FNAF Security Breach: Whistleblower

by FrostByterFang

Sequel to Ruination. Takes place 2 years after the fall and collapse of the mega PizzaPlex. Luis' free runs into the supply depot finally catches up to him in the worst way possible: Bringing about a series of consequences that could bring trouble to the bots and the rest of the family. Vanessa meanwhile decides to orchestrate a rescue operation to save him. Full summary inside.

15. Whiteout

~Monday~

SUN

He had a new, official pastime: making dioramas of stuff!

Sun has not only discovered unicorns (his new favorite animal), but making tiny houses was FUN! He LOVED making gingerbread houses; something he learned just yesterday, in fact. But, he knew gingerbread houses wouldn't be available year-round, so he knew he'd want to make tiny houses out of all kinds of things! He saw people make book nooks and fancy models all the time, and it's a hobby he wanted DESPERATELY to start doing for himself. Already, he'd been looking for things across the house to make into tiny models; popsicle sticks, paper clips, toothpicks- more glitter glue. Whatever it was, you name it! He wanted it, and it was going towards a good cause.

For the moment, he was working on the second gingerbread house kit they had lying around; Chica staying out of this one and merely watching. She had fun with the last one; doing it with the kids and letting Sun join in once he saw what they were doing with the frosting. The hen burbled sweetly behind him, crooning happily at the sight of the group having fun with it. Even now, Cassie and Gregory were helping and the trio were enjoying it.

Discovering one hobby after the other was one of Sun's greatest delights after leaving the PizzaPlex. He loved finding new things to do and he took great pleasure in discovering more. He loved clay, paint, oil pastels, street chalk- he loved it ALL! He was NEVER bored, and the kids jumped in with him sometimes. And by 'kids', it wasn't just them- no no. Some of the children down the street would watch him play around with his craft supplies outside the times he had it. One time, during the summer, he'd gone out with his street chalk and some kids wanted to join in! Too bad their parents said no...

Ah well. He'd get the chance to play with more maybe-new-friends later! After all, he wasn't bored here, and he had friends now too! It was so different from the PizzaPlex; in which he was always alone at the end of the day. The Glamrocks kept to their own circle, and he'd be alone except for Moon the times he could leave the daycare. Sun was... bored. Constantly. He hated the PizzaPlex, and he learned first-hand just how bad life was in it. How restricted, colorless, and routine it truly was.

He would never go back. He would rather be destroyed than go back. Literally, dissembled piece-by-piece than be returned to his former employers and owners. They'd either stick him into another daycare or make him the new janitor! And while he didn't mind being an actor on the stage again or watch older kids (so long as they weren't throwing things...), he just couldn't do it anymore. After living true life here, he couldn't possibly be sent back to the PizzaPlex! Any of them.

He knew there was other PizzaPlexes. He wasn't keen on meeting another of himself. One of himself is more than enough! He didn't need to meet other Moons, Suns, or WHATEVER. His sanity is only so-so; and anymore of that nonsense will finish putting him in the nuthouse. And while he didn't mind meeting more Glamrocks, he wasn't sure they'd be like his family, and if they're even kind. If Bonnie and Monty's cockiness were anything to go by, he CERTAINLY didn't want two of either of them in his life.

In the meantime, he was finishing up this gingerbread house while Chica finished a new desert; this one would be for after dinner. It was a strawberry cheesecake; complete with a jello topping caging the strawberries in on its surface as well as filling its innards. The sight of it was already making Sun (metaphorically speaking) drool. The hen was crooning over it, seeming proud of her recent work.

Sun had to admit, Chica's penchant to just linger in here was weird. Shouldn't she hate it? She's been doing it for two straight years too; and while Chica said she didn't mind the work and actually enjoyed its process, sometimes he wondered if it was the healthy kind of outlet. After all, he can speak from experience just what some art forms truly said about the artist. Chica's cooking did speak of an earnest love for food and family- don't get him wrong! But sometimes, some of her choices in desserts suggest something a bit more... obscured.

She made carrot cake a lot. She served that for only a handful of people here: Roxy, Cassie, and Bonnie. They were the ones who ate it primarily. Her chocolate cakes? Gregory, Freddy, Cassie, and Sun himself as well as his alters (they all loved chocolate). Her vanilla stuff was beloved by Vanessa, Luis, Moon, and DJ. And her 'milk cakes'- what did Luis call them? Tres Leches? Welp, those was eaten by pretty much everyone, but Luis was the primary eater of those. Her cupcakes? Vanessa and the kids (as well as Sun and Eclipse) devoured those most often. Monty meanwhile ate... everything. He wasn't picky. And her pies? All greedily consumed by the house-hold in general.

Indeed, you can tell when she was making something who she was thinking about, and there was other desserts that Sun hadn't listed with a different name for the roster. Her craft suggests her moods as well, and generally, he noticed she favored making things like Tres leches and carrot cake. She showed that she was adverse to making SUPER sugary things, and she tended to gravitate towards fruit-laden desserts in general to further suggest her distaste of fat foods. Some items like waffles and pancakes were favored by everyone but she didn't tend to make those. Sun or Eclipse did, and he was the one serving up higher sugary foods. He made funnel cake once, and Chica stayed CLEAR out of that for some reason.

Back to the matter at present: Chica was finishing her strawberry cheesecake and putting it aside; huffing and smiling at it like it was her baby. To be fair, it looked amazing. She was nailing the 'presentation' aspect of food. Once upon a time, she wouldn't have cared. In fact, she would've eaten its raw ingredients! The cooking was another way of showing her patience had improved, as well as the rest of her temperament. She was seen putting a rag over the clear-container covering the cheesecake, as if to hide it from view-

Ah. There it is. She still didn't like it all the way. She did well making it and would be delighted by the process of the work, but its different once its done. She'd want to hide all evidence of her work from view after a point from herself. She'd tuck the desserts in the fridge or cover them up so she wouldn't have to look at them- and her discomfort showed once she finished the dang thing. Its weird how an artist can so bluntly hate their work, but then again... maybe not so weird, seeing as Sun understood wanting to achieve perfection in an otherwise flawed space.

But she wasn't looking for perfection. She just wanted to make these because 1) she'd been programmed to do so a long time ago and 2) she wanted to make the family happy and let them know she loved them enough to do this. She'd once hog all the food and shove aside anyone who got in her way, but this thing of hers once again suggested her change for the better- Now if only she could enjoy her own food once in a while with the family who wanted her to come eat with them! They had to constantly badger her to sit with them, just for her to say 'no' 9 times out of 10.

She was terribly self-conscious of food being on her person too. If she got a speck of something on her face, she has to stop EVERYTHING and clean it off. She was picking her feathers a lot like a real chicken, and she was constantly cleaning her gut out. She deep-cleaned herself once a month- not once a year! If anything, she was a neat freak. And here Sun thought he was the OCD one!

What happened? Why is she like this?

"Sun? You okay?" Cassie poked him.

He gazed lovingly back at her and gently cupped her head. Spidery digits rubbed lovingly at her scalp as he did; massaging it somewhat. "I'm perfectly okay! Just lost in thought is all. Nothing to it! Let's finish this, okay? You having fun by the way?"

"I am! You?"

He clapped merrily, "I'm having a delightful time! This just showed me what else I can do with my time! OH I LOVE THIS-" He gestured to all of their creation, "Its magnificent! And I wanna make MORE of these tiny houses! Maybe even a whole village! I loved the tiny Christmas villages they put up in the windows of some of the shops here?"

"I know! Cassie giddily squealed. "They're always so pretty! And the trains running around them?"

"Oh yes I want a train set too! OH MY GOD!" Sun literally jumped up out of his seat just out of excitement. "I wanna do that TOOOOO!"

Gregory smirked at them, "Not gonna lie... but who can say 'no' to a train set? I wanna build its tracks through all kinds of paths and stuff- maybe help with the village idea."

Cassie gave them both a warm smile and resumed applying the frosting. She also snuck a piece of gingerbread to herself, blinked, and produced a noise, "Nope... still don't like it. Guess I'll never be much of a gingerbread eater."

"Eh, me too," Gregory said beside her. He was turning a piece over. "I nibbled too but its like- meh. Not my thing."

Sun took a piece and hummed appreciatively, "I like it! Its different."

"You seem to eat the most sweets though. I think the only other person here besides Monty who isn't picky is just you!" Cassie smirked.

Sun shushed her and continued with the white frosting trim on the roof of the house. He kept a single milky eye on Chica though, noticing she was distancing herself from the cheesecake pointedly. She always did that; be so lovingly invested in her craft and then just... do this. She clearly didn't want to be in the same room as this thing. In fact, she kept glancing at it like it was going to bite her. She worked her beak once, and gakeled.

That's an irritated or distressed noise. She needs to get out of the kitchen, Sun realized. I think she really is just hurting herself now.

