Mable: I think this still counts as 'next week' right? XD It looks like I'm taking in my computer on Monday, so hopefully this is enough for if the next chapter is a few days off as well. We'll see! Hopefully it'll be a quick turnaround. Enjoy!
Going Home in a Box
Chapter Forty-Nine
Mike might've sounded tired on the phone, but he looked downright exhausted in person.
He had called a little before noon claiming he had wanted to come into work and ended up replacing Fritz when he went with Natalie to the Pizzaplex. He had insisted on it, and he seemed alert enough when he had come in. Though he had been nursing a cup of coffee so that could've been helping him through. He intended on going right back and finishing out the shift, letting Fritz and Natalie have an afternoon together.
Except he looked like he was barely going to make it through the following conversation with Scott. He didn't look alert enough to even hold a conversation, let alone formulate some kind of plan to crack the case of the elusive security footage. Fritz and Natalie quietly exchanged concerns through brief words and looks.
Eventually Fritz tried to broach the subject with a, "How are you holding up?"
Mike gave a noncommittal, "I'm standing," and shrugged the question off.
Normally Fritz was fine with Mike's sarcastic non-answers, but in this case, he found his friend and business partner's state incredibly concerning.
But before they could dwell on it, the front door opened for them. It was Scott who answered and greeted them with a smile and a, "Hey, you three. Come on in!"
From his lack of surprise, it was evident that Mike must have called him beforehand. From his lack of unease or tenseness of any kind, Mike must've left out most of the details. Fritz saw him take notice of Mike's state. He gave him a onceover as he passed by and his smile softened with sympathy, and he stepped aside to let Fritz and Natalie through before shutting and locking the door behind them.
Ennard and Baby were both waiting for them in the living room. Baby was sitting on the couch with her claw in her lap and her hand resting on it while Ennard stood beside the couch, leaning on the back on his elbow.
Fritz's eyes were also drawn by an unexpected pink color and spotted the third animatronic present. It was the Bonnie hand puppet he had heard about but hadn't seen. She noticed his eyes fall on her and froze in place, staring back with wide unblinking eyes with the slightest of trembles shifting through her. Almost like she was vibrating for a second.
"Well, well, well! Look who's come crawling back to the Clown House," Ennard greeted in a playfully evil voice. Rubbing his hands together and cackling deviously. "I knew you'd be back! They ALWAYS come back! Ahahaha!"
"It's great to be here. Really," Fritz played along.
The pink bunny jumped when he started talking and suddenly lost her nerve. She turned and buried herself behind the pillow beside her, pushing it up the block her from view and even pulling her ears in. Not that it did much to hide her. Natalie gave a little 'aww' from beside him, so she must've noticed it too.
"Good afternoon, Mike, Natalie, Fritz. It is a pleasure," Baby politely greeted. "No Charlie or Marion today?"
"Still at the pizzeria," Mike answered.
"Good to see you too, Baby. How's it been?" Natalie greeted.
"Quiet, thankfully. Until you showed up, but I suppose that is to be expected."
Everyone in that room had become accustomed to Baby's eloquence and knew not to take her seriously.
"Can I get you anything?" Scott offered. Mike, tired and possibly missing that he was referring to a drink, cut straight to the chase.
"We need your help," he said, pointing at the older man with both hands. "You said something about having a buddy on the inside of Freddy's, right?"
"Pretty much. He's a former employee from back when I was working there… which he had to leave off his resume to get the job. But yeah, we're still friends," Scott answered.
"Which means he would have an employee account. That's what we're looking for," Mike explained.
"Sure!…Well, technically I have an employee account too."
"What? How did that happen?" Mike asked in disbelief.
"So, remember how I have a Fazbear Entertainment email account? Yeah, I just used that and pretended I forgot my password for my employee login and ended up, you know, making an employee login. Heh, not sure how I managed to slip that one past them. But, uh, all it really does is let me get to a few more sections of the Fazbear Entertainment website. It's not really good for anything."
"It might be good for one thing," Natalie said, perking up at the mention of this extra account. "Do you have any idea what your security clearance could be? Or your friend's?"
"Security clearance? I… I have no idea. I don't even know if they were doing security clearance when I was working there. It was just a pizzeria… with a really high mortality rate," Scott awkwardly admitted. "I don't even know how the company's run now. They're not hiring old employees and they're not run by any of the old owners as far as I know, so there'd be no reason to put in my information."
"But they might if they have your email," Natalie said matter-of-factly.
"…Good point. Yeah, they might."
"That's downright brilliant. Forget the person on the inside. YOU'RE on the inside," Mike complimented. Scott smiled at that.
"In which case if they did have your credentials, do you think you'd have any sort of security clearance?" Natalie asked. Scott's smile waned.
"Well… Maybe. I-I did hold a management role for a while- but that could just as easily give me no security clearance. I mean, you can't really say the Freddy's were ran well," Scott explained. He seemed a little more off-put by the line of questioning, though less by their bluntness and more with what he had to be out with. He stole a look to Ennard before offering, "But that guy's working there as a technician, I think. Something like that. He probably has real clearance. Like, clearance that's not going to buckle the second they realize he's not actually an employee."
"That's a good point too. Alright, then we'll stick to him. Do you think there's any way you can ask your buddy for his login information?" Mike asked.
"…Suuure, but what's this all about? Before I go and ask him, I mean. What's going on?" Scott asked. He was finally starting to catch on, his voice holding a shred of suspicion. The concerned kind, like he could tell that last night had happened.
Well, of course he could. It was written all over Mike's face. Underlining along the dark marks under his eyes. Mike looked to Natalie who gestured a hand either as a shrug or a 'go ahead', to which he decided to.
"We're trying to get security footage out of the Pizzaplex. Natalie's login kept bringing up an error and the only other security guard didn't have a high enough clearance, so we're looking for another way in."
"And I find it very suspicious that I'm the only one who can't get in. Unless his login was a fluke, but I'm thinking it might've been more than that," Natalie said. "I'm already on the verge of being framed and blackmailed."
"Wait, you're trying to get security footage?" Scott asked in surprise. "Why, to delete it?"
"Can't be that that. A little birdie told me that footage erases itself on its own," Ennard volunteered.
"No, we're not. We're going to try to get ahold of it and see if we can get evidence of Ness- Vanny… the rabbit woman who keeps messing up the cameras. There was an incident last night and she's gone too far. Now we have to deal with her, and since I couldn't get the footage myself, we're looking for other ways to get ahold of it. Otherwise, I'm going to have to smuggle a camera in there, cross my fingers, and hope she doesn't start swinging," Natalie laid out.
"Oh, that actually sounds pretty cute. A bubbly blond and a buxom bunny duking it out in the middle of a mall," Ennard joked coyly. Natalie gave him a look and he snickered a little. It almost seemed like the comment flew over his head until he ventured to ask, "Now how far was too far? Couldn't have been someone getting hurt, you guys seem a little too ehh… mellow. What was that a minute ago? Framed and blackmailed?"
"Yes," Natalie tiredly drawled.
"And you said her name is Vanny? Oh dear. I think I see the framing device as we speak," Baby remarked.
Natalie groaned and nodded. Fritz put an arm around her both for comfort and as a sort of protectiveness.
"But that's not even half of what happened last night. We have to get this woman off the street," Mike said. His tone expressing both his mental exhaustion and a degree of seriousness that clashed with the previously 'mellow' tone.
"What happened?" Scott asked soberly.
Mike almost went off into an explanation but stopped himself. His look of tiredness quickly shifting to concern.
"A lot happened," he simply said.
"Like…?" Scott coaxed.
