sorry for the wait, it has been busy with the exams coming up and it does not help that I dealt with sleep deprivation. so it has only been now I got time (and mental surplus) to make this chapter ready to be read.
Freddy: I know that feeling, but something tells me I can handle stress way better than you.
*nods* that you definitely can, my robot bear friend. Now can you do the honor and read the reviews?
Freddy: alright. *picks up the papers* now to Guest: as you can hear from our Author, things have been busy for her to even consider making a new chapter.
Darn right.
Freddy: and to Tracker78: hm, that sounds like a good idea, I do owe her some of my time after having been gone for a whole year. Don't worry about Spring and his son, from what I can tell, they have such moments all the time. *puts the papers down* Now I think it's time I get back to work.
right, so everyone, the upcoming song "Halloween at Freddy's" is made by TryHardNinja
enjoy the story!
Since Mike, Soren and Hope pretty much weren't allowed inside the restaurant due to the animatronics during a rehearsal of the Halloween show, he and the two kids spent the night at Mrs. Grey's house since Mike does not think spending a night at a motel will ease the two kids constant paranoia and Jeremy does still not trust himself from what Twisted One did to him.
That night at Jenna's grandmother was a bit… weird for Mike, but in a good way.
Mrs. Grey welcomed them inside with open arms and after have readied the guest room and the couch for Mike, Mrs. Grey began spoiling the two kids as if they were her grandchildren. Hope took all of this in strides and really enjoyed the grandmotherly attention, while Soren.
Poor kid had no idea how to react on this; as if he has never tried to have a grandmother to spoil him. Mike didn't say anything but he must admit that he felt a little sorry for how awkward Soren constantly was around Mrs. Grey and he must give the elderly woman props for brushing Soren at times rude behavior off, it's clear she too can see that Soren simply has little practice in being around other people and his past experiences have made him apprehension towards pretty much anything new.
Near ten, Mike ushes both kids to bed and quietly leaves the room, joining Jenna's grandmother in the living room. He thanks her, both for the cup of tea and the hospitality shown to both him and the two children. "They clearly needed this after everything they have been through." He briefly explains her.
Mrs. Grey nods in agreement. "Oh yes, no kids should go through such trauma. I fear Soren might be forever scarred by what his own mother did to him. Trust won't come easy from that one." She turns her gaze to her own cup. "His mother can't have been a good person to begin with: Soren lacks social awareness which a child at his age should understand, but the silver lining is that Soren is a good boy and in time will get out from that shell and learn how to be around people."
"Yeah." Mike muses, he has seen that as well. Soren has a few times acted like a child his age when playing with Hope. "I just hope I can help the two get back to their family again."
Mrs. Grey gives Mike a knowing smile. "You will do more than that, Mike." He blinks, not entirely sure of what she means, but Mrs. Grey won't tell Mike that he has a habit of staying near those who need help, even if he can get hurt.
None of them noticed Soren listening at their conversation behind the door, stunned that these people genuinely want the best for him. He honestly didn't think that was possible, less so when all of his memories about family ends with him getting hurt. He is scared, more so when a part of him wants to open up to these people. But if he does… he just ends up hurt again…
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The next day.
Mike thanks Mrs. Grey for the hospitality once again, the two kids did the same and for once Soren wasn't sarcastic about it, instead he thanked Mrs. Grey with an, although awkward but genuine "thank you for having us, Mrs. we really appreciate it."
"It was my pleasure, you three are always welcome at my house." Mrs. Grey replies mostly Soren, very proud to see a glimpse of the good boy she knows he is, then she adds only for Mike's ears. "Can you give Jenna a heads-up she soon will get a visit from her grandmother?"
Mike nods that he will give Chica the message, not surprised that Mrs. Grey would like to see her granddaughter. The three waves goodbye and leave to reach the bus.
The bus ride was rather uneventful two hours, only that the kids weren't as afraid of being away from their "safe zone" as they were yesterday.
They arrive at Freddy's and the two kids goof a bit around on the parking lot before going inside. Mike does lack a bit behind as he notices an old animatronic arm— by the color it belonged to Foxy— hanging out from the large trash container. Confused about this as the animatronics no longer have that kind of limbs after their upgrade, Mike walks over to the container and looks inside. He finds several parts of the animatronics old shapes, even a Chica mask which is creepily is staring at him between the trash of old salad.