Just as he was about to get up to take over (as per usual), Bonnie swept in. The rabbit was snuffling loudly, probably looking for something to nibble on. He had a tendency to actually eat a metric boatload of carrots; and would let it hang from his mouth like a dangling cigarette. Very slowly, he'd methodically chew on its end until it was worn to the nub; then he'd finish it entirely. He tended to do this whenever he wanted to do some thinking when he was bent over some work in the garage. One can tell what he was going to do once he had a hold of a carrot-

But no. He wasn't here for a carrot today. He apparently heard Chica make that noise, because he was eyeing her despite Sun's earlier thought of him grabbing a veggie to eat. He sniffled, as if to find something else but couldn't parse it out- and that's when his nose lead him to the covered up cheesecake. He lifted the rag off it to see what it was that was making the hen uncomfortable; and after peeking, lowered the rag and hummed.

His maroon optics narrowed, then he migrated to the fridge with a stern clenching of his jaw. He opened it, and sure enough there was a fresh made carrot cake in there. Sun hadn't known that, and it certainly wasn't in there last night! She must've made it fresh this morning, when everyone else was asleep.

Bonnie eyed it, then shut the fridge and very slowly turned to watch the hen like he was about to do a witch-hunt. Something was off here; not that Sun could put a finger on it. The rabbit blinked slowly, then folded his hands behind his back neatly. His fluffy tail, which was usually drooped loosely at his rear to suggest relaxation straightened up and flared its creamy colored fluff like a deer flaring a signal for danger. It was puffed up; a sign of interest and alertness. Sometimes, it also demonstrated his agitation or mounting anger. Was he angry at her for something?

"Oh Chica~" he sing-songed.

Oh yeah. He is not having it today, Sun realized upon hearing that.

"You can have one piece, and that's it," she immediately fired at him. "You hear me? One. And not the whole thing-"

"No no. I don't want carrot cake this morning, thank you," his teeth were showing, his grin ironic. "Nor any carrots."

She flashed him an unreadable look. "You okay, bun boy? Or did Monty slap you too hard or did Roxy finally lose her temper with you and take out your brain?" Her lilac eyes twitched their lids once- she must be noticing something odd too but she wasn't putting voice to it.

He blinked. "Neither did- no. Monty didn't slap me today," he chortled briefly. "Bitch couldn't hit me, even if he wanted to! And Rox hasn't had the nerve. Nah nah-" He tapped a meaningful claw on the counter. "-Its you I have a conniption with."

She blinked once, then turned back to the sink. She was putting on gloves so she can do the dishes. "What do you want, then? A request for dinner?" She tried carefully. "Because I planned on-"

"Chicken," he interrupted, smile absolutely endless. "I want CHICKEN for dinner."

They all blinked rapidly and stared at him. Cassie and Gregory raised eyebrows, meanwhile Sun had long-since stopped the icing decorating.

"Uh... well..." She definitely looked uncomfortable now. "Luckily for you... I actually planned on cooking it today! I have it thawing out-"

"Wait wait whoa whoa WHOA," Gregory jabbed a finger at her. "Rewind: You have WHAT now?"

"Chicken. Thawing out. Its right here-" Chica patted a package of meat.

Now all of them were raising brows.

"What? Chickens don't care," she said bluntly. "-'Sides, they can be cannibalistic. And they're tasty-"

"The fact that you know that is both hilarious and weird," Gregory dead-panned. "And, doesn't Sun or Eclipse usually make chicken? I always thought you didn't make it cuz... well..."

Chica shrugged, "They do, but I wanted to experiment today. The times they make it, its not because its chicken that bothers me: Its cuz I'm simply not in the mood for it and I like making beef and pork since it isn't anything like what was served at the PizzaPlex." She produced a little laugh, "Keep in mind, Greg, I used to eat EVERYTHING. I know exactly what chicken tastes like, and its delicious." She leered at him there, expression playfully menacing. "I loved chicken. I'd totally put it on pizza if I could. And frankly, it seems like a lot of stuff- LIKE GATOR TAIL-" She shouted loudly enough for Monty to hear. "-TASTES LIKE CHICKEN! WE SHOULD TOTALLY HAVE THAT FOR DINNER ONE NIGHT!"

"EAT ME, FEATHER-BRAIN!"

"Anyways," She smirked, "Yeah, honey-glazed chicken breasts tonight, with a wee hint of lavender! Sound good to you guys? And... huh," She put a finger to her beak, "What would gator taste like on pizza-? No Chica, bad thoughts!" She rapidly shook her head there and immediately distracted herself with the dishes; something Sun couldn't help but raise a brow at.

Just how often does she still think of pizza? He couldn't help wondering. Is she still trying to contain some level of that awful appetite and hasn't said anything?

"Chicken breasts-" Bonnie muttered in a daze like if she was for real.

"You start making 'chicken boob' comments, we're not friends anymore," She snarled at his look. She jabbed a knife at him, "I mean that: No chicken breast jokes."

"Ah- PFFFT. HAHAHAHA!" He blew a fat raspberry and cackled, and then, "No no no! As tempting as it is to make terrible food and titty jokes, there's kids present. I'm pretty low-brow, but come on!" He waved her off, then snirked shamelessly, "Although... if Cass and Greg weren't here on the other hand..."

Chica gakeled at him.

Bonnie shrugged at that, "Don't worry about it, nuggets. Not today. You won't be hearing any atrocious jokes like that today, anyways. And 'sides! I uh... I just wanted to ask when's the last time you left this room. I wanted to make sure you're okay, is all. You'd been in here like... since... er, four, five this morning? Longer? I've been listening to you- your steps, smelling what you're up to- I wasn't sleeping for real." He frowned at her, "You snuck around in here. I heard that, yunno."

The kids frowned and looked at her now. Sun was doing the same.

"I just wanted to make you guys some food and get some head way on-"

"Uh-uh. Nah nah nah-" he jabbed a talon at her now. "None of that. You do that every damn day for the past two years STRAIGHT and you're constantly in here! You need to get out and STAY out of the kitchen!" He folded his arms and leaned against the counter, his expression harder than bedrock, "You haunting kitchens in general wasn't unusual back then, but the reason was different at the time. Now, you're still in the kitchen, and while your intentions for it aren't self-motivated anymore-" He leveled a paw as if to hold up the idea, "-You're still in an uncomfortable place that makes you itchy in a similar way! And it CLEARLY bothers you. I hafta put my foot down, and Freddy agrees-"

He gestured to the living room, "We were just talking about it! You ain't doing yourself any favors, Chic-a-Rita. Now we're ALL asking you to step out and STAY out for a while. Do something else! There's a million things we could be doing, and you keep caging yourself in here and its driving both us and especially YOU batty! You feelin' me?" He got off the wall's frame and jabbed the paw that he was just holding up back at her, "Get out of here and let Freddy or Sun or- fuck, LUIS knows how to cook! DJ wants to try too- let them do it!"

Chica gakeled again, and shook her head. "But I-"

"No. You're leaving the kitchen," he said. "Right. Now."

Now she hissed in response. That wasn't what any of them expected- with Sun flapping his brows and feeling his beams move uncertainly in his faceplate. Cassie and Gregory's mouths were hanging open.

Chica then jabbed a spatula at him like she was brandishing a sword, "Make me."

Nobody moved in the silence that followed; staring slack-jawed as the hen looked dead-set on staying in here. Bonnie wore a perfect poker face; as if unable to compute her blunt refusal. His tail stayed fluffed up however, the only clear indicator of his restlessness. Chica kept her spatula aimed at him like she was bracing for a charging lion- meanwhile the kids and Sun had completely forgotten their project.

There wasn't any noise in the living room either, now that Sun was listening for it. Seems like the TV wasn't on and nobody was really doing much BUT listening to this conversation at large. And sure enough, when he turned his head the full one-eighty to look into the adjacent room, he found Freddy leaning over the couch's head rest watching them. DJ wasn't reading, Monty was sitting up from his place on the floor, and Roxy wasn't in rest mode anymore. They were ALL watching.

Were they all talking about this? Sun wondered. I didn't catch anything.

Now he returned his attention to the hen and buck- to which said buck was slanting her an especially crooked smirk. His expression turned downright evil; eyes narrowed and teeth flashing as he bent his knees. He flexed his talons-

"Challenge accepted," was all he said.

Chica gulped, but held steady.

He only chuckled, and then he lunged-

Chica "Bu-BAWKED!" so loudly that no doubt the neighbors heard it. She even comically fluttered her arms like some sort of actual in-born instinct to flap her not-wings was there; but she did somewhat jump over Bonnie as he flopped to the floor on his belly, her spatula flying into the sink all the while-

And the poor hen hit her head on the ceiling dodging him.

She landed back down right on top of his back; Bonnie yelping once and producing a loud "GAAAHHH!" as she did. If that was some kind of word, it eluded the bots. Chica meanwhile rubbed her sore head and got off. But she wasn't done there; she KICKED him with just enough force to make him somewhat roll out from under her feet. It likely didn't hurt that much, but it did take him by surprise and he held his guts like she just disemboweled him. Probably being dramatic at that point.

"Get out of my kitchen!" She snapped at him.

Sun grabbed the kids and moved out of the way when he saw movement from the corner of his eye: Moon told him to move, and move he did. He did so just in time: As Roxanne rolled into the kitchen to snatch the hen next- displacing the kitchen table and messing up some of the gingerbread house! It didn't fall off the table; the furniture more or less was shoved to the side as the wolf whizzed in.

