I had this written for quite some time, but with how my schedule has been lately, I didn't have time before now. I am also kinda glad I don't have to use my actual voice for this, for my yearly and much loated coughing fit has come and utterly taken my voice away. it sucks really.
Anyways, to the comments I have gotten since the last chapter.
to EthanDreemurr: I am incredibly flattered for your comment and how much you have enjoyed both Facing the Past and this kinda slow in the uptake sequel. the reason I didn't mention much about the Toys past was due to two things; one, I didn't have much about them, and second, I thought it would be too much for the already many going characher arcs happening in Facing the Past. but I am planning giving the Toys a bigger arc in Confronting the Future.
to nagrme2702: thank you ^^
to thx: so true and something I always tell fledging authors when they ask me for writing advice.
now, let's get started on a much too late but it's not like this timeline cares, Christmas chapter.
"Okay, so we're bit in a pickle—"
"That's an understatement." Bonnie remarks, ducking his head further when the enemy's ammo missed his head by an inch.
Freddy gives him a look before returning back to draw his plan into the snow. "The enemy is here and here," He uses small stones for that, "Backing down is no option; otherwise they are going to flank us."
"What does flank mean?" Chiara asks.
"It means they will come at our side, something we can't risk." Freddy briefly explains, he then turns to Bonnie. "You and Mike will push them back, the rest of us will cover you the best we can."
"I would appreciate it more if you made sure we always got the ammo." Bonnie points out and for once, Mike has to agree: "Yeah, without it, we're pretty screwed."
"I got it" Vixey says, busy in making said ammo.
Freddy turns away from the fox on their side, "You heard her, now, are you all ready?" they nod and by Freddy's words: "Attack!" Bonnie and Mike get out from the cover the hedge gave them, throwing the snowballs Vixey made at the base the others made during the last attacks.
They are both good throwers and one of Mike's snowballs hits Spring square in the face, startling him so much that he dropped the snowball he was about to throw. Theo and Rena throw their own at the two, with Chica quickly joining and her sick aim allowed her to hit Mike right as he sought cover. "You're never going to win!" She calls gleefully, drunk with power that her team has pretty much been wiping the floor with the others.
Vixey hurls a snowball; it hits Theo's back and the young bear is quick to retaliate. She just manages to dodge, to then get hit by Spring. She jumps behind cover and returns to making more snowballs; Mike goes to help her.
Among the chaos of being bombarded by snowballs, Freddy notices a mistake on their opponents part, smirks, and after making the biggest snowball he can, Freddy hurls that monster over the enemy team's head.
"You missed!" Rena calls gleefully, Chica laughing beside her, only to come to an abrupt end and replaced with surprise screaming when the needle tree threw down all the snow it held, shook loose by Freddy's snowball. Both run from the avalanche of snow, right into the no-man land where they got pummel by Chiara and Vixey.
Spring tries to save them, but in the distraction hadn't noticed that Bonnie managed to sneak past, only when the purple rabbit whistle behind and when turning, got a bucket worth of snow right in the face.
Chaos ensued and after have chased the rest down by several snowballs, Chica's team admit defeat. Much to Bonnie's soaring ego. "Told you we could win!"
"You only did thanks to Freddy's stunt!" Chica retorts, but she will admit, "but it was a good one, didn't see it coming." Freddy grins in response to her affirmation that he was the cause of his team's victory.
"Holy shit, the place looks like a war zone."
Freddy turns to Jeremy, glad to see he was able to come and amused by the man's observation. "It was a minute ago."
"Who won?"
"We did," Mike grins and just can't stop himself, "Freddy pretty much nuked the others." Jeremy raises a brow from his comment, looks around the garden, and says: "So long you don't nuke me, I don't give a shit." He heads back inside, but right at the door, he got a snowball right in the back, making the blond spin around, once again having his iconic death-glare. "Who did that?!" Mike, including the others points at Bonnie.
