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.

21. Beyond Nature

~Sunday~

GLAMROCK CHICA

God she felt so TERRIBLE- And it wasn't just in one way.

Chica had been trying to absorb the fact her brain was... very... wow. Everything wouldn't stop MOVING. She was thinking so fast and computing so much at once that she could barely wrap her fragile mind around it. Right now, that's all she's been doing ever since she woke up: Trying and failing to process for the last few days what her body and mind were capable of and the amount of sheer power her core is generating. She's never had anything this strong before inside her. In fact, the techs at the PizzaPlex used to make it their business to make her weak both physically and mentally.

It was for good reason, funny as that sounds- and while it sounded wrong (and it was), it was something even she had to agree with at some point. Chica's penchant to charge at people for their pizza products warranted that she isn't very powerful to begin with to limit the amount of damage she could do to them. And while nobody can actually sue for any harm done (as buying and eating their products was secretly a way or releasing them from any liability), the techs still had to at least weaken Chica to some extent for their sakes and make sure she can't use any of her computing potential as an A.I to get into things she isn't supposed to: Like get into their locked up, digitally secured freezers and facilities and some of the syrup vats. After all, the Glamrocks have ALWAYS been able to use their abilities to hack the system if they truly thought about it. Why else could Freddy be able to give Gregory access to the security system even though the bear had been blocked from it? They ALL can hack- they just don't think about it and its with varying levels of success.

So yes: Chica was not only made physically weaker and left to be bugged out, but perhaps made slightly less... intelligent, so she cannot get into more trouble than she already did. She wasn't DUMB, but she couldn't compute as many consequences long-term. She'd always been restricted to the moment; and she's never been able to process just how strong she truly was-

So when Bonnie earlier on admitted to her that he learned his hacking ability thanks to HER, it naturally surprised her. Even she didn't think that she was that smart or incredible! It made her feel happy that anyone would take some sort of inspiration from her like that. And as it turned out, Bonnie, later down the line, would use this intelligence to save all their lives- Including her own doomed one. Because he learned from her that they can be MORE.

This was something she didn't admit to the others; but Chica once (or twice... or more) entertained times where being rendered nonfunctional was preferable to existence without Freddy and Bonnie. Its bad enough the rabbit's disappearance destroyed her so completely; beyond the fact the employees at the PizzaPlex just didn't CARE about her. She had no one but Freddy once- and even then Chica couldn't get over how depressed she'd been and how she'd go through the rinse and repeat cycle of eating and destroying herself physically and emotionally. All of this was why she wanted to quit out of life at some nasty point. Her lack of care for her physical form was proof enough of that-

But then she actually died; and suddenly, mortality was that much more important to her.

Now she valued life far more; and it helped that having all her friends and family in it made it wonderful to be alive again. To actually care about herself, to not throw herself at garbage compactors and danger. To learn how to care for people too and not just her bot family. To trust Vanessa even though the two hadn't been on the best of terms before at the PizzaPlex. Indeed, Chica now highly valued her life over what she had before; where she'd been on that nasty precipice where she'd willingly throw herself into the garbage she ate from.

Back in the present, the hen found herself tired often and feeling a bit under the weather. She was running warm a lot; and it was something Luis thankfully kept a keen eye on. He walked up to her that morning and informed her of needing another tune up; the hen agreeing to it and still finding the prospect of her core being what it is so baffling. She posed the question as to why it was done that way-

To which, Luis fixed his glasses and said with some mild distaste, "It was... a recommendation from Vanny. She showed us a list of schematics and we were able to make you a new motor in record time thanks to her. Obviously, she didn't have any sticky fingers in it... just Bonnie was inside your core-"

That first bit about Vanny deciding to assist with her reconstruction was odd enough; prompting Chica to forget what she was doing amidst her kitchen work. But then when Luis mentioned Bonnie directly accessing and getting inside of her systems... she had to admit, the hen was glad she couldn't blush. She still couldn't help but wonder what he saw while he'd been inside her most sensitive regions. Did he see anything he shouldn't have?

God those connotations sound so strange now- especially after living with PEOPLE and acting like them, she couldn't help but intrusively note. Why does that sound so... so... URG.

Luis proceeded to add, "-As to why it was done- its because Bonnie cannot be the only one here with that ability to house M.X.E.S when it comes time to deal with the company. Bonnie doing all the work is only going to end up in eventual failure and it could kill all of us." His stare hardened, "So, I'm sorry about this, Chica. I know its kinda... yunno."

"I... I get it," She relented. "You're right: Bonnie and Mex can't be the only ones doing the digital heavy-lifting anymore."

NONE of that sounded okay, so Chica didn't say anything after that- despite the fact she wanted to complain about the fact Vanny had some say over her body. She only got a horrid feeling in her gut that felt realistically like whatever nausea is described to be like; simply picturing the idea of dying all over again. And if letting Vanny actually give tactical, expert advice on making a better motor was all she had to deal with, she was prepared to let that slide.

The fact she once rotted away and died never left her. She doubted it WOULD leave her, no matter how many of her visits to 'therapy' and seeing this Miss Howler she endured. Even though she was living her best life now and was allowed to put all of that pain behind her, the fact she was so mortal despite being a bot whose never once thought of consequences as a tangible threat baffled her.

And Arctic Foxy nearly killing her...

Yeah. She was still freaked out by that. She nearly died AGAIN- and if it hadn't been for Vanessa and Luis' upgrades, she would have. The fact she was so restricted before and can now do things like play around with Vanny on a whim was a power she couldn't fathom. She can torture Vanny if she desired, since the digital doe was so keen on making her like this. Chica will certainly not complain there!

Speaking of tuning up- after Luis told her she'd need to be checked over today, Jacob expressed a desire to see it done. As it was, he also ended up spending not one night, but a couple more after that. Yesterday morning on Saturday, he called his parents and begged them to stay longer- and they said it was alright so long as the rest of the family said so. There was a rousing and unanimous yes, and Jacob ended up staying three days as a whole. Each day, he, Greg and Cassie would be outside in the snow-covered yard or playing around at large with the rest of the bots. He even got to sit and watch Cassie help out DJ the prior night and he got curious about it-

He still couldn't go into the garage though. No way in hell he was allowed to do that. As to the bots that needed tuning today besides Chica, Bonnie's auditory upgrade needed to be recalibrated again when he heard a high frequency (from Sun's attempt with the violin- he hit a particularly high note that made the rabbit jolt and twitch like he was in pain). Bonnie claimed he heard some ringing in one ear after Sun's accidental strike of said certain note- warranting for a closer look due to the uniqueness of his ear upgrade. After all, its not like the family had anymore auditory emitters or parts to put into the bot should they lose their hearing. Repair is mandatory on all the pieces they did have; including the bot still wearing it. They only had one working set of Bonnie's special hearing upgrade too; making it absolutely priority he gets those checked over whenever he makes a comment on them.

Its a shame Luis couldn't find a spare set of Bonnie-grade hearing emitters at the supply depot, Chica had sighed. Seems the company really did want everything of him erased.

Both bots were sitting in the living room when Jacob's parents would arrive, ready to pick him up. They were admitted by Vanessa, and all watched as Cassie ended up showing her technological skills at helping the bots out. Jacob was completely enamored with the process, immediately showing an interest in the subject too. He was also intrigued by the fact that the bots were, technically speaking, built like small cars; complete with an engine for a core that needed coolant and a car battery to stay charged with.

He also proved to be, while excitable, quite observant and willing to learn how to do it too. When Cassie said she and Roxy were trying to make a home-made kart for the future, Jacob expressed a desire to watch them work and to help in their endeavors. His intensity and loud passion was endearing; with Chica happily obliging his request to see her core. She proudly set herself where he can see; the boy 'oohing' and 'ahhhing' at the fact she even had half as many similarities as a vehicle itself. His parents were also interested- as Johnathan apparently was a part-time mechanic and had an interest in race cars since he was a boy. The family listened to Cassie talk about the bots' cores and how each had a uniqueness due to their capabilities.

"Bonnie and Monty have different spines, for instance," She told them. "Its made of more flexible material. It isn't as strong as the studs in the others, but they also aren't the ones that's hopping around like they can. They need that flexibility for any mid-air alterations and to adjust in case of a bad landing. Freddy is capable of producing more torque than the rest of the Glams in his upper body and can move more weight than most here. DJ can move his arms in ALL directions fluently as well as climb surfaces that the others cannot get a grip on due to an upgrade in his hands- including small magnets for adherence to metallic surfaces. Chica's got the most durable endoskeleton and is the most petite of the Glams. Roxy meanwhile can run the fastest and she and Chica have -besides Sun whose the most obvious- the lightest frame. Sun has the most complicated and largest circuit board and mini-motor installed in it to account for his frame being what it is-"

She'd spout information like that for a bit; with the trio nodding and Johnathan even asking more about their motors. At length, he even said he's willing to help fix them if they ever wanted another helping hand on board. Vanessa and the others received this quite warmly, with Johnathan saying he could even bring some scrapped parts from his workplace if they so desired. This made the family giddy with relief; as poor Vanessa's wallet kept getting slimmer when it came to repairs on the Glams. In fact, the woman was practically on her knees sweating with relief while thanking him.

Chica knew she was expensive... and she hated that she imposed so much on Vanessa and Luis. This sentiment was shared amidst the others too; as they knew Vanessa and Luis jointly has had to spend more recently due to the advent of the Arctic bots. It didn't help that in general, the bots couldn't return the kindness too well beyond setting up these parties and helping Vanessa with house flipping work. They couldn't make their own money otherwise.

They were a burden on the humans. And yet the humans didn't complain. Kind of a no-brainer why they had a Vanessa and Luis appreciation day now- falling upon the anniversary of their being freed from the PizzaPlex. Chica and the rest of the bots (including the seemingly uncaring Monty) made it their business to make them feel appreciated for all they do.

And it wasn't just Vanessa and Luis; but the kids too. Cassie for instance was sitting right here, repairing Bonnie's ears with an enthusiastic glee that no doubt was shared between them. She hummed while she worked on him; the rabbit himself looking completely at peace with being a possessed object if it meant he can stay with her like this. He had his eyes closed as she had a tool to his endo inside his skull; looking so completely relaxed with being taken partially apart and sitting up like this. A piece of his skull chassis was on the floor, the rabbit sitting at ground level crisscrossed so Cassie can even reach him. He didn't move a centimeter; keeping what seemed to be a sage's wisely smirk across his visage in serene reverie.

Gregory was typing on the computer nearby; having a wire feeding into the rabbit's body so he can recalibrate the fickle upgrade. He was also priming Chica's motor at once; showing an insane aptitude for programming as he helped her motor to improve performance. Chica felt herself improving a bit each few moments; breathing easier as he typed with the frenetic ferocity of a caffeine-jumped addict. Jacob's parents as well as their kid watched them all the while; fascinated with their work and asking questions all the while. Gregory answered with a matured, intellectual response each time; sounding twice his age.

At any rate, Jacob would go home after that; leaving the family in a peacefully quiet lull. Sun went back to playing his new violin; while DJ helped with taking the tree down by removal of the ornaments. Roxy went upstairs to prep a while, and Monty would go outside to remove more snow from the yard. Freddy was just sitting in front of the fire in one of the armchairs, enjoying his new book (and his hand-sewn Bonnie plushie he got from Chica- something he absolutely adored). Vanessa and Luis went upstairs to talk of work, and the kids went to play in their own rooms-

Now as for Bonnie, Chica would notice he's acting a bit odd suddenly. He wasn't interested in talking with anyone; instead getting that faraway look on his face like he's dealing with something on his Hud. His optics ticked subtly; suggesting his attention on whatever his system or messages could be giving him. She assumed he may be talking to M.X.E.S as he always did- But then he headed into the garage right after he got some enigmatic ping in his head. He was only in there a MOMENT before he started heading outside.

