FNAF Security Breach: Whistleblower

by FrostByterFang

Sequel to Ruination. Takes place 2 years after the fall and collapse of the mega PizzaPlex. Luis' free runs into the supply depot finally catches up to him in the worst way possible: Bringing about a series of consequences that could bring trouble to the bots and the rest of the family. Vanessa meanwhile decides to orchestrate a rescue operation to save him. Full summary inside.

19. Brontide

Author's Note: Foxy's language you'll notice is riddled with typos- that's deliberate. He speaks like a Scot (there's a reason for that) so the words he says are how you're seeing it presented: Like the word 'Aroond' is 'Ah-rooond'. He tends to drag certain sounds because he's also a lazy speaker- and he doesn't care to correct himself. And the word 'better'? Its said like its missing its second 'T'. So like 'bet'er'. Also deliberate.

---

~Thursday. Christmas Eve. Sometime during middle of the day~

POLAR FREDDY

He still hadn't managed to get rid of this stupid fox.

His dutiful side dictated he kept an eye on him; despite the fact he still wanted to talk to a Glam. The fox was admittedly a public hazard... but he really didn't need the vulpine pain in the tail around when he got a bot alone. Foxy was HOT-BLOODED- minus the fact he has no blood in him. He was over-eager and too ready to throw himself into a fight, and his hearing proved problematic. He can hear about as well as Bonnie can- better, actually. He could hear his way around a dark room and not need his eyes for anything ever again. So if Polar Freddy wanted Foxy out of the picture, he'd need a decent way to distract him and keep him busy so he didn't indulge his more violent tendencies- as well as staying far enough away as possible so he can't hear what he's talking about.

Now how to do this?

For the moment, the pair was sitting around the house and eye-balling it; once again watching the family go about its business. Polar Freddy was alarmed to see that Vanny was now a FACTOR in this: she was awake and talking with everyone about finding a way to take down the company. Foxy caught the conversations floating around throughout the day; telling Polar Freddy what they planned on doing.

They both however didn't care to report it. Neither felt any true loyalty to the company. If Foxy or himself reported their plan, it'd be because Foxy felt like mixing things up and Freddy was abiding by the rules as per the norm. However, the pair weren't keen on saying anything to Morris-

Especially since they heard the part where Morris was a power-hungry bastard who was no doubt a liar and probably WAS working on getting them to do his bidding. Polar Freddy honestly wasn't surprised by this in the least. But, if Morris didn't intend on finishing his Bonnie after all he went through to get him fixed, needless to say, company policy can kiss his tail after a point.

As for Foxy- well, while the two can agree that they don't care for certain measures the company's taken, Polar Freddy didn't want Foxy knowing what he planned on doing regardless. He loved his job some moments and would do what he can to keep it when possible. Also, if he knew Polar Freddy was acting out of his own volition, he may report back to Morris JUST to stir things up on a whim. Polar Freddy couldn't have that, so this has to be absolutely secret.

In the meantime, the two watched the residents go about their daily routine. This was apparently a relaxed day for the family; with the bots sitting down in the main room or kitchen waiting on dinner to be done or listening to someone playing music. Chica for instance took her guitar at some point and started to play; though not with the same gumption and energy she had the day Jacob came over. The hen was noticeably withdrawn and keeping to herself on the couch; likely sorting herself out.

What Polar Freddy and Foxy didn't know was how powerful Chica was- though they were aware of the fact she was repaired as of the day prior. They hadn't been around for the day she got up; the two had been in the main building at the time of her awakening. They didn't know how amazing her senses had become, nor did they understand that the hen was actually keeping to herself due to the turbulence of her new mind and not so much because of her run-in with Foxy. In fact, at some points now that she was awake, she'd startle and look around like something was off. On one frightening moment, Freddy noticed she turned her head to look right in their general direction!

She didn't have Bonnie's ears, Roxy's nose or ears, Freddy's BETTER nose, or Monty's pressure sensors. She didn't have anything to suggest she could pick up on them; but still she'd look like she was aware of something being off. She stopped playing her guitar once just to stare, then resumed playing with a slower beat of measure. She frowned several moments, stop again, then resume playing like she can't put a finger on what she was thinking.

At this, Foxy turned to the white ursine and muttered, "What 'n the bloody nine 'ells is her problem? Thought she was the easier one to navigate aroond."

"...I wonder if she can sense our signal-? No, she cannot possibly do that! Our ping signal is covered-" He muttered.

It was true; Polar Freddy can maybe ping them, but he might open himself to digital attack if he did. He could call a Glam out here with a message now that he was in range of their signal range, but he will not. And since he and Foxy were closed off, they shouldn't be able to sense anything-

So what was Chica doing?

The hen eventually turned into a jittery mess and put her guitar down entirely; walking off the couch just to pace around and rub at her hands. She looked stressed, to say the least. Polar Freddy wondered how her repairs went- and it seemed it was doing something to her. At length, she was stopped by Glamrock Freddy; who bent and murmured to her.

Polar Freddy cannot read the bot's mouth movements as well as he can read human lips, but he need not worry. Foxy listened to them, with the vulpine bot turning to say, "Seems the brown lad is talkin' to her about her upgrades-? She's got a smarter processor. She must be gettin' used to it."

"...Right. They would have had to replace her motor after your scrap with her and naturally they would have made it stronger-" Polar Freddy wondered aloud. "But then... how powerful is it really?"

Foxy could only shake his head slowly, his over-sized ears flicking at every nuance. "Looks like the lass might be too aware of some of the electronic happenin's across ta hoose. Oh-" He narrowed his amber optics, "Seems she kin feel oot the lot's signals a bit bet'er now? We'll hafta be more mindful, then!"

"But we are not particularly- nevermind," Polar Freddy shook his head.

The hen was hugged by the brown bear; in which she returned it and they settled together on the couch. There was soft looks from both, with Chica handing him her guitar and listening to him play for once. Glamrock Freddy's blue talons got busy; with him singing as well as playing. Nearby, Gregory took notice and was settling in to listen.

Now Polar Freddy looked at the kitchen: Bonnie was seated at the dining room table looking over Luis' tablet; with the man in-question sitting across from him. The two had their heads bent in heated discussion, the rabbit's visage a flickering array of color that ranged between various intensities and severity. Luis was keeping a cooler facade, not speaking as much but looking rather stout in whatever conviction he may be entertaining.

Foxy grunted in that odd, foreign accent of his, "They're talkin' aboot visiting the buildin' itself to spy on us. The bunny's got his tail in a twist- he's arguing aboot several points of measures wid 'em. Huh... they're talking aboot the hen for a sec there- somethin' aboot her upgrades-? Bonnie seems to notice somethin's off aboot 'em. Somethin' aboot her thinkin' too much... over active processor. On a side note, the meat bag Luis just straight doon like their current plan and seems to be on the verge of a mutiny! It doon sound like Bonnie much likes it either but, neither can seem to come to an agreement on somefink."

Polar Freddy flicked his gaze from them and to Cassie now: She was taking her afternoon nap; still in the process of nodding off. This wasn't worth more than a glance of his attention. Instead, he noticed Vanessa in her office; the woman typing away furiously and talking with M.X.E.S-

"She 'n him are talkin' aboot the same thing as the rabbit and nerd," Foxy informed him. "Nuthin' specific... they're really indulging this- this... thing, of theirs. The idea of goin' near the company buildin' and probin'-"

Polar Freddy rapped his talons again and hummed. Back in the house, he saw Roxy grooming herself in the bots' shared wardrobe room. She was standing in front of the body mirror for a minute before leaving it to head elsewhere. Her eyes were busy now; a somewhat worrying factor. Neither Foxy or himself moved while she prowled around the upper landing. When she passed Cassie's room, she stopped to watch the girl with nothing less than affection for a solid minute. Beyond that, she was heading downstairs next and completely ignoring every other bot around. Once she crept into the kitchen, she bopped Bonnie upside the head for no apparent reason at all other than to bug him. Bonnie snapped back at her, but she bluntly ignored him and glided easily to the fridge to snag herself something to eat. The two exchanged insults apparently- prompting for the fox to snort.

"Man, they jus' can't stand each other! Its right funneh," He snickered.

"Focus," Polar Freddy hissed.

"I know already! Cripes-"

In the living room, after Freddy's song, DJ was seen settling in the corner to find a book. Monty was lying on the floor as per usual, but he'd been in a huff. He was messing with his claws as if picking them clean or in irritation. It was hard to tell- but then he was up and heading to the garage. He got Moon in a brief chat and almost chased the bot out of the area just to resume his spot near the computer. Vanny's image seemed almost relieved.

"Huh... Vanny, uh?" Foxy muttered next to him. "They talk a lot of 'er but... why bring her back into the equation? Clearly they ain't likin' her bein' there."

"Oh, no doubt. But I suppose choosing one evil over the other is a pragmatic move on their parts," Polar Freddy steadily informed him. "Considering the odds they're faced with..."

