Hey! Look at me updating on time for once! Still sticking with the once a month schedule, but feeling optimistic. Hope you enjoy!
By all accounts, the path that Freddy, Gregory, and Vanessa take through the Pizzaplex doesn't make any sense. In some places, they are able to find and follow the same route as Cassie. In others? Well, with the way she seems to have been able to travel through solid objects, it's almost like trying to follow a ghost. Gregory is pretty sure they've discovered several places he didn't even know existed before today, but it's hard to tell, considering how different everything looks now. Even the places he knows he's been to before lack familiarity in their state of ruin.
"One of the entrances to Roxy Raceway should be just up ahead," Vanessa announces as they reach the end of yet another hallway filled with junk. Gregory tenses slightly. Hopefully they don't run into the animatronic wolf. He's pretty sure she still hates him for low key ruining her life. The kind of hatred that fuels rage strong enough to motivate you to chase someone through a flaming inferno. Literally.
She still seemed pretty upset about that when Cassie ran into her earlier from what Gregory could see on the security footage.
"Um… Maybe you should go first, Vanessa," Gregory suggests as they reach the end of the hallway. "Just in case."
"In case of what?" Freddy asks, confused. Gregory hasn't displayed any self preservation instincts today up til now. It's a little unnerving to be honest.
"In case, you know, Roxy's right on the other side of the door? I don't think she'll want to see either of us," Gregory points out. He's probably right. Roxy had seemed a bit unhinged the last time Freddy saw her.
"Fine," Vanessa says, "but you get to be the human shield next time." She's not completely sure Roxy hates her any less than she hates the others, but she does owe Gregory for all those times she tried to kill him, so she'll do as he asks (this time).
Gregory only recognizes the storage room on the other side of the door when he sees what's left of Princess Quest II. As with most other things in this place, it has definitely seen better days. It's almost a shame, really. That game had some pretty amazing gameplay (for being 110% certifiably haunted). He rather enjoyed going swishy-stabby with glowing swords, even if he still doesn't totally understand the game's connection to Vanessa.
No sign of Roxy so far, he notices with relief. But the canyonesk decor on some of the walls tell him she could be close. They're definitely not far from the raceway now. Too bad he doesn't have a real life glowing sword to defend himself with. That would make him feel a whole lot better about all of this. So much better. He'd look so cool with a sword…
"Now we just have to cut through Glamrock Salon and then head towards the sinkhole," Vanessa announces, interrupting his sword related fantasies. "Hopefully the floor isn't too damaged and we can actually get over there without having to backtrack."
"The Pizzaplex has a salon?" Gregory is pretty sure he would remember seeing a place like that. Nothing comes to mind. Cassie could probably fill him in on it if she were here. She loves experimenting with different looks when she gets bored.
"Gregory… We passed through the Salon at least once while we were searching for a way to defeat Roxy," Freddy says, "How do you not remember this?"
Gregory shrugs. "I have no idea. Maybe I was too distracted by how cool Princess Quest II was to notice anything else. I mean, it had an awesome glowing sword and everything!"
Freddy and Vanessa share a look that makes him feel like he's being judged heavily (because he is).
"Okay. Well. Might as well keep moving," Vanessa says eventually. She's not quite sure how to respond to Gregory's cluelessness.
It's eerily quiet inside the salon itself. Which is weird, considering how messy it is. Though the rubble in the corner and the fallen signs are probably from the 'earthquake' that damaged the Pizzaplex months ago, the trashed furniture and mirrors are most likely victims of Roxy's rage. And yet… the animatronic wolf doesn't seem to be here, either. Gregory can't help but wonder where she is. If they'll actually see her. If she'll even be the threat he's made her out to be. He's surprised his mere presence hasn't summoned her to take revenge upon his sorry soul. Not that he wants that or is particularly sorry. Because he's really not.
Roxy Raceway is an even bigger mess than the salon. Rubble, half filled shipping containers, and gaping holes create a maze of obstacles nearly impossible to navigate.
"How the heck did Cassie make it through here without getting trapped somewhere?" Gregory asks, weaving his way around a set of construction barriers. All of them are struggling and they don't have the added threat of MXES and Roxy (who is somehow still totally absent) chasing after them.
"I dunno. But it did seem like I got places faster when I was wearing my V.A.N.N.I mask," Vanessa remembers, frowning thoughtfully.
