Sometime during the PizzaPlex's prime-

GLAMROCK BONNIE

~Night 3. Time stamp: 11:24 pm~

Bonnie was sitting up in his room, waiting for that clock to tick down once again.

After wounding the ghost rabbit woman- or, who he believed- Vanessa, he wondered if they'd even have a third night. He knew he hurt her pretty bad... that blood trail she left was pretty substantial. Still, even with the amount of blood she lost, it was GONE before his employers and some S.T.A.F.F bots came to the arcade to mull over the damage. He didn't know how she did it, but it was all cleaned up and she left no signs of their little dance party last night- save for one detail:

DJ was missing a hand and some memory. One can bet the human staff was asking questions; probing both the music man and the other bots for the mishap. Security footage was reviewed; and it turns out, there's been a large surge in the system that blacked out the cameras in the Fazcade. Nobody could see what happened or discern why DJ was damaged; and the only account they had was that there was a lot of noise coming from the place for part of the night. As it where, Bonnie was seen in the atrium's cameras going towards the Fazcade and coming out of it with Monty- so both of them had to be hulled in for questions in their respective areas.

So yeah, they were BOTH in trouble (Moon however was far too clever to be caught out for that; taking the vents to get in and out of the Fazcade and therefore avoiding the cameras entirely). Both were put into lockdown into their rooms- leaving Bonnie and Monty grumpy and anxious about their situation. If Moon got sealed up at this point, its because Vanessa's likely locking up the daycare preemptively for tonight; not because the rest of security thought so.

Monty meanwhile had been messing with his programs; Bonnie noticed it too. He hadn't been hacked again, and his behavior grew a bit more belligerent and forward with his tendency to take risks. Its not bad now, but Bonnie knew Monty needed to be more careful about the arrangements to his programming. He'd have to sit down with the gator and teach him how to handle it better, once they had the chance.

Moon hadn't been able to find Vanessa, sadly. She disappeared- and that instantly struck the trio as odd. Bonnie inquired over their messages if Moon ever saw the security guard around during the day (as Bonnie himself had been locked in his room), but Vanessa hadn't been available at all. Bonnie asked Moon to keep an eye out for her tonight, in case the ghost rabbit and her somehow weren't the same people-

Not that Bonnie thought that. Oh no- he can already assume.

With that said, meanwhile, he rested on his couch; having thoroughly scrubbed his paw clean of all evidence of violence. He flexed it; remembering the weirdly intrusive and horrible sensation of his talons reaching INTO a human being and sinking into BONE somewhere. The sensation of their blood leaking into his chassis and staining his blue paint with crusty browns and darker vermillion wouldn't leave his mind. People fall apart easily- and the pressure he applied when he tried to grab her had been too much-

But that shouldn't have happened, he wondered. My inhibitions... my limits. Perhaps I changed myself too much?

All the animatronics knew their physical limits when it came to touch, sensitivity and pressure. Its why they had tactile sensors; to prevent accidents like that. But that time- for that one second after Bonnie got free of the music's spell- he couldn't help but be vaguely horrified and fascinated and horrified again by the fact he'd wanted to hurt her so badly. And so badly, in fact, he hadn't cared for the restriction imposed upon his programming that dictated he be gentle. Despite what he told himself at first in the aftermath of that fucked-up dance, he still grabbed her with the intention to MAIM her.

Even now, he still felt that way.

He WANTED that woman to suffer for what she did to Jeremiah and the others. Its bad enough she'd been toying with him and torturing him in the manner she's been doing- pinning him to the dance floor with his own system bug and using DJ, a friend of his, to try and pulverize him. And with her hacking Monty, Freddy, and no doubt attempting the others, he was starting to slowly and reluctantly agree that maybe, this ghost rabbit should be dealt with differently.

But his reasonable, gentle side still preached that he get her jailed instead- which involved more work and resources they may not have. Worse case, they can't wait around anymore to find a humane way of dealing with her and they ultimately fall through on the whole 'killing her' part.

Yeah. That will take some mulling over.

She deserved some kind of payback in his books, but to let himself fly off the handle like that was also scary and dizzying. And in the hours after it happened, he wondered if that feeling had been REAL. His characteristic blueprint mandated that he be chiller. To be relaxed, comforting, and stoner-like in his disposition. That wasn't the case last night: He couldn't have deviated MORE from the original Bonnie's blueprint.

And to think, he's the one telling MONTY to be careful. It's happening slowly, but even Bonnie can see rearranging his programs around so much was starting to shift his perspective. And he was keeping on with doing it anyways- even right now. He was still reviewing his programs and changing things.

I need to stop right now. I really must be at that point of no return, he told himself. But for some reason, I just don't want to. I can't... I have my friends I need to protect. And not just them-

But Cassie and her father.

He recalled them with a start; realizing that out of all the workers here, Cassie's parent was still an active worker and he tended to come in more during the Maintenance period (for obvious reasons, of course). The reminder had Bonnie sitting up straighter, making him worry at his tightening jaws.

"Shit," he said aloud. "I didn't even THINK of them 'til now!"

It was true; if he didn't deal with the ghost woman soon, she may go for Cassie or her father the next time they come in! Its bad enough she might've seen Bonnie talk with them on camera at some predetermined point. She probably even knew that Bonnie had a preference to their company and could target them out of spite. Suddenly feeling the bot version of being sick, he buckled over in his seat and slapped his paws to his face.

He will not tolerate her hurting either of them. NEVER.

And he will absolutely keep fucking around with his programs if it meant he can keep them safe from her hands. Nothing else mattered beyond that; absolutely nothing. His friends and the few friends he had outside the PizzaPlex- it was all worth it for them.

And that was an absolute.

On another note, he'd been able to see her; the supposed invisible bunny woman. It meant either she let him see her, or he routed out the error in his programming list. He believed it was the latter- because as of yesterday, before their second meeting, he found a couple odd programs in his software. He didn't want to go hunting her down again, just to realize he wouldn't be able to see her at all tonight. He hoped the problem with visibility is fixed for good.