"Like a lot of intense stuff. Stuff I know is going to freak you out, because it scared the hell out of me," Mike warned. He knew Scott especially would be a little more effected by the news- not that the present clowns would be any calmer- and wanted to give them a heads up before risking throwing them into a tizzy. "When I say it was bad, it was bad."
"What happened?" Baby spoke up. Her voice much more assertive, refusing to take a 'no' from this point, and that was what finally got the floodgates going. That and Scott giving an encouraging nod for him to continue.
"First off, I ran into her in the basement. Mari and I were down there with that kid whose been staying overnight at the Pizzaplex, Gregory, because Freddy had gone missing and a whole bunch of other stuff happened that I'll get into later. We got down there and got split up and she found Gregory and started chasing him when she ran into me. In fact, I know she's the one behind us getting split up, because she was holed up in an office watching us."
"And she is dressed like a rabbit," Scott confirmed, to which Mike agreed. "Is it an official Freddy's Bonnie suit? What color is it?"
"It looks like a knock-off. Might be for that bunny character they've got up on the bowling alley sign," Mike said.
"I think it's handmade. It's patchy and the seams look like they were done on the outside. Probably with a normal sewing machine," Natalie offered. "And because it's skintight I thought she wasn't carrying anything on her. But no! Turns out she either has an ankle strap or something on her boot, because she's carrying around a knife right down here." She leaned over to gesture to the general area.
"She has a knife?" Scott choked.
"Yes. It's a kitchen knife. I don't know if anyone told you, but there was a night where she set it out for me to find like she was taunting me. It's that same knife so apparently, she's still carrying it around on her."
"And she pulled it on Charlie and Jeremy," Mike said, ripping off the band-aid.
Scott all but sputtered for a response and Baby jolted with alarm
"She what?!" she cried.
"Mostly at Jeremy, but Charlie was there. She actually ran after her and smacked the knife right out of her hands," Mike said with a proud smile and a demonstrative swing of his hand. "She's got reflexes like her half-brother puppet twin."
That didn't really alleviate anyone's concerns, even with the laid implications that everyone was alright. Alas, that wasn't the end of it either.
"…But that's not the worst part," Mike confessed, voice sobering and smile faltering. "…Something happened with Mari- he's not hurt, but there was an incident. One you're all going to be familiar with," he forewarned. He took a moment to breath and gather his thoughts before leading from a sigh into, "Mari went to scare her and when he touched her, he had the same reaction as he did to that Scarecrow Baby you guys had break in here… The only difference was that it was a lot worse. He was inconsolable. It totally put him out of commission and even after it started to wear off it was a while before he could even stand on his own two feet… It was pretty terrible."
The words didn't even matter. It was clear from the way Mike stared off into the carpet that what he had seen had severely upset him. Scott could tell right away, shaking off his shock to reach out for his shoulder. That sort of snapped Mike out of it and he gave an appreciative nod, took another deep breath, and continued.
"We're starting to toss around the idea that she might be possessed. Both because of what happened with Mari and because Charlie said she saw her acting like she suddenly switched personalities," he said.
Fear passed over Scott's face, but he didn't have a chance to ask about his suspicions before he was beaten to it by another.
"Is it… him?" Baby quietly asked.
"No," Mike swiftly answered. "No. No way. Mari drowned him in some kind of spirit lake, I axed his computer tower, and we torched the remains out in Silver Reef. Mari just said this felt like whatever was in that Baby."
"But wasn't that… wasn't that me?" she asked, her voice still soft.
"No, that… That's not what it was," Scott managed. Knowing very well what he had seen and heard but not wanting to dredge up old worries in regards to this new one. "This has- This is something different. She's not an animatronic and you're not… there's no way. It has to be a something else."
"I'm not saying it's connected to Scarecrow Baby at all. Not with how much more intense this one was, and there's the fact she's a human," Mike added in. "I'm just saying what Mari said, that it feels like what happened then."
"Then who is this woman?!" Baby snapped. She reined herself in immediately afterwards, becoming self-conscious at how desperate her voice came out. She then said in a much more composed tone, "You said her name like you know her."
"I do. At least, I think I do," Natalie pitched in. "I'm almost certain Vanny is a girl name Ness who works at Fazbear Entertainment. You know: Van-Nessa. But that's not the only reason I think it. Ness has some issues with Freddy's. I know she's Wight's go-to girl, but I get the impression she doesn't want to be. Big fan of the old Freddy's, but she doesn't like what they're doing with the new one. Lives alone, doesn't really seem to spend a lot of time at home…" Natalie's eyes down casted in thought and concern. "…I thought she was just doing this as a way to get back at Freddy's, but it's beyond that now. It's… She's a danger. If not to other people, then definitely to herself."
"It's scary to think that she might be as much of a victim as everyone else," Fritz agreed.
Scott and Ennard were both silent. Scott still looking frazzled and the only noise coming from Ennard being the faint tightening of his wire coils. She wasn't sure what part of her explanation made them that concerned- Mike did, it was the fascination with the old Freddy's that raised the same alarm bells as the prospect of a psycho with a knife running around in a bunny suit. You couldn't get further down the rabbit hole than that.
Scott stared silently for a long moment, then inhaled deeply through his nose. It was noticeable enough that Ennard looked at him questioningly but was still wide-eyed and silent. Scott raised a hand as though preparing to say something, then rushed out a brisk, "I need a minute." He turned and started to head off towards the office, turning back to stop Ennard who was quick to follow. "I'll just be a minute. I just- I just need a second."
"No problem, no problem. You got it," Ennard assured. He watched him go alone into the office and could subtly hear the squeak of the office chair as he dropped into it. Probably with his head in his hands leaning forward on the crowded desk.
Ignoring that clear mental image, Ennard turned back towards the group before forcing an incredibly strained laugh.
"Ha ha, holy schnapps! She's… She's a real problem alright!" Ennard said. His voice dipping at the end. His tone dramatically dropping from strained faux amusement to dead seriousness. "She's a problem we're going to have to deal with."
"You better believe we do. She's dangerous and we have to do something before she does. That's why we need to get ahold of some kind of evidence that she's in there, so we can make it Wight's problem, so he'll do something about it. Or at least give her the okay to," Mike explained. He finished by pointing a thumb back at Natalie who nodded.
"Good! Because this is really, REALLY bad. Ha, it's so bad that I'd hate to ask what that 'other stuff' was!" Ennard said with a tense look in his eyes. His teeth practically grinding together. "…On an unrelated note, what was that 'other stuff'?"
"Monty Gator body slammed the Moon and we had to take him down and repair him in parts and service. THAT was also another degree of awful, but for totally different reasons... He's alright though. That's the best we can hope for."
"Oh. Well, okay. That really does count as 'other stuff'," Ennard agreed. His tension deflating slightly. "…I know this is a real bad time for this, but does he sound like me?"
"Ennard, this is quite possibly the worst time. The only way this could've possible been a worse time is if someone was actually stabbed," Baby said, sending him an unamused leer. He gave an apologetic, clownish little shrug.
"Ennie!" Bonnet whispered from behind the pillow. She reached an arm out towards him and patted on the couch. "Ennie, pick me up!"
"Sure thing, little buddy," Ennard agreed. He reached down and carefully grabbed her only to perch her on his hand. With him holding her by the attachment on the bottom that would've fitted into the end of Funtime Freddy's arm. She seemed to perk up a little being held up in his hand, swaying a little happily until she was unexpectedly held out. "Fritz, Natalie, this is Bonnet! Our youngest~," he introduced.
Bonnet squeaked and lifted her arms to hide behind her paws. Ennard pulled her back in, gently rubbing her between the ears.
"She's a little shy."
"She's very cute. It's nice to meet you too, Bonnet," Fritz greeted.
