Jesus... *Checks notes* It's been like a year and a half... something like that. Me thinks we're due for a brief refresher to get old and new patrons up to speed.

· Cooper's been invited back to the Pizza Plex (and Gregory too) to help the newest nightguard Emma locate more of the strange disks that lay scattered. Emma Wasn't actually allowed to keep them back, but hush now.

· She's disapproving of the robot/human relationship Coop and Roxy have for whatever reason, but reluctantly makes room for it.

· Freddy and Gregory find a few disks, but they appear glitchy to the duo.

· More mwah, mwah, kissy, kissy (Why else are you here :) )

· Cooper's knowhow of the mall comes in useful when he and the gang discover a closed off, secret room that holds a tape player. A tape is inserted, before being suspiciously removed by Emma.

There we go. Go on, enjoy this chapter. You've earned it after a year-long drought of Roxy shenanigans.


A thunderous storm cloud approaches, carrying with it an army of water droplets ready to render dry, wet. Our characters unbeknownst to the pathetic fallacy reigning.

A dark, musty room devoid of activity, was what the area used to be. Now with a new, improvised door leaking in the industrial, fluorescent lights, the spiders crawl away into their abundant hiding spots. The ants lay dormant to not attract attention, the cockroaches wander around, feasting on the rock-hard popcorn, as they indulge in their newfound freedom from the arachnids, ignoring the giant monster.

The couple were in the Salon. The duo were with Monty playing golf. The solo was gorging herself. The cameras were handy tools. If not currently preoccupied, the couple would have been split and the duo would've become the second solo.

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Good morning.

Isn't it a pretty day? No?

What's the matter?

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Oh, right. Too bright. I'll pull the shades.

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That's better. When the shades are pulled it feels like we're in a cubby hole or a cave. Yeah?

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Hmmmph. So you're not talking to me again today?

This isn't all that productive you know. Don't you think these sessions are more successful when you talk to me? You know everyone associated with this company gets performance reviews right? When my sessions don't get results, my reviews aren't very good.

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If you don't want to talk for your own sake, how about doing it for mine? You don't want me to get in trouble, do you?

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I could be put in the corner for time out.

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Huh. You think that's funny, do you?

The retro CD ejected itself as it unknowingly announced it had nothing left to offer. It was quickly gathered and put into a plastic baggie, with the other 16 disks that were found.

Someone got to their feet, and picked up the plastic bag, before cautiously leaving, ensuring no one was around. Not without a heavy mallet of course, ready to do damage.


A peaceful, zen garden lay dormant to the grasps of luck and despair, beautiful and youthful, bursting with energy. As the water flowed, learning it's path and place, it became content. Cocky almost. Lily pads, aquatic and exotic creatures, a garden of beauty.

Looping around the same garden, eroding away at the same rocks. The bed became accustomed and tailored to it's flow. Eventually, a small alcove had formed in the river, in which the current pushed into, creating a rip close to the river bank.

A lone lily pad, braving the current explored onwards, oblivious to the eternal lock. Happy as could be floating around in the garden of joy, it saw the rip, and wanted to get a closer look. Panicked it became, as it felt the current take hold and drag. It suddenly became chilly. The skies darkened, clouds hiding the sun's happiness. The lily pad fought, fought as hard as it could to escape the clutches.

No avail. It became stuck. It sat still in this rip, constantly harassed and reminded about it's naivety and optimism for what seemed like eons by the waters. Immobile and unmotivated, it sat and accepted it's fate.

Time passed. And passed. And passed. In due course, the weather improved. The sun showed itself. The temperatures rose. The rain stopped. The birds began to perch in the nearby trees, and sing. Butterflies and other glorious creatures roamed the garden of zen. The lily pad watched. At first it was jealous of their freedom, and their beauty, but was soon reinvigorated with hope.

Frogs jumped on the riverbank. Fish swam beneath the water. One of these frogs jumped, but missed its target. It ended up flying past the riverbank and landing on the condemned lily pad. It was nudged. The frog jumped off with haste from the shock experience to land, scrambling to get up. It pushed the lily pad further, to freedom, escaping the dead current.

From that point on, the lily pad resumed it's journey, only now more wise, mature, and grateful.


"Ok now sweetie... If anything happens... anything at al-" The tall, caring figure put her hands on the fair youth as she cut her off.

"Yes mom. Anything happens, call you or get a guard, or if it's reeeeally bad then call the cops." She rolled her eyes jokingly yet semi sick of her mother's unending pestering. The mother smiled, before embracing the girl.