Seeing these old parts does raise a lot of questions; like how they got them and why in the world would these parts be here? The animatronics cannot use them anymore.
Maybe he will get some answers inside. So Mike heads inside and indeed gets his answer when he finds a box with the Toys old form heads near the stage, it's clearly meant to be a prop.
Bonnie is hanging up what looks to be Vixey by the white cover plus the fox head, good thing this isn't Vixey, just a prop for he wouldn't wish her being stuck in that form which is a mangled mess of metal parts.
Hold up, could that be…? Mike quietly tracks down Jeremy. He finds the man at one of the tables, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. "Hey, that mess Bonnie is hanging up, the one that looks kinda like Vixey."
"Yup, that was what bit me." Jeremy answers without missing a beat. Mike has to bite his lip so he wouldn't accidentally laugh on how comically chill the blond is about the situation. And looking at the prop, Mike admits: "Okay, I can see why you and the others called her Mangle."
"Yeah, kid wasn't happy to see her old form either." Jeremy replies and casts a glance to the storage room where Vixey and the other child animatronics are hiding. "But I did hear her mention to Foxy; she is happy she is no longer trapped in that body." and looking at the prop of Mangle. "But if that thing starts to move on its own, I don't care if it's for the show. I will find the nearest wood chipper and throw it down there."
Mike laughs weakly at his remark, well he would've understood why if he had been the one who had to constantly check the ceiling for that monstrosity. His fellow co-worker then notices 'the star' of the show.
Thomas is currently finishing the last touches. "Yup, we now officially have a Springtrap." Jeremy remarks dryly and is surprised Martin is taking it rather well that there is a literal reminder of his past inside the building. Granted the Springtrap Thomas built does not look quite like how Martin looked like when he was in a rotting bunny suit but still enough to know what it is supposed to be.
Taking a sip of his coffee. "It's a prop like the rest and good thing too, no way in hell Martin's mind should get near that body."
Mike can fully understand why. He can see why Spring at times gets this heartbroken look in his eyes. He had to be neglected for years for his body to rot like that, plus what Freddy once told him, Spring lost his sanity for a time when he realized the truth about himself, and if he was trapped in such a suit while it happened… yeah, Mike can see why Spring does not want to talk about it. "Maybe I shouldn't have included that into the song…" He muses as he was the one who created their Halloween song.
Jeremy merely shrugs. "It was your way of putting this shit behind and besides-" the blond glances to the prop. "Springtrap does fit to the show."
"Glad to know I no longer will be called that horrific name." Spring remarks as he walks up to the two humans, his brother does not look at him, not wanting to show his regret that he called him that at some point. Spring has long forgiven him, more so that Jeremy didn't know Spring and Martin have become the same being. "Don't look so down, Jear-bear." As hoped it got a reaction out from his brother and Jeremy sends him a death glare for the name. He simply laughs the glare off and turns to Mike, asking the brunette. "So, ready to see what we have made out of the show?"
Mike nods with a big grin, knowing his friends, this show will be awesome and that makes him very excited to see the updated show. "You bet!" but has to asks, as all of this does look to have taken more than a few hours to make. "You didn't keep Thomas and Scott up all night did you?"
Spring chuckles sheepishly. "Well, Scott went to bed after he helped Goldie out in getting the parts and some paint. Thomas on the other hand…" He glances over to his boy who looks ready to drop from sleep deprivation. "He has been up all night."
"Didn't you tell him to go to bed?" Jeremy asks bewildered Thomas father have let the kid do an all-nighter.
Spring scratches the back of his head, still with that sheepish smile all over his face. "We uh... all sorta forgot the time and before we knew: it was morning."
Jeremy rolls his eyes of what that meant. "So none of you idiots have gotten recharged." and has to resist the urge to hit his head against the table from Martin's cheerful reply: "Nope!"
Great… that means he will be dealing with drowsy and probably short tempered animatronics.
His brother laughs before he leaves to put his more sleep than awake son to bed. Freddy and Bonnie carry the Springtrap prop over to a corner that is dark and creepy, all decorated by Chica.
With the props set, Freddy calls for everyone. "Alright, now it's time to give the first wave of costumes a welcome they soon won't forget— oh, are the warnings on both our website and a sign outside been put up?" He asks no one in particular, Bonnie is the one who answers. "Yup, so only stupid or insensitive parents would bring too young or easily scared kids inside for the show." And the rabbit adds to Chica with a devilishly grin. "I wonder how many complains we will get from those?" Said chicken rolls her eyes at her boyfriend.