Said rabbit is not happy at this betrayal, "You traitors!" and knows Jeremy now will think of some diabolic plan to get back at him.
"That's what happens when you poke the dog." Spring smirks, letting out a laugh from the 'what did you just call me?' glare he received from his brother. He just asked for it. "Or do you prefer being called—"
"Say that and I will chuck you in the nearest trash container." Jeremy growls, he hates that nickname and if his brother says it, he will do anything to make his threat reality. Of course, his brother laughs but is at least wise enough not to say it, for now at least. "Keep going, and you might find yourself locked outside."
"And miss the festivities? Then I rather bash down the door!" Spring retorts with a large smile.
"Please don't." Freddy muses at Springs comeback remark, sure it's minor, but he really does not want to be bothered fixing a door because Spring would refuse to wait for others to let him back inside. Speaking of which. "Alright, better get inside, party is not making itself after all."
After have removed leftover snow from their feet and boots, everyone starts preparing for their Christmas party. It took a bit of encouragement, but Spring got Soren and Hope out from their little cave downstairs and made them help him and most of the others in preparing the restaurant for the party. Soren clearly didn't show much interest in Christmas, most likely having a bad experience, but Spring is confident they can change that.
Freddy helps Chica and Theo cook by bringing whatever they need from their food storage, passing Mike who is having a chat with Jeremy.
"I heard from Thomas he wouldn't be coming." Mike is not really surprised by this though, their mechanic got family and he is sure Spring understands that.
Jeremy nods he got that one right, "Yup, but he sure tried to make his mother let him celebrate with us. Didn't succeed, but I am sure he can live without us for a couple of days." Mike agrees, and he can sort off relate to Thomas with this one. Mr. and Mrs. Legrand had invited him to their Christmas party, even though he kept declining. However, this time, he had a much better excuse and Mike feels that Sean and Rena's parents were glad to hear that he wouldn't be alone in the celebrations.
Right that moment, Rena realizes she has to be going. "Oh shoot! I completely forgot the time!" She exclaims, sure hope the train hasn't left. "Gotta go, oh before I miss the train." She grabs a bag that is filled with presents to each of those living at Freddy's. One of them Rena just needs to see the reaction from, and that's her brother. She trots over to said bear and hands him the soft package. "Here, hurry and open it so I can get to the train station."
Freddy blinks but does as told. For a moment he just stares at the blue jacket suit, then he gets a look of sheer joy, and next, Rena is trapped in a literal bear hug. "I love it!" her brother exclaims, Rena wants to answer but she can barely breathe. Only able when he lets go and one deep breath later. "Glad you like it, so you better wear it and the rest when I return."
Well, this new addition to his human-sized suit might be a tad too flamboyant for normal use, but Freddy does like to be bit of a showoff when doing a show. "Of course," he smiles and rolls this also new tophat his sister brought him, unlike his former, this has a blue silk band around the brim. Rena beams before she leaves, calling to them all. "See you after the holiday!"
"See you Rena!" Mike calls. With her gone, he grabs the bag filled with gifts and puts them all under the large tree they got at the start of the holiday, decorated by the Toys and Hope. While doing so, Mike notices that Chiara seems to have an argument with Vixey. Forgetting about his task, he heads over to the two girls. Hearing Vixey say; "I can't see the problem, you sang all the time before!"
"But that wasn't me…" Chiara softly argues, this time it will and it scares her. It's not like a silly karaoke night, "They will just laugh…" Yes, she loves singing, but Chiara is nowhere near to Chica's and Freddy's level in her own eyes.
Hearing that, Mike gets the feeling what's all this is about. "Are you planning on singing tonight?" He asks. Chiara jumps in surprise and looks at him with wide, nervous eyes. Mike guess she is scared about their reaction, "I think it's good to start doing the act around friends and family." Chiara meets his eyes, he returns it with a smile, "dDo you want to try?"
She's unsure, but start at one point she must. Chiara wants to sing like the older bots, not songs stuffed inside her head like before, but lyrics she has actually practiced. "Maybe…" Chiara muses as even though she wants, it does not change that being the center of attention is terrifying.
