Baby walked into the dining hall with a storm brewing inside her, and most of the others on the night shift confused as to what was going on. Lefty, Molten and the caught up to speed NightBon chased her down, pushing past their confused and concerned roommates as they tried to get to Baby. Luckily, they were able to finally catch up with her…
Before Cassidy shoved them back and rushed over to the clown, pulling on her pigtails to keep her from leaving.
Baby cried in pain as she was pulled towards the centre of the room, spinning around with a vicious glare that was equal power to Cassidy's own furious glare. Some of the others would have claimed it was actually scarier.
"What do you want, Cass?" Baby spat with full venom, her patience all spent. "Can't you see I was leaving?"
"What do I want?" The golden bear spat back. "I want an explanation about why you just ripped Rockstar Freddy apart like that! Why did you suddenly have a massive temper tantrum and take it out on one of your friends!"
"They aren't my friends, Cassidy. You know that full well I can't stand anyone here but three others. Otherwise I tolerate or just outright despise. You live in this stupid fantasy world where everything just circl;es around you, you, you!" Baby jabbed Cassidy in the chest with a pointed finger at each mention of 'you', which only made the bear snarl in indignant anger.
"Says you, Baby!" Golden roared. "Ever since we came here, ever since I gave us a second chance at life, you've been making things difficult for everyone all because you're still a stuck up princess, like how Elizabeth left you!"
Baby scoffed, completely uncaring to the crowd that was forming around the arguing duo. "You don't know me, Cass. You have no right to just claim you know exactly who I am because of your bullshit memories." A gasp rang out from everyone except Baby's friends, who were tense and fearful this would just cost Baby her life.
Cassidy glare became even sharper. "You are seriously starting to get on my last nerve, Baby. First you start by making that stupid tent, vanishing after every little thing that happens, and then you keep ruining the night shift. This place was Afton's punishment, just let him suffer like he made us suffer."
"That's not something you just get to decide!" Baby screeched. "Afton was already killed when he was springlocked, and spent the rest of his days walking around as a corpse. He had to live through two fires, and lost all his kids. He was a monster, but he was one that already faced his karma. You have no right to say otherwise!"
"He killed us, Baby!" Cassidy got right in the clown's face. "So you're siding with a murderer now?"
"He didn't kill me", Baby said bluntly. "He didn't kill half the people in this building!" She gestured to the crowd. "And what about the night guards and technicians that 'got in the way'. You're perfectly fine with innocent people like that being attacked and killed? What about the night guard that was in the 87 location before Micheal took over? What about Jeremy? They did nothing, you just attacked them because they were obstacles to you!"
Cassidy's head tilted. "You have no way to back talk to me for what I did. And what did you do?" She reached into Baby's body and pulled out the locket, opening it so the clown could stare at it with wide eyes. "You made up some stupid story about this 'amazing family' to get people to pity you! You are still that same manipulative princess Elizabeth left behind."
"Give that back!" Baby lunged forward, trying to grab the locket back, but the golden bear pushed her back. Hard. Baby stumbled back and crashed into a table, quickly recovering and looking at the silver object with wide-eyes.
"You've been holding all of us back long enough", Cassidy said. "You need to learn there's a place for those that sympathise with our killer…" Before Baby could react, Cassidy crushed the locket in her iron grip, letting the shattered remains fall to the ground.
Baby was dead silent, falling to her knees as she looked at the shattered remains of the special object.
Seeing how shattered Baby became, NightBon lost it and glared at Cassidy. "Cassidy! What that hell is wrong with you?! That was too far, and you know it!"
"Oh shut up, Bonnie!" Cassidy shouted. "Do you know how hard it was to drag Afton here?! Baby was ripping that all down because she's selfish-"
"SHUT IT, PISS BEAR!" Molten roared, slithering beside Bonnie and twitching like a threatened animal. "You just got this all set up so you could get pay back on the guy that killed you. All of us were just pawns so you could have fun while doing it!"
"You denied us all a proper afterlife, Cassidy", Lefty said in a surprisingly loud voice, walking up beside Bonnie opposite Molten. "Just so you could forever hurt the man that hurt you, you held on too tight and dragged all of us down with you."
"You think you matter?!" The golden bear roared. "You think you have a place to say I'm wrong?! I spent so long plotting this revenge, so let me have this!"
Baby was looking down at the ground in misery, but slowly stood back up and turned to the golden bear. "You spent so long planning this?"
Cassidy whirled back onto Baby. "Yes! I was the one that worked for this, I was the one that deserves this, Afton wronged me and this is what he has to deal with!"
There was silence for a while. "But…" Classic Bonnie began quietly. "What about us? Do we not deserve to get payback on him too?"
"You think you actually matter in this, too?!" Golden screamed, making the rabbit's ears droop in fright as everyone shared shocked looks. "You were just some pathetic kid Afton killed. I was Cassidy, and he killed me!"