Freddy frowns at what Bonnie has said and sure hope parents are smart enough to see the signs that this show is not for small kids. "They shouldn't since we made it clear this show is not for young children."
"Won't stop some people." Jeremy muses under his breath.
"Let's get to our posts, our employees will be arriving soon and so are our first costumers." Freddy speaks. The other animatronics nod and leave to be at their spots to the updated show.
With them on their spots, Mike and Jeremy head to the manager office to do a quick checkup on how business is going and also make sure the warning about this show not being appropriate for young or easily scared people are easily spotted on their webpage. Scott cannot follow since he is busy making sure his part of the show is properly practiced.
The employees arrive not long after, the cooks only cast the new props a quick glance before disappearing into the kitchen to ready today's food.
The waiters quickly dress into the restaurant uniform and since they cannot do their job before any costumer arrive, they spend the waiting time checking out the new props and ask one of the managers aka Scott on where they got these new props in the matter of a single night. Scott simply told them that the company had some old props in storage and that's what they are using for the show.
"We thought we might as well put those old parts to good use for the Halloween show instead throwing them out as we no longer can use them for the animatronics." He explains.
One of the waiters gives the box filled with the Toys old form heads a look, musing. "I almost forgot how they looked like." Before he leaves to check on the Mangle prop along with one of his co-workers.
Scott does get a hold on their head waiter and asks her. "Could you lock the doors?"
Anna gives him a confused look but does as she is asked. She locks the door and waits for him to permit her to unlock the doors for the slowly growing crowd of confused costumers.
About ten minutes after they should've opened, Scott gives Anna the go-ahead to open the doors.
Right as she does, the light turns off and eerie melody starts to play. The costumes carefully walk inside the dark room, having only pumpkin heads to light their way. A few of the braver children leave their parents to reach the game room, forgets all about that when they spot glowing eyes in the dark.
"It's Halloween at Freddy's
All the guests have arrived"
Those children jump back and Freddy appears from the darkness, singing.
"Everyone's dying to meet you so
Won't you spend the night?"
Goldie appears suddenly right beside them.
"Join us!"
All of the children run back to their parents.
Freddy approaches the watching crowd.
"Welcome our new friend
Come on let's begin
There's no time to waste"
He puts his hands onto a man's shoulder who is watching somewhat wary while his children more or less hide behind him.
"It is me, Freddy.
I hope you're ready
Let's cut to the chase"
Freddy lets go of the man and turn the crowd's attention to the quickly made security office near the kitchen.
"Sounds are coming from,
From the telephone
On this holiday"
And right on queue, Scott calls behind the wall so it sounds like he's speaking through the phone.
"Hello Hello? It's me the Phone Guy!
Don't trust a word they say!"
Freddy pretends to brush those words off by leading their guests to the tables.
"It's Halloween at Freddy's
All the guests have arrived"
Slowly the costumes take a seat.
"Everyone's dying to meet you so
Please try not to cry!"
Freddy adds the last part down to a young boy who stares scared up to him.
"Join us!"
Goldie appears in a dark corner, so he's hard to see other than his glowing eyes.
"First comes Mangle"
Goldie points at the ceiling where the prop of Mangle hangs.
"He'll make you dangle
Best to move along!"
People's attention is then turned to the door of the game room, where Spring stands beside a large present where the immobile Marion sits.
"Then the Puppet
He's a quiet kid"
Spring begins to tune a music box.
"But he'll play a song"
Bonnie makes the stage lights hit where they have the Springtrap prop.
"Whatever you do
Please remember to
Stay clear of Springtrap."
Many of the adults stare disturbed at the robot zombie-like form, several of them still remember the story about the killings that happened in one of the old buildings.
"Heed my warnings
If he says "Follow me"
You'll never come back!"
Fortunately, the children didn't know, only that none of them wants to go near Springtrap.
Bonnie then steps into the faint light.
"Bonnie might look cute
But he'll break you in two"
He smirks devilishly down to the crowd.
"Like a carrot stick!"
Chica then makes the lights near the pirate cove turn on and Foxy peeks slightly his head out.