"Cassie, You know how much your father and I want to be with you on your special day. But unfortunately, life isn't fair in the slightest. These bastards won't slip a single sick day by me without checking my phone's GPS or bank balance! Well, you know what I mean. Oh... Did I say a bad word?"

Cassie giggled at her mother's Freudian slip. An expression of joy on hers, whilst embarrassment opposite.

"We do need the money. I can't afford to get fired."

"I know mom. Don't worry about it." Cassie's mom looked at her sweetly. Before resuming her concern.

"Tell me again, what are you going to do? Step by step." Motherly instincts taking hold with an unwillingness to budge until everything was perfectly rehearsed.

"Ugh, present my pass, go to the party room, wait for everyone to show up, then get the schedule sometime around there. Mom, I'm fine!" Her frustration bled through. Another smile, and another hug.

"That's my girl. Go have yourself the best time." She finished the hug and ran as fast as she could in her high heels towards her car, before granting one last wave to Cassie then taking off.

A deep inhale, and an equal exhale. The entrance was a lot more intimidating than she thought. Seemingly thousands of people entering and exiting, and it was barely even 8 o'clock yet. The busyness of the whole situation didn't help calm the girl's nerves. Abnormally large amounts of cortisol and adrenaline coursed through her veins, ready to kick in when needed. Hundreds of cars drove by with their engines blaring and their horns beeping, The infinite chatter and noise of the music coming from the entrance up ahead, the fear of being on her own...

Stop. She told herself. You're young, but you're strong. If you want to be seen as mature, or grown up, you won't have any of this stupid fear. Besides, what could go wrong?


Oh Cassie... You fool.


The chattering and music got louder as the girl clutched her backpack straps tighter. A slight tremble in the mouth, covered up by a wide smile. A long line formed in front with... Oooh! Freddy at the beginning! The soft carpet felt like a cloud as she seemingly sunk into the floor with every step. The comfort was immense, but she was still on edge.

Cassie was aware of the fact there were bad people in the world. She was taught it from a young age. She was also taught to stand up for yourself and those around you, to counteract the hate and bring balance. Whilst physically built like a drugged-up infant marshmallow, Cassie was witty and unknowingly wise. Far, far wiser than the average girl her age, thanks to her holistic and raw view of the world. Other children's parents would have likely sugar coated everything on the news, how babies are made, and conversations about emotions and illness, Cassie's was different.

Well-equipped to win a spelling bee or a battle of brains, to the acceptance of herself Cassie was hopeless at sports, or anything physical. The dirt was her greatest companion when it came to dodgeball, as that was where she would usually end up. She was mocked, but thanks to her maturity the insults were reflected, not absorbed.

A half dazed girl approached the service desk, not realizing how close she was to being served by Freddy Fazbear himself. 2 more people went through as only then Cassie shook off the daze and welcomed back the excitement of visiting the Mega Pizza Plex. She took out her passes and prepared to show them to the strangely famous teller.

"Hello Cassie! Welcome back! It's been quite a while!" Freddy's enthusiasm was unwavering, despite the early hours.

"Sure has been. Here you go Freddy." She presented her passes and was granted access.

"Have a fazerific day!" Freddy called out to the girl, but by then her excitement had taken full control and had driven her away.

Freddy continued welcoming guests. Hold on... was she alone? I didn't see any parent walk in with her... I'll save that for later and make sure everything's OK.


INTERMISSION

We asked 100 children to give us their one word answers on how they would describe Freddy Fazbear's Mega Pizza Plex. Here was the top answer.

Cool.

The most sophisticated answer we received was:

Paradise.

We asked 100 adults to give us their one word answers on how they would describe Freddy Fazbear's Mega Pizza Plex. Here was the top answer.

Bright.

The most sophisticated answer we received was:

Kinky.


Cassie had been to the Pizza Plex a few times, but due to her parent's financial shortcomings she never found herself as a regular guest. She wished she could be, but she knew she couldn't. She interacted with the animatronics when she was younger, and took a particular liking to Roxanne.

The robots seemingly understood her and the rest of the kids like no one else, and could cater perfectly to their demographic. Made sense.

The pretty colours and lights of the Pizza Plex tried to grab Cassie's attention and draw her to explore. Whilst her attention was jeopardised, she wasn't drawn to wonder the uncanny halls by her lonesome.

She couldn't wait to have the best time of her life with her best friends and the best animatronic that mankind had ever built, a memory surely to be engrained for the rest of her life. On her death bed, today will surely flash before her eyes. Cassie couldn't decide if she was more excited for her friends and her party, or to see her favourite wolf animatronic again.