Curious. Now why was this? He wasn't running hot... and he seemed almost eager to put some distance between himself and the others. He was acting distracted and busy; a mysterious notion that warranted the hen's attention. Now while this behavior wasn't so unusual for him, the hen couldn't help but ponder his suddenly reticent demeanor.

Chica was about to do some cook prep in the kitchen but found this infinitely more interesting; abandoning her crockpot of spiced vegetables in the process. She hummed, wondering how she was going to follow the rabbit outside without him hearing her. After all, Bonnie just got his hearing fixed and he'd no doubt pickup on her servos whirring in her body- not to mention her powerful motor-

Ah. Wait. I can say I need to go outside too, she figured. Not like it was wrong of her to cool down if she got hot enough. Even with Gregory rebalancing her core, she felt she'd still need to go outside if she got warm enough.

With this said, she toed her way outside while looking as nonchalant as possible; tugging at her apron and throwing it over the kitchen table as she passed it. She'd round the base of the stairs and towards the back door where he vanished; wondering if, on the side, maybe she can talk with him too. After all, she hadn't apologized for casually threatening him back when they woke up Vanny a few days ago. She felt bad about it as it is; so perhaps this was excuse (and reason) enough to pursue him.

Once she was outside, she was puzzled by the fact that he was gone! Chica shook her head rapidly and looked at the snow; noticing where he stopped and seemed to vanish-

He... jumped? Where'd he jump to? She internally queried as she bent and inspected the spot where'd he'd been standing. In order for his trail to stop like this, it had to indicate he jumped. She noticed the angle of his footing indicated the woods behind their house... not that that area was too huge. In fact, in their neighborhood where they lived at, lots of kids played around in this unowned patch of land. Gregory and Cassie went out here all the time in warmer weather, with Roxy chasing her squirrels around (due to the fact she claimed they chew on their house wires and she's just trying to make sure it doesn't happen- but Chica knew its because Roxy found the rodents irritating and she compulsively went after them due to a canine-based trait in her programming).

Bonnie went into the woods... not too unusual, but also not common behavior on his part. He only did this when he felt off or needed to be alone. Sometimes, he said the sounds and sights he enjoyed was because Cassie's father enjoyed it too; and they got a moment of peace to think to themselves in a place where they can feel not so claustrophobic. It wasn't unusual for the bots themselves to do the same since they live in a crowded house, but they certainly don't do it super often either. Bonnie also had a habit of indulging this tendency whenever he felt his most stressed or frustrated; though Chica didn't think he felt this way when he left just now.

He jumped though... he doesn't do that on his walks due to the trees. He must've heard something or... he didn't want to be followed, She pondered.

"M.X.E.S," She said aloud. "Do you hear me?"

The blue rabbit showed up on her Hud, his pixelated image neutral and calm as usual. "Yes, user Chica. Do you have a query to field," he greeted.

"Yes actually... can I ask about Bonnie? Is he okay? Did he say anything to you?" She immediately fired off. "He left the house awful fast and didn't say anything..."

M.X.E.S didn't waste any time telling her, "He turned his ping to me off. I found that questionable as it is, but he also did not seem stressed or upset. I assumed he just wants his privacy for a while- although I do too find his behavior a bit off."

"Luis said Bonnie was super stressed the day before Jacob came over- but he didn't say why," She told him.

"I noticed. His readouts briefly spiked and I thought he was going to have another meltdown- but he calmed himself within a moment. I figured he had it under control and went outside to cool off- as he did that day," The security program told her. "He betrayed nothing but calm and even signs of relief when he next returned to the house. He could be having a small fit-"

"But that's all the more reason to follow him," She said. "You have any idea where he is in there?"

"No... and that is the suspicious thing," The blue digital rabbit wondered while his image briefly flickered into a field of pixels on her Hud and fixed back into a solid shape. "He turned his positioning off. I cannot locate him in the forest. It seems he truly wants to be alone for the moment..."

Chica frowned at her Hud, folding her arms and shifting weight into one hip. "Oh HELL no... he better not be doing it again," She bit scathingly.

"Doing what?"

"Bonnie being secretive means TROUBLE with a capital 'T'," she primly informed him. "He promised no more secrets too! If he's in trouble with that spirit-thingy in his body, he'd be staying HERE where we can restrain him safely to prevent anymore accidents. But then, even on his casual walks he's kept his ping and radar open. Him keeping them closed and jumping where I can't follow his tracks? Not-uh; he's being sus. He displayed this kind of behavior right before he got decommissioned!"

"Noted. I just sent a request for messaging, but he literally just now declined it as you were speaking," M.X.E.S had wasted no time in both doing and saying. "It seems he truly is keeping to himself."

"Not on my watch," Chica spat. She turned towards the house and stormed back in. She found Freddy in the living room immediately, still reading his book all the while. She paused near the couch and said, "Yo Freddy! I need your nose for a moment. Can you follow me outside?"

The ursine lowered the book and blinked at her, humming confusedly. He marked his place in the book by remembering the page number, put his hand-sewn Bonnie plush on the chair itself, then got to his feet while fixing his fur pelt straight on his chassis. He glided to her and said, "What is it you need?"

"Bonnie is being weird. AGAIN!" She threw her arms up. "TOTALLY SUSPCIOUS! He went into the garage, then he went outside, and JUMPED somewhere! Worse, he turned his messages and his radar off! He went into the woods too-" She waved another arm to indicate the backyard.

She needn't say more; as Freddy was suddenly rushing past her while flexing his nostrils. He was outside in a heart beat; head held high and catching as much of the gentle breeze he could. He stopped where Bonnie had, sniffled, then went to the tree line and sniffled some more. His chuffing was loud; his great, barrel chest producing clouds from where his motor released heat. Without a beat, he was disappearing into the woods where he's seen Bonnie's feet angle.

Nothing beats Freddy's nose, Chica inwardly purred. Bonnie, you're in big trouble. BIG!

She followed her ursine bestie and stayed right in his shadow; though she knew she couldn't be outside for too long. Her joints would lock up from the temperature; as it was cold enough today. Her legs and arms would stiffen up within moments if she wasn't careful- but as it were, she also thanked her motor for working hard enough so that she can be warmer for a bit longer than the others.

Should make a note for Vanessa and Luis to build me a heat dispersal wiring system so to circulate the heat in my body to my extremities. It'll do as good of a job keeping me warm as my feather pelt does, she logged. Seeing as my feather pelt is still broken and ripped up... couldn't hurt to suggest it anyways.

Ahead of her, Freddy was bustling his way through the snow with an easy grace despite the fact it was harder to navigate here than in the cleared streets and yard. The snow was higher in this area; hiding rocks and thorny bushes under a layer of white so thick it was knee-high to DJ. So in essence, the snow was high enough here where Cassie and Gregory can almost swim in it and it made movement difficult for Chica and Freddy. They were essentially wading through it. Chica was getting pretty warm from working through it herself, but the snow was also adversely melting against her bare legs and water would soon collect in her chassis. She'd need to blow dry at the house once she got back.

Freddy's nose stayed busy; while Chica couldn't help but notice how agitated he was in such a short amount of time. His teeth showed sometimes; his lip-line lifting off his steel fangs in a greased slide of chassis from endo; not unlike a wolf's lips lifting off their gums. Vanessa had made it so that the Glamrocks can lift their metallic chassis a bit via a few well-placed brackets in certain areas of their bodies; and it helped that with the presence of fur, it made the pelts move with the chassis in order to give it that shifting skin look (she wanted the Glams to look as organic as possible to people so they appear friendlier- as it also warrants for less alienation between the organic and inorganic, technically speaking). So right now, Freddy's frown looked like an agitated snarl. If anyone were to walk up to him right now, they'd think they're looking at an actual, bipedal bear about to sneeze. Both observations were terrifying and a little funny, but it was more terrifying than anything.

They both paused when they heard a noise; the distinct crackle of bare bushes being trodden under foot. Freddy produced a grumbling noise and snapped his head around rapidly; his expression suddenly war-like as he marched in its direction. Chica was curious about Freddy's suddenly short temper, frowning as she observed the bear steadily acting more like the animal inspiration when he stooped to smell again and shuffle towards the noise. He even produced a low roll of growls; suggestive of his budding agitation. It was uncharacteristic how fast his mood was plummeting-

Chica logged this with some trepidation. She had a feeling Freddy would be a bit... different, ever since he actualized. But to see it like this? Something was more than wrong with him and the soul within- but it wasn't like even Vanny could offer any solutions thus far after some discussion with her. She said she'd help them find out who might be in his body but it was a difficult process. She was still mulling it over, speaking of which; and its partially why she's been so quiet for the last while.

Chica was snapped back to the present when Freddy rumbled, "There you are!"

Bonnie was ahead of them; making his way to them while having the graces of looking quite sorry for himself and visibly wilting at the sight of Freddy's face. His own visage contained its tangible hesitation; the rabbit's paws flying together in a show of fidgeting. His ears lowered too; optics furrowed in a worried slant as Freddy neared him. Bonnie noticed Chica behind him, but the majority of his focus remained on the bear instead.

Freddy didn't greet him verbally like one would think; no, the bear instead bent and seized Bonnie's shoulders, as if to pin him in place. The observation caught both hen and buck off-guard; with Freddy bending over to smell him all up and down his body. He lingered way too long on the rabbit's hands; with Chica noticing that Bonnie's expression visibly slipped to fear for an instant before sliding back to casual worry and apology. The hen blinked at that but didn't comment as Freddy let go after a moment and stepped back. He huffed in what was assumed to be intermingling relief and annoyance.

"What were you doing? You could have said you were just walking," Freddy primly informed him. "You had Chica and I worried there! Especially since you had your ping turned off-"

Bonnie was quiet perhaps a beat too long before he said, "Yuh... I was uh... walking. Um... I-I needed some space is all-" He looked so anxious one would think he could feel the bot version of being nauseated, keeping his eyes off of their own and stepping back like he wanted to run. "You know how the house is sometimes... and, after having Jacob over the last few days, I kinda wanted to be alone for a few moments."

"Why the blocked ping?"

Bonnie levelled him a look more or less resembling himself, although Chica knew he was still feeling wound up. "I don't want M.X.E.S in my head ALL the time, yunno," he said to that, as if its the most logical thing in the world- though not untrue in a sense. "I have two other people in here ya know: Myself and Cassie's pops. I don't need a literal third party in there when I wanna get a wee bit of space. Two's company, three's a party after all!"

At that, the hen sighed and approached next; deciding to try to take the tangy edge of the stagnant atmosphere by gently taking Bonnie's fidgeting paws into her own twitchy hands while making Freddy let go. It was apparent the bear's hold was making Bonnie feel a bit pressured. She gently rubbed at his knuckles; even though the sensors there weren't as numerous as they would be in other places in his body. Bonnie watched their hands all the while, eyes staying anywhere but their eyes and tending to float between their contact or the snow trodden ground.

"You sure you're feeling alright?" Chica eventually said, although it was admittedly a loaded question.

Bonnie opened his mouth, closed it, and nodded. "Yeah. I'm okay. Ya'll really didn't leave me alone for more than a few minutes. I wasn't out that door more than five!"

"Its dangerous out here at this juncture, so we found the behavior a little... aberrant," Chica admitted. She felt embarrassed for possibly getting a bit too excited herself, giving him a sheepish look. What was I doing? Maybe I over-reacted, she figured. "-I was the one who grabbed Freddy and wanted to follow you. I'm sorry about that," she mumbled ashamedly.