Just then, Polar Freddy snapped his eyes back to the kitchen; noticing that Bonnie was breaking off his convo with Luis. Luis looked worn and beaten; resigned to the fact that they'd have to take certain risks. The man went upstairs to go bother his girlfriend- meanwhile the rabbit was seen banging his head on the frame of a kitchen doorway. The thumps got everyone's attention once or twice- DJ, Glamrock Freddy and Chica passing him worried expressions. Polar Freddy was raising a brow to that.

Hm. Foxy's not very specific when he relays data to me- and I know he omits details simply because its mention bores him... I wonder if Bonnie's stomaching more than he's admitting to his friends? On that note- I wonder if I can get his attention, but how?

He glanced at Foxy, who was looking more and more bored by the minute. While Polar Freddy had the patience of a saint, Foxy did not. He looked like he wanted to run off and do ANYTHING else besides watching these guys cuddle by the fire or watch Vanessa and Luis smooch in her office. In fact, Foxy was producing a disgusted noise and turning away-

Suddenly, Roxy stepped outside while chewing on a cold leftover piece of ham and bone; her lupine gaze sharper than refined razors and her tail giving slow waves at the tip to suggest her relishing the meal. Her nose busied itself as she snuffled the wintry air; her heavy duty black pants stark against the snow and her metallic banded leather winter jacket giving her a squarer set of shoulders. She crunched loudly, teeth flashing each bite and thick mane a proud frame around her face. She finished the bone rather fast too, eating as is the fashion of a true wolf. Literally, 'wolfing it down'- and its likely she came out here to eat it where none of her friends (like Bonnie, namely) to comment on her Monty-like eating habits.

After she polished it off, she paused and lifted her nose into the air again; tongue lapping at black lip-line-

And she whipped around to look right at them.

Both stopped talking then; realizing the chances that they MAY be too close could be considered. She was wrinkling her muzzle, the rubbery lip-line that adhered to her chassis beneath lifted off her two-and-a-half inch saber-like canines; optics narrowed as she turned slowly to eye-ball them fully. Her arms then hung out from her body in a way to indicate prowling; as if she may tip onto all fours. She was lower to the ground now, teeth and gums showing as her twitching nose kept lifting the lip off them.

Polar Freddy had an idea.

"Foxy, why not show Roxanne a good time?" He suddenly goaded, tone ever-so casual.

"Wha- huh? Whatchu meanin'?" The Fox snapped his head to him.

"Give her something to hunt. I think she MIGHT just be able to smell your new coolant tank and parts. My odor is concealed... I do not think you rolled around enough to cover yours though," he admonished. "With this said, she will come over here and find us both. Lure her away from the house, that way she will discover only ONE of us and not both. Dance with her a little, since you are so bored! I even figure she's your type-" he teased.

"...You're kiddin'. Yer doin' the jokes-?" Foxy raised a full plumed brow at him there.

"You are clearly edgy and wanting to do something else. I cannot find a better use of your talents if you play chase for a bit! Give her something to do-" Freddy smirked. "Just no real fighting or damaging her! She may have remnant in her. Get her away from the house, lead her on a hunt in the woods- I cannot think of anything more poetic and worth your time than a good, old-fashioned Fox and Hound play."

"Hn... hn. Alright- that'll do et. Sounds fun 'nuff," Foxy smirked, slipping into a squat himself and crawling along the forest floor.

"Do not be too long," Freddy told him coolly. "Or I will come looking for you."

The fox only chortled sleazily and loped off as a response. His white coat helped him to blend into the snowy-coated foliage; and it didn't help that, as a smaller bot, he was capable of moving around far more silently than Freddy ever could. He still left tracks, but the next snow fall will be sure to cover those in a little while.

Roxy was definitely detecting movement now; the wolf snuffling and snorting with interest. She actually did get to all fours in the meantime; her nose shoveling through the snow with a vigorous motion that displaced it and left large trails in her wake. Her tail held itself stiffly behind her; the wolf glowering at the tree-line and taking pause when she seemed to catch something-

Foxy kept slinking on; moving like an oily, white wraith ghosting across the mortal plane and slipping further from the house. He was smirking at Roxanne's direction, twitching his tail enough to keep her attention on him. She still couldn't quite make out what her eyes might be seeing- but she certainly wasn't missing the peticular movements of his bushy appendage and the scent of newness to his metal parts. Its likely she couldn't make out his detail with all the obstructions in her way- despite her eyes being what they are. She slipped nearer to his location so to better discern it, Polar Freddy watching with interest while he also eye-balled the bots inside the house. If Roxy suspected something, she's likely pinged them-

...And yet she hasn't. Huh. Why would she not?

Polar Freddy watched as the wolf slipped into the forest herself, her nose climbing the air until she found its trajectory levelled at a tree-

...Oh.

She was smelling a squirrel!

Polar Freddy almost laughed out loud but forced himself silent as Roxy indulged in the apparently guilty pleasure of clawing the tree to partially climb it. She was eye-balling a squirrel with great intensity- so much so, the poor creature was stunned into paralysis. She'd snapped off of Foxy's twitchy tail just to growl at it!

Foxy looked irritated, chuffing once and moving across the ground a ways away- he threw a stick to make it sound like one of the other animals nearby. Roxy was interested in the noise and already her ears were up and raised high- allowing the squirrel the chance to scurry away. With this, Foxy moved more deliberately- which finally got her attention again and the wolf started to slip after him.

Interesting... so, she doesn't like squirrels, I guess, Polar Freddy raised a brow as she kept following Foxy's trail. I'm going to guess she does not think its worth sending a ping yet because she does not want her friends knowing she likes chasing them around?

Roxy found Foxy's trail in the snow after a point- the wolf having followed the mass of movement at the very edge of her eye's sight-line through the bracken. Her expression vividly changed and she went to send out a ping-

Polar Freddy blocked it. He'd been ready to do so. He enabled this jammer and watched, just as Roxy realized what she was falling for, get jumped by Foxy-

Polar Freddy patiently watched as the fox threw his arms around the wolf's neck and pulled her into the snow with him- the pair rolling into the bare bushes and snapping at each other. Roxy didn't scream so much as snarl and bite at empty air in a furious tizzy-

And to her shock, Foxy broke off and teased her not a half minute into the tussle. He merrily and coyly waved his tail at her- his grin nearly licentious in nature now that he had her attention solely on him. He grinned endlessly; strafing around her and trying to tease her into chasing him in earnest. She didn't oblige though, no doubt not so foolish as to indulge him. She was trying to get past the polar bot's jammer and was steadily backing off towards the house-

Foxy lunged when he realized she was about to run. He wanted her all to himself; biting and clawing at her and prompting the wolf to forcefully go onto the defensive. She held up her arms to fend off his flying talons and snapped back; jaws a flurry of gray and white blurs as saber-like canines audibly clicked and clattered. Foxy kept goading her; his mouth moving to formulate sentences likely to tease and entice. Polar Freddy couldn't tell what he said, but he can see the fox was whittling down the wolf's brittle nerves. Roxy wasn't a patient bot by any means; and already, her open-mouthed snarling was turning into a full-blown display of her rage instead.

"Roxy is a stupid beast," he remembered Morris once saying. "I recall visiting the PizzaPlex one time and saying the paint on her nails looked uneven. She is so sensitive! What a vain creature- she's about as short-tempered as Montgomery."

Polar Freddy wasn't really seeing much of that here- while the latter may hold true, it didn't appear so somewhat. Foxy was really going out of his way to tease her into pursuit. Polar Freddy found instead a wisdom in her restraint she was not known to have before. Roxy looked like something else was on her mind as well, but he couldn't make out what. Eventually, she finally charged at Foxy- as if she just finished finalizing her odds of success and realizing that she can beat him one-on-one-

Then the fox took his chance to book it.

Roxy sadly only chased off the fox as best she could before she was turning right back around. She was also aware of the fact she likely had a chance of beating this fox by herself and his threat level was the ONLY reason why she was pursuing him at all. She was keeping an eye or ear out for the Polar bear himself too, seeing as she kept hesitating and wasn't keen on pursuit for more than a few seconds. A few times, she balked and tried to head back to the house- just for Foxy to rush her again-

He'd bit her tail a few times. Pulled on it, jumped and teased, he looked puppyish every time he did. He must've really been into the idea of a playmate his size and scale. Roxy was constantly annoyed by it however and acted more stoically to it than what was expected- trying to disengage and step away. She was treating this professionally enough, but was at her wit's end. She was finally at her limit when Foxy jumped onto her back once and pulled her mane like a toddler throwing a fit- her pride and joy! As soon as he got some hair in his talons, she flipped out good and proper and finally went after him in earnest.

Good.

He doubted he'd have long to do this. Polar Freddy rose from his position in the woods and crept nearer to the house; well within Bonnie's hearing range. He kept the jammer going, frowning as he watched the rabbit lean against the wall of the kitchen and just stay there... as if frustrated and angry at something. He'd stopped banging his head on it, his claws flexing at his sides like he was imagining himself tightening them around something. He really hadn't moved much from when Luis left him; looking a lot like an over-worked father trying to make sense of his life- Which wasn't too far from the truth.

Okay. Here goes nothing. Either he'll come out and greet me, or he will alert everyone else and they all jump me. We shall see, he sighed.