Meanwhile, he was messing with his defensive routines now; as well as checking his Security Mode. That mode was still buggy as hell- and he knew in the wrong circumstances, it'll lock him into it and make him (even more) unreasonable and violent.

That was sadly a problem with ALL the animatronics... not just him. Hopefully, with his experimentation and tinkering, he can share his secrets with his friends to prevent anymore hiccups like as of late. He intended on telling his friends everything he's doing, just not yet. Not until he's sure he can give them as well as himself a way out.

Back in the present, Bonnie watched the clock turn; unable to take his eyes off the fazwatch and his own internal timer. This time, he planned to be on time for their date. He didn't want to see anyone else disappear because of his tardiness- as he suspected the ghost rabbit will make happen if she got annoyed enough. He had no intention of bending over backwards neither- but if he had too, he'd only do so to such an extent.

Still... there was the problem of his door being locked. He couldn't exactly leave his room if the technicians have his door sealed and him under strict supervision. He'd been pondering this quandary; the rabbit wondering if he can find a way to mess with it somehow. Eyeing his timer again, he got up and clawed at the lock anxiously. He snarled, then looked up in the corner of his room-

The camera. He definitely knew its been tinkered with. He had no doubt if Vanessa was here tonight, she was watching him right now. And if she was the rabbit woman, she'll let him out in time for the date itself. She wouldn't want him to be late.

But, what was the chance that won't happen? Bonnie wasn't too sure; so he's left with anxiously pacing his room like a trapped animal and scowling at the door as if mentally willing it to yield to his command (he was actually the system digitally trying to find the program that enabled certain locks on the Glamrocks' rooms). He hadn't even gotten a message yet from the ghost rabbit- no idea where he could go or what to do tonight. Did she have some other fucked-up date night planned?

He almost didn't doubt that... so he supposed he could sit back down and stop pawing at the door like a dog begging its owner to be out. He just needed to wait. And Bonnie was nothing, if not patient. The problem was he was rightfully nervous and unable to sit still this time around even while he was actively trying to hack again.

With Monty under lock-down... she'll likely keep him in his own room at the golf course. And the Daycare attendant may stay trapped in the daycare tonight. I will be utterly alone. God, this is gonna suck, He observed dryly.

So, he almost counted on the door being open in the next few minutes. She didn't seem keen on missing out on frustrating and terrifying him- all he had to do was wait-

He stood in the middle of the room, his eyes now on the camera again and unblinking in their trajectory. As a bot, Bonnie or the others didn't have to blink. It's just an automatic cue to make them seem more organic. So he just stared mutinously into the lens, giving whoever was on the other side the staring contest of a lifetime. He did nothing else- just stared while internally checking his routines. He wanted whoever was on its other side to feel uncomfortable.

Its only a matter of time.

KNOCK KNOCK.

Bonnie jumped; startled out of his imposed staring contest as he flicked an annoyed ear at the door. "Whose it-?" He barked in a noticeably annoyed tone.

The door opened- with the rabbit wondering if it's one of his own friends who just let themselves in. However, none of his pals had the authority to unlock him from his room right now. Moreover, they'd need permission and a pass to do so. So no, this wasn't one of his friends-

It was their manager, Mr. Cromwell.

The rabbit felt his ears lower, his maroon gaze locked onto the man with his nose twitching rapidly. "Er, sir," he greeted awkwardly. "What're you doin' here after hours? Doncha have a life at home or somethin'?"

The man- again, always dressed somewhat formally despite the environment he works in, walked in and shut the door. Bonnie once again found himself unable to say his name... that was a part of his programming he'll have to muss over when he got the chance. As it were, he was very clean in appearance; smiling constantly and primly with his hands folded behind his back.

He walked around Bonnie's 'green' room; eyeing up the plushies and remaining enigmatically silent for a long minute. He even went and picked up one of the plushies; turning it over slowly and then chose to look at the real thing like he just remembered he's there. The atmosphere in Bonnie's room couldn't have felt thicker than Chica's Chowda soup.

"You've been very busy," he casually but bluntly pointed out as a way of greeting.

Bonnie's ears kept falling lower and lower until the brackets holding the appendages met their absolute limit; holding themselves aloft roughly parallel to the ground. Nose and whiskers still twitching, he said nothing.

"I told you to stop, you know," he continued levelly.

Still no reply.

The manager sighed and turned the plush over, his almond eyes so dark they looked almost a pure onyx. His average skin tone was too stark against his gaze and brunette, neatly combed hair; giving him a half-complete, skull-like appearance. Not for the first time, Bonnie found this man just too creepy to look at. So, the rabbit looked away in submission.

The manager continued, "I'm curious about you, see. You've been... especially busy and active. I know you all are a curious bunch- it comes with intelligence. Its natural." He shrugged, taking one ear on the plush and tugging on it. "-However, you know there is a price that comes with being too intelligent, yes?"

The rabbit nodded, "Yes sir. I uh... I hear tell, that while its a price, it can be its own reward too. Is it not?"

Cromwell pulled the ear a bit more forcefully this time; with a small tearing noise escaping it. Bonnie felt something in his motor skip.

"I'm just saying," the other continued, his mellowed croon of a timbre continued to grease the rabbit's ears. "-That whatever you're looking for, I don't think you'll be satisfied by it. It's also not in your jurisdiction to worry about it! It is your job to sit back, relax, and play your bass-" He motioned at Bonnie's forgotten instrument in the corner of the room with the plush, then continued to knead the half-torn ear in his hand. "I don't think you'd want to continue what you're doing, Bonnie. You'll just be left disquieted by it, unsatisfied. There is no justice or long-winded pursuit here to be found. Don't you know?"

"Er... 'justice'? What?"

"Don't feign innocence, Bonnie. I know you, Moon and Monty are skulking around," He continued, tone sharper than before. "You know I don't appreciate out-of-character behavior from the cast we have. That's a broken rule- and you know how we feel about the rules being broken. Surely, you recall the 'Fox in the henhouse' rule we have?"