"Its okay, dove. I'm fine. Yunno I woulda heard somethin' funny and reported it in an instant, should it have happened," He reminded her with his usual confidence.

Chica blinked at the new nickname. 'Dove' was definitely new, and it made her insides all squirmy. She coughed and released his paws, looking repentant. She grabbed at her opposing arm and rubbed at it timidly, "I uh... it was funny you just went out the door like that- not saying anything and blocking Mex. Mex told us you acted strangely briefly the night before Jacob came over so we wondered if you were uh..." She glanced uncertainly at Freddy, who was folding his arms and casting her a sidelong look too. She eventually added, "-Just, odd, is all."

Bonnie waved them off while sounding steadily more himself, "I figured I didn't need to say every time I wanted some space. I'll be sure to let you know the next time though. I'm sorry for the mini-scare!"

Freddy blinked at him, his expression oddly distant and unreadable. He eventually worked his jaw, flexed it, then leaned back in and smelled Bonnie again. The rabbit balked but didn't step away from the second cursory smell-inspection. He merely stood and waited; then watched as Freddy gently leaned in to graze his nose to Bonnie's forehead in an old show of endearment. His breath ruffled his bangs; the gesture still no less demonstrative of his enduring affection despite the anxiety of the last couple minutes.

"As long as you are fine," the ursine murmured lowly against his temples before withdrawing. He started to turn, "We apologize for the suspicion, Bonnie. After all, you have assured us no more secrets, have you not?"

"I-I have," Bonnie nodded, carefully watching Freddy for any signs of misgivings. Chica found his expression quite questionable, raising a brow at him but not calling him out for it.

Freddy clapped his paws together and smiled- although somehow, the gesture of it on his face as of currently was strained; forced. "Good! Now, if you must walk, go ahead and do so as your leisure. But please, keep your ping open and just tell M.X.E.S to give you some space, hm? You know we worry about you- Chica and I." He flicked a long talon between himself and the hen, "You know we tend to um... perhaps we over-react, but you know the reason for it."

"I do..." the cerulean lagomorph nodded slowly.

"Thank you. We'll leave you to it then," The bear said as he began to take the path he made back towards the house. "Oh, confound it... all this snow! I'm all wet," He grumped as he went.

Now his tone was off, despite his seemingly casual dismissal. Chica was flickering looks between them, feeling something heavy and expectant stretch between them. Freddy was gone within a moment, leaving her with Bonnie for the time being. She frowned at Freddy's direction all the while, having the paranoid notion that perhaps he was... goading Bonnie about something. His words have been nothing but bloated queries; his retreat tactical in the sense that Chica knew Freddy felt guilty for them. Still, something odd settled there and refused to leave despite the bear's departure.

Bonnie sighed next, the sound worn and tired. He eventually said while she'd still been watching Freddy, "I'm sorry... I really am."

"For what?" She turned back to him, feeling sorry as well- though she knew not why.

Bonnie bobbed his shoulders, paws palming the other and talons dragging at opposing knuckles. "I want to say... I really do. But you all uh... D'aw, shit. I shouldn't say that- it makes it sound like I'm blaming you for something," He dragged his paw through his temples next in a sign of stress.

Chica reached up and grabbed it; cradling and rubbing at his paw like she had before. "We understand taking the time for space... I'm just sorry for assuming you were hiding something. We get needing to take a few moments to yourself-"

He flinched. That alone had the hen immediately on her guard again; finding the motion incredibly suspicious (and within reason). She didn't react to it however- knowing if she had to go about this a certain way, she'd have to be careful and more observant. She didn't want to make Bonnie feel like he was trapped- less he may not be so forthcoming. She was finding the rabbit's furtive demeanor no less troubling but she can understand frightening the ever skittish Bonnie into a tizzy of apprehensive silence. After all, Bonnie's always been the jumpy one out of the bunch, even before the PizzaPlex closed long ago. His vigilant disposition and paranoid methodologies were why he found Vanny living in their home, after all.

He eventually sighed, eyes on the ground again and his expression the epitome of regret itself when he said, "I'm uh... I uh... I was actually... dwelling a bit on how to deal with Fazbear Entertainment, see. Me 'n Luis were kinda fighting about it a couple days ago before Jacob showed up..." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, "I was stressed about that and... I dunno, some things just drag at my mind and I can't deny that sometimes, I really want to ask the Arctic bots more questions- after all, we were supposed to go back to the depot -as I promised that other Freddy- but we never did. And now, our Freddy won't let me within a kilometer of that place or the other bots! You know they're tearing it down, right?"

"What?"

"Yeah! I saw it on the 'internet'," he informed her with an air-quote. "Was doin' research on that building with Mex and we found out that FE is ripping it apart as we speak. Its kinda a no-brainer why we saw Polar Freddy recently- its cuz he got moved to the main building since he has no where else to go. The Faz-heads are upgrading him, making him more dangerous, and I didn't want to miss our chance of trying to talk with him while we still have that slight advantage of maybe getting info from him-" He released her hand, looking quite sorry as he did. "We need recent info, and yet our currently proposed plan is to actually drive near the building, spy on it digitally, and pray we don't get jumped? Are we crazy or somethin'?"

He spun around and pulled on his ears; grimacing like he was in pain. "Chica, I ain't gonna lie: While our Freddy says 'no' about talking to the Arctic bots, I still can't help but feel like we have to talk to at least Polar Freddy about this. Reason with him; get our info from him instead of going near that place- which sounds incredibly stupid. We don't need to go near it, technically-" He whirled back around and flared open his arms, "We don't need to risk ourselves by going there physically- and Vanessa and Luis by extension. You know how Vanny advocated for this idea? It seriously stinks of bullshit. If we can talk to that other Freddy in a controlled situation, that'd shorten our load by a LOT, you know?"

"You're still on about that?" She shook her head.

Bonnie sighed dramatically and threw back his head; looking a lot like he was driving himself insane. "Bleeding hells, Chica! You know I'm right! There's literally a simpler solution here and our Freddy and the others being paranoid, while understandable, isn't helping us! Its only making our situation more complicated and risking the human lives at our home! Polar Freddy is kooky, sure, but he ain't totally beyond reason-" He put a paw to his breast, "Trading him parts for info isn't a bad thing! That's literally easy to do, seeing as all this other Freddy cares about is HIS Bonnie and we have access to a dang automotive and electronics store and we have the power to replace what we trade on a whim! Helping with HIS rabbit will give us a person on the inside, earn his information and trust in some part, and leave us safer by extension! Doncha know?"

Chica sucked in frigid air and shuffled uncertainly at the logic of it. She still didn't like the idea of doing deals with a clearly insane bot whose been lonely for so long, but its not like Polar Freddy can win against them if they all jumped him at once. On the side, having this bear do the scoping for them sounded infinitely better than personally driving up to Fazbear Entertainment's own doorstep-

But that also meant they'd be hinging on an unstable bot's own account for intel. There was no real way of verifying anything he gives them and it actually being valid.

Bonnie noticed this uncertainty and then pressed home, "Chica, what if I told you that I might have already uh... gotten some info here?"

The implifications of that simple sentence had Chica immediately whirring her head at him and locking eyes with him for the very first time since she arrived here; the hen unable to sever her lavender optics from his wine-red ones. There, she saw the truth in its entirety just as he opened his ping to her- sending her a file right then.

And what she got shocked and alarmed her.

The file he sent in that instant was a classified folder of the entire Fazbear Entertainment Hub building itself; something the bots were about to drive off and obtain via hacking through her. No, instead, Bonnie had the file already; and he was off-handedly admitting that he's already been seeing the bear despite the fact he sounded like he hadn't yet.

Him going into the garage earlier- she thought right at that second, he was grabbing parts for Polar Freddy to trade!

"You- how long have you been doing this?" She stumbled backward.

Bonnie blinked and noted her hesitation, but only sighed and said, "Only a couple days... just before Jacob showed up. Apparently, our white friend and his Foxy companion were on our very doorstep all along... spying on us, and taking information back to Fazbear Entertainment-" He glanced away, then shot a look back at her and immediately waved his paws, "B-But I talked with him and he said he wouldn't give them the info if he got his parts-"

"He was HERE?"

"M-Maybe..."

Chica 'bu-bawked' loudly and whipped around in a panicked flutter; her core heating rapidly as her brain computed everything within an instant. She wanted to pull at fuzz of her own, but recalled her pelt still was in desperate need of repair. Instead, she rubbed at her arms, her voice box producing garbled static and a tumble of noises even she didn't understand.

Bonnie went to her side and grabbed her shoulders gingerly; the touch guiding her attention back onto him and forcing her to pay attention as he quickly explained, "Look: This is already working, okay? Polar pops has given me good shit for the pieces he has. We have someone whose also apparently not satisfied with his place in the company too- who told me his rabbit was being repaired, but not faithfully-"

Before he can continue, Chica grabbed his chest fur and shook him violently, "He could be using you to strip US of parts! You JUST said the company is making him more dangerous! Why the heck are you doing this on your own AGAIN?"

"I SWEAR, Chica! He ain't trying to hurt us," He rapidly shook his head and palmed her hands even though they retained their grip on his bunched chest fur and ruff. He startled at how cold she felt, blinking rapidly and staring her up and down. He stayed on topic however, rubbing some warmth back into her hands as he said, "Chica, he only wants his Bonnie's parts! We apparently HAD THEM. His processor- his BRAIN? We had that! They were' S' models- Sentinel type pieces? He only wanted those, not OUR parts! He really just wants his rabbit fixed and that's it; and that's all I've been doing. This was my second time meeting him, I swear!"

Chica glared into his face, produced an irritated grumble, and released him forcefully. Bonnie stumbled back from the force of it; then the hen accosted him with, "I can't fucking BELIEVE this! How long were you planning on sitting on this information? Hm? How long?"

"I was going to mention it after Jacob left- But Polar Freddy sent me a ping just a few minutes ago asking to meet me. If you want, I can give you a recording of the conversation, though it didn't last longer than a moment since you guys were coming to see me so fast," Bonnie admitted.

"He coulda abducted you," She crisply snapped. It was no wonder Freddy spent so long smelling Bonnie; it was possible he'd been smelling traces of the other bear! It was too bad the white bot had very little individual scent to account for. Otherwise, she figured he would've definitely flipped out.

"Chica, I woulda sent an emergency ping if he tried and jumped away. And when he talked to me on... what was it, Thursday? He was right by our house, right where anyone coulda saw him. He exposed himself to us on purpose even though I coulda said something to you all and we all jump him, he only wanted to talk to me," He assured quite calmly and resolutely. "He sat right where he was vulnerable, gave me info right on the spot, and only asked for a single piece. He wanted to bargain voluntarily; I didn't go looking for him- it was the vice versa. He trusted me, which shocks me admittedly, but he's willing to do this for his rabbit. And if we can believe his love for his rabbit earnest- like we know how much our Freddy loves me, then surely that within itself can be trusted?"

He stepped nearer and leaned in, "Keep in mind, dove, he even earned my trust by being the brave one between us and putting himself right where he's his most vulnerable and politely requested our help even though we coulda jumped him as a group. I literally coulda shouted and we all woulda been on him like the white of his fur. For fuck's sake, Vanessa coulda stuck her head out the door and seen him! He was very calm about this, and I can send the recording of our first conversation to you to scrutinize it if you don't believe me."

"What about Roxy? She was attacked that same day too!" Chica reminded him while folding her arms and narrowing her eyes.