What has this situation devolved too? Sun couldn't help but inwardly cackle.

Chaos, had been the answer he got back from Moon. Total, unbridled, anarchy.

He strafed as the side with the children tucked under his arms as the she-wolf tried to hug the chicken. Chica clucked and ducked off to the side, bawking loudly like the panicked fowl she was. She then hit Roxy with a silver serving platter; the sound making an obscene and cartoonish 'DING!' as if collided with her head and bent into the shape of her face. The wolf spat a swear, but it wasn't completely clear as she stumbled away.

Bonnie had recovered and got her from behind, making her drop the platter-

And now FREDDY was throwing in!

"You guys are all SERIOUS?" Chica caterwauled as she flailed against Bonnie's death hug. "REALLY?"

She kicked Bonnie in the crotch with her clawed heel- hard enough to dent it, probably. The poor buck instantly let go, held his nethers and collapsed as Freddy went to grab her. She got him instead by not hitting him, but by grabbing his NOSE. Freddy whimpered when she seized his sniffer and gave it a pronounced squeeze; making it 'Squeak!' and taking him off guard. The force must've been greater than it looked; because the squeak sounded off and it wheezed as if the plastic bit in his nose warped. Freddy also grumbled something about it hurting somewhat, not that the entire sentence was discernable. Chica then dove between his legs and started crawling away-

Only for DJ to catch her.

"Bu-BAWK! BAWK BAWK BAWK BAWK-"

Feathers flew as she flailed and four arms snapped her into a forced hug; one set of arms grabbing her legs and the other keeping her arms down. She sounded a lot like an actual hen whose getting forcibly pulled from the coop to have her eggs snatched; clucking dramatically and looking panicked. DJ produced a muffled speaker noise that sounded a lot like a self-satisfied "Harrumph!" at that-

But Chica was a sore loser.

She turned her head all the way around. Everybody else seemed to have briefly forgotten she could do that.

"I know how to cheat too!" She snapped.

And then she pecked him right on his nose! And she wasn't done there; upon the motion of retracting her head, her beak got his shades too and pulled-

DJ let go on reflex. Those shades actually had wires feeding into his head, so removing those would probably hurt if they were taken all the way out. Chica wouldn't do so; but the motion still had the music man reacting on impulse. She got free after that-

Only for Roxanne to get her!

Just as Chica and her started yapping at each other, Vanessa had stormed down by now. She passed Monty (who was definitely recording this and hadn't bothered to get up that whole time) and shouted, "WHAT IN THE BLAZING BLUE HELLS ARE YOU ALL DOING IN MY KITCHEN!? STOP SCRATCHING MY FLOOR!"

Every single idiot bot looked at said marred floor and hissed- and yup, there was talon marks all over the linoleum now. There was several regretful sighs- save one person. Monty was heard hooting from the living room like a kindergartener whose about to preach "OOOoooooOOOOO. Someone's in trouble!".

"Great! Fuck all of you-" Vanessa spat. She jabbed a finger at bot in turn as she stormed in and stopped at the doorway. "You're gonna spend the whole day fixing it! Except you-" She pointed at Chica furiously. "You get the hell outta my house!"

"Et tu, bestie? Et tu?" Chica dramatically reciting one of Julius Caesar's last lines.

"Yeah! Me too. Sorry sweetie, but no more kitchen duty for you until you learn to relax," She crisply ordered. "You need to do something that isn't food related for once! And when we go back to see Miss Howler this Thursday, you should explain this-" She motioned all around. "Everything about your food obsession to this nonsense!"

Chica warbled sadly.

Vanessa walked in, every single bot moving out of her way like they were clearing the way for the queen. Sun had to put the kids down and shuffled swiftly to the side then.

She stopped in front of the hen and put a hand on her shoulder, "Look, I know you like doing this for us... You're grateful for the home you have. I know you sometimes still feel bad about your behavior back at the PizzaPlex-" She shook her head, "And you guys all seem to forget, but I had front row seats to watching all the shenanigans you get up to at the time. I saw everything that I could, when I shouldn't have. I saw enough to understand..."

She gave Chica a soulful look, "But sweetie, you need to take a step back from the kitchen. You've literally haunted it for years. You've done it at the PizzaPlex, and you're doing it here by some old habit- and its not gonna bode well for you if you don't take a moment to breathe. You go to the grocery store, you bake, you even slept in here sometimes! You do ENOUGH relative to food. Doncha think?" She peered into Chica's optics, making the hen look at her when she glanced timidly away, "Come on, Chica. Get out of here and stay clear of it for a couple days. Literally just go outside and sit on the porch with Freddy for a while or... take a walk. Play your guitar! Go play in the snow. Something."

"Or," Bonnie said nearby, slowly rising. He hissed as he got to his feet, moving his leg uncertainly. Seems she kicked him hard enough to have pressed his pelvic chassis into his leg and he'll have to bump it out. "-Maybe visit the dang automotive store with me- boring as that is. Been wanting to go yesterday... but ROXY here wouldn't come with me!" He gave her a pouty look.

"You never told me you were going to the automotive store! The fuck?" Roxy snapped. "Hell yeah I'd go if you just said so! I thought you wanted to go to a gag shop or something?"

"Too late now! You lost your chance," He snapped pathetically, folding his arms and looking childish on purpose. Now he looked at Chica, "We'd been needin' to go because... well. Uh... remember Foxy? He slashed the tires on the vans and we had to use our spares. Need to get more of them... you know. Just in case?"

"And oil for one of the buses," Vanessa recalled.

"Yeah. We could go get that done at the shop but... they get way too pricey," Bonnie flinched there. "-Especially at this time of year. Roxy can fix the dang things herself."

"Blind-folded," the wolf boasted, arms folded and looking huffy. She was giving the rabbit the stink eye.

Vanessa turned back to Chica, "Besides that, maybe you can take your guitar and go play out in the park while you're out? Like Roxy and Freddy did last week. You'd enjoy yourself! Take the kids with you or something."

Chica shrank into her feathers; head almost literally pulling into her fluff as if turtle up and hide it from view. She fidgeted big time, "I took a walk a few days ago- before Jacob came over, remember?"

"Yeah, to the grocery store," Vanessa reminded her. "Come on Chica... food isn't all there is! And you don't need food to feel like you're being helpful to us!" She put an arm around her shoulders, "You don't need to work yourself to the bitter bone just to feel useful or validated. You aren't some house maid, or some serving S.T.A.F.F bot. You don't need to serve ANYONE."

"I know that-" She grumbled. "But, its not like I served anyone before. I only ever served one person: Me." She put her hands to her breast to indicate herself, her apron barely containing her feathery breast fluff. "I was a useless, mean, and self-centered sack of crap! I like serving you guys though- I love it. I mean that!" She waved around, "Don't ya'll get that? I find a lot of joy in that and I feel like I'm doing something I'm supposed to! Something I shoulda done then, but never did. All I did then was hurt people for a single piece of fallen pepperoni!"

There was some stares shared here, every person or bot passing glances. Even Monty in the main room was watching, likely not recording anymore but observing no less.

"I feel like I actually do something with it... does my being in here really annoy you all that much?" She questioned with a lilt that somewhat indicated she'd been hurt somehow.

"No no no no no!" Sun came forward now, deciding to speak for the first time in this convo. "Not at all! I'm sure its just because everyone here thought you could do well doing more recreational activities- like when we made that gingerbread house together yesterday? I know cooking is recreational in its own way, and its nice you want to do so for everyone-" He waved around. "But part of sentience is experimenting with more things. I learned that first-hand! And, frankly, I get a joy out of trying things I'm not built for. Its the satisfaction I get out of I realizing that I'm capable of doing more and not holding myself to just the one thing that makes me especially glad to be here-"

He walked over and put his long-limbed hands on her shoulders and shoved her forward past Vanessa. "Chica, everyone here adores your cooking. We even prefer it- I prefer it over my own recipes! You're just better at it, and its nice that you've found a passion with it- its even beautiful. But you're in here all the time. And falling asleep on the floor like you were too tired to go up to the office? It just seems like you're doing too much. Its concerning, and I will say for everyone here since we're all thinking it-" He gave her an uncertain look, "-That you being around food all the time when it hasn't done you any favors before makes us nervous. You are clearly bothered by it, and seeing as you do that to yourself after a point is something that should be called out, seeing as we're all friends here. You know?"

He skillfully unwound the knots of the apron and took it from her, the hen producing a noise but nothing he can really make out. He took the fabric anyways, ignoring her look. He put it on, and then, "I will take over for the next couple days. Me or Eclipse. Send me the recipe for the honey glazed chicken and I can do it. You know I can!"

Chica sighed, then ducked her head. She gave up, apparently. She jerked however when Cassie walked up and seized her hand, pulling on her gently and smiling vibrantly.

"I enjoyed going out with you! I never get to do it much... and I'd love to do it again. Right Gregory?" She turned to glance at him. "We can go together!"

"Eh... sure," he shrugged. He waved at the gingerbread house. "But what about that? Aren't we almost done?"