"Bonnie-" He said aloud, knowing full-well the rabbit alone would catch the noise. "Bonnie! Do you hear me?"

From inside the house, the rabbit sniffled and flexed his ears. He frowned at something, but didn't seem immediately alarmed. That was baffling to notice- is he hearing voices nowadays? Its not abnormal for a possessed bot to sometimes think they're hearing things only they can detect.

Not great if he is, Polar Freddy wondered. Sounds like he might be in his own head too much.

"Bonnie! Its me! Polar Freddy? Hello-" He tried now, having moved a bit closer to the house but just out of sight of the windows. "I know you can hear me!"

Now the rabbit heard him for sure. With his Roxy-like eyes, Polar Freddy saw the exact moment the rabbit froze like the real animal inspiration itself and moved just his ears. His nostrils flared open and closed rapidly; as if to parse it out with that instead of his hearing. It was a typical prey-response that was likely programmed into him early in development to continue simulating the rabbit-like tendencies for his character blueprint. He very slowly turned his head in the direction he thought he was hearing it from-

"I'm outside-" Polar Freddy continued. "Please. I wish to talk? Peaceably?"

He whipped around in a confused manner now; arms lifting to his breast and flexing talons again. One paw tucked against his rib-line and his ears were now fully facing the polar bot's direction. While he can't see through walls, he knew where the polar bear was by now.

"Please- I just want to talk. No violence involved," the bear continued to encourage. "I do not want to hurt anyone! I do not have much time to speak either- I only ask for a couple moments. We can talk right here."

Bonnie's maroon optics narrowed suspiciously- with the polar bot noticing that he hadn't sent a ping to the others. That within itself already looked odd- but it also left the bear feeling hopeful for a peaceful outlook here. His ears stayed arrested in his direction, carefully toeing his way to the back-door while one paw stayed noticeably against his breast and his deer-like tail flared upwards in alertness. He cracked the door and carefully turned to look to the left- finally meeting the bear's cerulean optics with his own maroon ones.

"Hello," Polar Freddy said in an all-too friendly manner, even giving him a tiny little wave. "Hi, its me again. You have a minute?"

Bonnie's nose was flaring rapid-fire now, his breathing deep but swift. Likely he couldn't get a smell catalogue and was having trouble trying to identify the bear's aroma. His eyes narrowed, flicking once to him and back to the house. He stepped all the way outside and shut the door, surprisingly- but his paw did not dare leave the knob. His ears lowered once and flicked right back up rapidly.

"Wha... what're you-" He shook his head as if in denial of the white ursine's existence.

"I came to ask you something," Polar Freddy immediately cut to the chase before sidling closer to the building. He stayed within the shadow of it, right at the very corner and ducked low. "I wanted to ask you for a couple things actually- that is all. I do not wish to do any harm if it can be avoided."

Bonnie kept his frown, his paw staying resolutely stuck to the door. His furry breast was huffing fast like he'd run a mile- not that he's done more than creep around from the kitchen. He looked like he was ten seconds from calling his friends out here-

So, Polar Freddy went on to say breathlessly and fast, "I figured, I can ask you a couple questions, and perhaps lend something of my expertise in remnant to you in return? I believe you were on the market for knowing more about it-?"

"You... You've been- you know that-" Bonnie stuttered before shaking his head again. "Oh my lord- you've been watching us. Haven't you?"

"...Yes, I will admit to that," the polar bot hung his head there.

"...How much do you know," his tone was hard, chilled. It still contained traces of his apprehension too; shaking once or twice and having a breathless sound to it.

"I know more than you would be comfortable with. I also know you are after Morris and the CEO. Need I say more?"

"...Shit. Shit shit shit-" Bonnie definitely looked fearful now, grabbing at his ears and pulling-

"Please do not send an emergency ping! I am willing to help you- if you help me in return," The polar bot immediately went to assuage.

Bonnie was rapidly shaking his head like he had corn in his ears, looking very much like he was going to rush into the house right now- and Freddy wouldn't be able to stop him. However, there must've been some mutual feeling there that prevented Bonnie from doing what was essentially the smart thing. He didn't go in, shout, or panic further- no, he only pulled at his ears, heaved once, and leveled it back out. He made the motion of swallowing too, eyeing the bear like he was in a trance. Polar Freddy can see something there indicative of his own curious nature- perhaps the desire to speak to him had been shared.

Eventually, he tilted his head and said, "I-I'm sorry... but, did I hear you right or did I finally lose it? That you- you uh... you wanna talk."

"That's what I've been saying this whole! And I meant it-" Polar Freddy hurriedly and fervently whispered. "I wish to help you, if you help me with MY Bonnie. Can you believe my intention earnest, if for that reason alone?"

Bonnie finally stepped away from the door, but not completely. He folded his arms, watching the polar bot warily and with a level of intelligent scrutiny that certainly didn't match the character archetype Glamrock Bonnie was once said to fit. He couldn't be more removed from the bot Polar Freddy had read about in the manuals. His ruby-painted talons flickered in the weakened afternoon light, his matched optics unblinking as he eyed the larger bot.

"You want these parts- and I want information. And you're telling me, you're willing to do an exchange for that?"

"Absolutely. Now please-" Polar Freddy jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "I do not mean to rush you, but my... er, colleague-? Partner- uh... acquaintance, he will return shortly."

"Arctic Foxy?"

"Yes, and he is not very kindly, in case you have not noticed-" Polar Freddy shook his head.

Bonnie cast worried glances at the back door, huffed, and tentatively tried, "I get the feeling we wouldn't be able to talk or cover everything adequately before he gets back. If your intention is pure, could we maybe talk another time or place, or-?"

"I am more than willing to accommodate... but Foxy would prove difficult to shake off," He quickly told the other. "So it would not be whenever we please."

"Then... no, hold on-" Bonnie turned, sighed yet again (he tended to do this a lot, the bear noticed), then he returned his attention to him, "Look, its probably stupid but... if we do not attack each other on a digital channel, could we open a comm instead?"

"I swear on my Bonnie's name I would not try anything underhanded unless its for his own sake," Polar Freddy swore. "On my word as a Freddy, I will do what I can to accommodate and see this through with no trickery. If you can believe that for one moment, then we can both walk away from this satisfied. Will that do?"

Bonnie breathed rapidly; indicative of a fear response. He must not realize he's doing it- and the show of stress was further noticed when his talons went dragging through his temples and pulled back. He then said, "No digital snares or tricks- or I'll have Vanny, Mex, and the others ride your ass into an early, pixelated grave. And I swear on my word as a Bonnie, Freddy's best man and bestest life-long partner for all time, that I will not attack either unless provoked." He jabbed a talon at him, "And no one sees this. We clear?"

"Crystal," The polar bot resolutely nodded.

The two watched each other steadily for another terse moment- then, Bonnie boldly (but no less cautiously) opened his ping radar. Polar Freddy did the same- finding the rabbit's mind in the digital space within. Polar Freddy was pleasantly relieved to see the firewalls lowered and some sort of other wall came in to shield and encrypt their private channel. It would be hidden from view from the others; although Polar Freddy knew that M.X.E.S, the next time he got into Bonnie's head, would see this suspicious file.

Bonnie flicked a worried glance back to the house, then turned back to the polar bot, "No tricks, fella. I ain't a nice rabbit anymore, let's get that straight-" He hissed. "I ain't afraid to take you by the throat and rip it out of you, if something happens. Tellin' ya that right now-"

"Oh, I'm too aware of that," The white bear shrugged casually, despite the no-doubt menacing assurance. "I know you murdered someone in cold blood. You are more than willing to stain your claws- and it shows when we last met in battle. You let that dead man's madness take you, let it dominate, and you even weaponized it. Its something I cannot say I wield with the same level of artifice. I would be a fool to press you, if this came to a battle of wills. On that note actually, others have talked in the building of your actions. They even took the parts from your charging station so to test it for remnant or agony, thanks to what you did to Mr. Cromwell as an example of this. And FYI: it did in fact leave some traces behind," he decided to inform him, as a show of faith for the rabbit.

Bonnie blinked rapidly as if startled. He turned away, head hung low. "Shit... so, Cromwell's ectoplasmic ooze or whatever got into that charging station-?"

"Its agony, actually. A couple parts tested positive for it, but nothing major," The bear shrugged. "Still apparently salvageable parts."

"Can I quickly ask what the difference between agony and remnant is? What even are they?"

"Agony is negative emotional energy," The ursine answered easily and fast. "Remnant is soul energy. There's a difference. Agony plays a huge role in the manifestation of the soul in some bots. It helps remnant take root, behaving as a sort of anchoring point. Agony or some other emotional point was likely what helped this Cassie's father- whoever he is, into your body and take control. Remnant needs agony likes a catalyst of some kind in order for a bot to get possessed. It is not the vice versa," He immediately spat out like he was reading from a dictionary.

"Oh... huh. Oh my god."

"Yeah."

