Five Nights at Freddy's © Scott Cawthon/Steel Wool
Gregory stirred as a gentle melody began to fill his ears.
The boy slowly opened his brown eyes...and found himself laying on a couch
in dimly lit room with a giant star shape hanging from the ceiling
This told the boy he was in one of the "Green Rooms" of Rockstar Row.
But he couldn't remember HOW he got back here (in fact, his recent memory was a blur.)
As Gregory sat up, he gasped as he gripped his now sore shoulder.
Noting a dark red stain on his short sleeve, he rolled it up for a moment.
To his amazement, his shoulder was heavily bandaged with a flexible gauze tape.
It was THEN that Gregory remembered what happened...
He was trying to get to the Rehearsal Room to acquire the Backstage Pass
so he could somehow get Freddy to Parts and Service with the Main Stage Elevator.
...but Roxanne Wolf found him first, and managed to catch him.
Gregory winced as he reached behind him, feeling deep gashes at his shirt's back
where Roxy slashed at him when he tried to run...but also more bandages on his actual back.
Someone had apparently found him, and patched him up...but who?
Gregory would presume it was Freddy, but he was in Rest Mode
and was too depleted of power to even stand up on his own.
Gregory wondered if it was that Security Guard, Vanessa.
BUT even if she had bandaged him up, she would've locked him in Lost & Found again.
Instead he was in...CHICA'S ROOM!?
Gregory looked around, and was indeed in Chica's room.
The walls were all pink like a Barbie Dreamhouse, and Chica's image adorned the place.
though the warm atmosphere was undercut by numerous pizza boxes that lay scattered on the floor.
Gregory quickly found he was laying on a long, white couch with giant novelty pillows.
In front of him was a large table holding a giant, oddly shaped cake and numerous hotdogs
Gregory was very confused...but a growl from his stomach made him set that aside for the moment.
He grabbed one of the bunned Hotdogs and sniffed it to make sure it was fresh.
Thankfully it was, and he wolfed it down in one bite. Eating almost like Chica herself would.
Unfortunately, the boy ate a little too fast...and started to get the hiccups.
"oh, cr-(*HIC!*)-ap." muttered Gregory, noting there wasn't anything to drink nearby.
Just then...Gregory heard the telltale sound of heavy footsteps, and whirling gears.
Knowing full well it wasn't Freddy, Gregory tried to keep quiet...but his hiccups betrayed his location.
"oh-(*HIC!*) n-no-(*HIC!*)"
Gregory listened as the footsteps grew louder...and then stopped at the only door out.
There was a long, tense silence...and then the door opened, revealing Chica.
((*HIC-HIC-HIC-HIC-HIC-HIC!*))
Gregory's hiccupped in sheer panic as Chica entered the room.
The Animatronic chicken's violet eyes looked straight at him...and then approached.
"n-no (*HIC-HIC!*)" spoke Gregory, pushing his back into the couch.
"g-get awa-(*HIC-HIC!*)-ay from-(*HIC-HIC-HIC!*) m-me."
Chica stopped, noting how scared the boy looked.
She then lowered herself down to his level, and opened her palm to him.
"Easy...I mean you no harm." spoke Chica, in the calmest tone she could muster.
Gregory remained still, clearly not trusting her words.
Chica then slowly opened up her chest plate, and reached inside of it with her other hand.
Gregory watched as Chica pulled out what looked like a bright pink can of soda*
(*In fact, it was a can of Pink Lemonade Fizzy Faz with Chica's own picture on the label.)
"Thirsty?" inquired Chica, who then rolled the can across the floor towards Gregory.
Keeping his eye on the Animatronic Bird, Gregory reached down and grasped the soda can.
It felt ice cold, almost as if freshly taken from a cooler.
Gregory wasted no time opening the can and taking a drink.
He let out a satisfied sigh (relieved that his hiccups were now gone.)
Chica stayed knelt down, and maintained her distance.
She kept still, not wishing to frighten the boy with any sudden movements.
As the pair stared at each other...Gregory started to relax, feeling Chica wasn't going to attack.
"I'm sorry." spoke Chica, finally.
"what?" spoke Gregory, puzzled.
"I'm sorry...for chasing you before." repeated Chica, unable to look the boy in the eye.
"I know you won't believe me, but...I wasn't in control of myself.
I can't explain it...but some kind of unknown malware infected my systems."
Chica looked down, mechanically emoting with sadness.
"I tried to fight it...but it was just too strong." continued Chica.
"I was aware of everything that I was doing, but I...I couldn't stop myself.
I am so sorry, Gregory...I'm sorry for scaring you, for...t-trying to hurt you."
Chica's mechanical body trembled...almost like a real person would when close to a breakdown.
Gregory eyed Chica, unsure if she was really good now...or just trying to trick him.
"If you were being controlled...then how come you aren't controlled now?" asked Gregory, wary.
Chica looked at Gregory. "Roxy injured you...BADLY. Seeing you in such a critical condition
enabled my Child Protection Protocols to break through the virus, and forced my systems to reset."