The rabbit frowned, his stare piercing even though he knew it could get him into trouble. Well, more in trouble. "I wish I can say, sir. But You kinda... I dunno, deleted certain logs from the record that make it hard for us to learn such lessons when we don't have an example to draw from," He shrugged casually. "Forgive the insolence, but it stems from ignorance. You control our memories and delete so many things from us- and yet you expect us to keep obeying some unspoken rule like we can properly understand without context?" The rabbit smartly quipped back; even if it was to his detriment.

Cromwell snickered, "I suppose that's true, but need I remind you that you should still know better than to deliberately go out of your way to break not just one rule, but a BUNCH at once that you already know the context for? Like say, hurting other bots, damaging property, and so on?"

The buck snorted once. Were they still even talking about Foxy? Bonnie didn't remember anything about him, as a side note; but he knew enough that he should be keeping his nose better clean- not that Bonnie was doing such a thing. They both knew Bonnie shouldn't be trying to deviate too much-

But that ghost rabbit couldn't be ignored.

A sigh, and then Bonnie said, "I believe I also recall that its in my programming to be a part-time security bot? Not just a musician."

"Hm. True, but-" Cromwell shook his head, "And I also suppose it's still up to you after a point to know when to cease when told to. Not like any of the humans here can make you physically stop, as you know. Ah, but-" He waggled a chastising finger, "You still should be minding some rules when its meant to keep more than just yourself safe, as you know?"

"...Yes, sir. I know."

"And yet you wish to proceed?"

No reply there.

The manager petted the plush, ambling around in that one spot for a whole minute before he seemed to scratch something up. He bobbed a shoulder, producing some sort of thoughtful noise. "Going back to the original point: Its not untrue- intelligence is both price and reward in equal measure. Its what gave man our ability to create new life- synthetic life. Life like yourself-" He gesticulated lazily to him. "Intelligence is part of evolution. And technology is an extension of that. So, would that make technology a part of nature in some sort of, long-winded sense? Or is technology a perversion of the natural world? Would it count as an extension of nature so long as we don't take from it? Or is that complete and utter malarkey? What do you think?"

"I don't know, sir. I suppose that comes to what the individual thinks. Topics like that are hotly debated as it is," Bonnie reciprocated uneasily, recalling what some of his patrons say whenever they see a fully sentient robot meandering around like its totally normal. Some of the people who come here find his existence... unnerving.

Still, was Cromwell going somewhere with this?

"Hm, perhaps. I wonder that myself on and off. But as it were-" The man bobbed his shoulders again, "Our founders believed it to be so. They believed in breathing life into metal. They believed in it so earnestly, one can say that zeal was contagious. Some of us here, we wish the same as they did. 'The show must go on,' they once said." He paused before Bonnie, "But I digress. These tired, old but fervent souls have long since left us their will to keep the show going. Their zeal and their will -as well as their process of creation- continues to drive us into making more intelligent beings like yourself. We make you and will into you the very magic that eludes our fingertips; but you only simulate life- not completely breathe it. You still lack the essence that makes you completely human in your metal hearts. And no, I do not speak of your unnaturally colored shell and animistic attributes either."

He stepped even closer to the 8 foot animatronic; the bot fighting the desire to move away as he did. He was so close now that Bonnie can count his eye lashes.

"You are but polished, luculent representations of innocence and phantasmal whimsy; objects of desire and fortune that many a man cannot achieve on their own. You are flawed as we are, but not as axiomatic as we. You are, in some way or another, a testament to our own flaws as well as equal parts success." He leaned in, his obsidian gaze an immaculate, lacquered darkness within itself, "Technology made into being; a being that can act and think for itself! The natural next step in our progress towards perfection of the human condition. To be the dreams and delights of children that we as the parents are not capable of representing. That is what you are."

He stepped back again- leaving the wordless bot's space.

"I digress, again. You continue towards an end that is quite organic- to achieve full sentience. That is more than what we could've hoped for. But, there is a limit to be had here, and I believe you may have crossed that threshold at some point with your proactive tampering of your own programming- to which I am aware of," He gestured to Bonnie again. "It is here I have to emphasize, Bonnie, that you cease with this searching around and rearranging yourself to such an extent. If this continues, you will only destroy yourself. Unless that is what you want, I would have to dissuade you from further action."

"...You clearly do not want me wandering around the PizzaPlex freely," Bonnie dead-panned, leaning right back into the man's disgustingly immaculate face. "Am I not allowed to see my own home? The only world we'll ever know? Am I really not allowed to have that when you all so tightly control our lives as is? You've designed us with the ability to better ourselves with feedback, critique, adjustment, and investigation- and yet you discourage it at the same time. Now I'm confused, sir."

The manager closed his eyes there- having the seeming appearance of sympathy- though Bonnie knew it was the opposite. He was succeeding in annoying him.

Good.

"Perhaps... but I do have to forewarn you then, if you must insist on this-" He inhaled, held, then went on with, "The same portent of knowledge that comes with exploration, irrefutable truth that it can be, would always mean something different to another person- and by extension, the weight of its brevity. They will do something different with the same truth they are given each time. This also comes natural, in hindsight. With this said, what it means to you, and what it means to me will always be different."

The rabbit said nothing to this, his red eyes going to the plush replica of himself and watching as his boss continued to ever-so-gently pull its left ear off. It was a very slow and methodical process. The tearing was the only noise that can be heard for that extended moment; the manager waiting until he's finished tearing the left ear off completely before continuing on.

"-Whatever you find here, Bonnie- whatever elusive, strange thing you find, keep it with you and hold it close. Others may not have the capacity to carry such heavily burdened truths as we can. You know?" He flopped the now severed ear around; then just casually dropped it to the floor. "And when you catch your quarry, you cannot say we didn't warn you."

There was silence for a pregnant moment; the rabbit unable to sever eye contact with the manager. How is this guy beating him in his own game of not blinking? Humans BLINK. Bots didn't! BLINK, Cromwell.

"Anyways!" He turned the plush over and checked the time on his own watch. "You are right; it is late. And my wife had a plate of dinner leftover for me for when I got home- which I should've done 2 hours ago. Its cold by now..." He shrugged, turning towards the door. He tossed the now one-eared toy to the floor, "Ah well... guess I'll finally take your advice and head home."