Sun smiled, "We can finish it while Chica here gets her claws on! Is that alright?"

"Yeah... I guess," The hen sighed, bobbing her shoulders helplessly.

There was an odd noise of groaning metal; then Bonnie was seen straightening up. He was gritting his teeth and hobbling out without a word. Chica looked repentant but he was out quicker than she can say anything. There was a couple raised brows.

"Let him bump that out," Roxy said, striding forward and grabbing the hen's arm. "Come on. We can prep."

"You coming?" Chica queried.

Just as she opened her mouth to say yes, Freddy grabbed her and pulled her back. The wolf snapped her teeth and barked, "What's the big idea? Lemme go!"

"Last time you went, you went crazy," He merrily reminded her with a too-cheery smile. "We're not repeating that! No ma'am."

"Dude- I wouldn't let-"

"Tut tut tut! None of that," he grinned, pulling her under his arm like she was some baggage and easily walking out of the room with her. He was seen leaning in to her ear though, murmuring something. Roxy stopped fighting then, blinking and eventually relenting. She got out from his grip and sighed, then faced Chica.

"I'll help you get dressed, if you want. I'll just stay home this time."

"Bu-bawk?"

The wolf waved around, "You and carrot-breath. Get out and take Greg and Cass with you. Get some time to think, and treat yourself to something."

Vanessa was seen giving the chicken her wallet. "Get us four tires, oil, and I think we needed something else... a filter I think. OH MY GOD. And more anti-freeze for your bodies! Can't be forgetting that. And, why not go to the craft store? Get yourself some new feathering so we can stitch it to your fleece? Pretty yourself up some." She turned to Sun, "And then next time, we can go so we can feed your little diorama passion!"

"YES!" He pumped an arm and leapt onto her; throwing his gangly limbs around her. Vanessa laughed gently and tolerated the hug all the while.

"In the meantime," the woman proceeded, undaunted by some of the weight of him. "Can ya'll be quiet today? Luis was getting a call while you were all making noise! Luckily he didn't pick it up during all that yammering!"

There was a lot of guilty expressions.

"Stay quiet, and let Luis finish his work," Vanessa chastised. "He'll be expecting a couple more today. He's closing up shop on one of the sites he's been working on and expecting an interview with someone else. No more noise! You hear me?"

There was a round of "yes ma'ams". DJ only signed his affirmative, even though he hadn't made any actual noise.

After which, Vanessa nodded and left the room. She patted Chica's forearm on the way out, giving the hen a passing look that Sun caught as meaningful. He didn't make it out, but apparently Chica got it and dragged herself to the garage. The rest of the bots filed out in short order; with Freddy being his helpful self and fixing the table straight. He even dusted off the seats for the children and smiled quaintly at them; then he too left to return to the sitting room.

Sun would get back to work on the house with kids, wondering what context was being missed here. He got the feeling something was going on with Vanessa and Chica's minds, but hell if he can make it out. When Jacob had been here the day before last, Vanessa had made it so she can make the hen dance with the buck- and then just now, she AND the others were pairing them off. What exactly is she doing? And why?

Its not any of my business... but dang if I ain't curious, he couldn't help thinking.

He'd ask later- right after he finished this amazing project!

---

GLAMROCK CHICA

Vanessa was something else.

Chica was grumbling to herself in a surly manner, stopping only when the kids gave her looks. And while a 'walk' had sounded nice, the four took one of the vans anyways so they wouldn't have to carry the stuff they needed. Chica figured they'd park the vehicle and walk the park, once the shopping bit was done and dusted. But first, they were headed for the automotive store.

Roxy loved this place. She did go a little nutty every time they went, eager to buy out everything she could. Vanessa also had some credit here; seeing as she's needed parts for both the vans and the bots themselves. Frankly, Chica and Bonnie won't complain about stopping in; seeing as some of the items here were useful for animatronics too (who would've guessed?). Getting a spare car battery wasn't a bad idea either, given they can do it. Not to mention the fact Chica was aware of the little 'side project' Roxy had been wanting to indulge in...

Roxy wanted to make her own car, or something like it. Or a fancy kart. She'd been slowly gathering pieces and trying to put them together, but everything was expensive and they'd still need pieces from other used cars in order to make them. Sometimes throughout the last couple years, they've visited junk yards for not just themselves, but for these precious parts for her project. Roxy's love of the road was endless; and it showed when she'd retire to the garage sometimes as well to start putting bits and bobs of her project together. It wasn't big enough to warrant for a larger space yet, but her desire to make a whole car would have to take her outside their garage and into a carport. The garage they had currently was big enough for the armature, repair module and supply closets holding their spare parts for their bodies. It certainly wasn't big enough for a whole car too! They couldn't even bring in one of the vans.

Once they moved someday soon, Vanessa told Roxy she'd get her own outdoor shed and carport for herself; to make as much noise in it as she wanted and to build whatever car she desired. The wolf had been so happy that she even whined; a rare sound from her. On that note, Chica figured if she got a shed and carport, Roxy would not even take a room in the house; but live outside instead! She wondered if that would happen-

Anyways, back in the present, Bonnie was sitting in the back of the van; fussing with her guitar in odd silence. His ears flexed towards the kids sometimes; listening to them chat in the front seat with Chica. He clearly wasn't interested in conversation at the moment, seemingly focused on whatever enigmatic thoughts he was shielding from view. Chica watched him from the rearview, feeling sorry she'd put up such a fuss and hurt him like that- again.

Why do I keep doing that? Hitting him- and acting like an idiot, she couldn't help wondering. I hit him right where his balls should be this time and impaired his ability to walk! He had to pop that dent out! GOD I'M STUPID.

She apologized while she'd been in the garage with him, donning her claws as he fixed himself and donned his. He shrugged her of, but he'd fallen silent since then. Was he thinking about something else? Was he still offended or hurt by it? Was he that upset with her? He hadn't been really himself since he's openly confessed to her a couple days ago that he wasn't completely alright...

Oh. Is he having one of those days? The days where he'd linger on darker thoughts?

Chica flicked him another look from the mirror. He seemed fine enough yesterday... willing to prank and laugh and jest with the others readily enough. He gave Monty a small prank in passing; shoving ice into the gator's food when he went to eat it and getting a mouthful of jarring and contradicting signals regarding temperature variance. It was a very tame prank; but Bonnie assured it'd have nothing on the motherload he planned on later-

Hm. No pun intended, but maybe that was where she can break the ice.

"Heya- Bon?" She tried now, ignoring the children's conversation beside her.

"Eh?" He looked up, his claws pausing over the spruce neck of her beautiful instrument (its still her favorite guitar to this day).

"Sooo... you said you had something good planned for Monty? Kinda wondering what that is... and if it doesn't involve burning the house down-" She half-joked.

Bonnie shrugged, "Well... while burning him inside the house would be easy... he's lazy enough to not wanna budge as is... or care that its happening. But that ain't hilarious or stylish, or really my thing. Nah nah-" He waved a paw in front of his nose. "I wanted something else for our resident redneck. Something that speaks to the hillbilly beneath!"

"A gun to the nards?" She mused.

The rabbit cackled outright there, briefly unable to control it as he put the guitar down and carefully moved through the open space of the van behind them. He got to their seat and laid his arms across the rest, sitting above Cassie's head. Good, she's succeeded into goading him into talking.

"I feel like your obsession with the manly jewels should be both amusing and concerning- but another part of me wonders if that's just normal thinking for ladies," He smirked with a snide grin. "But nah, not that either... god knows Monty doesn't need a GUN, or be near one. He's destructive as it is! He'd also be the one to start drinking beer and shooting bottles in the back! Actually-" He put a paw to his chin. "I hate to say it, but that ALMOST sounds fun! Except it wouldn't be fun for my ears."

"You'd shoot bottles?" Gregory questioned.

"I would if the sound didn't blast my poor ears out," He snirked. "Honestly don't sound like a bad way to pass the time- but I guess everyone has their own inner redneck deep down speaking for them, and mine says 'look sexy wearing plaid and look like you know what the fuck you're doing while goofing off in the most unproductive and unhelpful way as possible'."

Cassie smirked here, "But that just sounds like Monty's mindset! It's no wonder you and him can't stand each other; you're too much ALIKE! He just channels more 'Florida man' than you do!"

There was a round of chuckles there.

Chica raised a brow next. He was skillfully dodging the question. Naughty boy! He must have something really nasty planned if he didn't want to brag about it.

"So what is it that you got in mind for Monty," She pressed for specifics.

The rabbit sighed, as if caught out on his weaving. "I truthfully don't wanna say. I wanna wait to show ya'll for MAX comedic effect-" He waved his hands out as if to indicate a level surface. "I want to get the most amount of laughs, snorts, chortles, chuckles, and giggles that I can possibly rack up while humiliating the living HELL out of him. It'll speak to his redneck both above and below, and it'll be a good daily dose of humility! AH! I can see it now!"

Chica frowned at him this time, "...Don't lie to me. Its why we're really going to the automotive store, isn't it?"

"Mayyybeeee..."

Cassie and Gregory passed each other looks.