"So what?!" Toy Freddy cried out. "So many of us died because of Afton, but you just get to give yourself special priority because you were stuffed in an empty suit?"
"You're just some fat bear who failed at their job to stop Afton!" Toy reared back as the other toys all glared. "You failed and attacked some poor sap, and look at where we are now!"
The entire crowd was silent as they all looked at Cassidy, seeing the mask off for the first time in forever. Micheal, struggling to comprehend it all, walked forward. "Cassidy, what the hell are you talking about?"
"Don't get involved, Mike. How your brother forgave you is beyond me, if I was in charge you'd be right next to your dad!"
"Cassidy, what the heck!" Nightmare Fredbear shouted. "So what, Scrap Baby does this and you suddenly decide that you're the only one that matters?"
"I've always mattered! I have mattered since Afton started killing me! My death sparked all of this, and I won't be preached that my contributions to getting Afton here will be undersold!"
"We aren't-" Charlie stopped right at the start of her sentence, registering what Cassidy said. "You… You kept Afton alive?"
"Bastard deserved to suffer." Cassidy's eyes widened when that slipped out, and suddenly became extremely aware of what was happening. She then glared. "Alright, fine! I kept Afton alive till now, but when he barely cared after what I did to you", she pointed at Nightmare Fredbear, "I knew I had to get more drastic."
Everyone minus Baby looked at Cassidy in pure horror, realisation dawning on them as to what that meant.
Elizabeth choked out a sob. "You… YOU killed my brother? It wasn't Micheal?"
Cassidy huffed as all her anger was locked inside of her still. "I was in that suit already. Afton deserved it."
No one said a word as the golden bear whirled onto Scrapy once again, and the bear glared as heard as she could. "You finally did it, 'Scrapy'. You just made me too mad." Baby was lifted up by her neck, the clawed animatronic struggling to free herself. "Honestly, I don't even know why I brought you back…"
Scrap Baby cried out in pain as Cassidy tightened her hold,a nod then threw her down to the ground. But before the golden bear could do anything else, Charlie stepped in and pulled the bear back.
"Charlie, what are you doing?!" Cassidy shouted, looking at The Puppet angrily.
"ENOUGH CASSIDY", the Marionette said, her voice etching through the whole building. "This has gone on long enough. You've clearly let your hate blind you to the point you're becoming no better than Afton."
"Don't make this anymore difficult-" Cassidy stopped when she looked back at Baby, and everything stopped in her mind. Baby was on the ground, terrified, looking up at Cassidy like how the bear did when Afton was just about to kill her. How backed into a corner she was as her death encroached upon her.
Baby was just like her.
She was a monster.
Baby choked out a sob and shook her head. "I can't believe it, I just can't. After everything, it's only now when you realise you've become a horrible monster. Well, I hope you're happy, Cassidy… Because now I've made my choice." Baby scrambled to her feet and dashed off, slamming through the exit doors that led to the rest of the building.
"Baby!" NightBon cried out, chasing after her. Molten and Lefty were right behind him, leaving everyone else to watch them go. Cassidy looked back at the crowd, and saw the looks of horror, disgust, and hurt across all of their faces. Slowly, they all began to file out of the room, not even passing any final glance at the golden bear.
Once Cassidy was all alone, she looked down at her hands, and closed her eyes. Then, she slowly made her way back to the office, finally realising what she had done…
~X~
Baby slammed against walls and furniture as she tried to keep herself together. Her mind was just a mess, she could barely think straight, and she was barely able to feel any strength in her legs. When she collided with her seventh wall, she stopped to catch her breath, only to become panicked when she heard her friends getting closer, she got right back to running.
Why was she panicking? Why was she running away from them? Why, why was this all just falling apart overtop of her? She didn't need any of this, she just needed to get home. So she just kept skating, slamming against everything she possibly could till she reached the storage room.
She was so desperate to get in, she just ripped the door off its hinges with her claw, and barreled into the room. She did end up tripping on a loose cord and falling on her face, but that didn't stop her from just rushing forward. Her friends were gaining on her, so she started to get more frantic.
Looking behind her, she spotted her friends chasing after her with worried expressions… And Candy Cadet watching her from the open doorway, pointing at her with one of its claw hands.
The sight made Baby freak out even more, and she just ran to where the tent used to be. As soon as she was there, she pulled her phone out and got the portal app open and opened a portal. Not thinking twice, she ran in, just as her friends caught sight of it. They all shared looks, then ran after her through the blinding ball of light.
As soon as Baby was on the castle balcony, she scrambled inside, slamming the doors open. She nearly ploughed Ruby and Iris over, and the sound made everyone in the Rec Room at that time, which was basically everyone, to look out into the hall.
