CH 1: Not So Little Anymore

21 Years later

"Shit! I'm late again!"

A blue and white bear was quickly throwing on shoes before running out of her room. She ran down the hallway until she went through a door and arrived in a large hall with five main rooms, each with a different color, and lots of memorabilia behind glass cases. "Rockstar Row" Hung above the far wall. She quickly ran over to the first room labeled "Freddy Fazbear" on the wall above. She quickly made her way inside. She didn't see anyone in there so she cursed herself again before checking the back room and luckily found something. Well, someone.

Inside a red pod was a robotic bear and he seemed to have his eyes closed asleep. The girl went up to the glass of the pod and tapped on it. "Dad, it's time to get up! I'm already running 5 minutes late for you all."

Soon enough, the eyes opened and glowed before they looked around and looked at the bear in front. The pod opened and he stepped out. "Ash, did you stay up late again?"

"Dad, I don't have time for a lecture." The girl, Ash, said to the animatronic. "I need to make sure you guys are up and ready to go before the first show at noon. Don't want the great Freddy Fazbear to be late to his own show."

"Ash, don't you remember what day it is?" Freddy asked her as they both walked into his room.

The girl stopped for a moment in thought. "Tuesday?"

Freddy tilted his head but sighed. "Don't worry too much about it right now. Go wake up your aunts and uncles so we can do our tests."

"Already on it! Love ya dad!" Ash said running out his door and going next door.

Quickly the girl woke up the other animatronics. Making her way down the rooms. Next to Freddy was Roxanne Wolf, then Montgomery Gator, Chika the Chicken and last was Foxy the Pirate Fox. Once all the animatronics were up and about they all went down below to the service room for their daily checkup before heading out on stage.

Ash was twenty-one now, ever since she was sixteen she took this job to make sure her family was in tip top shape before each of their shows. Checking all their programing and such to make sure all was in working order. She learned a lot about animatronics and how they functioned and worked. After all…they did raise her from a baby.

When Ash was little, she didn't expect her home to be a pizza plex. Being raised by the most popular animatronic band to ever exist. Of course, it was mainly Freddy in charge of taking care of her but the others were just as helpful in raising her. Her life was honestly perfect in her eyes despite never leaving the pizza plex once. She was even homeschooled by a teacher the owner of the pizza plex hired for her, so she was pretty bright. She thought about stepping outside but the thought still scared her. Only staying inside like the rest of the animatronics. She had nowhere else to go anyway, so she just had so much fun around the pizza plex. It was never a bore to her. Why go outside when everything you need is here?

As a young girl, she didn't even know she was different. She thought she was just like the rest of her family. An animatronic. She would even sleep with Freddy in his pod now and then when she was small enough. No one really wanted to tell her the truth though and went along with it. She figured out she wasn't an animatronic like them once she was older but never let that bug her and she kept that knowledge to herself.

She learned a lot besides what the teacher taught her. She learned how to sing from Freddy and even play a little guitar from Monty. How to even use a sword thanks to Foxy. Roxane taught her how to drive a go kart while Chicka even taught her a thing or two about making the best pizza. Her family was there for her and wanted her to be the best she could be.

Growing up here wasn't all bad, she even made friends. Considering this was a place for kids, she was bound to meet someone who connected with her. Two to be exact.

The first was Heart, who was a wolf-dragon hybrid. Ash helped her come out of her shell for her first time at the pizza plex. She was scared and the place was so big to her, luckily Ash showed her around and had a really amazing time with her. Ever since then, every time Heart came to the place she always wanted Ash to come around and hangout, the bear didn't mind at all.

The second was Tori, a pink bunny who was at the pizza plex a lot during the years considering how many siblings she had. The two got along since Ash would help out with the parties a lot when she was younger. Especially when Freddy would be the one at the party. It was nice to have another friend around all the time and the bunny didn't seem to mind her company.

After all these years though, Ash still talks to her two friends. Ever since she got the phone back on her 16th birthday she has been able to talk to them. Although since they were older they didn't come to the pizza plex that often anymore. It wasn't until recently that Ash started to consider leaving the pizza plex. Explore the world a little bit and see what truly is out there. To see her friends and go out to have fun. She pushed those thoughts aside though so that she could focus on her job, plus helping her family.

While growing up around animatronics she learned a lot about them. That included how to fix them and keep them up to date in their programming. She went through a lot of jobs at the pizza plex. Trying out everything there was until she finally found something she liked and that was fixing up the animatronics. She really enjoyed it and tried her best to help them out when needed.

"There, you guys should all be ready for the show now." Ash said as she just got done with Roxanne.