Bonnie blinked rapidly, pondered that a moment, then glanced over his shoulder. "Okay then... didn't expect that. That's probably the easiest answer to a far-fetched question I've ever got. Still raises the question of how or what exactly allowed him to bind himself to me when I didn't have anything for his soul to fix too... urg. That will be a question for later. Okay- thanks, I suppose, for what you gave me," he said uncertainly.

"You are welcome. Now, may I ask for something in return?" The polar bot raised a brow.

Bonnie immediately knew what he wanted and nodded. "Yeah- you want your friend's parts. As it happens, I ain't wearing any of them. But-" He jabbed a thumb towards the house, "I can give you a couple of the parts for the moment? Something to take back for him? As thanks for the info-"

"You are willing to do that?"

The rabbit nodded, "My friends won't like it -especially my Freddy- but... I have access to a store in case I need something. You do not. Your friend sounds like he needs those parts more than I do, and they're his to begin with- I can concede to that much."

Polar Freddy felt something in his chest grow- something small and shy. He actually gave the rabbit a smile there, "Please? That is all I want. I do not want for anything else but things for my best friend-"

Bonnie nodded, quickly slipping inside and acting completely casual to his friends as he passed them. Polar Freddy can see from the outside as the rabbit made it to the garage and open the parts closet- only for the monitor to flick on and Vanny to catch him at it. Monty was watching him too, opening one eyelid and harrumphing. Bonnie was seen flicking his eyes meaningfully at the computer screen for Vanny- physically turned away from the gator so he wouldn't see it. Vanny immediately looked interested and flicked off. Polar Freddy wondered about that but had to wait until the rabbit was back outside again to ask.

The gator meanwhile opened his mouth to speak, with Bonnie telling him something that likely put him in a fouler mood. Monty then showed his conical teeth and his leathery throat began vibrating in warning. The white ursine noticed Bonnie tended to piss off the bots around him rather shamelessly; with the gator spitting what was likely a swear and Bonnie shut the closet and acted like he totally didn't have a piece or two in his paws. Monty gave him the middle finger next- to which the rabbit returned it with his free hand while backing towards the doorway and leaving.

Once he was outside, Polar Freddy queried, "I'm assuming Vanny is perhaps suspecting this?"

"She's way too smart to not notice already just from me grabbing this processor piece," He told the bot with a shrug. "I mean, I don't want her into our comms but- I can say she's interested in speaking to you. She's mentioned it to me a couple days ago. She may even want to assist us- given her interest in you already."

"You have mentioned me to her," The bear said pragmatically.

"Yeah... and she just wants to badger you with questions. Nothing that I know of that's actually illicit or... whatever," The rabbit shrugged.

"Is she not an enemy to be feared and hated?"

"Tell you what: I can tell you all about her later on- just not this second, " Bonnie quickly told him while giving him the parts- the sight in which prompting for a satisfied noise to escape him. "-She doesn't care for Fazbear Entertainment and was only in it for the remnant research. Says she has a serious hate-boner for the old geezers ruling it."

"...Did you seriously have to word it like that?"

"Her words, not mine," Bonnie shrugged.

Polar Freddy sighed and finished turning the parts over- and he was further gladdened to recognize the serial numbers on them. "S types," he said aloud, almost reverently. "I knew you had them!"

"...'S' types-?"

"Sentinel model pieces," The polar bot said fast as he tucked them close and turned them over. "This processor- you had it! I knew you did! You had half his BRAIN in your possession," he said breathlessly. "I wondered if Morris was withholding it- but I suppose he was telling the truth when he said he did not have it!"

"I what-? DUDE! I didn't know I had your buddy's fuggin' brain! I woulda given it back to you sooner!" Bonnie had the graces to looked panicked when he said it; furiously whispering and sputtering like someone sucker-punched him in the solar plexus.

Polar Freddy waved him off, "I do not fault you for your ignorance! I am only glad I HAVE it now. I thought Morris was lying when he said he was missing choice parts- huh." He frowned now, wondering if Morris had been lying at all. He continued nonetheless, "Animatronic processor pieces are hard to come by so... I'm surprised you'd want to give me this vital component. They're not exactly a commodity, and they're very important, as you know."

"Vanessa and the rest of us can make processors from scratch," Bonnie waved off. "It'd just take us five-ever. Having a whole piece like that is just easier and quicker to use than building a whole new one, and its better in case of emergencies. She made DJ's head from both scrapped endo parts and from stuff she got from the store. There's a reason why it took us a couple years to put him together though." He shrugged, "Anyways, I can give you more of these if you can tell me more. In fact, I'll even do ya one better-"

Bonnie gesticulated by inclining his head in the direction of the town. "I can go to the store for you if you need to. So whatever your friend is missing, I can cover it, probably. But you'd hafta promise to be forthcoming with the information."

"...You truly mean this?" Polar Freddy raised a brow. "I mean, I know you have been credited as a liar before..."

"Its for the well-being of my friends. You'd know that, as a Freddy, I'd do anything for them as a Bonnie. Especially for my own Freddy," Bonnie stated flatly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I only ever lied to protect them and I'll do it again- they are my family." He glanced away, "Cassie, Gregory, the others in there... they are my entire world, and I will do anything for them- as they've proven they've done anything for me. That love isn't one-sided, and I intend to protect that with both my own heart, and his own-" he stated, a paw on his breast again as if to point at Cassie's father himself.

Polar Freddy nodded, briefly reviewing the footage of them he's recorded being a family. He had no doubts of Bonnie's words; and he certainly couldn't forget the rabbit's shared ferocity with Cassie's father when they exchanged blows. He'd broken the rules of the PizzaPlex for them, and look where it got them-

Freedom. Breaking the rules got them their freedom and a new way of life.

Polar Freddy ended up looking at the ground, recalling that his own silence and compliance with the rules truly hadn't protected his friend- it only got him taken away. If he knew fighting back meant his friend never would've had to be dissembled, he would've done it. Polar Freddy however had been reluctant to do so; if for the fact he knew his Bonnie hated the idea of his fighting at all. They were both taught to treat the rules as paramount, and knew nothing else.

But ever since starting his little spy missions, he's seen more of the world and saw for himself what these views lead into. The consequences of their decisions no less had weight, but considerably less of it then staying in compliance to the company. If they hadn't broken their code and their rules, they'd still in the PizzaPlex, and be part of the rubble.

He turned over the processor part, realizing that if he gave this to his friend and Morris saw it the next time the rabbit got maintenanced, he'd know he's doing things behind his back. If he was going to throw his lot in with anybody, it'd be with a Bonnie whose actually made due on his words and succeeded in helping his friends. These guys wouldn't hurt his friend- perhaps the contrary, if they were given the incentive to believe that helping Snowshoe Bonnie would pay off for everyone involved. He gave information, they can help his rabbit-

Win-win.

Polar Freddy clutched the processor to his breast to protect it from the weather, eyeing the rabbit across from him and wondering about the assembly of his friend. If he were to do this, he'd have to assemble his friend and get him out of there before Morris decides to use the white rabbit against Polar Freddy himself. These guys meanwhile want into the building and want Morris dead-

He could help with that. If it meant his Bonnie would never be threatened again, he will help their mission.

He nodded once more, pulling at his belly slit and lifting the fur off his stomach hatch so he can open it. When Bonnie had a look inside him, he noticed the rabbit shake his head like he was surprised by something. Polar Freddy meanwhile stashed his friend's part inside his stomach cavity and shut it back; covering himself back up so to keep the cold off of the fragile processor.

"You look surprised. What is it?" Polar Freddy queried.

"You have uh... wow. That's some heckin' power in that motor of yours-" Bonnie shook his head, seeming dazed by it. "I don't think anyone I know except DJ when he was still BIG can sport something that powerful. You could probably hack us and make us fight each other if you wanted."

"That is low-down and dirty. I do not like playing unfair," Polar Freddy informed him. "If I liked under-handed, I would have done it."

"Did Morris ever ask you to do this?"

"Not directly... I made it clear to him early on that 'my capabilities as they are would not be sufficient enough for a thorough job', quote-end-quote. It is the truth when one considers your friends are being protected by something like this M.X.E.S and you have each other to compensate for any lack of computing potential on your own," The ursine shrugged. "I could have, in theory, make you lot hurt each other, but only half of you would be down and out by the time you would have over-written whatever I did and recover. You even carry back-ups of yourselves too and you have your own spare parts- smart, all things considered. Destroying you lot would prove more problematic for the company on that note. You all are powerful and fearsome as you are together, and can rebuild yourselves with resources whenever you please- its something even Morris understands."

Bonnie hummed noncommittally, though there was a sheepish nod and somewhat prideful sneer curling his mouth.

"Anyways," The ursine cocked his head. "I will be leaving now. I will keep in touch through our channel. As to your idea of getting at the company... I can give you the info for that as needed- and mayhaps you would not need to physically scope it out."

"You sure?" Bonnie looked skeptical but likely wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

The white-fleeced ursine nodded, "Yes. So long as you help me with my Bonnie, I will aid you in your mission. Nothing else matters to me."

"Its a deal!" The Glamrock smirked, perhaps for the first time this entire conversation. "Besides getting him what he needs, would you like to place a request for some other interesting parts? Seeing as this IS the season of giving-" Bonnie airily reminded him.