"What the fuck is going on?" Majima cried out. The group all headed out into the hallway, only to scramble back when Baby bolted past, tears starting to pool in her eyes. Katania gasped and chased her down, rushing into the animatronic's bedroom just before the door could be slammed closed.
Everyone else blinked in shock, only to jump slightly when there was a thump from the balcony. The group all shared looks, and made their way over, peeking over to the now off gateway to see Bonnie, Molten and Lefty in a heap just before it.
The rabbit groaned and stood back up, dusting himself off before looking at the group before him. "Well, it seems our first meeting has been forced by different circumstances."
"What does that mean?" Caleb asked.
Molten and Lefty perked up, and looked at the boy. "So… You're Caleb?" The black bear asked.
Caleb blinked, then nodded. "Y-Yeah. Just… We can talk in the Rec Room, c'mon." Caleb led them back to the main hangout spot, the others all heading back inside first and finding their seats.
"So these are the mysterious others Baby's been hanging out with, huh?" Flowey said as he looked them over from the coffee table.
The three animatronics shared an awkward look, and claimed a whole couch. Bonnie cleared his throat, and gave the others a sad look. "You are probably all wondering what happened, and why we're here…" Nods in response. "Something awful happened at the pizzeria, and…"
"Golden was being a brat, jerk and bitch", Molten added bluntly. Bonnie and Lefty glared at the wire amalgam as he laughed, but the three looked back at the group when they weren't met with shock. Rather, the group were all looking between each other or at the partial door back to the hallway.
"You three can keep explaining", Caleb said as he and Gladius moved to leave the room. "We're going to check up on Kat and Babs." The others nodded, and Bonnie watched the boy leave before swiftly heading outside to join him. He looked back at the rabbit and smiled ever so slightly. "Couldn't keep away from her, huh?"
"You don't understand, Caleb", Bonnie said in a sorrowful tone. "Cassidy… She laid out the cold hard truth about who she really is, but had to take her anger out on Baby. Things got… Violent."
The boy and sword shared a look. "Bonnie, how bad did it get?" Gladius asked. "We have a right to know."
Bonnie looked like, even though the memory was recent, it was like it was one that haunted him for over 30 years. "Cassidy was intent on killing Baby if Charlie hadn't stepped in to stop her."
Caleb gasped and covered his mouth, while Gladius let out a very heavy and angry sounding breath. "Jesus Christ."
Caleb made a beeline for Baby's room, the other two following swiftly. Caleb soon stopped just before the door, eyeing the build of it as he thought of what to say. He could hear soft sobbing coming from inside, and that broke his heart. So, with gentle movements, he headed inside and peeked around the corner.
Katania was on Baby's bed, laying on her stomach as she carcassed the clawed animatronic's wire hair. Said animatronic was weeping into her bedsheets, knees on the floor as she attempted to shut out all outside sounds and people.
Caleb made his way over and sat on Baby's other side, back leaning against the bed.
"Why…" Baby whispered, her voice crackling and broken. "Why does this have to happen to me? Why does Cassidy have to attack me to get her point across? Why does she have to smash my locket?" Her sobs picked up as the two kids shared shocked and heartbroken looks.
Gladius growled, flying above the others. "This 'Cassidy' I hear so much about just endlessly finds new ways to anger me, doesn't she."
"It's not fair", Kat hissed in anger. "Acting like she's in charge when she's just this nobody that took things too far."
Caleb nodded as Bonnie walked in, took a quick look around the room, then faced the others again. "Baby…" The rabbit knelt down and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You are amazing, and I'm glad you stood your ground against Cassidy. In fact, I find it inspiring."
Baby lifted her head, her face drenched in tears. "But… Everything fell apart because of me. If I had just kept my mouth shut-"
"Then Cassidy wouldn't have learned her lesson and get humbled", Caleb said, already catching onto the full situation. "Baby, you'll be fine, just take all the time you need to get better. We're all here for you no matter what."
The clown simply nodded silently, before looking at Bonnie with sad eyes.
The rabbit got the message instantly. "Would it be okay if you three give us some space?"
Caleb smiled and nodded, giving Baby a hug as he stood up. But when he was about to leave with Katania and Gladius, Baby rushed over and brought them all into a loving hug. No words were said, but Cale and Kat simply hugged their friend back. Gladius snuggled into the embrace, and Bonnie found himself entranced with the sight before him.
This was what he could have if he stayed, if he and Baby stayed…
He was starting to like that prospect more and more.
When the quartet finished their hug and the two humans left with the sword, Baby gave Bonnie an apologetic look.
"Bon, I'm sorry", she started. "I'm sorry about running off like that. I was just so… confused and… and…" She looked a bit lost.
"Shattered?" Bon finished gently.