The hen merely sighed while shaking her head. "I am terrified just thinking about it," Chica continued as she took a turn towards the store. Its not like they lived far away from it. "But it sounds like you'd hafta weld it to him or something? Or get him when he's DEEPLY asleep..."

"Oh, believe me; it ain't as complicated as you think, cheeks," he grinned cruelly, being sure to use the nick-name she especially hated (guess that means he hadn't all the way forgiven her for the nut shot, she figured. Fair enough, she'll let it slide this time). He jabbed a prideful talon to his breast next, "A good rabbit is always worth his salt in tricks!"

He was the first out; with the kids and Chica following. He was rubbing his hands together like some sort of devious imp about to embark on some conquest of misfortune. He held the door for them, then waltzed in alongside them while planting his paws on his waist.

Yup, whoever was here certainly looked up. As was customary, people always stared when they saw a seven foot tall animal bot walk in- let alone two. There was some chatter and the poor souls weren't aware of the fact that Bonnie could hear every dang nasty comment. Chica caught the instances Bonnie heard something especially mean, his eyes blinking twice as a subtle tic and slanting his most impassive poker face he could. His torn ear drooped, then he turned towards the three of them while pretending to act like he couldn't hear anything. Chica honestly didn't want to know what the people said and won't bother asking.

"I'm gonna very briefly visit one of these aisles and get my special Christmas gift for Monty. Chica? I wanna borrow that wallet- and don't worry! It ain't expensive. Vanessa will not mind," he assured.

"How expensive we talking?" Chica narrowed her lilac optics.

"Ten bucks. Nuthin' doin'. I just don't wanna buy 'em where ya'll can't see it! Its supposed to be a surprise for a reason," He winked.

Chica hummed suspiciously at him, then relented. "We'll be checking out the tires while you do that. Do NOT get anything else, or else Vanessa will have BOTH our skins," She begrudgingly gave him the wallet.

He gave a cheery wave and stalked off.

"Meanwhile-" Gregory looked up her, "Can we grab the anti-freeze for you? And the filter? It'd make it quicker."

"Go on, then. But be fast and stay where Bonnie can hear you," She said as soon as they turned their backs.

They waved her off and went to do just that. Chica herself parted and went to do her errand, feeling strangely like she'd should be back in the kitchen.

Maybe Vanessa's right... maybe I'm in there too much, she couldn't help wondering.

---

Once they got everything, they were back in the van and at the park in a matter of minutes.

It was strangely empty today, even though it wasn't an unpleasant start to the day. No more snowfall, and the fog of the early morn wasn't as terrible. However, there was a certain bitter nip to the wind whenever it passed; and Chica can see for humans it would be bothersome. It still didn't stop the kids from snuggling up to the bots' sides; Cassie holding both her hand as well as Bonnie's. Chica left her guitar in the car; seeing as it was too cold to be dragging it out.

Gregory didn't hold anyone's hand but Freddy's. Literally nobody but Vanessa had the best chance with him, and even then it was rare. He also, as he got older, naturally stopped doing it almost over all; and it didn't help he's always been rather a little withdrawn and inclusive. Gregory never saw himself as a kid and only seemed to be reminded that he was whenever Freddy was involved. Chica supposed therein that Freddy's influence truly was Greg's saving grace.

Suddenly, Bonnie stopped; the rabbit's ears twitching to and fro while his tiny nose bounced along his muzzle. Wind bit at the group again, with the rabbit jumping noticeably as the gouts of zephyr assailed his pressure sensors in his whiskers. He turned his head accordingly; Chica watching him carefully as he determined the weather and used his ears to finish determining what his nose could not.

"Dangit... shoulda checked the weather before we left," He cut to the group. "I think we're in for another surprise storm. This one's a bit fast. Hate to say it kiddos, but we gotta cut the walk short and try again later."

"Aw man," Cassie bemoaned beside him. "but its not snowing!"

"It will shortly, my love," he told her. Bonnie took his hand free of hers just so he could rest the palm on her head; rubbing gently enough to not displace the bandanna and hoodie. "Its okay. We'll have tomorrow to try again! Frankly, I wouldn't mind just headin' back for some hot coco at this point! So we can maybe turn this short-coming around?"

Chica made the motion of licking at her beak, sorely missing the taste but loathing the sweet aspect. She felt something within her knot up as she weighed food and its influence on her. It was bad enough earlier before they left that she briefly revisited the idea of eating pizza. Her judgement had lapsed poorly for that briefest of seconds; the chicken very much missing it and loathing the effect it had on her sometimes. It was pretty much like an addict weighing on their past vices; the hen pulling nervously at her wool scarf at her feathery neck.

Bonnie watched her and cocked his ears. Apparently, he'd been thinking along similar lines when his optics narrowed and betrayed an uncertainty at a passing thought, "You okay? You'd been a little... er, fussy, lately. And it was SUPER hard to get you outta that kitchen..." He gritted his teeth in passing, "And really... a nut shot, Chica? Still not over that..."

Chica whirled around and said in a distressed sputter, "I said sorry! And you know that I didn't- I panicked, okay? You ALL were jumping me! That's kinda scary, not gonna lie."

The rabbit had the graces to look repentant there. He shrugged it off next, "Still... I'm concerned about your obsession with that room: It feels like the longer you've been in it lately, the more disconnected you get. I got that same feeling back at the PizzaPlex-" He gesticulated as if to point it physically even though they were miles away from its ruin. "At night, you'd be especially weird with that floating around you did... and staying in those food-associated rooms for such long periods. I felt like its just... I feel like I'm losing you when do that! I'm sorry we jumped you- that was extreme-"

He scratched at his cheek sheepishly, then admitted with a timid smirk, "And I admit... I had fun doing it. I thought it was funny we got into a dog pile and made a mess. Minus the crotch shot and scaring you part, I really thought it coulda been a good time? It was just silly! Just laughs, is all."

Chica sighed there, feeling her fist ball up at her side. She inhaled, her mind's eye flashing back to her nights inside the PizzaPlex and the times she tried to fight her dominating desire to eat. She inhaled, felt the cold of winter bite at her motor, and decided to shut her compressor off. It wasn't needed to keep her core temperature in check considering this wind.

"I admit," she said, turning on her heel to slowly make her way back to the van. The others followed alongside her, "-Sometimes, I wish I can just enjoy food and not make a pig of myself. Every time I eat or nibble on something, it makes me feel awful; and I don't mean just the guilty aspect. No... I mean like, I feel like a shard of self control wants to waver, and I want to hog it all down again. Its why I tend to not eat often; cuz of that." She passed the three her most vulnerable expression. "In the last 2 years, I've been able to keep that same impulse in check FAR more easily thanks to Vanessa and Mex helping me with my programming... but nowadays, I can't explain it... but something feels off. I can't stop thinking about food and eating again! And I hate it."

Greg went to her side now, breaking his own protocol and getting a hold of her arm. He was giving her a softened look, which also wasn't typical of him. Chica clenched him back, feeling glad he was here and trying in his own way.

Bonnie worked his jaw, then his expression slanted into brief pain. The appearance of it had the children and hen wondering what it was he was pondering, but he didn't keep that to himself. He told them, "I remember... some nights, I'd catch you in the kitchen and you were just... watching it. Like you were trying to war with yourself and your impulses... and then, how much you cried every time Freddy or me found you in the garbage."

"...I cried because I knew I disappointed you," she told him demurely. "I woulda rather have anger than disappointment... Not those sad looks you gave me."

He shook his head sagely at her, "Chica, you were doing good then, I remember telling you that. You were only in the garbage... what, a couple times in a week sometimes? That wasn't bad! You were kicking it. You'd done worse-" He gave her a soft look, "I thought you were doing super well. And the times you'd just hang around in the kitchen like that? I knew you were trying to fight it. But you didn't need to torture yourself like that!" He cocked his head and brushed her side; the sensation of it welcoming to her, "And what makes you think we were disappointed with you? We never thought it, and we'd never say as much when you were in a painful and emotionally compromising position like that. It wasn't like that food addiction was your fault! But the TECHS-" He spat there, his tone as biting as the wind. "They shoulda fixed you- but they ignored you and the daycare attendant- they ignored ALL OF US."

Chica hummed lowly, "I made it consciously worse by getting into the mix... you kept needing to lock it up from me. And whenever you'd go golfing with Monty or hanging with the others in general, I'd sneak in there and try to get the freezer open-" She gave him a bitter laugh. "You locked that up tight. Glad you did."

"...Explains all the suspicious marks," He half-joked.

The hen felt Gregory squeeze again, with the boy going on to say, "I didn't know you were suffering from a legit food addiction! I just attributed it to you being bugged cuz of Vanny or the system-wide virus!"

"She made it worse... but I've always terrible about food," Chica told him in a low murmur. "Vanny never had to do anything to make it worse actually... I was going down that spiral myself. When Bonnie vanished, it only went further downhill and it wasn't gonna stop. I just didn't care after a point- I just wanted to eat, and eat, and eat. And after a while, I stopped listening to Freddy the times he hunted me down. I'd push him off, shrug off his kindness... I couldn't look him in the eye. And I know Bonnie here just said I don't disappoint you guys, but I knew I was breaking Freddy's heart at the time and I know he was disappointed in me- EEE!"