Chica then took a chance, and rose back up to a full stance.
"I took you to a first aid station, and did my best to mend your injuries." continued Chica.
"I then brought you here to rest. I watched you sleep, and only left to fetch you some food and drink."
Gregory looked around, and noted that the once fully open curtains to Chica's room
were now closed tightly like the ones in Freddy's room (which indeed made him feel safer.)
Gregory then looked at Chica again...who looked at him with very kind eyes.
Her eyes looked different from before, no longer leering and predatory.
Chica's eyes looked soft, caring...and a little sad, too.
"Look...I know you have no reason to trust me, Cupcake." spoke Chica.
"But believe me: Protecting you from whatever has infected my band mates is now my Top Priority.
And if I must earn your trust first, then I will do whatever you need of me.
...I owe you that much for all that I put you through."
Gregory exhaled sharply. He wasn't sure if he trusted Chica fully...but against his better judgement,
he wanted to at least give Chica a chance to prove that Freddy was right about his 'friends.'
"If you really mean it...Then help me fix Freddy." spoke Gregory.
This statement made Chica react in shock. "Freddy's BROKEN?! what happened to him?!"
"He's been trying to help me escape the Pizzaplex." explained Gregory.
"He was looking for me, and let his power drain. He is in Rest Mode near Roxy Raceway,
but needs to get to Parts & Service. I was on my way to look for a Backstage Pass, when...Roxy found me."
Chica covered her beak with her hand.
She had already been concerned for Freddy ever since he glitched out on stage hours ago,
and then just collapsed right in the middle of their grand performance in the Main Atrium.
She feared the worst when he was he was taken to his room and put in emergency shutdown mode,
but was glad that Freddy hadn't been infected like she had been, and was protecting Gregory...FROM THEM.
Chica then shivered, recalling how vulnerable Gregory looked
when the Daycare Attendant threw him into danger, alerting her, Roxy and Monty.
Chica remembered screaming internally as she rushed at Gregory back then.
She had ALMOST caught the poor boy, had Freddy not gotten to him first at the last second.
(Chica was so relieved for that, and thanked Freddy, despite being unable to speak freely.)
"how...b-bad did he look?" asked Chica, finally. her voice shaky.
Gregory shivered as he tried to remember the last time he saw Freddy.
"he...couldn't even stand up. yet, despite how hurt he was...he was more worried about me than himself."
Chica smiled weakly...that DID sound like the Freddy that she knew.
Always being concerned for others, and never once thinking about himself.
(no small wonder he was idolized by so many children, with herself being everyone second favorite.)
"Where were you going for this Backstage Pass?" asked Chica.
"Freddy said it was in the Rehearsal room." answered Gregory.
"Well, you are in luck. There is a door to the Rehearsal Room right next to my room here." explained Chica.
"I can pop in there, and be back here in no time. just wait here, and-"
"I'm not staying here." said Gregory, with a pout.
"If the Rehearsal Room is literally just around he corner, then I'm going there myself."
Chica looked at Gregory with concern. "Gregory...Roxy might still be nearby,
And you still haven't fully recovered from when she attacked you earlier. It's too dangerous."
"Hey!, you said you would do anything to prove that I can trust you." retorted Gregory.
"How do I know you won't just bring Roxy, or Vanessa here while I am waiting here!?"
Chica frowned at this. "I suppose you do have a point.
...Okay, you can come with me. So long as you stay close."
Gregory nodded. "okay...Deal."
Chica smiled. she then walked over to her room's curtain, and peeked through the narrow parting.
Her eyes gleamed blue as she scanned the surrounding area for any signs of motion.
Detecting nothing, Chica returned to Gregory. "No one is outside. We should go now."
Gregory nodded, and walked with Chica to the door outside the room.
As the door slid open, Gregory walked out.
Once again greeted with the calming atmosphere of the museum-like hall.
Despite the peril he had been in lately, he somehow still enjoyed being in the Pizzaplex.
He could see why so many kids his age liked coming here (and even he had fun here during daytime hours.)
"are you...SURE you are okay, Cupcake?" spoke Chica, concern in her voice.
"Because if you are still in pain, I can carry you if you want."
Gregory groaned as he rotated his arm slightly. "I'm fine...don't worry about me."
Chica frowned. "I am afraid that won't be possible."
Gregory briefly looked up at Chica, for some reason feeling emotional at the Animatronic's compassion.
"what's wrong, sweetie?" inquired Chica.
Gregory quickly hid his face. "n-nothing...it's nothing."
Chica tilted her head, feeling Gregory was bothered by something.
BUT, her pre-programmed knowledge on child psychology told her to not press the issue.
Whatever it was...He would tell her once he felt more comfortable about it.
"okay...The door to the Rehearsal Room is over there." said Chica, pointing to a door to the left.
Gregory looked and instantly recognized where Chica was pointing.