The clown nodded sadly. "After everything, I just shut down. In a way, at least." She sighed and rolled over to the bed, lying down on it and staring up at the ceiling. "I didn't know what was happening because everything was just this white static, and I was so lost in my turmoil I got scared when you guys chased after me…"
"Scrapy, I get it", Bonnie said gently. He laid back just like her, and gently held the wrist of her claw. "All of that was just too fast to process, so you just thought the first thing you could: 'Get away'. You needed to get away from all of… that… and to your safe space. Here." He gestured at her room. "And I don't want you apologising for that. We're all messed up one way or another…"
Baby sniffled, and looked over at her boyfriend with a light smile. "You're too sweet, Bon. I don't… I don't deserve you. Or Molten or Lefty."
The rabbit tilted his ears a bit so they were pushing up against her. "You did everything right to have us no matter what, Scrapy…" Things were silent for a while as the two moved closer and started to snuggle.
Baby's eyes, originally looking at Bonnie's exposed endoskeleton torso, closed. "I'm not going back. I'm staying here no matter what, and you can't change my mind."
"I won't", Bonnie said firmly, rubbing light circles on her back. "I know this place is better for you, so I am perfectly fine with you staying. I know Molten and Lefty will be too. We just need to talk to Caleb about getting us one of those fancy phones like yours…"
Baby near-silently giggled, which did ease the sadness a bit. "Bon… Thank you…" She sighed, her nerves relaxing. "And while I'm perfectly fine with you three heading back, since you can handle yourselves, I want you to stay here for a while, okay? Just so things cool down, and we get our break."
Bonnie sat and nodded. "Of course, Baby…"
She smiled, then leaned forward and kissed him on the nose. Bonnie warmed up an bit, but still stayed his sophisticated self as the two robots simply soaked up each other's presences, letting the hours melt away.
~X~
Night had fallen at this point, and the group were all retiring to bed. After Lefty spun the whole story (notably leaving out what happened with Rockstar Freddy for Baby's sake), Bonnie found himself leaning on the railing of the balcony. He closed his eyes as the cool summer night breeze washed over him, a new temporary coat handed to him so he was at least a bit covered before Dave got to work on his new fabric cover.
"Couldn't sleep?" Asked a voice. Bonnie turned around and looked at Barranco, who pulled up a pair of chairs, each with what looked to be coffeem on the seat.
Bonnie shook his head, and took the drink before sitting down. "Just… Thinking, that's all…" He looked off towards the city, taking in the gleaming lights that could be seen over the courtyard's wall. "This place is very beautiful. I can understand why Baby had such a hard time leaving now…"
Barranco nodded as he took a sip of his own drink. "It can be, yeah. But, I know this place will always be here, so why get upset? But… I do feel bad for Baby. She's basically my sister, and seeing her like this… well, everyone would tell you the same thing."
Bonnie nodded, taking a swig of his drink. "You all seem so close. Why?"
"Caleb", the Rabbid said with a gentle smile. "He was what brought us all together, and after all the insane stuff we did when he first entered our lives, it wouldn't make sense to just ignore him. He… He stood out in a away that made him special, you know?"
Bonnie nodded. "I do, yes. I guess I'm just… Glad. Glad he was able to give Baby something more that no one else from our own history could ever think of doing. He gave her a home, a family, a life she never thought she needed but it made her all the better. I… I won't be able to thank him enough."
"Ah, being here is enough for him", Barranco pat the animatronic on the leg. "Because when you get roped in with us, there's no going back." The Rabbid hopped off his chair and started to head back inside, but paused to look back at the rabbit. "Castle staff are gonna get you and the others phones of your own tomorrow, just giving you a heads up!"
Bonnie nodded and waved Barranco goodbye, looking back out at the courtyard. Fireflies danced about around, over and under the plethora of plants in a soothing way, making it look like shooting stars had fallen from the sky.
Looking up, Bonnie gazed at the moon with a gentle look, entranced by its light glow and swirling patterns. The rabbit blinked and tilted his head, smiling in the way he knew how.
"Thank you…" He whispered. "For giving Baby something to smile about…"
The rabbit finished his coffee before heading inside, ready to get some rest after the emotionally draining day…
~X~
And this is it, the penultimate story chapter. Just… Just wow. I really like how things panned out with this one, simply because I felt like Cassidy and Baby's argument in the beginning was so cathartic and powerful, at least to me.
Also, before y'all ask, I do think Cassidy was at least possessing Fredbear during the whole Bite of 83 incident, and was partially responsible for Crying Child (or whoever you name them as) dying simply to get back at Afton. That's just my little theory/headcanon, don't judge.
But yeah, this is it. The final chapter is upon us, and I can't believe we've gotten to that point. I'm definitely getting this story done before FNaF's 10th anniversary! That's so exciting to think about! EEEEEEEEE!
Up next: Baby finally makes her final claim, and everyone is set to adjust accordingly…
~Caleb~