Mike nods in understanding, "If you change your mind." he says and leaves.
Chiara turns to Vixey, the other girl rolls her eyes; unlike her, she has never really dealt with confidence issues. Chiara wishes she could be as fearless and Vixey, but she isn't. Chiara sighs and begins to wander, ending up near the large Christmas tree, nearby, the radio is playing radio music. She finds herself humming to one of the songs and stops herself to check the surrounding. That's where she notices BonBon; he is standing right beside her, watching with those big green eyes.
"Was Vixey mean to you again?" He asks, worried for Chiara who always has put his need before hers. He does not know why, but sincerely appreciate her protection towards the two others.
Chiara shakes her head, "No, not really." BonBon titles his head, not even she can resist those pure curious eyes. "She tried to help me get up on stage and sing." Chiara glances over to where Vixey is currently having a playfight with Foxy. "…In her own way, I guess." Didn't really help but Chiara supposes Vixey was trying and that's what count, right?
BonBon has known that Chiara wants to sing for the others for quite some time but has been too nervous about it, something he knows far too well himself. But she has always helped him overcome his fears, so, "I'll sing with you." He states out in such a confident voice that it even surprises himself. But BonBon isn't really scared about being watched by other people. He feels safe on a stage. Chiara gives him a surprised look, and BonBon smiles. "You have helped me, so now I will help you." He offers her his hand.
Oh, Leo… she couldn't ask for a better younger brother. Touched by this, it encourages Chiara to try, for if her easily scared brother can do it, then so can she. "Alright," BonBon beams and together they walk over to Freddy. Here Chiara asks if he can prepare a mic "And ask Bonnie if he can play the song?"
Well isn't this a pleasured surprise? He has always known Chiara got a talent for singing, but that she is willing to give them a show. Freddy is proud of what she and BonBon will be doing. "Of course, but I think Spring's instrument would fit this choice of yours much better." He suggests, the two nods and Freddy walks over to speak with Spring if he could offer some music for the kids, which Spring is more than happy to comply. After that, Freddy prepares the stage for the two. When done, he tests the mic, getting the others' attention. "Chiara and BonBon would like to do a small musical performance." He glances at the two, for once it's not the bunny that is terrified. "You two ready?"
Chiara nods although her system is in overdrive from stage fright, she is incredibly close to back away from her decision, but when BonBon took hold of her hand, gave her that smile, she feels confident and walks up to the stage. At first she just stands there nervously with everyone looking, but when Spring starts the melody of her favorite song, Chiara feels more at ease.
"I am not a stranger to the dark"
her voice is still trembling and kinda weak.
"Hide away, they say
'Cause we don't want your broken parts"
she is about to continue but stops when BonBon starts singing
"I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one'll love you as you are"
and surprisingly confident compared to how he is otherwise, starts to do a small dance
"But I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us"
smiling, Chiara takes the microphone, taking the lead once again.
"For we are glorious"
she walks forward, darkness surrounds her, only a single light, right where she stands, but Chiara is not afraid, instead, she feels excited.
"When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out."
her voice flows out to the watching crowd, her much longer hair waves as she turns around, her tanktop and skirt glitter in the light hitting her. "I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be"
she spins back to the crowd, smiling confidently,/em
"this is me"
"Look out 'cause here I come"
she does not move as BonBon appears beside her, his timid nature only slightly shows, but being on the stage always brings out his confidence and shows by every move he makes.
"And I'm marching on to the beat I drum."
he begins to dance to the melody of the song
"I'm not scared to be seen"
Chiara takes over
"I make no apologies, this is me!"
lifting her wing, the light explodes, and they can fully see their crowd and their home.
"Oh-oh-oh-oh"
once a place that brought them nothing but pain and suffering.
"Oh-oh-oh-oh"
"Oh-oh-oh-oh"
but like the older bots, they have transformed this building into a place of joy and brought a future worth living.