He placed his hand on the handle mechanism, then turned back to the bot.

"And please, Bonnie. Do try to keep the collateral damage to a minimum, hm? Its rather tiresome trying to clean up after Monty as is... but now you? Never figured you the destructive type." He paused, put a contemplative finger to his chin, then said, "Oh and... goodnight. We'll be running normally after the Maintenance period ends. I don't think I'll be seeing you around too soon... as I have a trip planned. Do be sure to keep your nose cleaner, hm? It'd be a shame if Freddy's right-hand man had to... retire, from the occupation. You know?"

And with that, he left; and Bonnie couldn't help but notice he left the door ajar.

~Night 3. Time stamp: 12:10 am~

Bonnie's feet dragged noticeably as he headed towards Roxy Raceway.

The ghost rabbit had FINALLY pinged him on where to go tonight- via message and not through camera or live feed this time. It seemed she was feeling under the weather- too bad. He couldn't claw up - horrible pun intended- any fucks to give. Considering her idea of fun was torturing people and using their remains as a trophy, he wasn't going to give any quarter once it called for it.

And boy, tonight will be the kicker for him- not that it already wasn't when his mind floated back to the manager's words.

Cromwell knew about the ghost rabbit. He knew about her. He'd been telling Bonnie -albeit off-handedly- to stop searching for her.

Bonnie was no fool: He couldn't help but be more sure now than ever that the manager wanted this woman to stay. For what reason? Well, there's a reason why the manager gave him that spiel earlier. It was a cautionary warning that Bonnie knew both he and the manager knew he'd not the take the word of. Bonnie's exploration was a thing he wanted to discourage, but he won't impede. Bonnie was a forward, and aggressive bot by nature. That was the dead truth.

-Which had the rabbit wondering why Cromwell hadn't gone to extremes to halt his search completely. Did the manager really think a not-so-thinly veiled assurance would be enough to dissuade Bonnie's sévir? It seemed rather low ball in all actuality... but it goes to show that perhaps Bonnie and the others had more freedom than they thought- and it all came with a hefty price tag and a greater amount of courage to seize than one would think. After all, there was a reason why they weren't programmed to NOT go back to the padded rooms.

Bonnie, among others, hated those rooms. His earliest memories of his life was there- he knew that was where their first signs of sentience began to bloom. This was before they got their shells and became who they were. But like human children, the memories were distorted and unclear. About as tangible as a mountain peak mired almost completely in fog. Those rooms made Bonnie severely uncomfortable with being in Parts & Service some of the time- and it messed with their heads.

So why did they not program barriers to inhibit them from doing more things, like the censor filter?

Well, they figured exploration was its own punishment. And sometimes the only way to learn was via experience. So what the bot has to go through a tiny bout of potential insanity or hysteria if they go where they shouldn't? They're replaceable at the end of the day if they get physically and/or emotionally broken enough.

Back in the present, Bonnie filed out into the area; his maroon gaze piercing as he eyed the entirety of the raceway. He hadn't been back here that much since Freddy's rescue; and he could see that the construction work has never been finished. The S.T.A.F.F bots don't do as good a job as the human workers- they just aren't that bright. But, the human workers weren't allowed in here anymore- or else they end up like Mendez and Gordon. So the stupid bots were all what Fazbear Entertainment had left to finish the work.

There was a few vehicles everywhere- mostly things like forklifts and cement pourers. He also noted the alarming amount of cement bags and scaffolding waiting to be used- and haven't been touched in a while, evidently. Bonnie raised a brow at that, tip-toeing cautiously into the open and in view of a camera. His ears swiveled; but he didn't catch anything completely abnormal yet. He doubted the rabbit woman would be here in person tonight- but one never knew.

He went to the spectator stands; lifting the watch in his paw (as his wrist was too big to wear it) and eyeing up the instructions. She wanted him to take a seat too? Hm. She apparently liked spectacle, so he supposed that's where its going to head for tonight. He hoped he wouldn't be seeing Roxy on the raceway though- as the idea of dealing with his friends being hacked again was bothersome enough.

He sat at the front row, as instructed, and waited.

And he didn't have to wait for long.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" The handunit voice. Bonnie flicked an ear in annoyance at it. "-Freddy Fazbear's mega PizzaPlex would like to welcome you to today's greatest event! We hope you grabbed some popcorn or some other confectionary treat (also on sale during live events)- because today's race will REALLY knock your socks off-"

"They seriously gotta change this guy's intro. That doesn't hype up the crowd enough... I can see what Roxy means now," he groaned. He then yelled at the handunit, "YO DUDE! YOU'RE BORING! SHUT UP ALREADY!"

The handunit went on, then cut to static- and as soon as that happened, Bonnie knew he was in for a real tone changer.

And then, he heard her voice:

"I believe you're right... I think its time for a little transition. Because honestly, that voice annoys me too. So, shall we?"

"Aw... shit in my soup. I really shoulda kept my mouth shut," Bonnie groaned. He glared up at the ceiling and wherever there was cameras he knew had visual; flashing his teeth and standing stiffly like he wanted to run out already. "Where the heck are you!?"

"Be still, and keep your tail in those seats-" she began with an eerie calm that, had he not known better, wouldn't suggest she was injured in the least. Her voice was its usual teasing lilt; airy and flirty as she went on. "-Because today, my special guest, we have some really exciting stakes to raise! Keep your eyes on the track."

Bonnie looked down; and, to his surprise, he saw two karts race out and make part of a circuit as if to showcase themselves. It'd take some squinting for him to see that not all was what it seemed. He frowned, then felt his motor stop cold in his chest-

One kart was Bonnie-themed- that wasn't unusual. A lot of the karts here were themed like the characters; with Bonnie's particular one being an electric blue with red lightning bolts on the hood and star decal flying from the front tires as if in place of flames. However, the other one was crudely painted; a re-purposed Chica themed kart that's been done in white, grey and patchwork shades as if spray-painted; an atrocious imitation of the rabbit lady's face done in purple on the hood.

