortsighted and don't think about how this project will be developed. Like…Assuming it succeeds, this is something some would start a war over! Professor understood that that's why he wanted to treat Z and the coming specimen with care. Maybe he was right, and we should've just sent Z to America. Maybe they would've done a better job. Right now…It all feels like a dead end to me.

Tape 8: 5 of July 1984

Holy…Jesus fucking Christ!

Sorry, I'm still trying to make sense of it all; it's just…Unbelievable! It worked! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I did this, I transferred a soul to the body, I had them fused, if only for a few minutes, but it's possible! The metallic suit was quick to dissipate the materia, sadly, but it was in there…I saw it! Holy fuck…I was just about to abandon the research, and then this! In all honesty, I don't even know what it was that made the fusion successful. I think I went over all parameters Z has a couple hundred times.

As for the fusion itself…It was far from pleasant and were it not for the necessity of recording moments like this, trust me, I wouldn't have tried to describe it. I see exactly why Doc warned about necessary precautions now. When the soul finally fused, it all began with his eyes…They were glowing in silver! Not just the projectors; they were glowing far stronger than that! It was…Life! Actual life! He began to move his arms and legs slowly and hesitantly, just like a newborn child getting a sense of their physical capabilities straight after birth. I was excited and even said 'hello' to our new friend.

But then…It looked at its arms and clutched its head with them. He began shaking his head continuously and, without stopping, didn't listen to any of my words at all! And it's not even the worst. He…It started screaming. Rabidly. I honestly don't know whether I can call this a human or even an animal; it was something like nothing I had ever heard before. It's…How to describe it? Imagine someone being pierced by spears, just having your entire body broken by those spikes, but they are careful to avoid all of your vital organs so you don't die too soon. I believe this was a method of torture back in ancient times. Just imagine the immense pain one would feel from this, and then…This was it. The kind of scream you would hear from this.

And the last moments before the termination of the soul, oh god, I didn't expect it to be this…Wait a minute, what's that? Damn it, someone's calling. They couldn't have picked a worse moment, now, could they…I'll share my findings some other time.

Tape 9: 29 of July 1984

Beginning recording.

It's a dead end. At this point, I'm not even going to pretend like it is not; it's just all…So pointless. The only thing I figured out since then is that Z is likelier to fuse with a soul if he is in the process of some 'living' act. Walking, speaking, exploring, whatever, it just increases the likelihood. I don't know why. Does its endoskeleton become more flexible or something? It makes no sense…Well, unless it's something to do with the other end. Maybe souls see something familiar, something that little is left of their mind considers genuinely alive. I guess it explains the reactions they have afterward.

And they are all the same. Same screams, same agony, same few minutes of hell before the soul dissipates…It's going too far. I can't even sleep at night; I just keep hearing those screams. I know they are not real and that those souls can't hurt me but god…I think I saw it in one of them when it fused with Z. This hatred, this disdain in their eyes…Jesus, it's horrifying. I was certain he'll jump at me and try tearing me apart or just…Plunging its teeth into my flesh. I imagined it doing all sorts of gruesome things this soul would've done to me, and since then…I'm losing sleep. I can't stand looking at Z; I have no admiration, no curiosity…Its eyes, its jaw, its golden cover, just everything about it is so disgusting I just…Is that what you wanted from me, Doc? To have my work on this and destroy my psyche while you do all the easy work.

Well…My patience is at its limit, Doc. It really is.

Tape 10: 8 of August 1984

The tape begins with approximately 37 minutes of silence, after which a sound of a creaking door is heard.

-Here, here. Come in, Professor.

-Ah, is this where you are keeping him?

-Yes, indeed, I've been experimenting on him for months now, and I'm tired, I'm just tired…I assume our deal is still on?

-Of course. You will receive your payment in due time…But know that I appreciate your aid; without you, I would've never found it with how our dear Chun hid it. Now, come here, Floyd.

-Why?

-Just have something to show you.

A sound of steps echoes in the recording, after which a loud gunshot is heard.

-That solves the issue…Come in.

More steps are heard, and multiple people enter the room.

-Anything you need us to do, sir?

-Search the room thoroughly. Floyd said he would turn off the cameras, but I am not letting any potential proof of our visit go amiss.

-At once. Come on, you heard the order!

All manners of sounds are heard in the room. The visitors search desks, wardrobe, and bed, looking under the carpets thoroughly. Amidst this, the only voice which is heard is of a man that entered together with Floyd before.

-Finally…All these arguments, all those manipulations, all of this…Cowardice, and in the end, I finally meet you, my dear friend. You are as majestic as you seemed before, but having you so…Weak, so powerless, so subdued adds another layer of beauty to it. Now you are mine, and nothing will stand between us. Ah, Chun, always the fool, always identifying the correct course but then afraid to go through with it, always fearful when it comes to true knowledge. But worry not, I will make this right, oh, that I promise.

-Sir, I think I found the storage.

-Ah, the fabled cage, hidden in plain sight, it seems. I discussed it with Floyd before, and I know all I need.

-Didn't you say that there was no way to retrieve them?

-We don't have the time nor technology to fly those souls all the way to Utah, and trying to extract them will get us caught, no doubt.

-Then what's the plan?

-We take Frankburt and all the necessary research with us, of course. And then we make sure that by tomorrow RADSLA is annihilated. Nothing more than an obscure memory of a past long gone. Nothing but Chun's dream, a dream that never came to fruition, a broken hope…

-Sir, I found something!

-What is it?

-It's a tape recorder…And it's on. Probably been so since before we entered.

-Ah, so it seems Floyd wasn't as genuine as he wished me to believe, a pity, really. I like the thought of him being genuine…Turn that thing off and add it to the pile. We're taking it.

...

Note: My attempt a writing a FNAF story. This fic is inspired by the original FNAF franchise and the (in)famous TRTF fan-series. It's a crossover combining elements of lore from both universes(and my original ideas for an AU) while not correlating to either's lore 100%. Hopefully whatever it turns out to be, it will be an interesting and cohesive story. I hope you enjoy ;).