Natalie joining in with a little wave before unexpectedly adding on, "He does, actually. The Sun sounding like you? He must have some kind of Funtime Freddy voice box or something. There's a slight difference in inflection. It's hard to explain but if you two were in the same room, I don't think it'd be hard to tell you apart."
"And not when he's Moon. Moon sounds like you if you were a chain-smoker," Mike added.
"He already sounds like a ton of fun," Ennard quipped. He then got a sly look and turned to point at him. "Y'know, if you really need a camera that's gonna look past all that interference and see that buNNy, you've already got one. It's just gonna be a pain in the neck to get that footage out."
"What, you?" Mike guessed.
"No! Mari! He's got that facial recognition, right? Well, how d'ya think that technology works? It snaps pictures and lines 'em up with the data it's got. Sure, Mari's probably flushed out a lot of that stuff just being in the body, but that built-in camera system's still in there, and that means there's a way to get that info out… But probably not without a massive headache. Ha, literally!"
Mike had never been so torn on an idea the second he heard it. That was actually an ingenious idea on how to get footage, but the thought of having to get invasive to get it instantly soured his stomach.
"Good idea, but let's not get desperate. There's got to be another way."
"Eh, there probably is. If she's got something on her that's warping the- the cameras…" Ennard trailed off as he heard movement in the office. He turned his head towards the door and watched as Scott came back out. He looked a little more recollected, but there was something weird in his eyes. A sort of steadfastness that wasn't usually there. One Ennard only recognized because he saw his act that night at the Fitzsimmons' house.
"I sent him an email. It's going to be a while before he gets back to me. Some nights he works until eleven, so we'll see... Should be before midnight though, hopefully," Scott got out. He coughed a little. "Which I guess means that you guys might be going back tonight?"
"Looks like it," Mike agreed.
Fritz frowned at the sound of that.
"I'm-…" Scott trailed off while still paused in midsentence. Finger raised, lips parted, hesitating long enough to get another deep breath before finishing. "I'm going in with you," he rushed out.
That surprised everyone- well, except for Mike. Though he was largely tipped off by the question that proceeded it. Ennard might've been too by his somewhat delayed reaction; still looking tense but no gasp or exclaim of shock.
"What?" Not like Baby's. "Why would you want to do that? There is a psychopath running around in there."
"I know," Scott said. "I know…"
"…That doesn't answer my question," Baby flatly pressed.
"I just… I can help. I feel like I should help. I'll… I'll go in with you, I'll put in the logins, and that way if we get caught nobody has to take the heat except me. A former employee who weaseled his way back into the company. And, uh… I feel like I should do something… I stood by too long and let William do what he did. If this is how I make up for that, then that's what I'm going to do. I'm probably not sleeping tonight anyways, so why not?" Scott finished with a slight smile.
It was completely understandable. Even for Baby, who turned away with a huff but did not argue with him. They knew why Scott would be driven by guilt and responsibility.
Except for Ennard, who bought it initially until he was about halfway through Scott's explanation. There was something in that tone that tipped off something else was at play. He was a little too open, like he was covering for something else. Ennard had known him long enough to pick up Scott's little quirks, and that was one of them. He rambled when he was nervous, when he was stressed, and when he was covering.
"If it's okay with you, Natalie," Scott added. All eyes went to the blond and she considered it.
"Well… You know what? It's fine by me. Obviously, they're not checking the security cameras anyway and Mike was able to lie his way out of trouble, so if that's what you want… then I'll back you up. If you get caught, I'll say I let you in. They won't ask questions- the animatronics won't," Natalie agreed.
"Thank you. I appreciate it, really I do."
Ennard snapped out of his thoughts and back into character, feigning excitement as he threw an arm around Scott's shoulder.
"Ah ha, YES! Then that settles it! Look out, Freddy and Friends- the circus is coming to clown!" he proclaimed. Bonnet gave an excited little cheer as well, waving her arms excitedly.
"…So, uh. As much as I love 'I'm' being 'us', I just meant me," Scott admitted.
"Oh, I know," Ennard said. He gave him a wink. "But we're a package deal."
"That sounds like- is that a threat?" he half-joked.
"Ha ha, yes!" Ennard agreed with a sharp smile. "…Or a promise. Sounds a little more kid friendly."
Scott still managed to smile, but then gave a deflated sort of sigh. "Ennard…" He gently uncoiled the clown's arm from around his shoulders but held his hand in both of his, squeezing enough to be surely felt through the glove. "I know you're worried, but I think I should do this on my own. You know, with all that's going on."
"See, I disagree. I think it would be a really, really, really bad idea to let you go alone into a place like that with a bunny like that," Ennard said, voice strained. Scott didn't seem won over, so he leaned in and lowered his voice, pleading his case. "I'll be on my best behavior. No bunny hunting unless she walks right up to me, and even then, I'll only body slam her once."
"Ennard-."
"Ignore that. Y-You know me, I've always got a punchline! But I'm being serious, Scott. I think I should be in running distance if something goes wrong," Ennard insisted. "…I'm willing to hang out in the car."
Scott decided at that moment, with Ennard's pleading eyes and encouraging tone, that he wasn't in a place to judge. Not when Ennard could be so sure and things could still go amiss due to no fault of his own, like with the trip to Fairyland. He looked to Natalie for her answer, as did everyone else once again. She pursed her lips at being put on the spot once more.
"You're the lady in charge, Natty. What you say goes," Ennard encouraged. Possibly trying to butter her up.
Natalie was less than impressed with the effort. "Normally I'd say you're risking getting us all caught but considering it's this hard to get footage, chances are you're probably not," she said cynically. Ennard gave Scott an eager look and Natalie quickly amended, "But that doesn't mean I think you should do it! It's different for Mari and Charlie. For one thing, they're not wearing bright colors. Green and yellow is the most inconspicuous color combination ever."
"It's too late. You already said what he wanted to hear," Baby sighed. "I don't even understand why we are obligated to go."
"You don't have to go, Baby," Scott reminded, sounding even more nervous at her sudden addition. "It's probably best if you didn't…?"
"I don't feel safe letting you two go alone. I know how to handle myself. I have no intention of being seen by anyone I don't want to see me."
"So, you're both going. That's great," Natalie said tiredly. She considered this for a long moment, looking between the two of them, and came to a decision. "Then let's cut a deal. I'll agree to you both coming… IF you stick to the daycare."
"The daycare? Why on earth is that?" Baby asked with slight aghast. "I suppose to be babysat by the Sun. Or perhaps Jake."
"For safety reasons. The daycare has plenty of places to hide and the band barely visits. Plus, the music in there drowns out most of the noise. Nobody's going to hear something and run in there, but if they do, there's a good chance you'll hear them and have time to hide a lot quicker than you would somewhere else," Natalie laid out. "After the amount of crazy last night, it's just not safe for any outside animatronics to get caught wandering around. Daycare or bust."
"Hmm. Very well. I don't feel like being interrogated by Fashion Foul," Baby agreed.
"Ooo, that's a good one," Ennard complimented.
"Thank you. I've been waiting to use it."
Scott was the one who looked the most hesitant now. He turned to Ennard and Baby, who noticed and looked back at him expectantly, awaiting his call.
"…Alright. We can all go- but we can't afford to let this get as out of hand as Fairyland, okay? We barely got out of there without getting caught," Scott reminded. He looked specifically towards Baby. "I know how you feel about Chica, but if she shows up, you're going to have to-."
"I can control myself. I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize us," Baby affirmed him. Then after a beat gave a firm, "I promise."
Scott believed her fully and gave her an appreciative smile.
"What about me, Ennie? Can I come too?" Bonnet asked excitedly.