As the door was right next to a high up air duct that Gregory had initially crawled out of
when Freddy needed his help to get out of his room when this misadventure first began.
"Great!" said Gregory, starting to run...until Chica grabbed him by his shirt's back.
"No-No! Stay behind me, Cupcake." said Chica.
"If Roxy is still around, it will be better if she sees me first, and not you."
Gregory huffed, but did as he was told. "Okay..."
Chica proceeded to walk ahead to the door with Gregory close behind her.
Unlike Freddy, Chica's footsteps were much softer
(though Gregory could still feel a slight tremor with her every step.)
It made sense in Gregory's head, given how Chica wasn't as 'bulky' as Freddy.
As the pair reached the door, Chica stopped and motioned for Gregory to stay back.
The boy exhaled stressfully, but obeyed the Animatronic Hen as she approached the door and carefully opened it.
Gregory peeked, and saw a small, pink room on the other side
with some artwork of Freddy and Chica on a far wall.
Chica entered the room, and approached another door in the small room.
After creaking the door open and performing a brief optical scan, Chica looked back to Gregory.
"It's okay...all's clear ahead." said Chica.
Gregory Sprinted into the room and to the door.
As usual, he stayed behind Chica while she walked pass the door.
The pair walked around a red shelf, and approached a (thankfully open) security gate.
On the other side was a much larger room with a makeshift stage and musical instruments.
"Here it is...The Rehearsal Room." spoke Chica.
"This is where Me, Freddy and all our friends always practiced before a performance."
Chica then paused as she briefly recalled some older memories in her memory banks.
"we...had such good times here." mused Chica.
Gregory walked to the center of the room and looked around. "Sooo...where is Backstage Pass at?!"
Chica was brought out of her reminiscing by the current task at hand.
"I'm...not sure." spoke Chica. "Let's spread out, and search."
As Chica walked off to one side of the room, Gregory walked to the other.
Amidst his searching, Gregory briefly looked over his shoulder to Chica.
Part of him still wasn't sure if he could trust Chica, and wanted to keep an eye on her.
But upon seeing that Chica was really was searching and not leaving him to alert anyone,
Gregory breathed out and allowed himself to let his guard down around the Animatronic Chicken.
maybe...Maybe she really was good now, and really was on his side.
As Gregory returned his attention to his search, Chica then looked back at him for a moment.
She knew that the boy had been watching her, but pretended not to notice.
It hurt a little that the child was so suspicious of her...but she couldn't blame him.
Their first meeting didn't leave a very good first impression with her acting like a deranged zombie.
Chica hoped that eventually the boy would forgive her...and finally trust her.
Chica was then jolted from her thoughts as Gregory began to approach the door to a storage closet.
"Where are you going, Cupcake?!" spoke Chica, in a worried tone.
"To look for the pass in here." said Gregory.
"You won't be able to find much in there. It's dark, and there is no light." explained Chica.
Gregory then showed Chica a flashlight that he had.
"oh...Well, be quick. I would feel better if you stay where I can see you." said Chica.
"Sure, "MOM." said Gregory, with some sass.
"whut?"
"Nuthin!" said Gregory, suddenly blushing at his joke gone wrong.
As Gregory entered the dark closet, Chica continued her search on her own.
Immediately, Gregory got chills upon entering the storage closet.
Chica hadn't been exaggerating: It was pitch black in the small room.
Though he loathed to admit it...Gregory felt a little nervous being in here.
As he was in a room not unlike this one when Roxy attacked him earlier.
...And he REALLY didn't want to go through that again.
As Gregory shined his flashlight, he spotted something familiar.
It was a large, ribboned gift box with a crank.
Gregory had encountered these before...and they (sometimes) held something useful inside.
Gregory ran over to the gift box, and turned the crank that played a musical boxy tune.
The Gift Box's lid then popped as the item inside sprung out via a released spring.
Gregory grabbed the item...which was a newer model of Flashlight with a longer lasting battery.
"well...better than nothing." muttered Gregory.
Just then, Gregory heard the sound of grinding gears and thumping footsteps.
The boy turned, and gasped at something with glowing eyes towering over him.
[End of Part 02]
[Author Notes]
Whew! It sure took me awhile to get this story updated.
Initially, I intended for it to be ready by the FNAF Movie's Cinema Release,
AND even on Halloween Itself, but it kept getting delayed.
Well, better late than never.
Anyway, this continues where I left off
on my Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach story.
Like I stated before, this will follow the game's plot to a degree.
But some obvious story deviation will occur.
(The most obvious being how Chica will be an ally to Gregory,
alongside Freddy, who is currently "damaged")
For this chapter, I took some time to get Gregory on-board
with trusting an Animatronic that had been hunting him prior
(So, it goes without saying that there will be some trust issues.)
I also embrace the "Mother Hen" characterization for Chica
in how she interacts with Gregory (which parallels Freddy being a "Papa Bear")
And since this is based on a "Horror" game,
I decided to end this chapter on a vague cliffhanger
(although most readers may already know what's coming.)