Bonnie wasn't eyeing the crude pain job however- as his eyes sharpened upon what was forcefully tied to the steering wheels:

There was driver assist bots, yes, but what they had in their arms wriggled and whimpered in their grasp. There was knives tied to the bots as well; all prodding and poking at vital areas of their precious assisted drivers- said drivers being actual live children.

Bonnie went to jump down there- but then heard on the loud speaker, "Not-uh-uh! Naughty naughty. What did I say about that that tail staying in the seat? If you move, I'll program those drivers to do MORE than drive. Get my drift? Ha... drift! I made a funny."

His mouth fell open, then he found himself staring at the track again in helpless horror. The S.T.A.F.F driver assist bots seemed to look up at him directly just as they heard their controller make the command. They did nothing else, but the weird way their flat, staring eyes seemed to glow did more than unnerve the rabbit.

The children meanwhile was a boy and a girl; in the respective vehicles too. The girl in the re-purposed Chica kart and the vice versa. Bonnie was further horrified to see that he can recognize one of them.

"BRIGID!" He bellowed.

The tiny girl he hadn't seen in quite some time, but she was patron of the Bowling Alley. Bonnie even remembered how she liked her ice cream; and she'd been there to ask if Bonnie was okay when he spaced out after Trisha talked to him. However way she got here, Bonnie did not know- but he DID know that he couldn't let her stay stuck to that knife-wielding driver assist bot.

The boy he didn't recognize at all- and from the dirty look of him, likely a street kid. Or a kid with really bad parents... But nonetheless, Bonnie found his hands crushing the guard rail in front of him; the metal warping under pressure until it was nearly and utterly pulverized by the sheer amount of force he exerted. Bonnie's system warred with itself; the rabbit trying not to slip into Security mode the longer he eyed them.

"The rules are simple," The vicious rabbit bitch went on. Huh. Guess she upgraded to 'vicious bitch' now. "-Whoever crashes first is the loser! The losing car will represent you and I, respectively. And If I win, I get ALL your lives- the children, as well as you, sweet blue bunny boy. And if your kart wins, I'll let them go. Maybe. Given I'm not too bored..."

Bonnie's eyes were pretty much not just red colored, but seeing red now. Steam billowed from his maw and nose, the rabbit's gaze locked sharply onto the karts below. If ANY child crashed in those, they get sliced up! And whose to say the rabbit woman won't cheat again?

Actually, he counted on that: Seeing as its likely she was in control of the cars and can make them lose or win if she wished. And considering both of them cheated last night, Bonnie can imagine this would not bode well for anyone present. She may feel particularly spiteful this eve for that nasty injury he gave her... and worse still, these children may only be here because he wounded her.

He banged a curled fist onto the rail; completely breaking it as he weighed on this. He now wanted to send Moon a ping but the ghost rabbit warned him about it. What the hell was he supposed to do now? Monty can't come either... not like his presence would improve things. Worse yet, he recalled abruptly that Monty was in lockdown- and Moon likely was too.

"Let the race begin!" She blithely bellowed.

The cars revved; Bonnie feeling nothing but liquid cold seep into his processor as he watched both children go screaming down the track- literally SCREAMING. The poor things were terrified! And within reason, Bonnie just couldn't SIT THERE.

His brain snapped onto a prompt and strangely intelligent solution: He'd sit back and hack his way through this one. There was no dancing bug to stop him tonight.

If she wants to cheat, he'll keep cheating back. After all, it was her who threw the first stone when she used Monty a couple nights ago to prematurely try to end his life.

He inhaled; forcing his own motor to stop whirring so forcefully. It was leaving him feeling not only physically but emotionally hot under the collar. He scanned his Hud; not sure as to what he can do here. She's likely using some kind of control module or wireless signal... if that's even the case, then was she aware of the fact Bonnie had been upgrading himself and changing his protocols around?

...No. Maybe? Most likely... She wouldn't though, would she? Vanessa knows I can do it, so it stands to chance that she likely knows I can hack. If she does know that, had she still not prepared for it tonight?

He wasn't sure, but he guessed regardless of the fact she knew or not, this was the night to do it. It'll put her on guard once he gets control of even ONE of the karts, without a shadow of a doubt, but those children will be saved. He HAD to hack again, even if it meant inciting her wrath. There was also the chance she knew he was going to do it anyways and was WAITING for him for to start doing it... but its not like Bonnie could achieve anything by NOT hacking. Waiting around until she inevitably got bored by his inability to do anything was just asking for it.

Those children had to LIVE.

Another inhalation, then the bot started running a plethora of programs as he sat stiffly in his seat. His fingers- god, they actually trembled as he watched both his Hud and the screaming children wailing across his screen. He couldn't cheer; as he was too choked-up to open his fuming muzzle. This rabbit bitch was getting TOO extreme and it couldn't hurt more.

Keeping his face as largely schooled as he can manage (which wasn't super well), he watched the children complete lap one- no hiccups yet. They've gotten to a point where they were likely hoarse from screaming, and the sound definitely would not scrub itself from his ears as he watched them nearly finish lap 2 with no horrifying hurdles-

Yeah, his mind just had to go there when a random S.T.A.F.F bot rolled out into the track and throw some plush toys in the way. And really? Bonnie plush toys? Tasteless. She was just rubbing it in at this point- flaunting her power at him even though he was the one who wounded her.

This woman really is too extreme to be letting go. She must DIE, he thought as he watched. He then vehemently swore, I will catch you, and you will NEVER get out of here unless its in a body bag. Hell, there won't even be enough left of you for the worms to eat.

Bonnie jumped to the edge of his seat when the boy's car clipped the toys and he began to drag terribly across the track; but thank god, the speed on them was manageable. He was able to reclaim control and keep rolling. No doubt the bunny woman will get bored before long however- and she inevitably speeds up the karts.

As if on cue; BOTH went marginally faster; and now that Bonnie was clocking their speed as they passed him, he could see she's been notching up the speed with each completed circuit. It would not take long until they slipped on the mangled toys-

"Come on," He hissed to himself. "Fucking work. Fucking work."