"Ha ha! Aww, little buddy. You know I'd be lost without ya!" Ennard replied. He lifted her up and bumped their noses with double squeaks. "…But no. You're going to stay right here, all safe and cozy.~"
"Wh-What? But… But I want to come! Why can't I come? I'm small! Nobody will notice me!" Bonnet insisted.
"Because, Bon-Bon, you'll get yourself all scuffed up crawling around those hard floors," Ennard reminded. Bonnet's arms and ears drooped with disappointment. "But you're going to have the house to yourself! Isn't that neat? And I've got a super important job for you-!"
"Is it to record your shows?" Bonnet asked with a pout.
"Oh, uh… Heh, no! No, no. I need you to keep the kitties company! They get awful lonely without Scottie here." Ennard leaned in next to Scott, pulling him in with their still conjoined hands. Likely trying to get him to back him up.
Though while that was going on, Fritz cleared his throat, catching the attention of both Mike and Natalie. Baby too, but she silently watched.
"Mike, can I talk to you for a second?" he broached.
"Sure," Mike agreed. He stepped back to stand alongside him and Natalie.
"Err, outside?" Fritz pointed a thumb back towards the door. The younger man quirked a brow.
"Sure," he agreed again. Now he was anticipating a significantly louder talk, but he didn't expect that from Fritz. The two stepped outside and stood on the front step.
"Mike, I don't think-," Fritz began and cut off when he noticed a woman gardening the next lawn over, watching them. He waved with a smile, Mike turning and doing the same, which the woman returned before going back to her gardening. He began again though much quieter, "I don't think you should go back to Freddy's tonight."
"I know last night was a bit of a fiasco, but I'm going to be a lot more careful. We need to at least try to get that footage," Mike said. "Look, maybe we can ask Scott to stay back."
"He's not what I'm concerned about, you are. When was the last time you slept?"
"This morning."
"Good sleep. Not just three or four hours."
Mike paused for a moment too long and Fritz face furrowed further.
"This is what I'm talking about. You can't keep doing a double shift, you're wearing yourself out," Fritz said. His tone migrating out of tentative broaching to firm concern.
"I know that. I'll get in a long nap before tonight," Mike agreed. His lack of an argument being a dead giveaway for how tired he was.
"Mike, you're barely awake. A nap and a full night of running from robots and crazies isn't going to cover it."
"Well, what am I supposed to do? If Scott's going then Mari's going, and now Ennard and Baby are going, so add in Charlie, possibly Foxy. This isn't the night for me to tap out. Not after what happened last night."
Mike's exasperation was obvious, and he did raise a good point. Likely Jeremy wasn't going back, but Fritz would've been even more nervous about him going after the knife incident. He knew Natalie could handle most of it, but she couldn't play the role of Pizzaplex protector and friend of Foxy's at the same time. Ennard and Baby could be trusted to listen to what Scott said, and they were supposedly inconspicuous even though they looked as subtle as a circus tent.
Someone really needed to be there. Fritz knew what he was leading towards and took the plunge before he could reconsider.
"I'll tell you what, I'll go. You stay home and get some rest," he offered.
"…I can't let you do that."
"Yes, you can. It gives me an excuse to go in and peep at my girlfriend," Fritz lightly joked. Mike looked hesitant and he put a hand on his shoulder and beat him to it. "Just let me do this for you. You've been carrying a lot of the craziness from Freddy's since it opened. I can handle one night."
Mike sighed and considered it a minute longer. Shoving his hands into his pockets and considering whether he wanted to hand over control. Marionette going back in after last night, let alone without him, made him especially antsy, but he trusted Fritz. He knew that Fritz was more than qualified to handle the task, and in his current state he wouldn't be reliable. Finally, he gave a nod.
"You're right. Okay, you have my blessing," Mike agreed.
"I'll keep a close eye on Mari. Any sign of trouble and I'll round everyone up and split."
"That's probably what I should've done last night… I know you've got this, and if anything crops up you can always call me."
To which Fritz agreed, even if Mike wasn't sure if he would. It was hard for him to hand over the reins, but at this point he was so worn out that he knew he would be a detriment. He wasn't going to protect anybody.
Sure, he could've asked Marionette not to go and likely he and maybe Charlie wouldn't, but he didn't know it he could do that either. He trusted Marionette's ability, regardless of what happened to the rabbit, and he knew he wasn't going to let anyone go alone. Regardless of it was Scott or Scott, Ennard, his sister, and Fritz. For now, he followed back inside and decided to go ahead with this and hope he got a second wind before midnight.
Though considering that he was expected back at work after they finished up there, he wasn't counting on it. Instead, Mike would just buck up and put the last of his energy into work. It was the least he could do. It was the best he could offer.
In hindsight, it turned out to be a good choice. Fritz headed home with Natalie and prepared for the long night while Mike got back to Foxy's in time for the next party. Just in time to watch Marionette bring out the cake and present it to the birthday girl. Wearing his red ribbon and smiling happily as he did so, barely able to keep it close enough to his default smile to not tip off suspicion.
It was good to be back, for both of them.
Scott had already been nervous about this plan, but that was nothing compared to getting in the car and actually driving over to the Pizzaplex. Let alone when he pulled into the parking lot and his pulse rocketed. He had brought his medication for relaxing his nerves at Ennard's suggestion, but he would've been hard pressed to take it. He needed to stay alert for what was coming.
What was coming being a massive building looming on the other side of the parking lot.
Scott drove up beside the building and parked alongside of Fritz, who was already there. Seeing him pull up, Fritz got out and the back doors opened to reveal a thinly disguised Foxy. Though Scott knew he should go out to meet them, he remained stuck in the driver's seat. Having not even put the vehicle in part, let alone removing his hands from the wheel.
"It's not too late to back out, y'know."
Ennard's presence between the seats snapped Scott back into action. He parked the van and turned it off, readying himself to head in. "I, uh, I think it is," he tried to joke.
"Not yet it's not," the clown assured. He grabbed one of the radios out of the passenger's seat and shook it. "I can take the walkie-talkie with me, and you can tell me exactly where you want me. Simple as that!"
"I appreciate it and I know you'd do it. I trust you, but I… I've got to do this myself. It's not fair if I send you in to do it while I hide out here," Scott insisted. Quite literally swallowing down the shakiness in his voice.
He wasn't sure why this place made him so uncomfortable. Maybe because it was such a huge building; something about that alone made Scott both suspicious and uneasy. It must've been a huge company that absorbed Fazbear Entertainment, and a company with that much money to blow made him very nervous.
"M'kay. Whatever you need, I'm up for!" Ennard assured. As Scott leaned over to also grab the taser in the passenger's seat, Ennard pressed his mask to his cheek in a would-be kiss, signaled by a squeak.
Scott turned his head and returned it, feeling both assured and guilty at the same time.
Baby let herself out of the back while they were busy and rolled over to Foxy. She looked him up and down but said nothing.
"It's fer consistency more than disguise," Foxy explained.
"I can smell that."
"Stark difference to car exhaust, ain't it? 'Less Scott stopped parking in yer bedroom."
"Strong words for someone who sleeps behind a shower curtain."
"Sacrifices be made when ya own yer own business."
This back and forth continued for a while. Long enough that Marionette got out and gave the two a rather amused look that deflated the longer the exchange continued. It was nice to see the two bonding, but this bonding experience could've been equated to the two bopping each other with inflatable hammers. The mental image bringing back the smile as he started to head down along the building.
"Should we break them up?" Charlie asked jokingly.
"Not yet. This is the most they've talked in ages… We'll wait until it gets physical," Marionette replied. She jingled and he chimed in echo.
Fritz joined up with them along with Scott and Ennard. Surprisingly, unlike Scott himself, Fritz wasn't feeling nearly as nervous as he expected to. If anything, he was downright excited for all the wrong reasons. This had to be how Mike felt coming out here. He could understand the temptation; that mix of fear and excitement felt like it could quickly become addicting.