Ah, Right. Its Christmas eve. How poetic, thought the bear.

The polar bot wondered about that- eyeing the stone blue bunny and recalling their artificial guts. Eating sounded appealing, but not pragmatic or useful at the moment. He sniffled once, "Well, a couple things perhaps... but that will have to come later. I think for the moment, I will sit on that. I want to see what I can do for my friend in the meantime-" He turned to leave, dusting his shoulders off of the building snow and ice. "I have no intention of letting Morris keep up his repairs of my friend. I've already found an illicit file in him just the other day. Been scanning it... and it contains some malware that caught my eye."

"Oh? What kinda malware?"

The bear passed him an uncertain glance, "Control prompts for over-rides. Ways to take command of the bot like some remote toy... among some choice trojans. Not nice things, I can say that much. If I were to have pulled my Bonnie from the building without permission, his folder would've opened up and he would have fought me- reported me. He probably would have even clawed my eyes out or hack me!"

The other bot hummed again, then queried, "So... your friend. He's assembled mostly, just not entirely- and Morris has him in the building right now kinda lording him over your head? That's what I'm hearing."

"Yes, that is correct."

Bonnie folded his arms again and tapped his claws, then smirked, "Maybe we can work on getting your friend out of there and WE can finish building him instead? You can oversee it for yourself, and work on him with us personally? Its something you can consider-"

Polar Freddy cannot believe he was hearing this. Did this rabbit really want to trust him that much? Was he actually that nice? There was no way anybody was nice enough to do that-

But then again- that girl, Cassie, he recalled. She apparently gave herself to these bots to save them. They all are so keen to remind her- and they treat her like some queen. And Bonnie here is pretty much her parent... in some way or another. They believe in this kindness. And this kindness seems to have paid off... But to trust me with that? Why?

So he just asked, "May I inquire as to why you would do this? Not so long ago, you went mad and tried ripping my head off." He chortled uncertainly at that, reminding him of just a few days ago.

Bonnie only shrugged it off with, "Easy answer: 'Give kindness to where its needed; not deserved'. There ain't enough love in the world, man. Not enough people give it. I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of that love, even though I don't deserve it for being a lying asshole whose stained his claws with blood and kept cheating on and off." He shrugged casually, fur on his shoulders ruffling and bunching with the motion, "But I'm a better bot for it now, thanks to that same love. Get the picture?"

"Huh... I think, yes... I like that. I like that saying very much. I daresay, I think even my Bonnie would love that-" He mumbled, easily picturing his friend saying the exact same thing. Just goes to show that they may have some things in common as Bonnies, he supposed.

The rabbit shrugged it off and shuffled uneasily, stiffening when they both heard the brown bear chortle from inside, "Bonnie! Where the heck are you? We need another player for this game!"

The rabbit opened the door and shouted back in, "I'm outside coolin' off! I'll be in in a sec, Fredster! Okay-" He turned back to the polar bot. "So, talk again later?"

"Absolutely," the bot nodded. "I will keep in touch, and send files if need be."

Bonnie nodded, his smile returning more easily as he did. He gave the polar bot a small little wave; a timid motion that betrayed his lingering apprehension before slipping into the house there-after. Just before he he shut the door, he said over his shoulder, "Oh, and uh... I know its likely not a meaningful thing to you but... Merry Christmas I suppose. Figured that you don't hear that at all."

The bear blinked rapidly at the words- indeed, he had not heard those words ever since his own Bonnie said it to him years ago. It was such a simple set of casual words, but the starkness of it truly did put some things into perspective for him. Literally, only Snowshoe Bonnie has ever said that to him. Perhaps, he can hear those words again soon from his own best friend and not just the best friend of another Freddy.

For the moment, he took the small words to heart and patted his chest to indicate the piece he had, "Thank you. And this- I shall consider it my own Christmas gift then! I will try to give back by staying away from your residence tomorrow- let you have your holiday in peace."

"Thank you. I'll have another piece handy next time you swing by. Send me updates on your friend's parts and what he needs," Bonnie said.

"I appreciate it! Truly. Thank you," the bear nodded, his own smile wider than its been in ages.

Bonnie gave him one last piteous look- no doubt weighing on the fact that no human staff have likely humanized him or given him and the rabbit anything before. He clearly wanted to say more but wisely did not. He headed inside instead, locking the back door behind him.

Now to find Foxy. Hopefully he didn't go-overboard, he wondered. I hadn't expected to talk to Bonnie this long. No need to break this alliance and ruin their holiday by having Roxy hurt!

And with that, he skulked off with the intention of finding that ornery fox; being careful to step into the prints he made earlier when coming over here. The snow will fill them in with enough time, effectively erasing his presence of ever being here completely.

---

ROXANNE WOLF

This god damn FOX.

Roxy has never met a bot more irritating than Bonnie and Monty- but this white menace had them almost beat in terms of sheer audacity and stupid. He was like a PUP- wouldn't leave her alone, clearly trying to lure her away- she wasn't a moron. He was trying to get her away from the house. He truly acted like his animal inspiration by sneaking his way over and tugging at her in an effort to drag a much larger animal off a carcass he wanted. Still, she didn't see any benefit to him doing this; as she coulda sworn that the company wanted Bonnie-

So why is SHE being targeted? What's this guy's deal?

She'd been genuinely confused as she was goaded into short spats and chases; coy turnabouts that turned into toothy tugging matches. Foxy was more like a whelp as he danced around her like some toddler trying to get some parent's attention; his expression smug and blithe the times he knew she had arrested onto him. He'd throw a curse or a mini fit every time Roxy attempted to disengage; insulting her and spitting like some spoiled rich kid being told 'no' for the first time in their life.

By now, she was far enough from the house that it should be a worrying factor. If she was getting ambushed, this would be the time to do it. And yet, she remained alone. She was completely and utterly alone, unable to do more than get a few yards before that stupid fox got into her way. She couldn't ping her friends- her signal was being actively blocked! CLEARLY this was the white bear's work- and yet he hadn't deigned to show up! Now why was this?

If he was attacking the house, that'd be foolish, even for him. He was strong, but not strong enough to take DJ, Monty, Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, Moon, and M.X.E.S through Bonnie. Hell, even Vanny can throw in if given the chance and the means. He didn't have a chance in hell of winning a physical scrap and deflecting a digital attack at once. Unless he went after one of the humans leaving the house (which isn't likely, considering Vanessa's new ground rules), the bear simply couldn't benefit from jumping their residence...

Something wasn't right, and Roxy just couldn't put a talon on it! Its bad enough this fucking-annoying-pain-in-her-tail needs to leave her alone!

Roxy snarled again when Foxy- not for the first or last time- got a hold of her tail and swung off it. She was on all fours now; breath fogging the afternoon air in heavy clouds around her muzzle. Her ears pinned back against her ruffled mane; its luster dulled from the melting snow on it and the filth it seemed to attract from Foxy grabbing it on and off. Her leather coat was torn in some places from where he hooked her; her denim jeans now raggedy in some places.

The fox kept prowling around her as well; grin lopsided as he kept snorting and laughing like he was having a time of it. He was just being annoying for the sake of it; laughing on and off and throwing hissy fits every time she moved off him. He desperately kept dodging around her; and even mysteriously jumped right into her range to tempt her into seizing him- why? He literally gained nothing from this except more injuries! What was this guy's deal?

"Ain't no way, lass," He hissed at her. "-Ain't no way I'm not gonna letcha go 'til I'm done havin' me fun."

Roxy could buy into that somewhat... but why was he loose and alone? She snapped her jaws repeatedly; not growling but producing the distinct clink clink of metallic points banging into each other as her fangs clamped shut with the force necessary to warp steel. She got back up on her feet, going bipedal once again to circle him as he circled back. She took another step backward to once again try to run-

And of course he lunged AGAIN.

He laughed madly as he swung wildly within range of her; even meeting her talons head-on with his own obsidian set and creating sparks as they clashed. Embers scorched the air and the smell of heating metal assailed her nostrils as their cores increased temperatures from higher stress activity. Her chest hummed in roaring anticipation as she danced around him; trying to get her jaws into his ears again-

She's managed to get holes in them. She also got his own tail sometimes; pulling great hanks of fluff from him and making it look like a murder scene when clumps of fuzz scattered across the ground around them. The two canids bit and snarled at the other; Roxy's timbre strangely deeper than his own some moments even though he sounded like some slurring, half-buzzed Scotsman with a sore throat.

Speaking of which-

"Where the fuck is your pirate speak!" She insulted as she leapt back. "You don't sound like any REAL Foxy I've ever heard of!"

Foxy only laughed at her and threw his right elbow at her face; the wolf catching it and twisting it downward. He groaned when something popped in his joint; the wolf hurling him away and leering in brief victory of landing an ACTUAL blow! However, the fox was already on his feet again and popped it back; as if it was the simplest fix in the world. He experimentally flexed his limb, smirked at her and whooped like he was having a grand time.

"I love me a fiery lass!" He shouted, banging his fists together and flying back at her.