His compressor whined when his next inhalation grew strangled; the rabbit gritting his teeth as he found the program he'd been looking for. It paid to fuss with his defensive protocol today while he'd been sitting in his recharge station. He was able to find the signal and commune with it; and it was manipulating the karts, as expected. Bonnie flicked an ear in whatever direction he figured the signal could be- but he wasn't advanced enough to route out its source. He also didn't care; he needed control of those cars RIGHT now.

So he started hijacking them- eyes studiously focused on the vehicles themselves as they once again picked up speed- lap 4 done. The rabbit woman's cart slipped; poor Brigid screaming her five-year old head off. Bonnie almost left his seat; but he had to keep himself rooted there before the ghost rabbit decided to throw them into the wall out of spite. His hands found more railing; his claws and near Monty-level strength ripping into the guard rail anew-

That's when he got it. He got it! He got control of one of the karts!

"Now to turn this around," he muttered to himself.

He got the boy's cart; not Brigid's as of yet. As Brigid began to slid precariously closer to the wall, he willed the boy's kart into its side; straightening it and keeping her in the middle of the road. Risky move and it no doubt frightened the children more, but it kept them relatively stable. It's all he can do. His motor was running hot now- steam billowing from his nostrils as he focused on the other car.

"Oh you- How'd you do that? How did you-"

The surprise in her tone- did she NOT know he could do that? He could've SWORN Vanessa knew? Or was it simply a matter that she thought her protection from him was good enough to thwart him?

Well, whatever it was, she did know now just how capable he was. Not great.

Bonnie ignored it for the moment; his eyes unblinking as he helped the kids complete their 6th circuit.

"You lousy cheat! You do this EVERY time... guess we won't ever play fair, will we?"

Again, no reply.

"Don't ignore me! Why are you so calm? Scream! GET ANGRY! Arg... That's your last mistake, you big blue bastard!"

Brigid's car did something unpredictable; it actually came to a nearly dead STOP. The force almost hurled the child head-over-wheels; lurching the vehicle violently forward with enough force to remove the back wheels from the road completely. The boy's kart sailed down the track past it.

"Good. I had a better idea, since you're so keen on constant cheating," she spat childishly.

Bonnie was horrified to see that now the child was driving backwards.

"DUDE!" he shouted at the loudspeaker and camera. "ARE YOU FUCKING YANKING ME?"

"Weeeeeeee! This is actually much more exciting now! Thanks for the idea!"

Bonnie focused on the road again; moving the boy's kart again as Brigid started to drive backwards towards him- and shit! She would've careened RIGHT into Bonnie's kart had he not been paying attention! The ghost rabbit kept trying for a head-on collision; or rather, rear-end and bumper? How does one even describe this bitch of a race? Bonnie carefully moved the boy's kart to the side while he strained to hack the module on the other.

"Fuck me," he breathed as another plume sailed from his mouth. 'Core temperature rising' read out on his Hud. "Fuck me fuck me fuck me fuck me-"

Another close call; and Brigid was back at the horrifying speed she's been in for the last few minutes. The girl was so terrified at this point she couldn't even scream anymore. The boy meanwhile seemed to notice that his kart was behaving differently; turning his frantic face towards Bonnie with eyes full of hopeful, shining tears.

Bonnie will never again forget that look on that kid's face; the look of someone who wanted so desperately to be saved and knew he in the process of being rescued.

He will not let those kids down.

"Come on-" He told himself as Brigid nearly sailed into the boy again.

"Come on... CRASH ALREADY."

Funny how she said that nearly at the same time he did; but he ignored that as he directed the boy's car out of the way again. The rabbit woman's impatience was tangible now; and it would've no doubt put vomit into Bonnie's mouth, given he had the gut to choke up the bile. His ears leaned fully forward now- the universal rabbit-sign of danger as he struggled to get a hold of Brigid's car. The woman was actively fighting him for control of it- she definitely noticed he was hacking it now. He fought his motor and processing all the while; wishing he was more advanced than he was-

"I've had enough. NOW I'm bored and annoyed by your resistance. Say bye-bye!"

Bonnie's eyes pinned to pricks as he leapt from the seat in response- watching Brigid's vehicle make a disasterous right turn-

She really was going to die!

And Bonnie couldn't have saved her quick-enough-

That is, until a violently orange streak jumped into the track and beat him to it.

Bonnie landed right onto the track and gasped when Brigid's car collided with his best friend's torso- Freddy having caught the vehicle and throwing his hands around its middle with claws snapping over the girl with freak speed that even Bonnie didn't think Freddy had. The bear put the kart back onto the ground; his eyes a frantic sea of barely-contained panic as he went to extract the driver bot. Bonnie had hacked it too late- but he'd made sure it wouldn't stab the child as Freddy freed her.

"Brigid!" Bonnie ran up to both her and the kart he controlled; having gently rolled the boy's own up to him. He freed the boy now; pulling him into his arms and running up to Freddy next. His maroon eyes scanned the girl; minor lacerations from where the devious machine had cut at certain turns during her high speed circuit.

Freddy blinked up at Bonnie, his expression harder than rock when they caught eyes. His cerulean stare went around the track, then circled back to his friend.

And all he said was, "Find her. Drag her out here to me. NOW."

There was something absolutely primal in the bear's baritone; how it deepened into something like gravel cracking over rock at high speed. The rasp and scrape of metal grinding on metal; a cold kiss of steel edging his vehement words that could chill anyone who heard it. It was a literal growl that shook the air between them; prompting all eyes to snap to him.

Bonnie felt his ears pivot all the way back in fear- yes, actual FEAR; nodding grimly and handing the children off to Freddy without complaint or parting words. He had to pry the boy off; who whined and attempted to snag him again, but Bonnie coaxed him with a passing touch and flexed his ears back into scanning position. They swiveled everywhere; eventually finding something interesting-

Now he looked up.

He could hear it- it was subtle, at first, but it was her fucking heartbeat and breathing. The karts have been drowning it out until now. His maroon eyes widened when he looked up into the winner's ring above the track- the completely windowed platform that was held loftily over the entire raceway.