They followed Foxy and Marionette towards the vent they usually took to get in. Though as Marionette turned to approach it, Foxy stopped him.
"We ain't going that way, Lad,"
Marionette was surprised but quickly followed along behind him.
"You've got another plan?" he asked with a curious smile.
"Aye. Just 'round the back here," Foxy assured. He led them around to the back and after what felt like quite a hike, he saw what he was looking for, the shuttered loading dock doors. Along with a pair of familiar double doors left open. "Ah ha! There we are! Looks like 'ol Freddy pulled through."
Indeed, Freddy had left of the doors slightly open with a doorstop. He had also set a 'Sorry! We're closed' sign outside the opening. As though that would stop anyone from waltzing in like Foxy was about to do. He half-chuckled and set it aside, then led the group down the steps into the loading bay proper. He pointed out the kitchen and introduced them to the Pizzaplex's way of streamlining pizzas before taking them to the elevator.
It wasn't long until they were pushing through the double doors beside the snack bar that led into the atrium.
"Welcome to Freddy Fazbear's Mega Pizzaplex," Foxy introduced, spreading his arms wide. "Fazbear Entertainment's answer to Vegas, save that it's a good deal cheaper to go there."
While Baby's reaction to the enormous atrium was very much like her brothers' first time seeing it- a mix of awe and horror- Ennard distinctly lacked one of those.
"Ooooh-ho! Look at this place!" the clown gushed. Keeping his voice down but doing little to hold in his feelings as he looked at the neon lights in the dim room, at the massive spread of colorful decorations and spectacle. "Oh, it's so pretty!"
"I- wow- I, uh… I knew what this was going to be like but seeing it in person…" Scott looked around at it before turning slowly to Fritz. "…So, uh, mob money, right?"
"Nah, the government's got to be involved. Like this is all some kind of top-secret project funded by the government to see how far a person's willing to walk to get a corndog," Fritz retorted. That got a snicker out of Ennard.
"Jokes aside, did, uh… Did Wight ever mention a parent company?" Scott quietly asked. Fritz shook his head, leaving the older man to silently wonder.
Baby was still looking around in surprise. Her quietness tipping off the others that she was having some kind of reaction. Charlie decided to step in and hooked her arm through hers.
"I know it can be a lot to take in. How about we go for a spin on one of the rides? I think we're tall enough to ride that one," she said, pointing directly at the nearby escalators.
Maybe because of the audacity of the comment, but it actually roused a laugh out of Baby. Or maybe not quite a laugh, but something of a humored scoff.
"Tall enough, yes, but desperate enough? Give me a few hours to decide," Baby retorted.
Marionette chimed and looked to Foxy who looked pleased as well. Both of them overwhelmingly relieved at the somewhat pacified reaction for the moment. Even though it could change quickly in these circumstances.
Foxy then beckoned the group's attention. "A'right, here's where we split up. Smith, Scott, ye both follow me. Rest of you are goin' with Mari. If ya have to make a quick escape, remember the way we came and slip out the back."
"You planning on leaving us, Captain?" Ennard cheekily asked.
"If yer slow, yes."
The clown gave an 'eh' and waved him off before turning his attention to Scott who gave him a smile.
"Looks like this is where I leave you," he said. Ennard got a slightly concerned look to his eyes. "No, don't be like that. You know what I mean. We're just going over to, uh… whatever that place over there is called to check on the footage," he assured, vaguely pointing over.
"Rockstar Row," Foxy answered.
"Right, that."
"Okay, okay. I'm not gonna cling. Or stalk. Or any of that," Ennard agreed. He snatched up Scott's hand. "But if you need me, just give me a call and I'll be there in a jiffy!" he said, patting on his jacket where he had the radio stashed inside.
"Sure thing. Same goes to you and Baby. We're not going to be that far."
There was a hesitance to go ahead and go with how their fingers stayed interlocked. There was also some sort of tension and Scott knew he wasn't the only one feeling it. Not with that look in Ennard's eyes. He seemed especially concerned, beyond just getting caught, and it couldn't have been about the animatronics or else there was no way he would willingly leave Scott's side. No, it was something else.
He wondered if Ennard knew. He had trouble believing that he could know and wouldn't ask about it.
Or maybe it was as simple as Ennard being nervous to let him go off into such a big building. Scott definitely shared those feelings both ways. The touch offered comfort. Even something as basic as holding and squeezing hands offered a relief that only a human touch could- something Scott had learned in the years where he had been alone.
"You two have to let go of each other eventually," Fritz jokingly prodded.
That got them moving, if only because it reminded them that they had been silently standing there holding hands, giving each other increasingly nervous looks while friends and family watched them. They separated and divided up.
The small group of animatronics watched as Foxy led Fritz and Scott towards Rockstar Row. Exchanging a few brief waves between them before they got far enough that Marionette started to lead them on their way.
"Follow me. It's not very far," he directed. They did, walking down the stretch outside the Snack Bar.
"Looks like there's not as many Security Bots out tonight. I wonder if it's because of the accident earlier or if Natalie had them moved," Charlie said. Her arm still linked with Baby's, leading her along as she looked around suspiciously.
"I'm not sure. Either way it's good for us, unless they've all been relocated to the daycare as a safeguard to keep us from leaving," Marionette remarked. His voice brightened, "So, Baby, Ennard, what do you think so far?"
"I think… I think the entirety of Fairyland Park could fit inside this room alone," Baby said. "I suppose it is more like an amusement park than a… whatever this is supposed to be. Certainly not just a pizzeria."
"I think indoor amusement park is a pretty good description of it," Charlie agreed.
"How about you, Ennard? You're awfully quiet," Marionette said.
"Huh? Oh! Hah, sorry. Just got distracted by all this glitz!" Ennard excusing. Gesturing out his arms and spinning while still following after them, not tripping up on himself in the process. "I think it's in-credible! I can see why people get in here and forget all about Freddy's lengthy history of criminal negligence. I don't know if I've ever told you guys, but I LOVE spaced themed stuff."
"Really?" Marionette asked. Baby also gave a questioning hum.
"That's right! If I wasn't circus themed, I would be so deep in space right now."
Before anyone could dare make a comment on that statement, there was a thump somewhere in the distance and Marionette stopped short. His eyes affixing on the security door for Kids Cove, their upcoming destination. Though he wasn't the only one who heard it, with the other three stopping and staring as well.
Listening longer they heard some more bumping and thumping from that direction. Something was moving things around in Kids Cove. While Marionette could've believed it was Sunny or Moon, he wasn't even considering the idea of taking the chance. He looked around quickly and pointed them to the nearby elevator by the escalator. He didn't have to say anything more, they followed along as well and crammed inside.
After a short elevator ride, they stepped out on the higher level and continued on in the direction of the daycare. Now keeping completely silent, not risking so much as audible directions as they made their way down.
Marionette gestured for them to continue on while heading off in the direction of Kids Cove. He cautiously came up to the railing and looked down upon the playground. The source of the noise was immediately apparent.
Chica had discovered the hidey hole in the back of the pirate ship and was digging around inside. From the scattered trash at her feet and the smeared orange powder on her face it was clear that she discovered a little stash of snacks. Likely Gregory's stash, as Foxy had mentioned finding Gregory hanging around in here.
Marionette frowned with worry and frustration. Luckily it seemed that Gregory hadn't been caught or she would likely be chasing him instead of stuffing her face. That didn't make the situation any better though. Where would he hide now? He supposed that was something he would have to discuss with Sunny, Jake, and Freddy once he got a chance. For now, he drifted back from the railing and returned to the others who were waiting at the security door.