"He needed to get Foxy off his tail. Tells me that Fox is trouble and completely insane," Bonnie said. "Foxy doesn't care for the company, but he will pick fights on a whim cuz he's impulsive and stupid. Most of the time, he's bored- kinda like Monty, actually? Anyways, he wanted to get rid of Foxy long enough cuz he didn't want the fox reporting our conversation back to the company and stirring up trouble on a whim- because he's bored!" Bonnie did 'Jazz hands' as he said this. "Foxy is an agent of chaos. He only lives for the hunt and to make it more fun for himself. So sadly, Roxy ended up being lured away to help with that. And before you jump me about it-"

He noticed her mutinous anger and quickly added, "NO. I didn't know he did that! All I knew was that he was on our premises, tells me he's been reporting us and could have us in trouble, and he coulda threatened me into leaving since he has this information to use on me. Instead, he chose to peacefully resolve this if we did small exchanges with parts we can ultimately replace. Is a few replaceable pieces that belong to another Bonnie anyways worth our lives? HM? Is it worth us going near that stupid building and possibly getting jumped by a billion of those fuggin' frost bots worth a few pieces of scrap Luis found?"

Chica said nothing there, growling in her best approximation of a chicken snarl she could. Her teeth showed; her throat warbling as she produced a series of low gakels that actually vibrated her body. She conceded to Bonnie's logic- though she wondered if her new, spinning mind was being attributed to that. It still didn't curb her nasty temptation to throw hands (or her clawed feet) at his face for being so sensibly stupid! As if that made any sense.

Bonnie reached out and touched her again, paws on her shoulders once more as the rabbit tried to make an attempt to meet her eyes again. He said, "Chica, I'm sorry for not saying anything sooner- I really am. But please, you understand that I was reasonably nervous about it after Freddy's dang display the day you woke up. Remember? Mentioning this information to him-" He raised a paw to his lip-line and slashed across it, "You know it makes him crazy with fury. Freddy's not okay- and I feel like saying the wrong thing to him right now will hurt him in ways we aren't prepared for. Doncha notice how odd and... overprotective, he is now?"

"He's scared about losing you again- so am I!" She threw her hands to her breast and gestured to herself, her voice whispery and hoarse with worry. "I don't blame him! We love you and losing you again drives us BOTH crazy! For cluck's sake-" She whirled away from him, freeing herself from his tender grip. "Bonnie, we can't lose you again... you don't get that. Losing you just the ONE time-" She waggled a single finger at his nose, making his eyes go cross trying to keep it into focus. "Do you realize what that did to us? What it did to ME?"

"I-I... I know... I know! Believe me, I get that-" He started.

"Sometimes, I really wonder if you do," She half-sobbed. She folded her arms and glared at the ground, her eyes pinched like she was fighting the illusion of tears. Gods, how she wished she could cry.

Bonnie said nothing for half a minute, opening and shutting his mouth and looking completely helpless with stress and... something else she couldn't identify. He got back near her, peering into her face and said, "Dove, please. Believe me when I say: I DO get it. I really, truly, do. Doncha know?" He put a paw to her beak and lifted it subtly, making her look at him. Both were unable to blink when he said, "Have you forgotten? I had front row seats to watching you and Freddy destroy yourselves physically and emotionally while I was trapped in the system. I watched from the eyes of those wet floor bots what you two were doing-"

His timbre grew shaky, and suddenly Chica was unable to fight back when his arms went around her. She couldn't see much above his bicep as he added, "Chica, watching you guys rot from the inside out wasn't a punishment I'd wish on my worst enemies- no matter how fucking evil Vanny and Cromwell were. I think about that every day; how I'd see you fishing for garbage just for a reason to hurt yourself, and watching Freddy cut himself off from both you and the others like he was severing pieces of himself-" His whiskers tickled her scalp as he said, "I may not have seen it all, but I've seen MORE than enough to make me regret every damn day I've never said anything to you. Why do you think I had to say something just now?"

Chica seriously wanted to cry right now. She felt her optics flutter but held herself stiffly in his arms; paralyzed with grief incarnate. All she could do to return the token of affection was lean against him and try to untangle her arms so she can hug him back- not that that happened.

"Chica... Sweet little hen. If I ever had to watch you and Freddy destroy yourselves again- I don't even know if I could hang on to this life for long even with me having Cassie and the family still involved. I won't lie; being unable to hug you two every time I saw you cry alone in your rooms- watching you and him come apart at the seams every night-" his tone wasn't recognizable as he rasped, "That destroyed me more than Vanny ever did."

Chica huffed, gulping reflexively like an organic creature choking on a lump of phlegm and spit. Her arms finally fell loose of their stiff position on her breast and found themselves around the buck's waist; rendered utterly incapable of speech.

No, family wasn't supposed to pick favorites; but Bonnie was short-handedly admitting that his love for Chica and Freddy would render him inert with grief with time- no matter the love he had for the others. Its not something he could help however; being built as he is. As a Bonnie model, he was programmed to love them especially. Chica was programmed to love him and Freddy too; and it was the same for the bear. After all, the whole dynamic of their character matrix was built upon that. The original Freddy, Chica and Bonnie were supposed to be the best of friends from now unto death. They were like this for... what, Chica assumed was sixty-ish years or close thereabouts. This was a consistency that could not be denied. The whole image of the characters was built on the backs of their friendship.

She did not have the memories of her predecessors, but she need not have them in order to feel as she did. Having actual feelings as thanks to her unusual existence has gifted her everything she could ever need for a fully realized life of sentience. It almost felt like all those years were valid things she's personally experienced; and one also had to consider that she had years she's spent with Bonnie in real life before he was taken away. It may not have been longer than a couple, but it was long enough for her to place him and Freddy as solid fixtures of stability for her.

She was nothing without them.

The band was, in the cartoons anyways, founded because the three of them were meant to be together. Because Freddy and Bonnie started it all because of their passion for their shared musical loves. Chica would come along, and the image became whole. Chica always found the cartoon silly, but in a fun adoring way she found that somewhat applied to her job at the PizzaPlex. In some part, the cartoon became real. She loved that, and she loved this idiot blue ice cream mascot reject before her. She's had years to sort herself out; though she knew she'd still have many more to experience-

But only if he and Freddy were there to share those years with her.

And speaking of Freddy.

The hen eventually opened her eyes and stared at the ground from her position against Bonnie's fluffy breast; recalling the bear's agitated state as he left. Chica herself was feeling better now; and now that her initial feelings of anger and hurt were slowly ebbing off, was glad Bonnie found the nerve to admit that he'd been doing something behind the scenes. She can process emotions a bit quicker now too thanks to her new brain in some part- but Freddy? That was something that now held the majority of her attentions.

She finally pulled away, her gaze pinching as she frowned at the snowy covered terrain. Bonnie watched her quietly, his nose and muzzle decorated with specks of white. He looked cute with the fluff of his artificial fur and the snow decorating him all over; his expression repentant and patient.

"I'll forgive you... but no more of this- this-" She waggled a hand around. "This. You know?"

"I know."

"I'm glad you told me. Just... gimme a bit to process it and maybe I won't smack you," she somewhat smiled, though the gesture was tentative and fragile.

"Smack me if you want. I deserve it some of the time," He shrugged.

Chica shook her head as a firm 'no' to that. She seized his cheeks and pinched them; waggling his head from side to side. "I love your dumb face. I'd be remiss to live without it again," She murmured.

"I'd miss your pretty eyes," He smirked. "Always love that purple. Er... bluish purple? Mazarine. Its like, its unique. And I'd miss Freddy's even dumber face too, just as much!"

"Oh, no doubt," she smirked before it gently slanted into an expression of concern. "And speaking of which... I do understand that you're not wrong about Freddy- about him reacting badly? When you mentioned him earlier about being a kinda road-block that would make exchanges with the other bear difficult... He's not-" She recalled his brimming temper on the way here, looking away as she did, "Freddy's not quite right... and his reaction when I told him you were being kinda suspicious was a... it's a bit over-blown."

"Then you understand why I hesitated?"

Chica, recalling the way Freddy threw himself out the door to storm after the fox last Thursday all by himself came sharply into relief against her optics. "Sadly, yes. I do. He doesn't think clearly anymore, some moments," She admitted in a faint voice. "I guess I get it... but seriously Bonnie, I still can't help feeling you shoulda said this SOONER. Like on-the-day-Roxy-was-jumped, sooner!"

He closed his eyes and sighed in defeat there. He nodded at length, surrendering to her words.

Upon seeing the actual regret on his face, she sighed; stepping into his space again and lifting his chin up so she can meet his warm, glowing crimson optics with her demure porphyrous one. Her hands cradled sharp jawline; thumbs rubbing at the area behind his whiskers as she whispered, "No more, secrets. Okay? And we do something about Freddy too..."

"I know. Of course," He murmured back. "Not saying anything was kinda killin' me here, yunno. I didn't want to say the day Roxy got jumped cuz Freddy was... well, you don't sense his aura, dove. You don't know what I felt there. That... raging, wild, brimming ferocity? I didn't want to upset him more! You don't FEEL that uh... fuck if there's a word for it. That 'instinctive', wrongful, painful weirdness about him. And then Jacob showed up and, yunno- I couldn't say anything when we had a guest over. You forgive me, right?"

She saw the fear in his eyes for what they truly are; intermingling woes that trapped and tangled into something nauseating and paralyzing. His stress about Freddy couldn't be more tangible, and she understood. It's no wonder he risked encountering this other bear alone; he needed that information for their own bear. She even nodded, finally getting it and pulling his head down so to bump her forehead with his own in an old display of their affection. It was something familial and familiar; grounding in the sense that helped Chica find her center and kick away those intrusive, romantic feelings nibbling around at the back of her mind. She still felt those latter feelings in some part here and there; but they were a dull noise as she savored their contact.

"I forgive you," She returned at length and in a low croon. "I understand. Just, no more, please? Don't make me beg."

"No more, I swear," his paws found her arms and gently pulled them from his face. He held their limbs between them; keeping his forehead with hers and shutting his eyes. She did the same.

They were quiet for a time; simply enjoying the mundane hold of one another. Chica wasn't sure how long she was there, but she knew her knees were starting to lock up after a while and it was growing uncomfortable to remain here. She'd been enjoying this attention for perhaps a hair too long; but she found she also didn't care. This feels good, easy, familiar... but also different in a welcoming way, she figured. The sound of his servos in front of her; his breath; the whir of his motor and the odd, almost truly organic warmth of his paws where she can reach out and touch them-

That's where he should always be. Where he should've stayed. Vanny and Cromwell were never going to be forgiven: Cromwell for planning on taking him away, and Vanny for actually doing it. Him leaving destroyed her and Freddy so completely, that she once gave up on total functionality for a time. She doubted Freddy felt differently; if his depressed airs and avoidance of the bowling alley were anything to go by. Chica had felt so bad herself, she even stopped trying to raid the freezer there, even though she knew that was where the mix was and Bonnie was no longer guarding it from her.

Ironically, the fact she left that spot alone was why Gregory was able to find the mystery mix and use it on her. Maybe raiding it would've meant he couldn't lure her to the compactor by extension- but it hadn't happened that way. The mere thought of stealing from Bonnie's old digs when he wasn't there anymore couldn't have disgusted her more.

Bonnie's breath wafted as a heady, mashed blueberry and carrot scented fog around her face; a pleasant heat that chased off the bite of winter from her optics and keeping her head warm. He pulled away not long after, his expression a plethora of inflections that went beyond any A.I's natural capacity to 'feel'. Bonnie was easily the most advanced in his emotions thanks to the presence of Cassie's father in his body; the man's many sentiments in life also shared with the vessel. It made them connect in ways that helped Bonnie further his own understanding of emotions; to give him a level of depth no programmed series of code could ever impart. He was vibrant and full of colorful sensations that enticed and intrigued ALL the bots in the family in some small way. All have asked him about his level of sentience and what being human felt like early on in living with him; the rabbit teaching them as time went on.