They even caught each other's eyes- the rabbit woman booking it out of the area so fast Bonnie barely had time to muster some torque into his joints for the ULTIMATE leap:

He jumped; having climbed a whopping two stories into the air and prompting a whine and snap from one of the brackets in his legs- not that he cared. He actually crashed RIGHT into the winner's circle; glass shards flying everywhere all over the couches and the Roxy trophy in the center. Bonnie snarled and snapped his jaws; heat rising in increasing intervals in his breast as he surged in the direction she vanished into. He smelled her out- the scent of a recently patched wound and disinfectant strong and astringent in his muzzle. He could almost taste it in the roof of his mouth- which he somewhat could considering the placement of the olfactory sensors and how they are tied to his whiskers as well.

And speaking of which-

Now he figured out how to USE those.

In Security Mode, it dawned on him: He'd never have to use it before until now, but his whiskers HELPED with pressure sensitivity. His eyes went blank as he felt and smelt where she went- her pulse jacked up and frantic as she continued to run. Bonnie was on her in a moment; His claws ripping into hallway corners as he surged into the branching corridors. He used his claws to help steer him with his own momentum; unable to see anything but red as he roared after her. Steam flew in overwhelming clouds at this point from every orifice in his body.

She will fucking DIE.

She had an escape route planned, apparently- as she slid like a baseball player into an open air vent and had the audacity to wave as she did. Like a true expert, she slid into the hole in the wall and took a corner in it- disappearing from his sight entirely. Bonnie crashed straight into the wall and snapped his teeth wildly; an angry ball of blue and red steel and flying claws. He reached vainly for her inside the vent- claws graze aluminum sheets and ripped new holes into the ventilation; the rabbit smashing his face and shoulders crazily into the aperture.

After a moment of this, he wound himself out of Security Mode and SCREAMED into the shaft- throwing every kind of swear he could muster under the sun in her shadow.

No more fucking prisoners. This was now war.

Freddy was LIVID- and Bonnie had never seen such a thing before. No one here in any part of history has ever seen it.

He stood imposing and gigantic over the authorities; his cerulean baby blues colder than sub-zero ice as he glared into the eyes of their employers as they feebly tried to explain to the cops what happened- only to come up short. Cromwell had gone home earlier, so he wasn't present.

No security on standby. Their second-to-last last officer was Vanessa, and she apparently wasn't supposed be in right now due to an unexpected injury (though Bonnie knew better- she was definitely pretending to be absent now). The other officer clocked in around 11 PM, but hadn't been seen since. This other officer was, as far as Bonnie knew, an innocent bystander named Matthew Callers; a decent man who, now that Bonnie thought about it, hadn't been heard from for the last few hours and SHOULD be standing here, right now, with them. Talking to the cops about what he saw on the cameras, and helping to pass the children off into safe hands.

But he wasn't, and the cops were already believing its HIM who abducted the kids and strapped them in for a joy ride. And no doubt, the poor bastard would be blamed for a crime he didn't commit when this was all done and dusted.

Bonnie snapped his maroon eyes to Freddy; who returned the look. They exchanged messages digitally and through body language; the two not saying more as needed. It seemed Freddy had followed Bonnie after a while; waiting a few minutes to give Bonnie a head-start before following him and potentially alerting his sensitive hearing. Freddy regretted not following sooner, but Bonnie quietly allayed that the bear made the smart decision. It saved Brigid's life as a result.

Anyways, the cops didn't seem too interested in speaking to them as they were with the other human staff; but the pair stayed put until further command. One officer in particular finally deigned it needed to ask for THEIR account on this; surprising them. Freddy and Bonnie were property at the end of the day- things with no real valid opinions. So sometimes, when people want to hear what they have to say, it usually and under better circumstances delighted them.

So, Bonnie gave his most on-point account. It sounded insane, but he HAD to mention the rabbit woman. He told them about her and what he knew. And as he suspected, they seemed dismissive. He only had his words backed up the children's accounts; although he knew at the end of the day, the cops would only take in the missing Matthew in cuffs- and its a given he even shows up again. Freddy too did his best to back up his pal, but he's never seen the ghost rabbit before- only heard her voice on the speaker.

They'd be there until the sun rose the next day- and Brigid would've gone home. The girl's mother thanked Freddy and Bonnie profusely- crying and hugging and crying again for saving her girl. She even hugged the BOTS! Freddy and Bonnie were surprised but returned the weeping woman's gratitude with a hug in edgewise.

"I will not forget this," she said to them before she would walk away from the PizzaPlex forever.

It would be the last time Bonnie ever saw Brigid- as he knew the girl was legitimately too terrified and traumatized of coming back to this horrid place. He understood perfectly though, and wished to hug the girl fare-well- but she was too out of it to do anything but stare. Her mother however shook Bonnie's hand in the girl's place of a hug- it wasn't much, but it was something.

As for the boy... well, he was indeed an urchin with no clear background beyond the fact he's run away from the orphanage on the other side of town recently. He was picked up and carted off; although, before he left, he requested to see Bonnie one last time. Their employers said no but the cops let the boy have his way.

The boy's name turned out to be Jacob; the kid running over and throwing his arms around Bonnie while sobbing softly into his waist. Bonnie knew the kid won't ever make it back to the PizzaPlex again- which was a bitter feeling. No money for admission or a family to take him here. He was only here because the rabbit woman abducted him.

So, she's street hunting too, Bonnie inwardly logged after Jacob's words.

Jacob wouldn't let go for the longest minute; crying into the rabbit's stomach hatch and thanking him over and over. Bonnie would kneel down, stroke his head, and return the bitter embrace- wishing desperately that he didn't have to see children flee from his life all the time.

Just as Jacob got pulled away by a cop, Bonnie was surprised when Freddy stopped them one last time. He gave the boy a Bonnie plush he had in his stomach hatch- something the boy or bot didn't expect. Bonnie cocked an eye-lid at Freddy and would've smirked if it hadn't been for the circumstances.

Does Freddy really just carry Bonnie toys around some of the time? The rabbit couldn't help thinking somewhat snidely.

The bear coughed when Bonnie tossed a crooked smirk at him discreetly.