Bonnie forcibly tugged her into himself, leveling her a serious glare. He hissed through his teeth, "Dude. What did I just say? You NEVER did that! At worst, you made Freddy sad- but never angry or disappointed! I know it!" He released her and tucked his paws into the pockets of the heavy red coat he wore. He flicked his earring studded ear; the appendage getting cold enough to have a layer of frost crystals on it already. "For the record, you couldn't possibly make us feel like that; ever. I coulda swore I concreted that into your little nugget brain?"

"Musta slipped my mind," She gave a bitter, ironic chuckle there; the sound more resigned than anything.

He said through a sigh, "Well, guess its good thing that we're all still here: cuz we can all continue to tell you how proud of you we are every day. And I mean that: You do a damn fine job with that self control of yours; so much so, that we're now being the bad influence by telling you to eat at all! Oh, how the tables have turned!" His expression lightened up, his smile warm enough to make Chica feel like there was actual heat there that warmed her core, "I don't think you could relapse or anything; you got way too good at that. And 'sides, even if you did, we'd have have your back and help you with it. If you were improving back then, you'd could only be MORE able to do so now since you have access to help. The whole 'therapy' thing aside, you have all of us!"

He grabbed Cassie and noogied her head gingerly; the girl huffing at him and grunting in fake annoyance, "I think you can stand to sit and enjoy some hot coco with us. Doncha kids think so too?"

Cassie pushed his paw off and and nodded rapidly. Gregory did the same on Chica's other side.

Chica hummed contemplatively, but still felt uncertain. "I dunno... I think I remember just saying that I felt like its just feeling worse lately-"

"Chica, that's just you missing it, not wanting to hog it all down! And again, it if happens-" he flicked a claw between them, "We all know how to help. We all help each other, and that is an absolute. I don't fear anything when I know you all are there: When I was... er... not myself-" he was referring back to the moment of being possessed, Chica realized, "I was able to come out of it super fast cuz I had all of you to stop me! And you all know what to do anytime something weird does happen. And so long we keep shouldering each other's pain like that, I have the utmost confidence we'd come out alright!"

His tone turned secretive and reverent when he added in undertone, "And if I had to be really honest, I think Cassie's dad here agrees too: He was able to find a chill pill pretty dang quick so long as he remembered that you all are there to help and not hurt. He lashed out, but I know deep down he's sorry. And Freddy when he had that little fit a couple days ago? He was better after he had a good think on it. We just whittle the bullets as they fly; nuthin' to it so long as we all keep doing that. We all have our vices, but we all also have each other to shoulder it. Don't forget that, Chica."

The hen inhaled gustily despite the fact her compressor was off, glancing away to ponder that. She knew her friends could stop her from doing something she'd regret, but she was so afraid of hurting them that she was hurting herself by extension. And Bonnie sounded so confident in their ability to endure that the hen herself wanted to believe it true.

She hadn't forgotten that nights he'd find her in the garbage and pulled her out of it. To grab her cheese-slathered self and slowly guide her to her room so they can sit in privacy just for him to tell her how glad he was to see she was okay and doing better. He'd never been mad; and if he was upset, he'd been skillful in hiding it. Freddy had been the same; and the two never made fun of Chica for her awful penchant to over-indulge. They never blamed her; and she knew this. The remembrance of their bodies on her own when everyone else gave her a wide berth when she stank like a dead animal and had roaches crawling out of every orifice was never lost on her.

But that sad look they'd wear sometimes... that still bothered her in a way.

It wasn't like that anymore, she knew. That was the solace to this; and mayhaps, Bonnie was right: Maybe she was just missing food and fighting her own programming to keep herself from it would only create more bugs. If she ate a bit more and had friends around to stop her from breaking herself, maybe mediate how much she consumes, she'd be okay. Besides, she had her fake gut now; not like she can repeat what happened then so long as she cleaned herself out as regularly as she does already.

"Maybe," she said eventually. "I can try the coco too."

The kids pulled at her arms and hopped excitedly around her, smiling all the while. Bonnie was grinning like Christmas came early. He rubbed his hands together and suddenly pushed Chica towards the van, "Well shit- Let's get home right now! I'll make it this time! EXTRA special!"

"You- you're gonna make it?" She threw at him.

"Yuh-huh! I can make ice cream from scratch for Pete's sake. And I can make yogurt, cakes, candy, candy slushies... How hard is hot coco?" He laughed then, "And don't forget! My Easter-themed surprise slurries every time that holiday rolls by! Oh my god- I just remembered: I kinda miss those colorful dresses we wore that year! Back at the PizzaPlex? For Easter. We should totally do that again sometime-"

The hen smiled softly there, having not forgotten that particular memory. Easter, seeing as it was strangely centered about rabbits and chickens, Bonnie and Chica tended to host very special (and marginally discounted) parties those times. The food was also rare; and Bonnie was programmed to make certain chocolate and marshmallow themed food stuffs for the occasion; no ice cream. Chica would serve surprise plastic prize easter eggs and baskets (seeing as her food addiction kept her from doing too much with it after a point). She and him would dance the day away too; while Freddy and Roxy would have to play second-fiddle due to the nature of the holiday fest.

"I think so too-" She told him, agreeing on his last point. "I liked dressing up like that! Even if we did look silly-"

"Silly was the best part," He grinned, paws on her back still. "-I'm surprised we haven't thought to do it again in so long! I mean, I know you kids don't care for Easter but, I betcha you'd change your minds if we- we- we... hold on."

Bonnie suddenly stopped behind her and pause so suddenly, it took her promptly off guard. She even lurched froward from the momentum, almost tripping over and turning around to look at him-

His face. He was spaced out; ears twitching a million miles an hour and his optics slanted somewhere between wary and... something else. He craned his head around very slowly, methodically; his ears moving like over-active radar dishes upon his head to discern what the heck he was hearing. When he turned enough, Chica saw his tail poking out from the hole in his jeans; waggling once and fully erect like he was indicating an alertness to run. Now he was frozen; his gaze focused on some unknown point behind them.

By now, the weather had picked up noticeably; wind starting to whip by and bringing with it more than just a few extra flakes of snow. The fog from the early morn thickened again; with the kids huddling closer to Chica and watching Bonnie with a level of anxiety that wasn't lost on the hen. Seeing Bonnie freeze like that couldn't be a worse indicator that something was wrong. In fact, the rabbit's tail stayed rigid on his backside; with him slowly tip-toeing backwards to huddle closer to them and slowly urge them towards the van-

Then he stopped again; his paws on the kids' shoulders and pulling them forcibly back into himself. Chica flowed along with him, feeling something in her core skip warningly. "Bonnie-" she started.

He said nothing, his maroon optics shining in the glistening gloom. The hair on his face and upper body (whatever little of it can be seen past the neck of his coat) raised; charging him with a bout of static electricity that made their contact tingle and further stand his fur on end. And then he growled.

That wasn't the noise Chica was expecting. Whenever he made a noise like that, it was more a deep-throated vibration than sound. Each huff ended in a rolling plume of steam escaping his parting muzzle; pupils lighting up with laser red light with the presence of Security Mode as he pulled the children and the hen closer to himself with a grip that nearly bruised-

Chica froze herself when she finally heard it too:

Servos whirring. The rumble of a snarl far louder and more clipped over Bonnie's own. The heavy thud of steps that was just barely distinguished over the whistling wind around them; the weather no doubt having disguised it for the first while. The steps began to rumble; then another set was heard. From behind, as Chica recalled Bonnie indicating earlier. And also from in front of them-

Shit. The other set of steps was coming from the direction where they've left their van. Had this other bot found it? Was he blocking the way?

From the whitened fog, came the two faces Chica both knew and didn't:

From behind them and stalking them from the park, was a white Foxy; no doubt the same one that attacked Luis and Vanessa last week. Chica has never laid eyes on him before; only hearing from the others' accounts of who and what he was in nature. His plummy tail flickered excitedly; as if he locked eyes upon a fair vixen. His burning coals for optics pierced the opaque fog; cutting through like the bleeding, midnight harvest moon weaving through autumn cloud cover. Claws as black as obsidian clenched at his sides; and his humming was a throaty, acoustic resonance that slid and rasped.

The hen turned to look at the bot standing in front of them now; coming from the direction of the parking lot where their van would be:

Polar Freddy, as she's heard. This was her first time seeing him; and she was having a hard time comprehending just how HUGE he was. He was definitely taller than any of them by far; even DJ wasn't quite eye-level with him- he was, if she was estimating his size correctly, 8 feet tall at least. The heavy sound of his tree-trunk legs on asphalt was grating; his talons scraping and razing fairly deep gouges into the surface with every step. His ham-sized fists were curled at his sides; the bear slightly hunched over in a predatory stance. His cerulean optics were more bone-chilling than liquid nitrogen; his teeth oddly large for a Freddy model and somewhat poking free of his more realistic muzzle. His breath was loud; fogging thickly around his face as he loomed ever closer. It gave him a rather sinister countenance that obscured his features somewhat and emphasized the alarming icy chill of his adamantine eyes.