Once he made it back, Charlie stepped forward to activate the security door. Inwardly crossing her fingers with the hope that whatever was right nearby wouldn't hear them.
Alas, it couldn't be that easy.
"Greeeeegory? Is that you, Sweetie Pie?"
Baby went rigid and Ennard quickly caught her by the shoulders, either as a comfort or more likely as a precaution to keep her from doing anything he would regret. Charlie turned to Marionette to ask what to do and was beat to the punch.
"No, it's me!" Marionette called back in Natalie's voice. "I'm just doing my rounds."
"Oh! Miss Vanessa, hello!" Chica called back. "Your voice sounds funny. You getting enough sleep?"
"Sort of. I took a nap before I came and never really woke back up… Come get me if you find that kid, alright?"
"Will do, Boss!" Chica called up. She gave a soft titter and continued moving around, none the wiser to the fact that she had just been fooled.
Marionette did a sweeping beckon for the others and hurried in through the security door, with them following close behind him.
Nobody said anything. The closest thing was Baby's little huff when they came up on the stairs and she had to take the extra time to climb down sideways, Charlie holding her hand to held her keep her balance. It wasn't until they were through the next security door and in the safety of the lobby outside of the daycare that they felt comfortable speaking again. Though the reason was somewhat unexpected.
"If you two don't mind," Baby began, looking between Marionette and Charlie. "I need to speak to Ennard alone for a moment."
Both puppets looked at her. Marionette with a soft, "Oh?" and Charlie with a questioning look.
She was a bit insulted. "…Whatever you two are expecting, no. When I say speak, I mean talk. Not scheme, not run off after Chica, if that's what you think I plan on doing," she said.
"Sorry. We believe you, Baby. It was just so sudden… yeah," Charlie apologized awkwardly. "But it'll give us a second to tell Jake and Sunny we're here."
"Don't tell him I'm coming. I don't want him splitting before I get there," Ennard insisted.
She wasn't sure if that was such a good idea, obviously from the look on her face, but she and Marionette headed inside and let the two speak. Ennard turned to Baby.
"So, whatcha want to talk about?" he asked, clasping his hands together.
"I despise her."
"Now that's not a nice way to talk about your best friend."
"Stop that. You know I mean Chica," Baby huffed impatiently. "I heard her that night, you know. The night when Charlie was cornered in the restaurant? I could hear her in the background of the call, stomping around, searching for Charlie… and apparently pouring a gallon of liquid cheese down her throat."
"…Gee, you would think that would really gum up the works. Especially since that throat probably lets out into a bunch of vital wiring. Still, great way to die."
"I'm being serious!" Baby snapped.
"I know, I know! I'm just trying to get a couple of potshots off, that's all!" Ennard said, raising his hands in defense. He lowered one onto her shoulder. "I get it. You better believe I'm not her biggest fan. The only thing she's got going for her is that we never had to deal with a Funtime Chica."
"Hmm…" Baby looked aside.
"But, what're you gonna do? She's got a hard enough life being stuck here, so it's not like Miss Priss is hanging out in an ivory tower. Least you got that on her, right?"
"Yes, I suppose so," Baby quietly agreed.
There was a moment of quiet before Ennard gave her a thumbs up and then tilted it towards the daycare security door, inviting her to continue along. She nodded and was prepared to follow along with him. They got as far as turning.
"You're not the only one who doesn't like her."
The voice alone was enough to put the two on edge, because it was clearly the voice of a child. A human child, not a small animatronic mimicking one. Ennard snapped his head around while Baby turned hers much slower and both spotted someone stepping down from the edge of the fountain, having likely been hiding in it when they passed by.
It was a small boy with brown hair and a blue striped shirt. It had to be Gregory.
Ennard immediately sidestepped behind Baby and grabbed her by the shoulders. Though this time not just to hold her back but because of how startled he was at being caught. Both clowns silently stared at the child.
"Uh… Aren't you guys friends with Mari?" Gregory asked uneasily. Suddenly second-guessing his decision to reveal himself, which didn't go unnoticed by Ennard. He sprung back into performance mode.
"That's right! Ha ha, sorry for staring, Kiddo. You just spooked us a little. See, we're not supposed to be in here," Ennard finished in a whisper. He slowly released his hand from Baby's arm and then popped his hands on his hips. "So, you don't like her either, huh?"
"Are you kidding? I HATE her. She's awful! She's mean to Freddy, she's always chasing me around, and she's tearing up my secret lair right now! And she left this big bruise on my arm, and I've been getting funny looks all day because of it!" Gregory vented. He held out his arm so they could see the large bruise stretching across his skin.
Ennard's eyes widened at that. It was enough to get the rigidly stoic- who was frozen out of the fear that moving so much as an inch would suddenly unleash uncontrollable programming- Baby to react as well. She stared at that dark bruise.
"How did… she give you that?" she quietly asked.
"She dragged me up some stairs," Gregory complained.
"That's- That's really bad!" Ennard sympathized. "Wow! I think I might hate her too and I haven't even met her!"
"Believe me, you don't want to," Gregory huffed. He crossed his arms, wincing and readjusting when he accidentally bumped the bruise, and muttered, "I just wish I could give her a taste of her own medicine."
"…I know how that feels," Baby quietly admitted.
Ennard, sensing this conversation was about to go in a much worse direction, suddenly stepped back in. "Well, hey! Gives you a reason to pal around with us for the night! Err- and by 'us' I mean us and Mari and Charlie who are in the daycare right now. Come on, let's go add a couple more people to the room we're in," he suggested, pointing his thumb back again. At least that would take the edge off of Baby. His own programming was already numb enough that he was just very aware of the presence of a lone child instead of being any danger to him.
"Okay. I'm not going to make it to Freddy with stupid Chica running around, and I don't want to call him when I don't need him…" He didn't need to bother Freddy; he could take care of himself. "…Guess I have no choice."
…
Meanwhile, Marionette and Charlie had already made it into the daycare. Though awfully tempted to just take the shortcut down the slide, they decided to knock and be let in by Sunny proper. It seemed like the sort of thing Sunny would appreciate. Charlie had also radioed Jake when she had come in- then explained to Fritz that she was, in fact, not talking to him- and now she and Marionette were approaching the wooden doors.
One of the doors was sitting wide open, which was odd, but they assumed it was for them. What was much stranger was that there was no sign of Sunny himself.
"Sunny?" Marionette called. He drifted a little further in while looking around at the structures and over at the balcony. He expected to catch a glimpse of yellow but did not.
"He's probably still up with Jake," Charlie suggested. Not noticing something slowly creeping out from behind the door and up behind her. Instead noticing something on the nearby counter. "Are those his shoes?"
Something suddenly grabbed around her waist and hoisted her up. She gave a startled ring only to recognize the long, yellow glowing arms around her waist and the sound of ticking and rotating pieces against her back.
"SURPRISE! Welcome back, New Friend!" Sunny greeted excitedly.
He hugged her like one would a teddy bear, swinging her lightly in his arms before giving a small spin- his upper half only. It wasn't fast enough to be disorienting and he finished by letting her back down. Releasing her to clasp his hands together excitedly. He had removed the bells from his wrists as well, explaining his lack of jingling.
"I didn't expect you back so soon! Did you come to check up on little old me?" Sunny asked with a tilt of his head and roll of his points.
"That's half of it. But first: who are you and where is the real Sunny?" Charlie joked.
"Oh, it's still me! I just thought that maaaybe we could start all over again!" he asked. He twiddled his thumbs together. "I haven't forgotten last night, nope! No more slip-slipping back into old ways! At least, not with you, Jingle Bell. Can I call you that? That just came out, I won't call you that if you don't want me to. Nicknames aren't required! Err, but I must insist you use mine for obvious reasons."