"Weird," Gregory replies, saying what they're all thinking. There are some things from the night of The Incident (and before for that matter!) that none of them really have explanations for. Things that don't quite add up about the Pizzaplex and all that happened there. Memories that feel just out of reach. It's something they usually avoid talking about.
"This whole day has been weird," Freddy points out, "and I doubt that will change anytime soon. Look."
They've managed to (finally) find a clear path leading to the final door before the sinkhole. The sight gives Gregory chills. He hasn't forgotten what he and Freddy faced the last time they went down there. They were lucky to make it out alive! And now there's another, possibly even bigger threat lurking below their feet.
"It's not too late to turn back," Vanessa says, gripping the door's rusty old handle. None of them have fond memories of what lies beyond this door.
"We have to do this," Gregory replies before he can talk himself out of it, "For Cassie."
"For Cassie!" Freddy agrees (despite never having met Gregory's friend). And so they begin their descent down, down into the abyss.
"I gotta say, those sunglasses are a great look for you!" Helpy tells Roxy, trying to distract her from the one sided staring contest she is currently having with a still unconscious Cassie.
"Yeah," Eclipse agrees, "I know that sunglasses are usually Monty's thing, but maybe you can add them to your act once the Pizzaplex reopens!"
"Oh. Uh. Maybe?" Roxy is glad that the oversized sunglasses cover enough of her face that Eclipse can't see her expression. She's pretty sure the Pizzaplex won't be reopening anytime soon. Or ever, for that matter. She's also pretty sure she looks ridiculous, but hey, at least when Cassie finally wakes up again, she'll have something to laugh about. If she wakes up. It feels like it's been forever since the little girl woke up, screamed at her, and then passed out again. Roxy edges closer to her, trying to detect any changes.
"I don't think checking on her every five minutes is going to make her wake up any faster," Eclipse notes. Roxy rolls her eyes. What does he know? It might help. It definitely helps Roxy feel like she has some control over the situation. She's about to argue this point when Cassie begins to mumble hoarsely.
"The eyes… the eyes! Why are there so many eyes?"
"It's okay, Cassie. You don't have to look at the eyes anymore," Roxy tells her, assuming Cassie is talking about her freshly stolen pair of eyes.
"Nonono… they're everywhere," Cassie replies, gazing about wildly.
Well, if she's not talking about It's eyes, than Roxy hasn't a clue what's got her so freaked out this time.
"What's wrong with her? There's not even that many eyes," Roxy says, turning to Eclipse in confusion.
"I don't think she's fully awake yet," the daycare attendant tells her.
Oh. That does make more sense than any alternatives Roxy can come up with. But still. Creepy.
"They're watching… always watching…" Cassie whispers, somehow clutching Roxy's arm. Roxy is careful not to move for fear of hurting her. The little girl whimpers and mumbles something about nowhere being safe.
"That does it. As soon as this is over, we're dumping whatever is left of your stash in the toilet," Roxy announces, growing increasingly concerned about Cassie's wellbeing.
"Hey Freddy… where'd your head go, anyway? You're kinda freaking me out," Cassie asks before Eclipse can protest.
"Aww but this is just getting good," Helpy complains as Cassie continues to ramble about Freddy's appearance. "Next time you guys drug someone, we should make sure we have a camera ready!" Both Roxy and Eclipse glare at him, but he can't quite bring himself to care.
"Cassie, can you hear me?" Roxy asks, gently nudging Cassie. Cassie groans.
"No, I couldn't possibly eat another slice of cake, Mom."
Roxy considers shaking her harder, but decides that probably won't do much of anything.
"Okay. We'll save the rest of the cake for later," she tells her, not sure what else to say.
"Mom… Mommy… Momther?" Cassie says.
"Yes?" Roxy says awkwardly (she is SO not ready to be a parent). How is one supposed to interact with a child who is clearly high on… something? Cassie's real parents will be worried sick when they realize she's missing (if they haven't already).
"I don't feel so good…" Cassie complains, finally letting go of Roxy to clutch her stomach. Thinking quickly, Eclipse just barely manages to grab an old cleaning bucket and shove it at her in time for her to start puking.
Note: If you happened to notice any discrepancies with Princess Quest... ignore them... #Sometimes plot convenience is more important than canon ;)
Thanks for reading!