Foxy's humming briefly increased, then he paused. There was a soft chortle from him next, his eyes crooked as he sized up their prey. "Das a fine lass there," He said, catching Chica's lilac optics. "Ne'er seen the like. And 'ere I thought I'd be seein' a Glamrock, but if ye were one, yous doon like the books showed."

He sniffled, nearing them a bit more cautiously. He was eyeing Bonnie too, and with more wariness than figured. No doubt he hadn't forgotten about Bonnie and Roxy taking him out. Even now, when he and the rabbit caught the other's gaze, Bonnie can be heard snarling more loudly. His carmine tipped talons ticked as they grazed each other's tips at his sides. Chica was watching the white Freddy mostly, but she was also side-eyeing the rabbit for any cues and caught the nuances of his stern body language.

The kids stayed between them; Cassie hugging on the rabbit while Gregory glued himself to Chica. Gregory didn't look alarmed- more surprised at the size of the bear than anything. He was seen narrowing his hazel eyes next, all fear gone. Cassie however couldn't look more the adverse, likely fighting a tremble as she gripped Bonnie's coat and his arm went over her.

"Yunno somefink?" Foxy went on to say. He spread out his arms, his exaggerated muzzle far too elastic for Chica's comfort. It must've been made with different materials than she and the other bots, she figured. "-I've ne'er seen dis before, but lookit dis! We got a Chica, Bonnie, Foxy, and a FREDDY 'ere on the dance floor, all at once! When's the last time dis 'appened? Years, right? Kinda makes me feel charged, dooncha know? COMPLETE!" He laughed, looking rather glib for some reason. He even inhaled, and 'Ah'd!' like he smelled something fantastic. "I couldna feel more ALIVE," he bellowed next.

Polar Freddy said nothing, his eyes STRAIGHT on Bonnie and nothing else. He didn't seem interested in talking, nor seemed interested in the children and chicken, thankfully. However, his focus on the rabbit was irking Chica greatly; the hen stepping in front of his view of the lapine bot in order to break his gaze. He didn't even blink when she did.

"I'm gonna guess," Bonnie said behind her. "You jack-holes are here for me?"

"Aye, laddie! You 'n-" Foxy frowned, then leered. "Actually, all of ye. Our bosses want you and the chickadee for parts, and the kids would be great for remnant experimentation!" His next grin and laugh couldn't have felt more disgusting, "I wouldna mind a new play mate since my current one is such a bore! Kids always made for better bots."

Bonnie produced a sound so insidious, it forced everyone's eyes onto him: His mouth parted, steam rolling in a thicker plume than usual. His eyes rolled to black with only the smallest, pin-sized laser lights indicating where his pupils used to be. Chica was alarmed to see no white optics anymore; looking rather like the day he'd been possessed. A tiny trickle of blood came from his nose, and the sound he made honestly could've belonged to some ancient, extinct species of apex super-predator rather than a rabbit bot. He even punched the road beneath him in a show of budding rage; creating a fist-shaped indent into the asphalt and tearing some bit of his artificial epidermis.

Cassie whimpered beside him, but that rabbit wasn't so forgone that he'd forgotten her; quite the opposite. His hand braced Cassie closer to himself, moving a leg in front of her to further block her from Foxy's view. His grip on her couldn't have been gentler, giving Chica a better idea of the mindset she was seeing.

And so he said, in a voice that could even make a god bend his knees in prayer hoping for salvation and with a calm that can snap-freeze a raging ocean, "Touch my children. Touch my loves. Touch any heart of mine. Do so, and I shall suck out your soul, eat it up, shit it out, and there'll be NOTHING left of you for the reaper to find and carry onto the next life."

Chica's fluff on her neck fluffed up completely, shuffling uncertainly on her feet and feeling her 'wrecking' talons graze the road. She forced herself to breathe; unable to fight the shiver of fright that lanced through her spine and iced her core. In fact, speaking of cold; the children moved away from Bonnie somewhat; the rabbit actually producing a kind of cold that further saturated the air with biting frost. He was so stiff now, he could've passed as a statue; save for the dribbling of liquid from his nostrils and corner of his jaw.

Foxy produced a low whistle, "Didnae thunk that'd make ye mad THAT fast! Oh yes. This is gonna be fun!" He got into a ready position, licking his lip line and flaring his claws.

Polar Freddy was snuffling curiously, then glared past the group and at Foxy, "You idiot! We did not need to make him THAT angry!"

"We'll be bored otherwise! I always wanted to skin a rabbit," Foxy grinned. "Especially an undead one."

Chica spat at him, "You ain't touching my kids- OR MY RABBIT! FUCK OFF ALREADY!"

Foxy teased a wave at her, "Oh, doon ye worry, perdy thing, I ain't gonna pass ov'er YOU. You'd have a fine place right beside yer bunny boyfriend and his baby brats as a new maybe-sentinel! Or be scrapped... And given Morris says yer worth keepin' aroond, you could even mebbe even teach 'em how to be proper bots! You kin be a family of freak bots, just like us!"

The polar bot sighed, "I do not wish to grab the children- just the rabbit."

"Bah! I was told to do me job. And so much as it annoys me to listen to that fat fuck-" Foxy griped. "I LIKE doin' me job! And if gonna do et, I'm gonna do et right. Right doon to the last, stinkin', detail. Morris said any and all bots, kids, and criminals!" He waved at the group. "They're all fair game!"

"I would not call this game, 'fair'... at least, not for YOU," Bonnie hissed in an oily whisper that slipped wetly across eardrums like a knife across the jugular. A black substance came from his mouth now; not that Chica can tell what it is. His smile couldn't have been more choleric.

Foxy, seemingly too excited for his own good, leapt forward-

Big mistake.

Bonnie didn't reach for him, funnily enough. He lowered himself to the ground, showing his back and lifting his arms-

Chica knew this move. She took the cue from an old routine they performed a very long time ago; telling the children to "Duck!" low and jumping onto his back. She hooked her arms with his to brace herself and use him as a counterweight; just as Foxy and the polar bot dashed in-

She wove her legs through the air in a circle; her raptor-like talons cutting deadly arcs through the fog like a whirlwind of razor blades. Foxy was clipped outside his face; creating huge gashes that tore free a lot of his lip and exposed a part of his endo skeleton when a chunk of his face around his left eye was scoured. He yowled pitifully and moved away-

Meanwhile the bear had the sense to backpedal with an agility that surprised the hen. She still cut and weaved though; forcing him to back off and reconsider his options. He had no doubt evaluated her talons as wicked as a set of Monty's own claws; but there was more to it: Bonnie had given her a spare set of spring upgrades for her legs before they left the house; gifting Chica with the same horrid strength in her lower body as Bonnie and Monty did. So when she hit Foxy just now, the poor thing lost nearly half his face. The polar bot wisely stayed away from her breakdancing; unable to near until she rolled off of Bonnie's back-

Bonnie obviously wanted the fox, but he hadn't forgotten himself and his abilities completely. His black eyes arrested onto the bear and he braced himself for the impactful shock of a heavy weight champion; the white ursine bearing down with the full might of a titan's fury. They locked talons; pushing against each other with upgrades Chica herself lacked. The hen focused on the fox meanwhile, keeping herself between him and the children lying on the ground on their bellies. She noticed Gregory pulled out the animatronic taser (the kids were required to never leave the house without one nowadays, thankfully), but he didn't use it. Not yet. He would wait for a cue from either hen or buck.

Foxy pawed at his maimed face; chunks of it falling and flaking off after Chica's stainless steel talons have essentially ripped half of his chassis off and absolutely shredded his latex lips. An optic was also shorn; blinding him in that eye. He blinked it, but it failed to work. He snarled angrily and lashed out- Chica kicking out once again with legs as strong as Bonnie's own and with enough force to blast his motor out of him-

Not that it hit. Foxy wove out of the way just in time; being more careful about her and her ridiculous raptor-like talons. Chica didn't use her arms; she didn't have claws and upgrades in those minus the braces meant to stop a hydraulic press. Foxy no doubt had talons as sharp as her own; in fact, the more Chica looked, the more she realized they may even be tipped with another foreign material to make them even deadlier. No way that's chromium, she couldn't help thinking. If that is, it'll go right through our own talons!

She jumped backward and performed hand stands; swinging her legs out each time Foxy dashed in. She even repeated several break dancers' moves; her skinny body paying off in maneuverability. Foxy was as wiry and lithe however; and he was now armed with the knowledge of her physical capability. He didn't dare rush in again.

Chica couldn't see it, but she can hear Bonnie and the bear wrestling nearby. There was a lot of vicious sounds escaping them; the white bear snarling with a ghastly resemblance to a real polar bear but on steroids and 3 times its weight. Bonnie's claws were heard hitting something; that or it was the bear's fists- Chica couldn't tell. She had her own battle with the fox to contend with.

Side note: Chica had already sent a distress ping to the house as soon as Bonnie started growling earlier. No doubt their comrades were already on the way. It may take them a couple extra minutes however; seeing as the fog and wind storm only grew in ferocity. A whiteout is evident; and the kids could freeze if they didn't leave for the car!