All the animatronics looked at each other than to the young bear.

"Ash, do you know what day it is?" Chicka asked her.

The bear was cleaning her hands as she looked at them. "Dad asked me the same thing when I woke him up today. It's Tuesday guys. Nothing special besides them having a deal on tacos at El Chip's."

"Nothing else comes to mind today?" Monty made sure.

Ash stood there and was lost in thought, trying to think over something. "Did you guys have a surprise scheduled maintenance tonight I didn't know about?"

They all facepalmed with a sigh, she was always too focused on her work.

"No, but we need you to meet us at party room 1 after the noon show is over. Ok?" Roxanne told her as she went up to the young girl and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh, ok. I'll make sure to get cleaned up before then. It's been a while since I needed to attend you all to a party." She says with an excited smile.

"Don't work so hard, little cub. We'll be waiting for ye." Foxy added as he messed up the girl's hair.

"Sounds good guys. Break a leg out there." She cheered them on.

The five gave her a hug before turning and started to walk towards the lift of the stage. She went down Freddy's hallway to his elevator and took it up to his room before quickly heading out of Rockstar Row and to the main area of the Pizza plex to watch the show. She never tried to miss one.

After the show was over, she had a bit of time to go back to her room. Luckily, none of them needed fixed so she made sure she changed out of her overalls she had on when working on the animatronics to something more her. A purple tank top hoodie, ripped shorts, some thigh high socks with boots and her spiked collar. She made her way out of her room and over to the party rooms. Usually, room 1 was the biggest so she wondered what was planned there, especially if all the animatronics were going to be there. Someone must have had money for that.

Eventually she got to the room and it was dark. Odd. Maybe they needed to have her help set up? She walked into the room and tried to find the light. Before she could look for them, the lights snapped on and boy was she in for a treat.

"SURPRISE!"

The bear was left in shock by the group of people currently in the room as well as all five of the animatronics. The banner behind them said, 'Happy 21st Birthday Ash!'

It was her birthday?

…

It was her birthday!

How could she have forgotten that? She was so busy and distracted the last few days she forgot it was even her birthday. No wonder they were asking her what today was. They were trying to get her to remember it was her birthday. She smiled wide before running up to Freddy to give him a hug.

"Did you plan this dad?" Ash asked him as she let go of the animatronic bear.

"Nope." Freddy answered.

"We all did." Roxanne told her.

"Plus, it's your 21st. That's a big one after all. You're a true adult." Monty said with a wink.

The girl smiled. "Guys, you're amazing. I don't know what I would do without you."

They all did a group hug around the girl.

"Well, what about us?" A voice called out.

"Yea we were invited to." A second added.

Ash knew those voices and quickly turned to see her two friends standing in the doorway of the room now. It's been a while since she saw them last. Tori was still local but Heart moved out to Tennessee so she hasn't seen her in about 4 years.

Her tail wagged as she ran up to the two to hug them both. "Tori. Heart. I'm so happy to see you!" She said happily.

The two friends hugged the bear back.

"It's been a good bit since we saw you." Tori said.

"Yea! When we were invited to a surprise party for you, we had to come." Heart added onto that as well. "We wouldn't miss your 21st birthday!"

"Plus, we have a surprise for you Ash." Another voice called behind her.

Ash let go of her friends and turned around to see the owner of the Pizza plex. He was a black wolf that hard dark hair with red highlights and red eyes.

"Fenri? You have something for me too?" Ash was curious.

He nodded. "You've been stuck here at the Pizza plex all your life. I wanted to give you the opportunity…to travel. You no longer have to stay here; you can go out and explore the world. Your friends also wanted to take you out for your birthday to celebrate."

Ash was honestly in shock. She's never taken a foot outside this building. Recently she thought about going to various places ever since she could 'see' the outside world from her phone. So, for her to have this chance…was amazing.

"I can…leave?" She made sure as she looked at the wolf and then behind her to the animatronics. "But…who will take care of them if I'm gone?"

"We'll be fine Ash." Chicka said.

"Yea you don't have to worry about us." Roxanne gave a thumbs up.

"We want ye to have fun." Foxy added.

"You only live once after all." Freddy chuckled.

Her ears went back a moment in thought but eventually looked up and nodded with a small smile. "How long can I be gone for?"

"As long as you want!" Fenri answered. "Just don't go over a year though. See all you can in that amount of time. Don't worry, we'll make sure to take care of you outside of this place too."

The girl smiled and her small tail wagged excitedly, "I want to enjoy my party here today. Then maybe I can leave tonight?"