"Oh-oh-oh-oh"
Chiara glances over to the DJ's corner, like always, Theo is standing there, only one headphone covering his ears and bobbing his head to the melody which makes his wave decorated pelt on the shoulders move like real waves.
"Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh"
BonBon takes a deep breath, his eyes closed, when opening, his voice filled with confidence.
"Another round of bullets hits my skin"
he spreads out his arms like an invitation, stepping forward of their stage
"Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in"
he gracefully leaps backward, right as Vixey joins them on the stage. Even after so long, she refuses to get that ear repaired. It does makes her look badass.
"We are bursting through the barricades"
he and Vixey at first moves around each other as if unsure while Chiara continues singing.
"and Reaching for the sun"
"we are warriors!" the others sings loudly.
"Yeah, that's what we've become!" the others repeat the words and their two dancers in the form of BonBon and Vixey start doing their steps in a faster pace.
"I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us"
spinning around himself, BonBon joins her side, singing together;
"For we are glorious~!"
they start dancing again, all the time keeping eye contact with one another while smiling from how much fun they have.
"When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out"
BonBon gets into the middle of the stage, she and Vixey joins his sides, still dancing.
"I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me"
Theo makes the sign and the whole stage gets engulfed in all kind of lights, making their feathers and pelts stand extra out.
"Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum"
grinning, Theo does so the lights are hitting them just right, even making sure he could be seen jamming it out.
"I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies,"
Chiara and Vixey lift their hands to the ceiling and BonBon stops his dancing with a hard, proud step.
"this is me" and Chiara calls out to the crowd "together everyone!"
" Oh-oh-oh-oh"
the crowd joins in, much their joy as that mean they enjoy the show.
"Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh"
"This is me"
BonBon and Vixey start dancing again, this time around Chiara.
"And I know that I deserve your love
There's nothing I'm not worthy of!"
Theo cuts off all light except the one aimed at her. Quote to crank it back down again.
"When the sharpest words wanna cut me down"
she sings softly and in a flowing move, leaves the stage to walk among the crowd
"I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out"
she approaches Mike, he is sitting in the back alongside his family. She smiles to him, before turning her attention to the small boy.
"This is brave, this is bruised"
and invites him to follow her a bit, which he gladly does.
"This is who I'm meant to be, this is me"
united Vixey and BonBon stomps their feet into the floor, and Theo puts the tempo up again. She leaves the child among the other children and joins her friends on the stage again.
"Look out 'cause here I come" and Chiara repeats, singing with all of her heart.
"And I'm marching on to the beat I drum"
BonBon jumps off the scene, looking as if he's flying.
"marching on, marching, marching on!"
he barely lands before he has reached the smaller stage, and starts dancing there.
"I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me"
he takes over, easily keeping up even though he's dancing along to the beat
"When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out"
"This is me!" Chiara finishes the song, her former confidence gone when realizing that every one of Freddy's are staring wide-eyed at her. She winches and nervously taps the mic. "so… what do you think?"
Silence.
"Holy crap that was awesome." Bonnie voice breaks the silence, both surprised and deeply impressed by how good of a singing voice both those two kids have. sure, BonBon needs a bit more training as he pretty much just shuffled around, and Chiara was standing like a stick. But other than that. "I can't wait for the day, you start your own show." And he means it.
Chiara blinks in surprise by those incredible encouraging words, more so when it came from Bonnie of all the animatronic. "Really?"
"You should sing more often. It will be a waste of talent otherwise," Freddy remarks and gives the two young singers an approving nod, along with. "If you wishes, I can give you both some vocal lessons." They both beam at the suggestions, and with no hesitating, "I would love that." Chiara replies.
a view of the Toys future might spoil it for some, but I always wanted to reveal how I imagined they would look like as "adults."
when I stop coughing like standing inside a chain-smoker's building, I will attempt to draw the Adult Toys. and you guys can find them on my DeviantArt account when they finally get drawn.
till next time.