Roxy narrowed her eyes and bent double, getting into a ready position as he careened heedlessly at her. Their paws met and tangled like eagles in free fall; the two flipping one over the over into the snow and fur once again strangled the air in a plummy cloud of freed tufts. Roxy ended up on her back; Foxy snapping at her face while wearing a maddened look of sheer glee. He was WAY too into it, this she can tell. His legs meanwhile kicked and clawed; attempting to gouge her belly open or scratch up her legs more-

Roxy got her legs under his torso instead and pushed him off; throwing him more or less to the side. Before he even finished hitting the ground, she was on him and taking the dominant position; sitting directly onto his back and pulling his arms behind him in a wrestler's camel clutch. She growled at the back of his head, opening her jaws wide and priming them so she can prepare to gnaw through his fur coat, skull chassis, and endo within.

I'm gonna brain this fuck, one way or another!

Her teeth actually got into his head; not unlike when he got Chica a few days ago. She squeezed and something crunched; his chassis resisting with a sturdiness she found interesting but not super surprising. After all; he was a sentinel model, and these bots were guard bots; not performers or toys like she and the other Glams. They were powerful beasts-

But Roxy wasn't a cutesy performer anymore. She and the others were tuned and primed for anything now; far stronger than anything they've ever known because of Vanessa and Luis' upgrades. She wasn't fragile and breakable like some whelp. She was a champion fighter as well as musician- and no one can tell her otherwise ever again!

She grinned as her jaws kept applying an obscene amount of pressure; akin to the time Monty got a hold of the Mimic and warped its head into a pulp. Monty will always have a stronger bite than she does; he had hydraulics and augmented servos in his jaws while she only had the latter. His body was built a ways that it required more to be done with him- but Roxy was also strong enough to warp and break reinforced metal too. While not as effectively or quickly, she will win.

Just as Foxy's skull started to cave a bit more- her eyes caught movement: She stopped, then saw him coming- the white bear. He was stomping over on all fours; charging like a real polar bear diving at a fat seal stuck inland. Roxy only had that moment to realize she could kill Foxy and get caught, or she can let Foxy go and run-

She chose the latter. She wasn't dumb enough to fight this bad mofo by herself.

Spitting and swearing, she jumped off of the fox and bolted on all fours as well- hearing the ursine snap steely, chromium-tipped teeth behind her in warning. She heard the moment his talons scrapped and slowed his speed across asphalt and cement; an incredible near 800 pounds of sheer force, brute strength and power behind his every titanic step. He was twice her weight and size and thrice her strength; Roxy knew from fighting the Mimic a long time ago what her limits where- No. She couldn't afford to stay where he can grab her- she'd lose, as humbling as that was to consider.

She didn't have her tail between her legs. However, one cannot deny it was tucked way close as a means of making it not as accessible for him to seize. He bluffed into a final charge, but stopped when she got distance between them and moved with a speed he didn't quite have. Roxy can see through the back of her head in some part thanks to her expensive eyes; seeing the moment the bear stopped to watch her back. He wasn't interested in pursuing her-

Now why was that?

Roxy slowed and got a reasonable distance, pausing once to notice the bear the was still watching her in-turn. He was giving her an enigmatic expression, neutral in every way. It was in that instant she felt it; her ping radar was no longer blocked. Roxy blinked furiously when she got access to her own server connections and to her friends again. He did nothing else beyond that, not even helping up the fox when he went to rise. He only waited until his companion was finding his own feet before turning around; cerulean optics no longer containing their once chilly countenance. The pair exchanged a couple words, but not anything she can discern before they both stomped off into the white gloom.

"What- what was that all about?" She asked herself as they disappeared. "Seriously, what was the point of all that?"

---

She'd be sorely lacking for answers the entire way back home, somewhat lamenting her torn clothes but more focused on the fact that Foxy was so interested in her. Was he acting alone? Did he come after her on a whim? Did he only stop because the bear was there? Did the bear send him after her for a REASON? Had the bear known the fox would do this? What was the point in him fighting her and risking getting torn apart?

She just didn't know, and that royally pissed her off.

When she got home and stepped over the threshold, she immediately felt the eyes of every resident in the house upon her. The wolf was forced to pause, suddenly self-conscious of her raggedy appearance and wind-blown mane from running at the speed she did. She ended up catching almost literally the entire residence's eyes; feeling herself grit teeth in irritation.

"Wha- what're you lookin' at," She bit. "Don't fuggin' gawp!"

"Oh my god- what happened to you!" Vanessa was heard half-yelling from her spot on the couch. She was up and parting ways with Luis rather fast to meet the wolf at the door. Luis was following her there-after, fixing his glasses to his face and stepping around her.

Roxy flashed teeth but ignored her; shoulder-checking Vanessa on her way in and partially sulking her way to the stairs. She only stopped long enough to say, "Had pests around. Chased them off."

Before she can set foot on a single stair though, Freddy had seized her wrist with a strength she knew she couldn't win against. The bear was leaning in and intrusively shoving his nose into her fur and face; even burying it into her neck and chest region- Roxy snarled warningly at the motion.

"Freddy, fucking leggo," she cracked, all too eager to get upstairs so she can change clothes.

He ignored her coolly, eventually finding his answer and pulling off a single strand of overly-long white fur. Nearby, everybody in the room paused and held their breath at the sight of it- with the kids leaping off their spot in the floor in the midst of their Uno game. Cards flew to the carpet as Cassie was crossing the distance in a heart beat and wrapping her limbs around Roxy's middle. Freddy seemed to let go of her wrist only then to turn the fur over contemplatively.

"Are you OKAY? What happened- did he hurt you?! Was it that bear or the fox-?" Cassie immediately fired.

Roxy wasn't sure she liked the look on Freddy's face- something about it rubbed her the wrong way. While bots did not have instinct, the way he held himself stiffly made him feel unpredictable and gave her an air of unease. His robotic expression was... too autonomous in nature. Impossible to glean anything from beyond some sort of silent doom. She noticed on one instance, his lower mandible flickered downward to briefly reveal his sickeningly realistic bear teeth- but it was gone just as quickly as it appeared.

Why does he look like he's going to eat someone?

"Rox, tell us what happened," Was his composed order- not a request. A demand.

The wolf felt her earlier agitation drift away to subside into apprehension, her coal-lit eyes flickering as they studied the entirety of his physical form. She hated the fact that if he commanded it, she had to obey. It was a nasty aspect of her programming; a band-mate that had to listen to its leader. It didn't help that nowadays, her wolf programming demanded she listen to a higher power than herself- and while Freddy was a (relatively) harmless bear, he was still far more powerful than she was if he wanted to be. That fact alone was humbling; the wolf recalling the alarming fact that he was able to take on DJ at full size on his own and win. Freddy's word always held a weight to her she couldn't fathom -something Bonnie once made mention of that she foolishly shrugged off- until now.

She found herself complying rather too easily, her tone wary and low, "Arctic Foxy jumped me. Lured me into chasing him around. Tried sending a ping, but it got blocked. He wouldn't let me near the house-"

"You could've howled," Freddy said, tone strict and commanding. Cold.

Roxy felt her ears flatten. "I fell for it. Sorry," She looked away now, expression submissive and gaze arrested onto the floor. Don't look him in the eye- that's confrontational and rude, said the wolf part. "-I have no excuse for it."

There was a snort; a plume of steam briefly clouding the air between them before the bear reached up and grazed gentle talons across her brow to gingerly move errant green hair from from her face. He was still holding himself rather stiffly, but the gesture at least felt fluid and easy. There was a gentle hum, a bit more like him at least.

"Never again," was all he said, his baritone breathed in a way that was low and quiet; a brontide amidst an otherwise calm eve. Roxy had the image of boulders rubbing against each other and the sound of lightning in some great valley crackling a mighty distance away leaving a rumbling echo of its existence. He pulled away after that, the whir of servos barely audible.

Why do I feel like he just marked someone for death? She now wondered, feeling something horribly chilly where he once stood.

She apparently wasn't the only one who noticed; gazing down at Cassie and noticing something off with the girl's face. She was blanched from sheer fright; sweat budding once at her temples. The fact Freddy made her feel like that was worrying-

Oh, it must be his remnant thingy... she musta felt it, she briefly wondered.

Once again, the bots, seeing as they lack true organic instinct, cannot discern when things like the intangible stir. The creepy air only a dead spirit can give off is only felt by creatures with beating hearts, it seemed- that or by a bot whose also been exposed to remnant and was gifted with its incredible awareness. On that notion, Roxy saw nearby that Bonnie's expression looked noticeably like Cassie's; worried and vaguely frightened like he was holding his breath in anticipation of some great blow. He didn't move beyond that, his maroon optics following the ursine as he crossed the room and-

-Headed right out the front door.

"Freddy-" Bonnie called after him stiffly. "Wait-"

The bear had gone already, Roxy noticing him sniffing around the yard where she had walked earlier- essentially retracing her steps around the house. He followed her path across the front lawn, snuffling loudly and bustling nearer to the tree-line. He even had the absurd resemblance to a REAL bear; getting on all fours once and planting his nose where she's been walking. His fake fur bunched over his back and shoulders; giving him that hunched over, burly appearance that only accentuated the image he projected.