"GO!" she shouted at them. "GET TO THE CAR, NOW!"

Gregory looked mutinous, but he and Cassie conceded. They slipped away- and while Foxy went to snag one of them, Chica didn't let him get far. She was wrapping her arms around his middle and throwing herself to the ground to stop him. The fox wildly snapped and opened his jaws obscenely wide; wrapping them essentially around Chica's face too. His fangs gnawed through where her ears should be; and molars nearly caught her optics.

Even despite that, Chica dragged out the keys to their van and remotely unlocked it. The vehicle was heard beeping in the distance, and the sound of car doors shut. Kids were out of the danger zone and out of the weather.

Chica fought the tension and mounting panic as Foxy's jaws squeezed around her head with enough force to start warping her chassis and slide her skin out of place in some areas. She whimpered too; briefly flashing back to being trapped inside that compactor. Foxy had a LOT of brute strength in his jaws; and seeing the size of his muzzle and the exaggerated length of his head that wasn't typical of other Foxies, she can guess he had Monty's brutal hydraulic bite. If she didn't do something soon, she could actually die- seeing as the processor and personality chip in her head was her most important component and center of animatronic being. Once he crushed her protective skull chassis enough, her endo will inevitably fail as well.

I can actually die.

I can DIE.

Oh my god I'm about to die!

She put her arm deliberately into his teeth and activated the brace in it; and the stainless steel bar slipped out from her elbow and wrist. Her hands lifted up to admit it; effectively stopping Foxy from squeezing down further. The brace did its job in stopping the forceful bite; and a tiny part of the hen was thanking Luis and Vanessa for the nifty upgrade. So much for being paranoid about hydraulic presses! Who would've thought she'd be on the receiving end of one AGAIN?

Foxy produced a surprised noise; realizing he couldn't squeeze down anymore as her arm stubbornly remained locked in his mouth. In fact, Chica was using it to wedge her head free; the hen locking eyes with him and gritting her teeth. She pecked next; her extended neck also playing to her advantage when she was able to get a hold of his blind eye and tear it out! The useless optic hit the ground with a clatter that went unheard in the groaning wind.

Foxy was clawing at her middle; but Chica was clawing back at his lower body with her deadly legs and remaining arm. While they'd been engaged, they've been busy ripping into each other with true animal abandon. Chica's pelt was ruined and feathers were literally everywhere- blowing away in the savage wind. It really was like a fox to maim a hen like this; poetic, in a sense. As for her suit, that was a problem that'd have to be later addressed. She kept kicking and ripping; and he did the same.

Bonnie and the bear nearby were making the racket of claw-on-claw; and Chica was able to catch from the corners of her eyes the spark of fire from each collision. She also briefly glimpsed Bonnie's face and violently wished she didn't. He had black tear tracks on his mug; not blood. He kept snapping teeth wildly and creepily chittering his jaws; moving with no more of his usual grace so much as it's with a brutal focus that betrayed he was being used by the other person inside him.

There was a honk; and Chica was relieved to get a ping from M.X.E.S on her Hud. "We see you. Where are children?"

'In van. Out of storm,' she messaged back, unable to speak. She was too busy trying to peck Foxy's other eye out, but the angle wasn't quite right. 'Bonnie and I can't hold them back for long-'

"Do not worry. Freddy, Monty DJ, and Roxy are going to render assistance. Moon is heading towards the children."

Chica winced, despite this assuring message; feeling something get caught inside of her. Foxy's claws had found their messy mark; getting her coolant tank and bleeding her out. Rusty liquid started spilling onto the pavement, her suit as well as the offender; Chica's Hud screaming of imminent shut down shortly from just the damage. The one benefit to the weather at least was that she didn't need the liquid to keep her motor cool; but it cannot be denied that Foxy's talons had gotten a hold of some choice pieces of her heart all the while. She was in desperate need of repair.

I definitely can't fight close quarters. I'm not meant for it, she accepted with grim resignation. Its bad enough I can't even use my voice upgrade with Bonnie so near... I'd shut him down!

Just then, Foxy opened his jaws willingly and rolled off her; just barely missing a swipe from Montgomery Gator. The reptile was fresh and ready to step in; viciously snapping and snarling at the fox and razing angry talons through the air. The fox snapped at him in-turn, but then bolted.

BOLTED!

He out-right LEFT. He ran with such speed, Chica could swear he had upgrades in his legs too. He just left his Freddy alone to deal with the others. THE NERVE!

"FUGGIN' COWARD!" Monty hollered at him.

Roxy was at Chica's side, helping the shaking hen to her feet. Meanwhile, in the distance, Chica caught the sight of Glamrock Freddy aiding his bestie-

That brown bear wasn't having it. Freddy briefly wore the look of a madman as he swung into the fray. His baby blue optics were pinned to a size about as large as a child's finger tips; every wicked tooth he had exposed and his own talons taking the place Bonnie's had. Polar Freddy meanwhile disengaged, then back-pedaled away-

He stared down the surrounding bots, dauntless of their threat. Calmly, he took steps back but kept every single bot in his scope. Bonnie was hissing and spitting at him with the intention to finish him, but he didn't lunge; no, Monty and Freddy were taking up positions in front of the also-injured rabbit. DJ balled up all four fists and joined their side.

The polar bot straightened his posture like he was recovering from just a simple sparring session and not a fight for his life. He even dusted himself off of the excess snow on his shoulders and breast; completely composed and not looking really worse for wear. If anything, it wasn't lost on Chica that Bonnie looked as rough as she did. The bear meanwhile only had a few scrapes across his paws where they've connected and his belly was kicked in from Bonnie no doubt hanging onto him and sending both feet into it while they've been locked claw-to-claw. There was also a worn spot in the middle of his head; probably from a head-butt. Hard to say who caused THAT.

"I guess today wasn't a good day for anyone," he said ever-so placidly. "I apologize for Foxy's words by the way. Those are not MY directives-" He was looking at the huffing rabbit. "However, you sir, are my directive. You have something of mine you have stolen; and I aim to get it back. My friend, MY Bonnie, he needs his pieces- and you have them no thanks to Mr. Cabrera taking them after all this time. I wanted to ask politely before Foxy angered you, but now I wonder if you can even hear me right now?"

Chica looked at the rabbit- to which he said nothing. He was chuffing too, red pouring from his nose and mouth.

"...No. Bonnie B. Bunny is not present, I see," He calmly acknowledged, though his tone had a heaviness in it that couldn't be denied. "I will have to ask again for my friend's parts another day. Good day to you all- and do not die in this weather before we meet again!"

"OH NO YOU-" Monty started.

The bear turned and ran; and the way he did it? It surprised everyone when he jumped to all fours and beat it with a speed that deceived. Being on fours gave him a boost, and he was loping away with the same gnarly amount of hurry as Foxy. Nobody was able to do anything about it; and while Monty looked like he was going to gun it after him, he wisely didn't. Not when the bear was gone in the thickening snowfall and essentially and effortlessly disappeared in the curtain of white. He had no scent, so there was nothing to follow. He simply vanished.

Bonnie and Chica were taken to the truck they came here in, with Moon waiting for them inside at the wheel. It seemed it was just dark enough outside to permit him to be on the surface. Gregory looked rightly nervous of the bot, never being around him too much in the past two years. However, his wariness gave way to TOTAL fear as he eyed Chica and Bonnie as they clumsily made their way in. Cassie had her hands over her mouth.

"What- OH MY GOD!" Gregory said for her.

Bonnie slouched heavily against the wall and heaved; and then- He turned to face the outside and puked; making Monty jump backward on reflex.

"DUDE!" The gator spat, both disgusted and shocked.

Chica held her chest, watching as Bonnie emptied out not the contents of his fake gut, but a vicious gout of blood and ichor. The sludge dribbled and it had a rancid smell the wind couldn't carry away completely; making the hen and the others stumble out of repulsion of the scent of blood and... what was that? The hen couldn't describe that horrid aroma! It was like something crawled inside of him and died-

The simile disturbed her, but she said or did nothing beyond heave and lie down on the bed of the van. Her motor was quitting on her; and she knew she was going to be out for the next day or so. She merely kept Bonnie and the others in her sight as long as she could; watching as, with the motions of spitting up the liquid, Bonnie's optics returned to normal and he stared hollowed-eyed and slack-jawed at the mess he made. He was back to normal, thank god; and turning to face the children and her-

And she saw the moment his own panic set in at the sight of her. Chica was too far gone in her daze to know how to react or do much more than blearily blink at him. She felt her body finally give out for the second time in her life- oddly enough. And this time, she didn't fear the darkness that came after. She only feared for the worry she'd given her family, and the person she cared so much about.

No, she'd realize then, no longer did food frighten her so. But to make Bonnie and the others worry to the extent that she had- nothing else beyond the safety of her loved ones compared to the fear of leaving them forever. Nothing could compare to the worry of leaving Bonnie again forever.

Her camera eyes cut to static, then blinked out. The last thing she sees was the black tear-strained countenance of the hunched over buck as he and Monty reached over for her; the sounds of the kids' wails and winter wind in her auditory system.