Deep down she understood the relationship that she and Roxy had was a relationship in which only Cassie was benefiting, but the feeling of being loved by someone who was just so perfect made her feel just that extra amount of special. Cassie was well aware Roxy might not even remember her, thinking she was just another customer that the worker needed to tend to. She desperately hoped to be proven wrong.

Arriving at the raceway, a staff bot greeted her.

"Hello. Map? Free map? Take a map?" The bot was unwilling to repent or retreat, so the girl carefully and hesitantly grabbed the map out of it's cold hands.

"Thanks..." She questioned as the bot, seemingly pleased, rolled on forward to the raceway's entrance.

Soon, a real life employee tended to Cassie, checked her passes and showed her to the party room designated to her for the whole day. Situated under the bleachers and food stands, the garage like area was fitted with birthday props, however none personal that showed anyone really cared. The view of the track was pretty decent, with a few solid angles to watch the races when they began in a few hours.

Cassie took the seat at the top end of the table and waited excitedly for everyone to show up. 6 friends in total were supposed to come, and they were supposed to be here in roughly 30 to 60 minutes. The girl noted the time on the fazwatch she bought from last time she was here, it reading 8:30.

A smile on her face and hopes high as ever, Cassie sat and waited.

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And waited.

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And waited some more.

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She could hear as the attraction was starting to fill up, with more and more people making more and more footsteps. Someone will get here soon... I just know it.

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She checked her watch. It was well past 9 by now. They'll get here anytime. The excitement from before started to brew up again. People were beginning to walk past the party room.

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Cassie was waiting for a face she'd recognize. Surely someone would show up at anytime now. People still walked by the garage and paid no mind to the party room.

Eventually a pair of feet turned right into the party room. Like an instant chemical reaction, Cassie expected the best... And was let down to find a man in a Pizza Plex uniform. He looked at Cassie then looked around, then at his clipboard.

"Uhhh... Cassie is it?"

"Mhmm." She was let down and sounded defeated. She tried to avoid eye contact to mask her feelings, which were currently brewing up violently.

"I have the schedule for Roxy's hours here for you." He handed the girl a slip of paper.

"So you are... Party room 4. Soooo... She'll be here at 10 to 11am, and 2 to 3pm. You actually get to see her twice, lucky you."

"Oh wow. Can't wait." The employee paid no mind to the monotone expression, and the slight cracks emerging in her voice.

"Ok well... You can keep that. Where are your parents?" He was at least concerned for the girl's safety.

"Umm... They're just getting some coffee right now. They'll be back soon. They aren't morning people." She tried to avoid eye contact without it seeming unnatural. The man was initially confused but paid no mind and shrugged.

"Alrighty. Happy birthday." Just like that, the man left.

She knew it wouldn't look good for her if she was here all by herself. Cassie didn't know the rules about unattended children exactly, but she wasn't hoping to find out anytime soon.

The emotions kept brewing. She checked the schedule again and checked the time.

10 to 11am. 9:41am.

Her displayed apathy turned quickly into a hollow, deep, dark blue emptiness, clinging on to any hope that at least someone would come. She felt an intense sadness. Was she that unlikable? No one loved her enough to even just show up to her special day? Not even her parents?

She began gently sobbing as she shielded her face with her hands. The self awareness kicked in and she got down from her chair to lower the roller door, to grieve in piece without fear of further judgment.

She cried.

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And cried. This was supposed to be her special day! How could she end up alone?

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She removed her hands to show the tablecloth drenched in her ever increasing tears. She began to gasp for air through her tears.

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Someone.

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Won't someone show up for my special day? It's supposed to be about me, sure!... But not just me! Somebody... Please... She begged to herself.

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Completely alone on her birthday. How devastating. Especially for only an 11 year old. She took the time to lament and weep to herself, ensuring it was no one else's problem. She felt like a lily pad stripped of it's freedom, a dog stripped of it's bark.

This loneliness... It crippled her. Cassie was well accustomed to most emotions, even love. But this one... It hit harder than all. It was a mix of betrayal, sadness, anger, jealousy, a longing for something better, a denial of her reality yet a subconscious acceptance. Her 'friends' were supposed to be here... They didn't have to do anything. Hell, bringing a gift was optional. But the bare minimum to show up... Was that how little value Cassie had? Not even important enough to have 1 out of the 365 days to herself. Or rather, celebrate herself with the people she thought she could trust. Betrayed. The main feeling after the loneliness. She felt it all build up as she thought about it.

Cassie slammed the budget table with her fist in a fit of rage as she mourned the moment, and the death of what she thought was something wholesome and fulfilling with 6 people. She kept crying with no sign of stopping. All alone. In the pitch black darkness. What a birthday.