Bonnie was seen getting up and going after him- shutting the door on his way out. Roxy could see with her special eyes the bunny trying to talk to the bear, but he ignored his best friend and kept sniffing around like he was on the hunt.

And the fact that he IS was the worrying part.

Cassie's tug on her arm broke her gaze, the girl pulling her towards the stairs. "Come on. Let's get you into something less torn," she murmured.

"Yeah... sure, sweetie," was all she can say to that.

The two glided up the stairs, with Roxy noticing Vanessa following. Luis and Gregory were huffing behind her, then the two were peeking their heads outside to watch Freddy.

Frankly, Roxy wasn't too keen on Vanessa ever since she woke up Vanny, but she said nothing as the group headed to the bots' wardrobe room. There, Roxy got busy yanking her clothes off and tossing them into the hamper nearby. Her gray fur was ruffled and scratched in some places; with the wolf grunting again when she realized she'd have to sew up a couple patches before doing anything else. On that note, she went to remove her pelt and put that aside as well.

Nearby, Vanessa was seen taking the heavy pelt and sitting down near her sewing kit (keep in mind, these furs were easily near a hundred pounds each and Vanessa was moving this with no small amount of effort- luckily the distance here was short and she was only slightly red-faced form dragging it). She breathed easily once she was sitting down, fixing her hands through it so to feel out and find the tears. She settled its bulk weight on the floor and leaned over to open her sewing kit next.

This 'kit' was actually a HUGE chest filled with different kinds of faux fur and different colored strings; and it was large enough for a kid Greg and Cassie's size to fit into. It had spools and spare needles on trays that roll out from the lid opening up, as well as bunches of fabrics for normal clothes in its base. The bots tended to accidentally tear or wear down their fabric articles fairly often; though it wasn't intentional. They tended to over-estimate their strength when it came to clothing and things got torn, naturally.

"So, what happened," Vanessa began, pulling it open and already studiously getting to work. "You don't strike me as the type to fall for any sorta kind of trick that damn fox would pull..."

Roxy snorted as she checked her shell out in the body mirror; gladdened to see the scratches, the times they went through, was minimal. Her Glamrock chassis nowadays was painted like her wolf fur pelt; uniform base gray with her belly and part of her breast a softer hue reminiscent to the color on her tail tip, and styled like the pattern on Freddy's old shell. She honestly looked... naked, without her red paint suggesting the idea of clothes, but Roxy didn't care much since it wasn't like she and Chica both didn't have anything to show. They didn't have anything but their figure to suggest their gender physically.

Side tangent, the fur color was actually realistic and more akin to her animal inspiration- and she's adored the idea of being made in their likeness ever since she learned of them. They were beautiful in her eyes, liking the nuance of alternating grays they can be and how she herself had been meticulously painted to look like that. The gray wasn't as uniform as previously stated- a deliberate sweep of paint with different hues when it was done.

Behind her, Cassie was picking out her clothes and putting them out for her; with the wolf finally answering Vanessa with, "I tried going back to the house but that fox kept pulling me apart! He got my hair, my legs, my tail, he just kept picking at me-" She shook her head, "Honestly, I shouldn't have fallen for it. I feel like a damn fool. I know it coulda been a trap, but I also knew in a fair enough setting, I can beat him. I almost did, actually. I had a hold of his head and everything- I literally had him in my teeth! I was crushing it!" She held her paws together and gritted her teeth in demonstration, "But... that damn ice bear came charging at me like a bat outta hell and I hadta leave. He didn't come after me... which was the weird part."

Vanessa frowned at her as she sewed, "So... the fox lured you away, you fought him, and then... the bear showed up ONLY when you had Foxy in a grip and he didn't chase you down?"

"Pretty much?"

Cassie and her tossed each other looks. And then, the older woman said, "That doesn't sound right... surely he was distracting you from something?"

"I don't fucking know! I can't tell what these assholes are planning," Roxy griped as she stared back into the mirror. Cassie came up behind her with her hair brush, the wolf taking it with a soft 'thank you' and getting it through her mane. Cassie had a hold of her second brush and was combing her tail back out- something the girl liked doing in her spare time. "At any rate, that fox already comes off as a loose canon... he attacked you and Luis and, if you recall, and that bear had to stop him from finishing the job? I dunno- he comes off as totally reckless and he mighta just charged me because he wanted to-?"

"Maybe... but then again, why would the bear only show up then to save him-?" Vanessa huffed. "He'd be watching the fox, right? To keep him out of trouble. He doesn't strike me as the type to let him out of sight unless there was a motive to it-?"

There was more sighs, no girl in the room able to parse it out in earnest. Roxy meanwhile couldn't help but ponder if the ice bear did something he shouldn't, using Foxy as some sort of decoy- but what?

Beyond that, Roxy can almost hear the gears turning in Vanessa's head; the woman super dedicated to her work on the pelt. Roxy finished combing her mane out and waited for Cassie to finish in silence; the wolf watching her with a patience and affection she used to not possess. Once Cassie let go, Roxy got to her feet and observed Vanessa switching to another spot on the pelt. Seems she'll have to wait to put the fur back on. She decided to leave her clothes here and shower for the time being; as well as buff her shell in the garage. It hadn't been touched up in a while, so she supposed this was a good as time as any to do so.

Just as she started to walk out, Vanessa called out, "Rox, you sure you didn't see anything else?"

"No... Foxy refused to speak beyond cat-calling me- which was fucking annoying as piss!" She pulled at her hair unintentionally; snapping teeth and growling. "UGH. HE'S SO GROSS! The fucker wouldn't stop with the sleazy comments and kept jumping on me like a damn toddler! And besides whistling, he was making so many crass comments, oh my god. Vanessa, if you heard him, your skin woulda crawled, cuz my shell certainly felt like it!"

The woman raised a brow and nodded, "God I hate men like that... nice to know we have a bot version of a sleazeball. REAL reassuring-" She made the motion to spit; not actually doing so in her own house. It was just for show. "I woulda tasered his ass. Next time that happens, make sure you're armed with more than your teeth- and tell me how much thrashing he does on the ground once you zap him. Hell, I may upgrade all of you with a built-in taser just for that-" She paused then, eyes wide. "Why haven't I done that already?"

"Sounds like a plan-" Roxy bit as she left to finish cleaning herself up. "Frankly, I won't turn that down if you did it."

"Note to self and to Luis: Get you all armed with tasers," Vanessa muttered.

Roxy giggled mischievously there, "I'm just glad there was no kids around! He woulda sent a child crying into therapy!"

Cassie looked helplessly at the wolf, then the floor. She said nothing this entire time, likely still mulling over what the heck this could all mean. Roxy found her puckered lip-line and button nose cute, so she bent over and poked it; making her jump in the process.

"Don't be worrying your pretty little head about nothing, pup. Believe me, that guy ain't nuthin' anyways. I was totally kicking his ass, just so you know," She grinned.

"I don't doubt it- seeing as you're still in one piece and you only got tiny scratches out of it... its just... I doubt Foxy went after you just for kicks-" The girl fidgeted increasingly here, "I mean, he likely would just teased you into a fight for fun for his own merit, but I highly doubt Polar Freddy would let him off that leash if he didn't do something behind the scenes. Probably wouldn't hurt to look around the yard or something-"

"Not with that snow coming down- its and enough Freddy decided he wanted to go out there," Vanessa huffed. "Its gonna storm tonight. Hopefully Bonnie brought his ass back in by now. It'll be hard for Jacob and his parents to get here tomorrow-"

"What- OH MY GOD I FORGOT THAT-" Cassie panicked. "I totally flippin'- CRAP BASKETS."

Roxy blinked and winced, "Dammit... I forgot that too! He and his parents were coming for a feast and presents?"

"Yeah. I told Chica she and Sun can get back into the kitchen tonight and tomorrow morning. Jacob wanted to spend the night too, if you recall," Vanessa shrugged.

"Is that even a good idea?" Roxy shook her head. "I mean... what about... Vanny, and the fact we had god-damn Foxy here?"

"Its likely the polar bots are gone for now... they'd be stupid to stay where Freddy can find them. Foxy's got your scent on him now- Freddy will track him down if he stays nearby, so the Christmas party should be safe. As to Vanny, simply don't let Jacob into the garage," Vanessa sighed. "I'd say we can call them and tell them to not show up, but I intend on giving the kids a NORMAL Christmas with a friend for once. Come hell or high water, they'll get it-" The woman stoutly asserted.

Cassie walked over to Vanessa, tapping her shoulder gently to get her attention and leaning into her. In fact, in a rare show of affection, the girl hugged her adopted mother and kissed her cheek. Vanessa hummed at her, putting a hand on the back of her head to cradle it and pulling her in for a tighter hug.

"You're such an angel- my god I'm lucky to have you as MY kid now," Vanessa smirked. "Your dad was lucky when you were born. God forbid, I probably woulda stolen you for myself right from the cradle!"

"You and I both know how that woulda turned out, " Cassie smiled, though her chuckle was more uncertain than anything.