Chica wasn't sure why, but she got the feeling she and Freddy weren't too far off from the same level of humanity he had. After all, losing Bonnie couldn't have hurt so much if this wasn't the case. She always wondered if she had remnant or something of its ilk within her too; seeing as the Tangle pulled a source of it from Freddy's own breast after it nabbed him- having been found in the form of an old music box that belonged to the ORIGINAL Freddy Fazbear. It's likely Chica had a source of her own at some point in her old body; or the endo she was remade with had pieces as well- or both. The Glamrocks were already capable of emotions normal A.I cannot exhibit, even with advanced development. There was no way in hell none of the bots here weren't made with some trace of this mysterious fifth element. It wouldn't surprise Chica if even now, with the parts Luis got from the depot, if she'd been repaired with a remnant-infused piece that endowed her with this confusing array of emotions.

After all, a normal A.I couldn't love they way she or Freddy did- the way Chica did about Bonnie right now. A.I simply wasn't capable of this; no matter how advanced it was. She wagered if there was other A.I in the world, it wouldn't hold a candle to the emotions she and the others felt since its likely not made with remnant. In a way, the Glam family was truly alone in the world- even if they were surrounded by other potential A.I out there. Anything outside of Fazbear Entertainment wasn't made with remnant like they were; that much can be surmised.

Bonnie huffed eventually, effectively snapping her from her musings. He said lowly and in a voice like he was breathing some intimate secret, "Polar Freddy told me about remnant the day he came here. Its why I didn't say anything either... cuz I desperately wanted MORE information on it. I didn't want to chase him off when he knows about it."

Speaking of the topic, She half-mused to herself. "What did he tell you?"

"A lot, actually," Bonnie's expression deepened into seriousness. "I definitely can't go around keeping that a secret from you guys now, can I?"

"You gonna go back to the house and talk to us about it?" She tilted her head, lifting a speculative brow as well.

"I will. In fact, polar pops sent me a small data packet on it when he was here just now to trade," Bonnie flicked a claw over his shoulder at the area he came from originally. "I'm going to give it to Vanny for study, and maybe she can help us with Freddy as an extension? She told me the other day that there might be a way to help him... but there had to be more research done on it. And now that polar pops is willingly giving us this, I say we use it!"

Chica couldn't deny that this portent was relieving, but she still couldn't help but be suspicious of how easy this was. She leveled Bonnie an uncertain, timid look. "I know you said Polar Freddy's a kind of an ally but... you're sure this is authentic and he ain't feeding you bad info just for the pieces for his Bonnie?"

"If I had to be honest? I'm only 85% certain," he winced there, making her do the same. "However, we're about to find out in full detail once we head to the house and let Vanny see these files. She'll let us know if what she sees there is authentic. After all, she's the expert on the company here, as well as remnant and agony. I still don't regret giving that Freddy his friend's parts though-" He admitted. "I don't think I can use another Bonnie's pieces otherwise in good conscious- especially if they're stolen. 'Sides, we can easily replace the parts we trade. It'd be a pain to rebuild other bits and bobs, but it ain't impossible. I mean, why do you think DJ is here, eh?"

Chica sighed there, relenting to that but hating it. "True... We're still gonna need to replace what you lost though," she grumbled. "And making repairs on you is gonna be trickier without those pieces."

"I know... but its okay, once we make our own money with your idea-" He got her shoulders again to give them a confident hold and gentle thumb brushing, "-It'll be okay! We'll be making our own money and not mooching off of Vanessa constantly! And now we got Jacob's pops to help too? This is a good! We're in a better spot right now!"

Chica raised a delicate brow while humming playfully, "Hm... Thought you said you were retired?"

"Now I said that when it comes to performing- not anything else. I'm pondering somethin' else here," He told her, releasing her shoulders. "I'm like, a genius? I mean, not to brag but-" He shined his claws on his chest to make it look like he was checking out his reflection in them, "But I'm a totally smart fella. I also have like, as luck would have it, all kinds of knowledge on how to build and fix things too. Thank Vanessa, Cassie, Cassie's pops, and the internet for that. I wager I can use my mechanical know-how to our advantage and offer that as a service maybe? I can make, invent, and manipulate data and metal alike! Combine that with ROXY'S passion on it, and I think we can both do something fun with it too?"

"Repair cars?" Chica said.

"Yuh! Or somethin' like that," Bonnie bobbed his shoulders. "And speaking of which, Jacob's dad kinda gave me the idea when he said he was a mechanic. I wondered about trying it in earnest for other people as need be. I can do more than that too... I know I can-" His thumb went to his chest there, as if to emphasize his importance, "I just needta to do everything! Try everything, and kinda be a jack-of-all-trades, if it can be done. If people just think I'm a goofy cosplayer and not an actual robo-rabbit performer, surely they think I'm human enough for a job of some kind?"

"Maybe you could ask Jacob's dad for a starting point?" Chica tried, touching her beak in contemplation.

"I wondered about that too! I didn't say anything before he left... kinda regrettin' it now, but we can just call him up and ask," Bonnie shrugged again. "Heck, Johnathan could hire Vanessa and Luis for it too technically... they're smart. And he can hire Roxy as well? We're all dang geniuses in this household. Surely getting a job won't be THAT difficult-?"

The hen nodded, smiled, and said, "I like that. Yeah! Oh, and Vanessa said I can maybe make plush toys as a hobby and sell them over some online store? I'm pretty good at sewing!"

"I saw that plush toy you gave Freddy," Bonnie's smirk couldn't be more coy and cocksure. "Really now, a plushie of me? How flattering! Been wanting to ask about that-"

Chica gave him her most sheepish grin and tried to step back, but then jerked when her legs refused to budge. She blinked rapidly and looked down- only to find her legs had literally frozen at the joints. Chica furrowed her brows and gakeled at Bonnie's laughter when he noticed too.

"Shut up!" She shot at him. "Its not THAT funny!"

"Dude, its a damn hilarious. Although I forgot how long we've been out here," He finished his bout of laughter but kept his smile. "Guess I'll hafta carry you back, nuggets. Doncha worry your pretty head! We'll getcha thawed out."

Chica was helpless to his next movement; producing a startled squawk when he bent and scooped her up into a bridal embrace. She looped her arms around his neck on reflex and was forced to accept as he began to walk back to the house. All the while, she couldn't help but feel like he was enjoying this a bit too much.

"So! About that plushie of me," he continued as he went.

Chica sighed heavily at that, then said, "That's uh... kinda a sad story there. But let's just say, I lost one of Freddy's last merchandise of you after you were gone and... I never got over how bad I felt about it. He had a Glamrock plush of you and shared it with me after you-" She cut off there, noticing his expression at the immediately depressing tone. She went on with, "Well, there's a reason why I made another one... a few, actually."

"You'll hafta tell me more about it then," he said. "-Given you uh... don't feel too terribly about it-"

Chica sighed, leaned her head against his shoulder and shut her eyes. "I think I can tell you. Its just a bit of a bummer, you know? Mood-killer."

His head brushed hers again; his tenor warmer than summer wind as he said, "I ain't leaving ya'll again. I told ya that, and I meant it. I won't do it willingly. Breaking your hearts the way I did-" His expression she didn't catch here, but she can picture his frown as he said, "I saw that from the eyes of the little wet floor bots. I won't ever forget the sounds of your tears, Chica. Yours, and Freddy's. Listening to that and not being able to embrace you was the hardest thing I had to endure. And if ever I had to do that again, just know that it would destroy me just as much as it would destroy you."

His timbre fell into whispery tones at the end; trailing off and becoming weaker as it went. It was so weak, she couldn't help but believe it genuine as he breathed this fathomless regret to her. She nodded weakly against his neck, feeling something childishly small and anxious fidget within her. She said nothing there, only holding him as he carried her back to their shared home.

"Never again," he finally told her as the house came into view.

"Never again," she echoed into his throat.

---

~Later on that night~

MOON

Sun and Eclipse have been having one hell of a time playing around with their new Christmas gifts...

But he? He had fun just watching her squirm. THIS was Christmas gift enough for him.

The times Monty wasn't in here (which was rare), Moon took over for a little while. His other sides didn't much like it when he was in control; it was understandable, but irritating. They were aspects of himself, as well as he is of them. He was their shadow; a projection of their greatest and worst assets. He was aware of the fact that he was a flawed personality whom many fear. His mind only became so advanced because Sun and Eclipse had begun to fizzle and die, once upon a time.

An excellent way to introduce himself to this world; once upon a time, there'd been a happy fool in a king's court who loved his job to make him laugh- but then, the fool got turned inside out by time, stress, and eventually a virus. Cosmically hilarious. Cosmically sickening.

Cosmically tragic.

Eclipse, their safe mode and yet the most oblivious of them- the weak one. Sun, the most energetic, emotionally fragile- the snark everybody thought they'd like but would eventually grow exhausted of. Moon; the waxing phase of their strength and the personality they default to when in danger. The strongest of them all. They knew it, he knew it; he was their arms when they felt their worst.

He watched Vanny's computer with a hungry patience that left many who entered this darkened room uncomfortable. Vanny herself despised him with all her might, although it used to not be this way. Moon's harsher aspects nowadays existed in some part thanks to her; to have become the hungry, wrathful, avenging punisher of rule breakers. He's been tampered with so terribly by Vanny, her programming, and the virus as a whole, that he changed forever- despite Vanessa's love and tentativeness to his programming in an effort to repair him. Moon will always be different from them all, all due thanks to this wretched ghost in the machine.

Well, he supposed that they had that in common: They were ghosts of their original selves. And no, he was no literal ghost as Bonnie and Freddy's current occupants. He was just a ghost of his alters' personality; a flickering, dying remnant of their own weakened mind. He was a shadow that had been tempered by Vanny into the cackling, wretched being that he was today. He was not evil... but he knew he was far from good. He was a shade of gray just a hair too light and she made him just that shade darker.

That was fine with him- that just means he was one 'evil' that understood the other. He was the kind of 'evil' that knew how Vanny worked in some way- albeit he was using those terms loosely. She's pulled his strings once upon a time; the other fool who devoured her kingly master and became the queen of her own private hell. The fool who wanted to rule. The cosmic tempest who tore into her fate and made it entirely her own.

He begrudgingly accepted that about her. She was able to became more on a whim- while he, the Moon, remained the ephemeral shadow of Sun and Eclipse. Moon was always dimmer, smaller, and fainter- not as much or fully realized as any of his other sides and original self. Vanny had corrupted him however to a point where even he, the most faintest of mirrors, have become more advanced- more actualized.

No, he wasn't actualized like Bonnie or Freddy, but he was actualized in a way that was completely his own. He became the third true personality after bleeding from Eclipse's gaping emotional wounds. Sun was a perfectionist moron who'd split from Eclipse himself; a half waning phase that fizzled and guttered like a weak candle in a fairly strong zephyr. Sun seemed loud and bright and loving- but he was a distorted shadow too. He and Moon? They were more stark and longer in casting shadows than Eclipse ever was.

As for Vanny, she was the wretched doe who desired her true king; a buck. A line of code like herself, an A.I as complex and real as true organic life itself. Vanny was, after all, created from Vanessa within her own mind. Vanny was born within an organic and was already actualized in her own way as a result of this. She was a ghost of the original too- as Sun and Moon were ghosts of Eclipse. Moon and her were alike in that facet; ghosts of the original; a pale imitation; born within the shattered minds of their vessels. Moon, the faded light; and Vanny, the wretched wraith who arose from a woman's fragile heart and overwhelming insecurities.