"Look there's Pirate's Cove
That means Foxy's close
He'll hook you with his tricks"
Bonnie leaves the lights at Springtrap, allowing Chica step in.
"Stick with Chica instead
She's got something in hand
It's a sweet cupcake!"
She makes her Cakey plushie gets into the light, allowing people to see the fake teeth she made for it.
"Yeah, it's got nightmare teeth
But that's our kind of treat
Doesn't that sound great?"
And every animatronic joins the chorus from each of their spots.
"It's Halloween at Freddy's
All the guests have arrived"
Freddy walks onto the stage to join his two friends.
"Everyone's dying to meet you so
Won't you spend the night?"
And the three stares down to the crowd as they slowly move their heads around while singing in unison.
"Join us!
Join us!
Join us!
Join us!
Halloween at Freddy's!"
"Join us!
Join us!
Join us!
Join us!
Halloween at Freddy's!"
Spring walks past the box of the Toys old shapes.
"New friends always run away!
On our favorite fright-filled day!"
He takes one of the heads in an act he is investigating it before the fearful but unable to look away children.
"All we want to do is play!
Won't you be the one to stay?"
The parents all turn back to the stage when Freddy, Bonnie, Chica once again sing unison.
"Join us!
Join us!
Join us!
Join us!
Halloween at Freddy's!"
Foxy joins in with Scott near the fake security office.
"Join us!
Join us!
Join us!
Join us!
Halloween at Freddy's!"
Every animatronic except Freddy stops and pretend to be turned off, leaving Freddy to sing the last chorus on the dark stage.
"It's Halloween at Freddy's
All the guests have arrived"
To then be 'interrupted' by Scott singing through the phone.
"And if you listened carefully
You might get out alive!"
Silence, broken with the last beat of the song and Goldie appears right before people with a booming:
"Join us!" Finished off with menacing laughter.
That did startle a lot of people, but when the lights get turned on and animatronics now stand in a friendly manner, they applause over the great and pretty scary show. A few parents, laughing a bit, others calm down their children that got scared by the whole ordeal.
Bonnie puts on some more cheerful music and everything returns to normal with people ordering food, talking and children having fun.
Mike walks over to the stage and Freddy smiles down to him, asking: "So what do you think?" Mike returns the smile. "It was really good, and I am pretty sure you scared several children."
Bonnie snorts a laugher. "Yeah, it was great." A clear sign that those ears weren't just for show. Mike is pretty sure Bonnie has fun scaring children as his way of getting revenge from all the times he has been mistaken for a female. He leaves his friends to do their job and walks over to check on Soren and Hope.
Hope is enjoying a pizza while Soren looks a bit distracted. Mike takes a seat beside the boy. "Hey, what's up?" He asks, he sure hopes the kid didn't get scared by the show.
Soren does not answer right away, only after a painful long hesitating. "I don't like the puppet."
Mike glances over to Marion's body, yeah the empty stare can be quite unnerving. "Sorry, but we can't remove Marion. He's part of the group."
Soren gives him a surprised look, Mike figures it's because Marion is not sentient like the rest. "I know it sounds weird, but Marion was once sentient like the others. I think he was a Medium like the two of you." And to his big surprise, both kids replies at the same time. "I know."
Soren and Hope give each other a look before Hopes eyes Mike and explains. "Eric was the one who saved Soren's life." And Soren explains, although in a way quieter tone. "I could only see him... before mother tried to kill me..." This catches him off guard and Mike stares at the uncomfortably sitting Soren, now confused to why he is uncomfortable around Ma— well he guesses his human name was Eric— animatronic body. "If he saved your life, then why don't you—"
"Eric told us how much he hated that body- his prison." Soren replies Mike bluntly and just looking at it makes him tense. "I can see why."
Mike continues to stare at him confused, but does eventually stop and tells him somberly. "Sorry Soren, but Marion is going to stay."
Soren does not respond, he is annoyed, but he is not really sure why as he gets the feeling it's not the marionette that is truly the cause of it.
I remember in one of the review I got (sorry I cannot find out who) that questioned to why Soren is a Medium when he's only the cousin to Hope from the mother's side. Here is the reason to why, since Soren more or less died when his mother attacked him, he got a glimpse to the spirit world and thus able to see it. Marion was the one who made sure he stayed alive.
I cannot say when the next chapter will be out, depends on how much the exam demands of my time and energy.
so until then, till next time