"I don't mind it at all, Sunny," Charlie said with a smile. "And I think I would like that."
"Then follow my lead," Sunny instructed. He straightened up with his legs together, bowed forward, and offered her his hand. "My name's Sunny Dee! What's your name?"
"My name's Charlie. It's nice to meet you, Sunny," she played along. She took his hand and shook it, sealing their agreement.
Then Marionette came up and offered his hand and Sunny only processed it for a second before going ahead and taking his as well. Another agreement to start over, one that needed less introduction or explanation. At least, for now.
"I'm that mime thing from the Prize Corner. How do you do?" Marionette introduced.
"I do very good, thank you!" Sunny chirped with another dip of his points. "I'm that thing they let around children!"
Marionette chimed as he shook his hand. Once they separated, Sunny made his way to the counter where he pinched his bells and ribbons and pulled them out of his shoes.
"Now then, what really brings you back to my daycare?"
The next few minutes were spent catching up, explaining about the 'technicians' who were coming in to check the footage, and getting an assessment of Sunny. He seemed to be feeling better. If he was still in any pain, he wasn't saying as much. That aside, it was a surprisingly pleasant exchange.
That was, until they were interrupted by the sound of someone crashing into the ball pit. Sunny perked up and flipped his head back, rotating his face to look towards the back of the room.
"Hmm, did you hear that? I think a hungry little mouse might've come sneaking down the slide!" Sunny chirped. They had, naturally, told him about what Chica was doing so he was anticipating Gregory to either pop up here or head to Freddy. "I'll be back in a jiffy!" he chirped. He then began to skip across the daycare in long smooth strides.
Charlie had a suspicion of her own. "Do you think…?"
"Oh no. Probably not," Marionette said.
Sun skipped to the edge of the ball pit and peered over the walls lining it. A hand pressed to his forehead like he was peering out far over the ocean instead of a moat of plastic balls.
"Hmm, that's funny. I thought I heard a little fish hopping around in here, but I don't see anybody," Sunny said. Which was true, he couldn't see anybody, but from the slight shift of balls from when he approached, he knew where they were. He mimicked pulling up his non-existent sleeves and made grabby hands. "Guess I'm just going to have to do a little fishing of my own!"
He leaned over the wall and reached down slowly towards the rainbow-colored balls.
But then stopped a few inches above them and tilted his head. White eyes half-blackened in an unamused look.
"Oh, by the way. I know you're hiding in there, Sunspot," he said in a tone to match.
Suddenly a pair of white gloved hands shot out of the balls and caught him by the hands. The balls separating as a white clown mask poked through.
"What tipped you off?" Ennard teased.
Sunny gave a shrill shriek and yanked his limbs back. Pinwheeling and overcompensating, and landing on his backside on the padded floor.
"YOU?!" he cried. Ennard peeked over the wall after him. "Oh, no, no, no! You- YOU STAY BACK!" Sunny cried with a point.
The second Ennard stepped over the wall, not even quickly or in a threatening manner, Sun screeched and turned over, bolting to the closest play structure, and deftly climbing to the top.
"Probably not?" Charlie asked, hearing the commotion.
"Probably not Gregory," Marionette corrected.
Ennard could've easily followed Sunny up the playground but seeing as he was crouched on the top staring down like a cornered animal, he thought against doing that. Instead stopping at the bottom with his hands on his hips to look up at him.
"Aww, Buddy! It's okay! I promise I'm not gonna do anything weird. I just wanna look at ya!" Ennard called up. A teasing edge on his voice.
"I-I know EXACTLY what you do with animatronics, 'Buddy'!" Sunny cried back, pointing an accusatory finger down. "If you're so hungry, the kitchen's that-a way!" He pointed off towards somewhere.
"Ooo, so you do know me!" the clown answered. Him doing his best to study the lanky animatronic from this much of a distance. "And I don't eat animatronics! I just-… wait, what flavor are you again?"
Sunny did his best to glare at Ennard's teasing yet menacing grin when he heard the clatter of more balls in the pit. He looked up and all but choked as he saw Gregory wading through them towards the bridge.
"GREGORYYY, RUN!" he yelled.
Gregory stopped on the bridge to look up at him with confusion. He then looked to Ennard and then gave a sort of shrug.
"Okay," he said. Then he booked it past the both of them and towards the other side of the daycare where Marionette and Charlie still waited. Sunny dropping his arms in exasperation and Ennard snickering.
By time Gregory made it to the puppets it wasn't just him, as Baby had made her way down the stairs and met them at the door. She stepped- waddled more like- onto the padded floor before looking around at the colorful daycare with a look of surprise. Charlie thought she could detect the faintest look of wonder in her wide eyes- before she suddenly looked ahead in the direction of Ennard and Sunny's bickering.
She sighed and looked between Charlie and Marionette. "I apologize. You know I have no control over him."
"We knew what we were getting into when we brought him here," Charlie joked. Baby gave the lightest titter at that.
"Hello, Gregory. It's good to see you," Marionette greeted. He gave Gregory a big, and relieved smile. "I was worried about you after I saw Chica out in Kids Cove."
"She's got it out for me. But what're you guys doing back here?" Gregory asked.
"A friend of ours is trying to get footage of Vanny so that we may use it against her. So, we decided to stop by and check in on Sunny as we passed through," Marionette explained. He glanced down the daycare, pausing long enough to hear Sunny give a frustrated cry, and got a somewhat more embarrassed smile. "I suppose he was feeling a lot better before we showed up."
"Eh, he doesn't do anything but clean stuff all night anyways," Gregory said. He then looked past towards the door. "Oh, hey Jake."
The three others turned back to see Jake standing outside the door. He started to step closer only to take a half-step back at the sight of Baby's claw.
"Erm, uh- hey! You must be Baby," he greeted.
"And you must be Jake. It is a pleasure to finally meet you," Baby answered. She rested her claw at her side. "Don't be nervous. It doesn't go off on its own."
"No, it's cool! Sorry for staring, I just didn't expect it," Jake apologized. He tilted his head to get a better look. "…Actually, that's really cool. How'd you get that mounted like that?"
"Interlocking wires and some degree of patience. I'm fortunate it hasn't dropped off yet, honestly," Baby remarked. Placing her hand on her him as she lifted her claw and turned it over, looking over it and the wrist attachment.
"Don't joke like that. The second you say that it will," Charlie said.
"Why? You don't believe in karma," Baby tutted.
"No, but I believe in irony. I've seen enough of it in action," Charlie retorted.
"What… is… THAT?"
Sunny's voice cut from the top of the closest jungle gym behind them.
"He better not be talking about me," Baby said with a snap of her claw.
All of a sudden, Sunny dropped down behind Gregory. The boy tried to turn around only to be steered forward again. The target of his question revealed as he lifted up Gregory's arm and studied the sizable bruise.
Marionette gasped, having not noticed it until now. Being on the opposite arm, the only person with a clear view of it was the one crawling around nearby, and after the clowns' relatively calm reactions Gregory hadn't thought of having to hide it like he tried to do with the parents. Feeling self-conscious, he tried to pull out of Sunny's gentle but firm grasp.
"It's just a bruise. What's the big deal?" Gregory asked.
"The big- The big deal is this big bruise! Who gave this to you, huh? Who grabbed you?" Sunny asked. His voice was strange. A little more firm than usual and lacking all of its typical goofiness. It was jarring after the display just earlier.
"Chica did," Gregory said sourly.
"From last night…" Marionette realized. "When she was pulling you by the arm. Oh Gregory…"
"It's really no big deal. It's not like I'm bleeding or anything," Gregory dismissed. Finally shrugging enough to have Sunny let go, but the attendant then proceeded to catch him by the shoulders to keep him in place.