Vanessa had craved things in her life as any human would. These were never realized however, and Vanny being born from her was a result of not just the glitch in the system. The glitch utilized what was there and forged Vanny; just as Vanny helped Moon become more... poignant, a personality. Vanny tempered him; warped him into a tool of harm and hunted the little brown-haired rule breaker with a zealot energy that frightened all his alters- although that worry didn't extend to himself.

The others tolerated him here in this humble house; fixed him so that he can exist too. They were wary and nervous of him still, but that was fine with Moon. He wasn't here to make friends; that was Sun and Eclipse's motivation. Moon was grateful in some part; do not get him wrong. He loved it here and he admitted to liking the ability to be creative and doing something productive that's good and rewarding. He didn't need it or thrive off it though, but he liked it anyways in some part. Doing his job mattered more however- it meant he can watch over them as he had watched over children in the daycare, he knew he was doing his job and it satisfied him.

So now, he couldn't help but laugh at the cosmic irony of his situation: The fact he has become the watcher of this ghost; the sneering sentinel that laughed at its former master; same as Vanny had sneered, besmirched, and killed her own. Moon was a master now; he was master of himself and he can laugh and jeer and chortle at Vanny.

Vanny was very clearly uncomfortable about him; choosing to remain off most hours so she didn't have to look at him. It was a wise move, as M.X.E.S has given Moon the ability to compute and do as needed to dispose of Vanny- should she act up. Moon also didn't need to hack her; as Chica had that covered. Nay, he had his long fingers to do the trick. He didn't need code to break her box and rip her physical processor apart. He can sit here, wait for her to mess up, and tear her asunder.

That gladdened him.

Moon looked up from his position on the armature as the garage door opened; Bonnie sticking his head in and catching his eye. The blue bunny slanted an odd look- one that Moon knew instantly and recognized. The Glam fam were all wary and suspicious of Moon, and they tended to not talk to him. Again, that was fine with Moon. Bonnie respected him at least, and that much Moon appreciated and would acknowledge in-turn.

Moon watched as the rabbit slunk in and rattled the mouse on the computer; Vanny waking up and blearily blinking up at him. The camera atop her monitor fixed on Bonnie, the lens focusing and the light blinking on so to indicate its recording data already. Vanny was constantly recording her conversations with Bonnie; its a creepy facet of her personality. She liked Bonnie to an extent that she seemed to value their conversations on some personal level; although that remained elusive to Moon.

"Well well! What's the stud got to say today, hm?" She purred at him.

Bonnie sat down at the computer and pulled out a disposable flash drive; which shouldn't have been greater than 10 gigs or so from what Moon can see painted on its surface. The jester watched as Bonnie silently stuck the drive into Vanny's terminal; and instantly the ghost doe's cerise stare lifted into something of both surprise and immediate joy.

"YOU GOT FILES ON REMNANT? WHERE'D YOU GET THESE!" She all but shouted.

Moon blinked at that, turning his faceplate towards the buck's back. Bonnie turned and met his eye, grinned, and turned back to Vanny, "Got 'em from a reliable enough source. I was just discussing it with Vanessa, Luis and Chica. I was gonna tell the whole fam too but I worry about Freddy... especially after what I read there. Freddy's reaction wouldn't be uh..." He scratched the back of his head. "Yeah... he might get a bit pissy with me if he knew I was talking to the polar version of him."

Moon was instantly off his seat and crept towards Bonnie; the former bassist wincing when Moon got into his face. "How," he gargled at him.

"Oh yes! Tell us how you got these? How'd you convince that bear to give these to you," Vanny encouraged.

Bonnie coughed a little in his throat, pushing a bit away from Moon and turning back towards the other rabbit in the room. "Polar pops says he just wanted the sentinel Bonnie parts- and he was more than willing to give information as I gave him the goods. I asked about the remnant first and foremost, and what we can do about Freddy to help him..." Bonnie sighed there, his expression heavy, "The files, from what I can see, don't sound too good."

Vanny must've been scanning them as she's been paying attention to him; her expression flickering as she turned them over. Moon watched her, noticing the exact moment she seemed to get a moment of 'ah!'. "Interesting," She said at length. "I see... yeah. Okay. Now I know what we should be doing."

"Wait- already?" Bonnie blinked.

"Yes. I can see how to help Freddy and perhaps identify whose in his body. However-" Her expression slanted into a mask of seriousness. "Its a lot of work involved, and would, on Vanessa's part, probably involve her spending more money. From what I can see, I was half-right in assuming fire can cleanse metal of agony and remnant; but its not thorough. Its not a GUARENTEE. At the very least, it looks like it could cleanse remnant... but not agony. It could explain why that Tangled monstrosity at the PizzaPlex still existed; the actual souls might've left, but the childrens' wrath remained. They only remembered they were children when you and the rest of the Glams performed for them; allowing them to move on after the PizzaPlex collapsed into that fiery inferno."

"Wait- you can absolutely confirm they're gone?" Bonnie queried.

"I can. After all, this iteration of Vanny you're talking to downloaded itself into Cassie's chip upon the very moment that thing seized me," She told him with a strained smirk. "I was there when the fire devoured us both. Just as my circuit board started to fizzle and melt, that's when I moved my brain to Cassie's chip. But before I did, I noticed the monster just... gave up, stopped after it pulled me apart, and let the fire around it devour us." She was quiet for reverent moment there. And then, "It was beyond damaged. The fire, if it was melting me and my brain, it was no-doubt melting its own. Plus, the weight of the entire PizzaPlex fell upon us so... yeah, they're gone."

Moon absorbed this in stoic silence, all the while Bonnie was heard producing a noise that resembled relief. "Good," he said. "They deserve that rest. Sounds like they've been around entirely too long."

"You have NO idea," She said. "Their agony has kept them anchored to this world long enough that they've forgotten who they were. Kinda a no-brainer why that angry part of the soul is called 'agony' on that note... but yeah. They're likely old enough to be Cassie and Gregory's grandparents, had they lived."

Moon wasn't a sympathetic bot, but even he could not help but feel something towards those restless souls. He hummed and moved away from the rabbits; slinking over to the repair armature just to sit on its bench. He pulled his legs off the floor and wrapped his arms around them in a hug, watching the buck and doe carefully as he mulled over both of them and the deceased children. He was very glad they can sleep now.

Sleep, little ones. Sleep is good, he wondered. Sleep means peace. It means restoring energy- it means you can have better dreams. Sleep is what they deserve.

"Anyways... as to these files, the only other way to get rid of the soul in a bot like you or Freddy is to scan for the pieces that are covered in either remnant or agony," Vanny went on to elaborate. "Then, you remove the effected pieces and replace them, essentially. A very... er, 'simple' fix, I suppose. Simple being the operative word- considering that you'd still have to purchase and install the new pieces free of this taint. It still involves taking out EVERYTHING with the soul's traces. However, in order to do this, you'd need a tracer- that would be the tricky part."

"CARROTS!" Bonnie leaned back in the chair and smacked his face. "A tracer-? Of fucking course. That's the ONE THING we don't have!"

"I figured as much," Vanny hummed. "They did not have very many tracers at the PizzaPlex. If they did, Morris or Cromwell woulda had only a couple of these lying around. And assuming they did, they stored them in their offices or took them back to the main building after use so other employees don't steal them. They're a little tricky to make and replace..."

"Do you think we can make one from scratch?" Bonnie offered.

"Hm... maybe? Not that I'd know what they're made of or how they work-" Vanny shrugged helplessly. "So I wager the next time you see this polar bear Freddy, ask him for the schematics and see what can be done- if not have him steal one for you. If this is done right, you will never have to worry about you or Freddy being possessed again!"

Moon frowned as the rabbit did; the two passing each other shared looks for once. The entire while, Moon had found this portent to be interesting- but he still wondered about the connection the bots had with the soul or agony or whatever it was inside their bodies.

"Hrrrshh- Bon," He began this time, earning him the buck's attention in earnest. "By chance, are you not worried of Cassie's father in your body? Are you not comfortable with it or is that merely a lie you've grown 'used' to? Are you even interested in removing these pieces from yourself, should this happen?" He shook his head, "You and I both know that if this 'repair' was to take place, Cassie would not be able to properly interact with her father again. I wouldn't even call that a true 'death'."

It almost feels cruel, Moon wondered.

While Moon wasn't concerned for anyone besides this family and the kids, he found the extraction of Cassie's father a bit... unusual and it'll likely not be appreciated in general- even though it could mean Bonnie's life would be saved. And yes, his current words were slightly antagonist-sounding too, but they were the most honest they could be. Moon wasn't concerned about Bonnie taking offense either; as the rabbit tended to let some things coast over him.

However, Bonnie had the graces to look a bit confused here; his expression hardening somewhat and turning back to Vanny. He rapped his talons on the arm of his seat once, the motion rhythmic and terse. He said, "If I had to be honest with the both of you? I'm... unconcerned in some part. I don't like waking up tasting crap in my sensors and feeling odd like I'm floating away sometimes- but I've accepted that if it means Cassie can have more time with her father. I'm willing to keep him in my body so long as he wants it. After all, even he seems okay with this arrangement and has not- as far as I can tell, showed much remorse or complaint over it despite being trapped inside me for so long."

Bonnie heaved a beleaguered sigh there, "Although some days, its harder than others on the both of us- I'll admit to that much... But even then, we're both making the most of our situation because we're like-minded in a plethora of ways; and both of us are more than okay in spending our time on this earth with Cassie if it means to make her happy."

He lifted both paws and turned them over, "I feel satisfied by that thought- even comforted. For her dad, its the same. His presence in my body has also doubly helped me understand emotions as a whole, and how to properly perceive this world. I feel the most alive I could be while still feeling a bit... off, some days. So yes, I guess I'm just used to it now; and I'm not that concerned about us disagreeing about this body. If her father had conniptions, he would've been more active throughout these last two years." He shook his head, "Minus last week when he lost his temper, I don't think I'm in any real danger of being utterly lost to him- contrary to what most think. And if I was underestimating that danger somehow, I'm unconcerned for it. I think the only real thing I'd be worried about is when he loses his temper again, and he'd end up hurting you guys! That ain't something either one of us wants."

He propped a hand up under his chin while leaning more to the side of his seat. "Anyways, I do not think my conscious would be truly gone to his influence; and I have back-ups of my personality upstairs, even if he takes over this body entirely-" He jerked a talon there, "So really? I'm not really afraid of being lost here. I'll still be around a while! I hate tasting ass in my mouth most days- but if that's the extent of what I have to deal with, I'll take it! Its really Freddy I'm concerned with: We don't even know whose in his body, how they got there when his remnant source was removed by the Tangle thingy, and how its going to affect him as time goes on!"

Moon found this complacency unusual but he did not comment further. He also had a feeling that Bonnie was downplaying it somewhat to lesson the concern anyone in here might have; as he's prone to doing. If anything, Moon hadn't known Bonnie had been tasting odd things in conjunction with his erratic flips in behavior. None of this was okay in hindsight, but it wasn't like anyone was going to make Cassie's father go away, despite the fact he was an intruder in Bonnie's body. Even Moon didn't think he'd have it in him to extract the man's soul, should he have the power to do so. He only asked so the rabbit himself was sure of what he wanted.

He still hadn't forgotten the girl's father either; having talked with him sometimes and being glad he was one of the only techs at the PizzaPlex who cared about his work. He would help Sun and Moon with any repairs and has attempted to adjust their programming- but Cromwell put a stop to that. Cassie's father also came by sometimes to ask how his girl was doing the rare few moments he got a break; with Moon and Sun jointly being alright with his presence and his apparent care for his girl. Not many other parents after they came to dump their child at the daycare seemed to care as much or showed the same level of love.