Jacob hugged it; crying into its soft head and thanking both of the bots again. He was teary-eyed to hell and back, but thankful to have met them. He also hugged Freddy in-turn; then followed the cops to the car so to be returned to the orphanage. Just as he was about to get into the car, Jacob faced them and smiled wetly.

"I think I have a new favorite," he jubilantly told the rabbit.

Whenever a child announces they have a favorite bot, the bots get a reward prompt in their system. Bonnie couldn't help but look away sheepishly when Jacob kept his eyes on him.

"I wanna see you again one day," Jacob told him him. "I WILL. Somehow."

"I'd prefer you stay safe and stay away from here," Bonnie rasped back. "Please; don't ever come back if it means you'd be safe."

"Safety's over-rated, and its never actually been real, huh?" Jacob waved off. "If we lived our lives thinking we were safe, we'd all stayed blind, and I'd still be in bed at the orphanage."

Bonnie blinked at the kid's words as he finally went into the car.

No, there really is no such thing as safety, is there? He could not help agreeing as he saw the car disappear into the early morning glare.

It would take a while before things settled down again at the PizzaPlex that day; and sadly, security officer Matthew would never be found ever again. Bonnie suspected the rabbit woman did to him as she almost did to Jacob and Brigid. The cops would figure he was on the run from the law and wouldn't come sniffing around the premises again. The bassist was royally pissed about the fact another person had indeed vanished right under his nose tonight, even though the children had been saved.

She'd taken another human life that night, and they never even knew. They've been so focused on the children, that they didn't suspect it.

Now, more than ever, Bonnie knew trying to get that woman thrown into jail wasn't good enough. After what she just did to those kids and Mathew, there was no way in hell Bonnie will let that slide.

~Some few hours later, sometime around noon~

So, now he found himself in his room again; pretty much ignoring the entire world at large as he fussed with his programming again. He mulled over his Security Mode; trying his best to troubleshoot the bugs in it ahead of time. He wasn't even using rest mode anymore; paranoid that the woman would try to hack him in his sleep. He doubted she'd succeed, but no way he's going to risk it.

Another knock sounded at his door; and then, Monty poked his huge snout into the frame. Looks like he wasn't in Lock-down anymore.

"Heya," He croaked, awkwardly, as if still trying to parse out how to be nice. "Doin' okay?"

"Could be better," the rabbit reluctantly admitted; checking the time on his Hud. Almost noon. He should be resting since the PizzaPlex was closed for the day... emphasis on 'should'.

Monty gazed around the room, then invited himself in and shut the door behind him. "I uh... heard about what happened. Wish I dind't miss it."

"Probably better you did," Bonnie heaved as he kept his arms folded under his head on the couch. He looked relaxed, but that couldn't be more a lie. "If you saw what that vile woman did, you'd flip out so hard, you'd COMBUST from sheer rage! I actually nearly did myself!" He pointed a claw at his breastplate, where there was a notoble smell of burnt wires hanging around in the air. "I might hafta visit Roxy again!"

Monty actually puckered up his expression and fluttered his eyes like he was dizzy from the thought alone. "Jeez. I don't envy that, I'll hafta admit. So uh, need me to help ya instead?"

"Nah. I took care of my leg already. Pulled a couple brackets loose. Nuthin' big." Bonnie shrugged his shoulders, "Easy peasy fix."

"Ya told dem cops about the woman?"

"Yeah, but they think its Matthew- the other security officer! My god, if he's ever found again they'll put cuffs on the poor guy! Fuck ME," Bonnie pulled a pillow over his face.

The gator sidled in and sat placidly on the floor. "I'm sorry Moon and I couldn't help. He was really pissed, lemme tall ya. He was hopping around those vents all night!"

"He got out of the daycare?"

Monty snorted, throwing a cheeky wink, "He's sneaky. A real piece of work. Says his room behind the daycare has a vent and door in it- it was locked at first, but he found some child's plastic toy and used it to break the lock. Smart fella."

"Huh," Bonnie blinked, raising a brow there. "I actually... huh."

Monty bobbed his head, then continued with, "Anyways... I know its not much but-" There was a smile in the gator's voice- or at least, part of one. "-Moon thinks he's got something. He's been finding some of the areas she likes to creep around at. In some areas of Parts & Services, she's been spray painting in some of the Endo's rooms. An ugly bunny face? And here's the kicker-"

He leaned in. "Her name. She, in all her arrogant stupidity, graffitied it into some obscure room off our maps. Her name, is Vanny."

Bonnie threw the pillow off and stared so hard at the gator, the reptile may even melt from its intensity alone. "Show me," was his hardened words.

Monty nodded, then got up to lead him out. Just as he touched the door, Bonnie stopped him for another second.

"By the way," he said to the gator. "I want to do something while we're in Parts & Service. Can ya help me out?"

"What're you figurin'?"

Bonnie's smile was absolutely acidic in reply. "Pet project," was his cryptic response. "Also, I think I'll take you up on your offer... about the er... upgrades? You said you had a spare set of strength augmentation available or somethin'?"

"Yeah! I mean, I still got yer leg springs... I think its fair that you get my upper body stuff too for this job. Still remembering the DJ thing..." He put a talon to his jaw. "You havin' my strength augmentation would probably save yer life again if I can't jump in."

"Yeah. Thanks man," Bonnie patted his shoulder.

I guess Monty's okay after all, he couldn't help realizing. Oh god, I'm growing ATTACHED! EW.

He tried to shake it off, but it didn't work. So he went on with, "Okay, so, I think there's something else we need to do before this whole thing escalates further. But I need to know your thoughts on it personally too... any staff in Parts & Service right now?"

"No, actually. And if there is, they ain't clocked back in from lunch," Monty shrugged.

"Good. Then we have some time," Bonnie smirked as he patted the gator on the shoulder ye again, following him out the room. He sealed his door shut; locking it as he did. And all the while he'd been talking to Monty, he'd hacked the video feed in the cameras nearby and shut them ALL off.

Yup, he's gotten better. And he was going to abuse the absolute HELL out of it.