The tall wolf nodded. "Tonight, after we close. You can head out on the road with your friends. Celebrate your birthday and then you're free to go wherever you please."

Ash happily hugged her friends again in excitement. She couldn't believe this. She could finally go look at the places she'd been dreaming about. First though, she gets to spend time with her friends and family!

The entire day, Ash enjoyed her party that the staff put on for her. They had fun around the pizza plex as well, playing games, riding in go karts and did a round of Fazer Blast. It was like she was a kid again and that is what was so magical about this place. Doesn't matter how old you are, it was always a fun time.

By the time it was time to close up, she went to her room and started to pack. Trying to think of everything she might need for such a trip like this. Might need a bigger suitcase. As she did her packing, her friends waited by the front doors for her. There was a knock on her door, to her surprise. Soon it opened and that is when Freddy walked in.

"Dad?" The girl said surprised.

"Ash, I want to talk to you for a moment before you leave." Freddy said as he closed the door behind him.

The girl sat on her bed and looked up at the animatronic. "Well, I'm all ears, dad."

The robotic bear sighed. "I just wanted to give you a proper goodbye. If you're going to be gone for a year, then it's going to be hard for me. For all of us."

Ash sighed sadly as well, "I know dad, it's going to be hard for me too. I'll be back though. Promise. This is my home and I'd never abandon it."

"You have all our numbers in your phone?"

"Yes I do." She rolled her eyes playfully. All the animatronics had a built- in cellphone they could access. "I'll make sure not to spend all the funds Fenri gave me either. After all, he did say I worked a lot here over the years so it's like I got a big paycheck all at once." She chuckled.

Freddy laughed. "That is good. If you need anything, you call me or any of your aunts and uncles."

The girl nodded, "I will dad don't worry."

"Will you at least try to call me once in a while? Give me updates on your adventures?" Freddy asked.

She looked at him with a bright smile. "Of course, I will. I'll try to call you every night before you shut down to recharge. Sound good?"

Freddy nodded. "Sounds good." He paused before getting on one knee in front of her. "It's hard to see you all grown up…ever since you were a cub. The fact that I won't be there to protect you scares me."

"I know dad…don't worry. I'll be ok. You have to trust me."

"I do…it's just hard to see my little girl leave for the first time for so long."

Ash smiles and goes up to Freddy to give him a hug. "If I'm being honest, I'm scared to leave. But I feel that being with my friends at first won't make it so bad."

"True." Freddy hugs her back. "Now you better get going. They're waiting for you after all."

They let go of each other and Ash grabs her suitcase. "I'll be back soon."

"Go get em superstar." Freddy said as he watched her walk out of her room.

She made sure to give the others a goodbye hug before making her way to the entrance. The two friends were there waiting for her and they smiled when they saw her.

"Hey, the teddy bear arrives. Ready to go?" Heart asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Ash let out a breath.

"Taking your first steps outside. How do you feel?" Tori asked.

"Nervous." Ash answered honestly.

"Then let's get those nerves over with." Tori said and grabbed her hand.

Ash blushed from the bunny taking her hand and had the two walk her to the front doors. Heart held the door open as Tori walked slowly out with Ash behind. She held her breath and closed her eyes a moment before she felt the concrete outside. It smelled so….different out here. She opened her eyes slowly and looked around at the sky with the sun setting. She only ever saw something like this from the roof of the pizza plex but this was so different.

"I did it." Ash said excitedly.

"You did. Excellent job girl." Tori said as she continued to hold her hand.

Heart came over to wrap an arm around the two, "Now here is the plan. We drive to Vegas and spend the whole week there. How does that sound?"

"Vegas? For real?" Tori seemed unamused.

"Ah come on cotton tail; it will be fun. She's twenty-one for Christ's sake. Gotta enjoy herself a little right?" Heart said and ran over to the car. "Come on, I'll drive."

"This is my car. I drive. Vegas is only 2 hours from here anyway." Tori said and walked over to the car. "Don't forget who has to take you back to the airport Miss. I don't feel like flying the whole way."

Heart shrugged, "I'm lazy."

Ash laughed at her two friends and walked over to the car. She'd never been in one before but for the first time, she was glad her friends were there to help her out. They got her bag in the car and had her sit in the passenger seat before Tori started the car and they were off.

Ash watched as the Pizza plex disappeared in the mirror behind them until it was gone. It was hard to believe that after all these years…she can be on her own. Now her real adventure would begin.

Side Notes:

~Glamrock Foxy is around for this AU

~Glamrock Bonnie is still gone.

~Mega Pizzaplex is located in Utah (I read on a wiki that is where it was so i just went with it, lol)