Moon actually liked Cassie's father... one of the only adults he agreed with being around. The same can be said for the entire family at large too; with everyone here having nothing but positive experiences with him and wanting him around. Cassie for certain didn't need to be saying goodbye to her father twice in her life- even though yes, that was an eventuality that will have to take place at some unprecedented point in time. But if it did happen, no one honestly thinks its because Bonnie would volunteer having his innards replaced just to extract him.

At length, Vanny said, "I find this curious. Didn't think I'd hear of an A.I being okay with having a ghost in them... so strange."

Bonnie shrugged casually, "Not like it bothers me to the extent ya'll think. Now, about Freddy-"

There was a long sound of inhalation from Vanny, although she could not breathe. The sigh was likely just to help her remove whatever unease was there or help make her thoughts more coherent. "Yes. We get a tracer, get Freddy to lie down, and we need to replace whatever pieces have the remnant or agony in it. And then, you need to find an incinerator that's powerful enough to melt that metal into slag or worse-" She cut a hand through the air in finality, "The vessel needs to apparently be absolutely ruined in order for this presence to leave it in its entirety... I think. I wouldn't doubt Freddy's circuit board and main brain may be hosting it... so making a second brain ahead of time is recommended."

"Piss," Bonnie spat.

"I know. It can't be helped though," Vanny shrugged. "As to Freddy and identifying whose in his body, I think we can narrow some things down. But first, I want to direct my query to YOU, Bonnie-" She put her hands together and motioned towards him with them. "Cassie's dad needs some kind of anchoring point in order to have bound himself to you. He died in the hospital, from what I can tell- so that makes the question of how he got to be inside your body all the more confusing! If we can understand that link, we may be able to figure out something for Freddy by extension."

She flicked her cerise gaze to the door, "I've talked a bit with Vanessa about your parts... she said she and Luis didn't put anything into your body you didn't approve of. And if there was any remnant in it, they wouldn't know. You've been repaired even before you left the PizzaPlex- only needed to be tuned up with time as you began to live here. None of your existing pieces had to be removed- and even if it was removed, it was repaired and promptly put back. So whatever source of this remnant was there is likely still inside you. As to how it coulda got to be like that-"

She put a contemplative hand to her chin; imitating Bonnie's current posture in some part, though not intentionally. "Her father... call this ludicrous, but he would've had to put SOMETHING inside of you in order to have gotten there. He couldn't just materialize inside you after dying in the hospital! If anything, I'd think the stuff at the hospital would have his agony or remnant. In truth, they woulda had to take the pieces that sit around where the person died and manually put it into the bot in question- that's the only way he coulda got there!"

"You can't believe I was just emotionally important to him?" Bonnie tried. "I mean... Bonnie Bunny as a character was a big staple for him as a child... sentimentality is a strong anchor too; especially when you consider he wanted to stay in this world for Cassie. If I do have some kinda source in me, I can't imagine he woulda put it there on purpose himself or... if he did, its not without some kind of plan-"

"There is... something else to consider," She admitted. "There is a joyful energy to be found... its just, its rarer than pain. Sometimes, this kind of positive energy could generate this uh... gods, this is complicated to explain," She rubbed at her head.

"Wha- positive energy?" Bonnie blinked.

Moon felt himself narrowing his blue optics at them.

"Its not very well understood. The kind of joy the PizzaPlex was generating was apparently enough so that is assumed this remnant or remnant-like energy could influence your conscious. You Glamrocks are... very special indeed," She went on to say. "Even if you didn't have a remnant source to help your emotions develop further, you had something else floating around in the PizzaPlex that was doing it. Unfortunately, I don't have the full understanding or know-how to properly label this phenomenon and to understand it. But, its assumed 'good' or happy energy is a thing that exists too. I mean, its the only other thing that can explain Cassie's father being there in your body and getting there even though he died in the hospital."

Moon and Bonnie shot each other looks. The buck turned back to her, "Not gonna lie... he didn't feel very happy when he tried to kill Roxy last week."

"Blame his own death for that part... but his feelings towards YOU and his girl are powerful. Those might be the only positive um... energies? That can I can assume lead him to you despite being miles away when he died. Love and other certain inflections can be just as powerful as pain and hatred, after all. You don't need me to tell you that," She shrugged.

Bonnie hummed thoughtfully.

"Now. As to his behavior at the PizzaPlex before he died-" Vanny entertained next. "Hm... I saw he was being a bit odd. He began to suspect some things with the PizzaPlex was out-of-whack; taking to investigating it when he shouldn't have. Its possible he could've found you and did something-? But I'm not sure if this is right." Another shrug, "I dunno though... nothing about this makes sense. We just don't know enough. I still don't think he just randomly picked your body to attach too if he didn't even know where it was!"

"But what if he DID know?" Moon suddenly chimed in.

Both Bonnie and Vanny turned to look at him now, wearing similar expressions.

Moon said, "Hrrsssh... you said yourself that he has taken to investigating in the wake of Bonnie's disappearance; that he was garnering himself unwanted attention. He is also an intelligent man; he could have found clues that lead him to Bonnie-" He gestured to the rabbit. "What if he did find you? What if whoever else knew you were there learned he found out, and went to kill him then? It is a shot in the dark, but I would not eliminate it."

Both doe and buck were now passing each other more glances. Bonnie chortled ironically and grumbled, "Yeah well... if he found me, he woulda FIXED me! I don't think he woulda left me there-"

"No wait- Moon could be right," Vanny said.

"Beg pardon?"

"I'm saying the crazy jester may be correct," the ghost doe held her chin there, reiterating her prior words. "Maybe he did find you... but couldn't fix you on time? I was watching him- but someone else could have too. The bowling alley has cameras in it- so if I could see him, Cromwell could have too! Him or whoever else coulda been there," She wondered aloud. "Its quite possible that he might've found your body but needed the pieces to repair it- which would have him going to Parts & Service to get what he needed and leave him open to attack from the endos... OR, he woulda reported his sighting to a superior-"

She held up her index finger next like she was pointing to a lightbulb above her head, "And if he reported his sighting to a superior... that means, Cromwell and/or Morris woulda learned he found out foul play was involved in your removal. Let's recall that while I was the one that disabled you, Cromwell was making motions to remove you anyways. If I didn't do it, HE WOULD HAVE. And if Cassie's father told him he found you... Cromwell woulda likely told him to forget about it. And knowing her dad, he wouldn't leave it at that-"

If Bonnie's fur could pale, it would have here.

Vanny gestured at him, "By chance... you ever talk to him directly? Can you not ask him these questions yourself and see what happened?"

"N-No... I haven't been able to talk to him more than once," Bonnie hung his head and slouched in his seat; palming his temples and leaning fully onto the table. "The only time I have was when I 'actualized'. I only heard a handful of words from him and... that was it. I never communicated with him again. I only know what I know about him through emotions... not words. I can barely understand certain sentiments as it is sometimes! I only know we have a lot of mentalities in common, but the reasoning for them eludes me." He inhaled through his teeth, his expression a grimace, "I get along just fine with him and yet I can't even speak to him-? That's just so... geez."

There was a hum from the ghost doe. "Out of everyone here, you might have the best chance of getting the truth... maybe. When he lost his temper and possessed you, did anything noteworthy happen? Beyond attacking Roxy."

"Only that he was super fixated on her... a bit weird, admittedly," Bonnie's talons combed through his hair as he said this.

Vanny frowned and narrowed her eyes, "No one else?"

"He didn't touch anyone else... and I was able to come out of it after a few hours. Why?"

Vanny glanced away and considered for a moment. Eventually, she said, "I need to consider this for a while... but I'm going to hazard a guess that whatever happened to him, Roxy may be involved somehow. For the moment, I'm going to put my detective hat on and say he could have reported seeing your body to a superior and they didn't want him squealing- seeing as they wanted you out of the picture anyways... and they coulda used one of your friends to silence him."

The proclamation was bold; but it didn't any less leave the buck and jester silenced in its vocalization. Both Moon and Bonnie were at a loss here as they measured this portent in awestruck reverie.

"Now I don't know if this is true," Vanny held up her hands in a placating way. "This is just a hazarded guess. That is simply my take on it. But yes, I cannot help but think this whole thing stinks of foul play when it comes to what happened to him. Beyond that, I digress-" She waved at Bonnie and settled down again, "I still wanna know if he even found your body and put something in you in order to bind himself there- but that would mean he KNEW of remnant? Oh dear. Haven't considered that."

"He wouldn't... its not like the normal employees knew! Right?" Bonnie queried.

Vanny waved a middling hand, "Some did. Some didn't. I dunno if Cassie's father did though. Or if he really was that emotionally bonded to you? I have no idea how he coulda managed this manifestation otherwise."

Moon watched the buck carefully, noticing Bonnie furiously tap his claws and groan. He eventually said to the other rabbit, "Hell if I know! I think I needta walk away while you mull over those files... by chance, are they any good?"

"They're good. And the maps of the building? Valid," She concreted. "You and your friends won't need to go near the building to scope it out now... but you'll still need Chica's new core for defense. I highly recommended upgrading everybody as best you can- everyone, except FREDDY."

"Wha- why?" Bonnie shook his head.

"As you said, we don't know whose in there," Vanny's expression turned deadly serious. "And if they're truly as hostile as you feel they could be, they don't need to be given an asset to help pose a possible threat to you and the others. Whoever he's possessed by may or may not be our friend or alley. Until we know for sure, we do not need to make Freddy anymore powerful than he already is. I'd even dare say you should remove his upgrades and make him less dangerous-"

"I don't wanna do that!" Bonnie rapidly shook his head, "If Freddy loses his upgrades, we'd be worse off! In fact, its only because he has them we were able to get by until now!"

"Then that's up to you. Make it harder on yourself or whatever- not my problem!" Vanny smirked, showing more of her usual self here. "Just be careful and be wary of what you're enabling here. I will consider Freddy more carefully. In fact, send him in here when you can. I wanted to ask him questions but he seems keen on avoiding me."

"He hasn't come to talk to you on his own?" Bonnie narrowed his eyes now.

"No. Should he have?"

There was a sound of annoyance from the buck. "I've told him to do so- looks like he's been ignoring me on that. That's so weird," He grumbled.

Moon remembered this. He saw Bonnie talk to Freddy not long ago about talking to Vanny in some detail. The negligence on the bear's part was certainly not expected- nor was it in-character. Moon got up now, sliding easily from the armature and heading towards the door.

Bonnie watched him go and said to his back, "Hey- what's up?"

"I shall get the bear myself. He will not have the nerve to tell me no," Moon smirked, cackling evilly.

Vanny puckered up her expression and shuddered like she was cold. "Oh, that'll work alright. He won't DARE say no to you," She gesticulated.

"No, he won't," Moon chortled to himself.

Bonnie moved to stand, "Lemme help. The lights in the room will only bring out Sun or Eclipse- so I'll go turn them off for a sec. We want Moon talking to Freddy, after all!"

Vanny only chortled as they left- although even she was frowning once they had their backs turned.

As for Moon, he hadn't considered that it was possible Cassie's father may or may not know of remnant- or that there was another force here beyond agony. This other energy helping the bots to become fuller in personality outside of remnant made very little sense, but it wasn't like anything else made any clear sense to begin with.

This is a force beyond nature. A fathomless, misunderstood anomaly we will fail time and again to control and understand, he thought. This goes beyond A.I- or even the paranormal. Its almost as if the beyond itself is reaching up to remind us that it too has an anchor on this fragile world. It exceeds our computation; and I will not pretend to understand it like the buck behind me.

I am here to protect this family. Nothing more. And nothing else shall gladden me more.