"That is exactly what bruising is, Sunspot. Bruising is bleeding under the skin," Sunny said lowly.
"Really? Cool."
"No, it is not cool!"
"What's going on?" Ennard asked as he walked up. Only to stop abruptly and stare at the back of Sunny's head. "Oh, wow. Now that's an accident waiting to happen," he warned, pointing at the bundle of wires plugging into the back.
Sunny flipped his head back and spun his faceplate to face him.
"Th-That's close enough!" he warned. Gregory sunk further back against his puffy pants as the Sun all but circled him, pulling him further underneath and away from the clown, who lifted his hands in defense and smoothly stepped aside.
"Ennard, leave that deranged cereal mascot alone," Baby sighed. Jake snickered.
Sunny let out a betrayed noise as he flipped his head back again.
"You'd be laughing if it wasn't about you," Jake offered.
"Waaait a second," Ennard interjected. He shook his finger at Jake as he carefully stepped closer, as to not spook him off. "I know that mask from somewhere…"
"From the dump?" Marionette guessed.
"Well, yeah. Most of the neat stuff I find comes out of the dump," Ennard replied with a nudge to the arm. He walked up to Jake, though stopped as close as Baby had. "You wouldn't happen to be recycled from another endo, were ya?"
"Sort of," Jake remarked. Then pointed down at his leg to clarify. "…But what you probably remember is what we used to look like. We've seen you before, at the dump," he tentatively continued. He pointed to his mask. "This mask was the face of an endoskeleton we shared."
"I remember you!" Ennard grinned with a knowingly look. "You were playing dead, weren't ya?"
"Guilty as charged!" Jake said with a little chuckle.
"Oh, I had a vibe. I noticed that funny masked endo ending up all over the dump. Either you were alive and I didn't know it or you were bait and I wasn't gonna risk it," Ennard joked. He had already noticed Jake was the same model as Sunny. "So, how'd you end up in here in one of those? Not a bad upgrade, by the way."
"Thanks. We had a friend-."
"Maybe we should take this conversation somewhere else?" Sunny asked, impatiently tapping his foot with his hands on his hips.
"Oh, right. Come on, guys! We can head back to our room and talk there."
"I meant more like one of the party rooms! I don't- Augh!" Sunny huffed. Gregory tried to sneak by to follow when Sunny suddenly spun in front of him. "Hey," he said. "I want you staying right beside me all night, got it?"
"I'm not going to do anything," Gregory grumbled.
"It's not you I'm worried about," Sunny answered in a similarly bothered done. He then cautiously followed the others out, putting aside his wariness of the clown, who had turned its attention towards Jake, for Jake's sake.
Gregory followed with them, but his mind was elsewhere. He hadn't realized that bruises were some kind of bleeding. It shouldn't have really mattered at this point, but somehow it made him even more upset about this whole thing. An ugly bruise was bad enough on his own without the knowledge that Chica yanked at him so hard that he bled without cuts or scrapes.
Though at this point, anything about Chica irritated Gregory. Everything had just been building up and festering over the last few days to the point where he could genuinely say that he hated her and was confident he meant it.
He really wished he could do something to get back at her. That he could grab and yank her arm and see how she liked it.
His eyes were drawn to that big claw mounted on Baby's arm and an idea started to form.
He waited though. Sunny was hovering and it wasn't until they were in the Fazbear Theater that he had gotten distracted by something else. That being him rushing in to speed clean before anyone could come in and see the mess of their room. Marionette was watching him closely but wasn't hovering and Baby was talking to Charlie. This was his moment to strike, and he walked up to her.
"Excuse me, Baby?" he asked. He didn't tend to find much of a use for politeness unless it was schmoozing adults. This seemed like a perfect time to do so. "Can I ask you a question? Over there, it's private."
He pointed back the way they came, down the catwalk that looked over the theater. It took a moment for Baby to reply, looking between him and the distance with an anxious flick of her eyes.
"…Alright," she agreed.
"Do you… want me to come with you?" Charlie asked. She seemed equally surprised at the notion.
"…No, I'll be fine. Let's go."
Baby wheeled after Gregory across the carpeted floor. He stole a look back and saw Ennard separate from Jake and start coming over. He worried he was going to follow and eavesdrop, but then he ended up stopping at Charlie. Both leaned on the railing, Charlie leaning back with her arms crossed and Ennard on his arm turned in their direction. They could be listening, Gregory decided, so he made sure to take Baby all the way to the entry of the confession stand.
"What did you need to ask me?" Baby asked. Her voice was quiet and tense, but Gregory paid it no mind.
"So… Look, I know you don't like Chica and I really don't like her. So, why don't we team up together and get back at her?" he asked. Her eyes widened even as the rest of her features stayed still. "I know it sounds crazy, but she's been going after me for days! She eats garbage, she's mean to Freddy, and she acts nice but she's really just a liar. We need to teach her a lesson!" he said, smacking his fist into his hand.
"Are you asking me to strongarm Chica for you?" Baby asked in utter befuddlement.
"No! I don't want to hurt Chica, I just want to scare her. Or make her look stupid. Let her know what it feels like to be chased around all the time."
Gregory wouldn't mind Chica getting yanked around a little though, but this didn't feel like a good time to bring it up.
"It's the only way I can stop her from chasing me and get back at her for what she's been doing. And you can get back at whatever she did to Charlie! Are you in?"
Baby looked at him for a long moment before closing her eyes with finality.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you."
"Why not?"
"I have made some mistakes in the past and I am trying to be a better person. I can't give into temptation, regardless of how much I do loathe that bird," Baby said. She finally opened her eyes, partially, and looked down at Gregory. She softened her voice and asked, "Why haven't you told Freddy about what she's been doing?"
"He won't believe me. She's like his girlfriend of whatever," Gregory grumbled.
"That's a shame. Maybe you should try to anyways. Or tell the night guard?"
"She's even worse than Chica!"
"I have trouble believing that," Baby said flatly. Though her voice eased up once more. "I am truly sorry. Someone should do something about her, but I can't be the one to do it."
Gregory couldn't really understand why she would say 'no', and he couldn't see how much resolve it took to say no. To him it seemed so cut and dry, but it could never be that easy. He couldn't blame her for not wanting to fight his battles.
"Fine. Don't worry about it, I'll figure something else out."
"Try to avoid her for now. She doesn't seem especially smart, so you shouldn't have a problem."
Baby led the way back to the others, moving a little quicker while Gregory lagged behind. He was a little worried she would immediately rat him out, but that didn't see to happen. Instead, Charlie offered her a hand, which Baby accepted, and they headed back towards the open door where Marionette and Jake were still waiting. Gregory continued to drag his feet after them.
"…I'll help you."
"What?" Gregory was stunned. He turned and looked up at Ennard still standing beside the railing. His gloves hands wrapped tightly around it. "Really? You will?"
"Yup! You wore me down, kid," Ennard said.
Which wasn't too far from the truth. He had been able to easily hold out earlier but after all this context and see this child all but beg for help, he cracked under it. Especially since what he was asking for was in his wheelhouse. He could do it.
"Look, look, I got a history with this sort of thing," the clown explained. He got down on one knee. "I probably don't look so scary to you, but underneath this suit I'm an animatronic's worst nightmare. I'm like a local legend around Hurricane, a regular menace to society. I know how to really spook people and not get caught. And I mean people, so I'm pretty sure I can spook a bot without getting caught."
"You'd do that?"
"Sure! But here's the deal: nobody gets hurt, nobody gets caught, and if stuff starts getting out of hand then we call it quits. Deal?" Ennard offered out a hand.
Both knew what they were doing was technically wrong, but Ennard still offered his hand and Gregory still took it and shook.
"Deal!"