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Alone. No one else.

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PLEASE!!! SOMEBODY SHOW UP!!! She unleashed all her emotion in a single shout and hit the table again. The girl didn't care if people outside could hear her.

Please... Anyone...

Please... I'll never annoy anyone again... I'll never talk longer than I should... I'll never be awkward again... I'll never cry again. I'll never spill another secret again... I'll do all my chores... please... She wimpered and curled up to feel at least some sort of warmth.

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Please...

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I just wish someone was here...

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Anybody?

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no?

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Eventually her emotions settled, although a scar was beginning to form right over her heart. She was still devastated, periodically still crying.

The brave girl always knew the world wasn't fair even when it should be. That fact was no where more prevalent then now.

Her tears slowed down as she found an odd comfort in the darkness. It was strangely warm. Perhaps it was the hot drops rolling down her cheek that fought off the freezing ac. She didn't know. She didn't care.

She wanted to go home. Although home surely wouldn't feel like home.

By this time her eyes had fully adjusted to the darkness. She was blinded for a moment when she checked the time. 10:05am.

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Even Roxy doesn't care.

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She sniffled and grasped her hair with her own hands.

Her mascara had bled down her cheeks into the damp tablecloth below, making her tears look a violent black. Her mouth still quivered and trembled from her despair. To anyone else, it wasn't a big deal. But then what would be to a child other than death?

Cassie plunged her cheek into the tablecloth and got comfy. She was exhausted from nothing. She began to feel drowsy. She wasn't special. She was a loser nobody that no one wanted to see, period.

Short, sharp inhales and gasps through small crying fits made it hard to fall asleep, but eventually she did.


Eughhhh... I feel awful. This headache... My cheeks feel sticky, my eyes are itchy... this weight on my right shoulder... Actually I do feel pretty warm, and it's strangely cozy.

Once again, she checked her fazwatch, which again, periodically blinded her.

10:41am. Still nobody.

Her peripheral vision hadn't realized a large paw stuck out on top of her shoulder, or that a large, cozy blanket was wrapped snug around her, or that her body was pressed up against something large and heavy.

I was out for like half an hour. It's gonna be a long day.

She let her head down onto what looked like a pillow to her left. A very, very fluffy pillow. She tried to drift off to sleep.

But the pillow began to move.

Her sympathetic systems kicking in, she was in full fight or flight, only Cassie was the type to freeze.

She looked at the pillow, who was rising slowly, and seemingly drowsily just like her. She suddenly felt that huge weight lifted off of her shoulder, as the pillow turned around to reveal a faint silhouette of a wolf-like figure.

Initially scared, Cassie drew thankful. She only just realized the cozy blanket on top of her, and the strange comfort provided by the weight.

Roxanne walked to the side of the party room, and flicked on a light. She saw as the young girl squinted, shielded her eyes and almost hissed at the intense brightness.

"Oh! Right! Sorry, sorry!" She hastily turned the light off to stop the girl's suffering.

"It's fine... You can turn it on." Cassie told Roxy sheepishly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Ok." Roxanne flicked the switch and saw the girl rub her eyes and begin to get used to it.

Roxy sat down at a small chair and waited for the girl to stop rubbing her eyes, oddly respectful for her. Her artificial eyebrows showed concern for this poor pup. 30 seconds later, Cassie was still rubbing her eyes. Erghh... She grew angry at the itch.

Roxy sprang into action, quickly poring her a glass of water from the nearby jug and giving her an antihistamine that she kept on her for situations like these.

"Here... Swallow this." Cassie complied and downed the tablet and water. She kept rubbing her eyes though.

The animatronic got up and walked to the nearest sink to wash her hands. She walked back to Cassie and moved her hands from her eyes.

"Don't! I'm ugly!"

"No you're not. And if you were, I wouldn't care." Roxanne calmly replied.

Both stunned and reassured, The girl settled for a moment.

Roxy laid the girl's head facing the roof, and supported it with her paw cupping her hair.

"Look up for me, superstar." Cassie obliged.

The wolf pored tiny amounts of water into her eyes and told her to blink. She then got a nearby damp cloth and began cleaning the girl's face. Wiping away her mascara and make up, to freshen her up.

"Do you feel better?" Roxy leaned over Cassie, her affection and concern clearly showing.

"Yeah. Thank you." The two smiled at each other, then hugged for a long time.

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Once separated, Roxy lead the girl to the sink and washed her hands for her.

"Rubbing your eyes with dirty hands will make then itchy." She told her. The two looked at each other, one of them being awestruck.