He paused then, letting Bonnie proceed into the room so to locate Freddy and turn off the lights for a moment-

But, he found the rabbit stopping in such a way like he was freezing. In fact, Moon couldn't help but squint when he noticed Bonnie completely paused and arrested his suddenly nervous gaze onto the armchair in the main room; like he couldn't look away.

Freddy was in there- and he wasn't alone. He had DJ nearby, but the bot was watching him from over his book in his reading corner like he was wary of something. The ursine meanwhile wasn't moving; simply staring off into the roiling hearth like he was completely and utterly lost. There was no lights on but a single table lamp close by and the fire crackling away; the scene looking completely tranquil in the right setting-

But Moon knew better. While he wasn't able to sense things instinctually like an organic, he knew Bonnie could. And, to see Bonnie so rigidly stand in place like he was paralyzed with fear was nerve-wracking. Bonnie was hollowed-eyed; mouth slightly parted, ears slowly descending until they were flush with his mussed scalp. He even ducked like he was hoping to hide from view; backing slowly away towards Moon and rapidly shaking his head.

Moon looked again. He found no one else in the room for sure- so its not like the kids or grown-ups were able to sense or see anything amiss. DJ however didn't seem to be able to break his gaze from the bear; his lavender optics peeking from over his shades and the top of his psychology book. Freddy's face could not be seen from where Moon stood; the jester watching as the ursine was about as placid as still water. He was even slumped in the chair, looking for all intents and purposes, completely normal.

Bonnie backed into him, still shaking his head. "No... no no no no. No. No no- we aren't- no," he muttered rapidly.

The jester was all for invading personal space for giggles, but not this time. He pushed the buck off and gargled, "Hrrn... what is wrong now? You feel something?"

"Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold..." Bonnie answered in a monotone.

Moon judged the light level again; it was low, but not low enough so he can fully walk into the living room without swapping to Sun or Eclipse. The dark entranceway to the hall had no lights on, thus his continued presence. He was able to peek from its corner at the living area, watching the unmoving bear and the seemingly unnerved DJ. He frowned now, wondering why the house was so quiet. He hadn't heard anyone leave. Did anyone not notice Freddy here?

Moon sent a ping to DJ, not moving from the hall. 'What is going on? Bonnie won't go in there.'

DJ blinked out of his stupor and noticed them over yonder, but hesitating to come in. He frowned, promptly sending back, 'Freddy hasn't moved since he'd been outside earlier. Bonnie won't go in, you say?'

'You can see from here.'

DJ indeed was watching, finally getting up and sidling out of the living area. Freddy still didn't budge. DJ traipsed passed him and entered the hall, meeting the duo and stopping before them. Moon watched the living area for another minute, then motioned to the pair towards the garage. Bonnie didn't see it, but DJ nodded and proceeded to follow him back into it. He pulled Bonnie by the shoulder, the rabbit barely registering the touch and forceful grip. He followed like a lamb on a leash.

They shut the door, Vanny blinking on nearby and raising a brow at DJ's entrance. "You're not Freddy," She candidly pointed out. "We were expecting him."

DJ began signing, 'Apologies. I have been watching him. He hasn't been himself a lot of the day after he returned from being outside. I believe he had to go looking for Bonnie here for a reason?'

Bonnie was coming out of his stupor, although he looked like he may freeze again at the slightest disturbance. He turned towards DJ and said, "Sorry... I was doing something today, and Chica and some of the others didn't immediately approve. I smoothed it over with them- didn't tell Freddy about it though."

'What was it?'

"Long story short, I talked to Polar Freddy- yeah, I know. Don't start. Chica's already railed at me," Bonnie added at DJ's chastising expression. "Anyways, I didn't want to bring it up around Freddy cuz he's... uh... well, THAT. I talked to Vanessa and Luis 'n shit... and I intend on bringing it up with all of you, but I don't wanna do it around Freddy when he's kinda... er, you know!" Bonnie shrugged helplessly.

Moon folded his thing arms, "Hrrrsh... you froze. You sensed something?"

"Yeah... that wrongness. That weird, unknowable, intangible cold like the world is holding its breath, waiting for Death to stop shaking its maddened fist at us." Bonnie trembled again and ducked low; making himself appear rather pathetic and small for once. "It wasn't like that a few minutes ago! He seemed... fine. Did someone say something to him?"

DJ shook his head, 'No. Vanessa, Luis, and the kids went out into town with Roxy, Chica, and Monty for a grocery shopping trip. They weren't gone long. M.X.E.S has been giving me regular updates on their position should I ask. They will not be expected back for another hour. Vanessa said she had another house arrangement too so... yeah, we are pretty much alone right now.'

"And you're SURE nobody said anything triggering?" Bonnie pressed.

'Not at all. Freddy seemed himself when Gregory hugged him and walked out the door. This flip in his disposition... well, I only noticed it when Freddy didn't move for a solid half an hour. He didn't even BLINK.' DJ's numerous hands kept weaving, 'There was no indication the room... shifted. I do not feel the wrongness like you do, so I did not notice anything was off with him until I looked up and motioned at him. He said or did nothing; did not acknowledge me, and he refuses to blink. I asked Mex what was wrong too... but he said he's locked out of Freddy's system.'

"Why did he not ping Vanessa or Luis? Or hell, the rest of us?" Bonnie frowned.

'It is apparently not unusual for Freddy to lock M.X.E.S out of his system for a short few minutes when he is deep in thought. He isn't going anywhere, so M.X.E.S wasn't worried about supervising him. Again, I only noticed something was up with him when I watched him for the last while and noted his lack of movement. I thought for a bit he might be in rest mode... but apparently he isn't?'

Vanny was heard humming nearby. And then, "Bonnie, you said you felt something wrong?"

The buck nodded, his eyes slowly panning towards the door like he expected some great hulking beast to come barreling through.

Vanny's expression deepened. "Go back in there and make him move. Make him react. Don't let him sit there and stew. If he gets too lost in himself, you will find him harder to deal with than when you had that fit last week."

Her cautionary tone was alarming enough; and uncharacteristic. The kind of urgency in it was somehow still calm while sounding brittle; a sound that made all three bots fiddle in place. Bonnie was the first to move however; gliding slowly to the door and opening it up-

And promptly all three -yes, even Moon- jolted when they found Freddy right there.

Bonnie yelped and fell backward into DJ, one paw over his fluffy breast like he was telling his compressor to stop working so hard. DJ blinked rapidly as Moon slowly crept past them.

Freddy was just there, smiling. He smiled, smiled, smiled. Didn't blink. He only said, "Fellas. I believe you wanted something?"

All three were silent, Bonnie especially. His right eye twitched once as he found his way to his proper footing. The wilted, frightened look on his face told Moon that he can still feel that wrongness.

Vanny was also quiet for a time, with Moon noticing her crimson gaze flickering almost apprehensively all over Freddy. She raised a single finger, "You gotta... you got a thingy on your... you're kinda gross."

"I'm what-? Oh! Ah..." Freddy, quite nonplussed by whatever Vanny was pointing out, composedly swiped a paw across his cheek. One optic had a single blackened trail of sludge rolling from it; looking a lot like chunky motor oil. He didn't bat an eye at it, only turned it over and smiled back up at her, "Better?"

"Not really... you should... you know you could ah... nevermind," Vanny wilted. "Yunno what. We can talk later. Fuck this weirdness, I'm out."

She blinked off so fast nobody can react on time. Everyone in the room (minus the bear) blinked rapidly at her terminal, finding her opting out of this conversation extremely uncomfortable. Moon was no genius, but he can guess Bonnie and DJ felt the same uneasiness he did- perhaps more so in the buck's case.

Freddy meanwhile shrugged and turned back to the trio, looking down at Bonnie with a completely unreadable expression beyond a serene smile. His genial, usually warm baritone seemed its most normal when he said, "I saw you leaving the room. Did you need me for something?"

"...No... not anymore..."

The buck's attempt to shrink was noteworthy, and one cannot miss the fact he was sidling around Freddy like he was afraid of touching him. Moon and DJ passed looks as the rabbit smiled his way to Freddy's other side.

Freddy tilted his head, "Something wrong? You know you could have just said- Oh. Right! You think I'm still mad about earlier? When you ran off to see that bear without telling anyone?"

Suddenly, the room chilled ten more degrees.

Moon didn't budge.

DJ put his hands over his mouth and went platter-eyed behind his shades.

Bonnie produced a single squeak.

Freddy kept smirking.

There was another pause that exceeded this one; one that stretched into the length of a full, true two minutes. Freddy still hadn't blinked as he watched Bonnie; as if he wasn't seeing the others in the vicinity.

"I'm not mad, you know. Just... hm, okay, maybe I am a little... upset," He pinched blue talons together to show 'a little bit'. "I heard you talking with the others just now. But, granted, I suppose I did smell a bit of that other Freddy too on your paws earlier? It was trace, mind you. Very minute; and even then it smells mostly like nature? And curiously enough... like bird feathers?" He furrowed his brows here. "He smells like he was sitting still long enough for birds to land on him. He must have been watching us a while."

Bonnie still didn't say anything. A wise move, perhaps.

"Well, point is... I do not like him around here. I feel bad for him- do not get me wrong," He said rather airily. "Missing his Bonnie to the extent he does... I understand that. But for him to come floating around here, sniffing around, around MY rabbit, around MY kids, around ALL of us and perhaps maybe potentially getting the chance to leverage you into leaving-"

"But... he didn't-"

Freddy continued, as if not hearing him, "-I just don't like it. I will not tolerate him here again. You understand? If I see him anywhere around and near you-" He was smiling all the while, his cerulean eyes the epitome of sub-zero as he watched them. "-I will not hesitate to remove him from this property. If you end up talking to him at all -not that I'd want that- it would be nice if you told him that."

Freddy moved finally; sauntering towards Bonnie and leaning down over him. He was his most imposing, even though he wasn't as large as DJ. Bonnie meanwhile looked very much like he wanted to run into a hole and hide in it awhile. The ursine meanwhile reached out, gently rested a paw on the rabbit's scalp between his ears, and let azul talons trace through his hair like he was ruffling Gregory's scalp in an affectionate, fatherly way.

Why did this token of endearment look a lot like he was pinning the rabbit down by the throat?

"I'm sure Chica told you we worry, you know," He informed him. "And bless her, for enduring the shenanigans you get up to. I'm surprised she's so forthcoming about the idea of this other bear around after what you put her through." His face faltered finally here; albeit somewhat. "I haven't forgotten those nights I had to go into her room and brave her glitchy voice box so to compose her wailing fits. I'm sure you saw those too... with this said, keep in mind, Bonnie: None of us can survive losing you again. You understand that?"

There was a rapid nod.

Freddy let go.

He turned towards the door, paused, and said over his shoulder without looking at them, "Oh, and I shall speak to Vanny when I can. I didn't exactly miss that part. I find the topic quite difficult, understandably. As to my current... well, point is, I do not feel much differently than usual, contrary to what you think. And Bonnie-" He turned enough to catch the rabbit's cochineal gaze, "I'm terribly sorry for the scares. I hate to see you like that. You know I'd never hurt you, of course-"

"I... I-I know," He mumbled. "I er-"

"Hm?"

Bonnie blinked again, drew himself up, and severed his gaze. Submissive. "You wouldn't ever hurt me, per se. I know that."

Moon and DJ shot each other looks.

Freddy's smile seemed to thaw a bit- though something about it still seemed wrong to Moon. "I am glad! Just... please. We cannot be going around carrying secrets that damning when we have the entire company bearing down our throats right now. You know? Anyways, I'll be in the living room if you need me."

He floated right out the door- just like that.

But the cold air remained.