The woman grunted, then lowered her arm to hold it around Cassie's mid-section and kept her pinned for a sort of hug while she put the fleece down. Roxy smiled softly at them as Vanessa went on with, "You mean Bugs Bunny's snarkier, hated and long-lost forgotten brother that nobody invites to family reunions because of his fat upper lip? Oh, I wouldn't let him keep me from you. Bonnie can kiss my own cotton-tail, on that note."

Cassie giggled, her hands pulling and tugging anew.

Vanessa eventually let her go and gestured, "In the meantime, I'm gonna patch this up and finish my work in the office. Was checking out another house we can flip online. Luis has another site to finish too..."

"Hopefully we'll have the money for a mansion soon," Roxy muttered. "I love it here, but its a bit crowded."

The former security guard sighed forlornly, "I know... I know. We're taking care of it, Rox. I promise we'll have a nice big house by New Year's next year. We'll all have our own rooms, a bigger kitchen, and a POOL-" Vanessa squealed there. "Oh my god, I want a pool so BAD. And maybe a dedicated fitness room? Like to do yoga and weights in."

"And a carport for me-" Roxy dreamily fluttered her eyes. "Nothing would make me happier than making my OWN wheels! I can do DONUTS with a car of my own making!"

"Not in our yard! But maybe if we have a large enough plot of land for you to drive around in, I don't see why not," Vanessa smiled.

Cassie watched them in silence- to which Vanessa bumped her shoulder and crooned, "Hey, what's up, hun? Doncha want a big house?"

"-'Course I do... I'd love to have like... a tech room? To do projects in, like my dad did-" she began. "Maybe make my own animatronic stuff. Keep making parts for you guys, and maybe eventually getting a job in it! Oh, and I wanna have a nice big garden too?"

"I'd love a garden- and maybe keep a beehive or two a fair distance away-" Vanessa mussed. "The bees need to be saved!"

"Save the bees!" Cassie chanted.

Roxy put her paws together as she watched them, feeling something in her core grow at the idea of this dreamscape. It was possible for them to live their BESTEST life- Just months away technically- if they were fast and furious with Fazbear Entertainment. Once the company was gone, they can truly be free. And hearing them make plans like this made Roxy feel something mortal and human within her stir- as well as something resolute concrete her drive to finishing the company off forever. She too had her turn to tug at her jade talons, literally envisioning herself making her own car from scratch- lying in front of a sexy new hot rod with a bunch of greasy tools nearby and Cassie right along side her with a similar interest.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the picture, she sauntered over and stood behind the little girl in question. She gently placed her paws on Cassie's shoulders and made her lean against her belly; gently thumbing her shoulders and helping the tiny pup to relax. She dipped her head down and nosed her head once, relishing the scent of chocolate and coconuts.

"I... there was something else," Cassie eventually said, taking a hand and placing it on one of Roxy's own. "Like... maybe its jumping the gun but... you ever consider anything else for yourself? Like, besides the bees."

"Whatcha mean? I really wouldn't want for much else..." Vanessa wondered aloud. "I have you and Greg, and the rest of these misfits! Oh, and maybe Luis too," she added with a light tease.

Cassie giggled, but then offered, "But don't you like... want your own kid though? Like, an actual a baby-"

"OW!"

Vanessa dropped the pelt and needle; sucking on her thumb after the girl's surprising words. She had this distinct pinkening of her freckled visage; her green eyes a confusing mass of emotions as she processed Cassie's words over her lightly bleeding finger. She blinked and kept darting glances off to the side; eventually stopping with the thumb sucking and grumbling uncertainly.

"I-I dunno, hun... I don't think I'd be any good with actual babies- and if I got stuck with one of my own, I'd run around in a panic like Chica in an legit pizza shop. I was barely able to muster the nerve to adopt Gregory, back when I did it-" She started with a distant, almost timid timbre. "Gregory scared me; if for the fact that I was afraid of not knowing what I was supposed to be doing for a kid with no family and a fuck-ton of emotional baggage when I had some of my own issues to balance. I was supposed to be guiding him, helping him... setting a good example, even though my life was a horrid mess. Granted..." She sighed there, "-We're better off now, and this wouldn't be the same situation. But my own baby? I just don't think I can do it-"

"Why not? Its not like that baby would be like Greg or me-" Cassie told her. "I think you could do it!"

Vanessa showed her teeth in a grimace, "Not gonna lie, Cass. But that image just now scared me shitless. I would legit freak out if I realized I was having a child. Its not like I wouldn't be able to afford them or something-" She glanced away. "But... I don't wanna mess them up somehow... you know what I mean? Babies are like blank slates- super impressionable. Like... I don't want them growing up to be as miserable as I used to be, or... shit. I don't even know."

She lowered her arms and situated them on her elbows, sitting and mulling this over more carefully. Roxy was intrigued to find something interesting in the nuance of Vanessa's smell; not that she can identify what. It was different than what she usually found- unique. Was she perhaps entertaining it? No... but the thought was no doubt leaving her with mixed feelings.

Vanessa meanwhile went on, "Luis and me aren't like... serious enough to consider this, even though we're living together now. He's only been my boyfriend a couple years. That ain't long enough for something as long-term as a baby, sweetie. Sorry, but I don't think I can see that happening anytime soon."

"Well... he's helping you to raise us. And you're helping to raise the bots too-" Cassie joked, gesticulating to Roxy above her.

Roxy sniggered there, slanting the two a crooked smirk, "She's right, yunno. Monty's a big baby as it is! Him and Sun. You'd been juggling them and these two brats. You could totally have your own kid and not mess it up. You have the resources to help them, you're better experienced now, you'd have us to help too... and its not like this environment we're in is inappropriate! In a bigger house, there wouldn't be anything stopping you- you know, later down the line."

Vanessa continued to shake her head and picked the pelt back up. She found her place on a certain stitch and resumed the task with a reflective air. She eventually said, "I just... I'd have to have a LONG think session on that- and I'd have to ask Luis when we're like- uh, you know what I mean. Him and I are... well, we're doing great as we are. I don't think a kid is needed unless we really wanted that later on. Aside from that, I feel like I'd have to live him a lot longer before considering it, get what I mean? Luis hasn't exactly lived in this house long enough for anything like that. It takes humans 7 years to fully know each other be comfortable with each other for a commitment like that- and that's a given if they lived together!" She shook her head, "We'd need a lot more time before considering anything like THAT."

Cassie produced a saddened sound; no doubt a bit disappointed by the lack of a baby in their future. "I woulda loved a sibling besides Greg-" She mumbled. "I never had anybody in my life but my dad and mom- and even then, it was mostly my dad."

"We'll hafta see, Cass. Be patient," Vanessa told her. "Now go on; go find your twerpy, mouthy brother and do something fun for once besides work yourself to death over helping me or the bots."

"Okay," Cassie nodded, leaning in and kissing Vanessa on the cheek. The girl turned back to Roxy, taking a paw and saying, "You wanna join us for a game soon?"

"Maybe. As long as carrot-breath isn't annoying about it this time," Roxy told her. "In the meantime, I'm gonna shower and buff up."

"Can I help?"

"Cass, what did I JUST say," Vanessa groaned. "Roxy is an independent wolf. She can do it herself! Go play and be a NORMAL kid for a little while, hm?"

"She's right," Roxy told her. "Go on."

Cassie sighed, relented, and left them be after that. Roxy would soon follow after, heading to the bathroom and letting Vanessa continue the repair on her pelt.

---

VANESSA

She hadn't been working on it for too long before she ended up with company.

Chica had found her way into the room; balking a bit at the sight of Vanessa and immediately wilting. The observation baffled the woman; with her lowering Roxy's pelt and waving her inward.

"Come on in, its not like its anyone else is here but me! Frankly, I can do with the company," She encouraged.

The hen burbled but complied. She toed her way in shut the door; her hands resting on the knob for a steady minute before she eventually let go and found the spare chair in here. She pulled it up across from Vanessa's; eventually making her way to her private sewing box nearby. Chica had a bunch of these 'practice' cloths and kits in this tiny box, and tended to stash a few odds and ends (no food!). Vanessa never opened it more than once to get something for the hen at her behest. However, this time around, the woman was surprised by the toy the chicken pulled from the depths of her kit:

A... a Bonnie plush?

Chica settled down across from her again and sighed heavily, showing it to her. "Guess I can reveal this other little secret... since you're here and all. I made this one myself," She started with no shortage of shyness. "I didn't wanna show it cuz... I didn't want you thinking I'm creepy or something."

Vanessa put Roxanne's heavy pelt down and took it; realizing with a start that it wasn't a typical Glamrock pattern on the stuffed bunny. It was Bonnie, but as Chica said, it was hand made. She turned it around and sighed pleasantly, finding it adorable and actually quite well-made.

"Teaching you to sew was a good idea," She told the hen. "Its looks just like him- in fact, I'll go as far to say it looks better than the standard Glamrock plushes!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, no foolin'," Vanessa nodded as she sized up the fur detail. It was made of the same material as Bonnie's artificial fur he wore nowadays; making it look like a nearly exact miniature replica. It was missing clothes, and it was adorable enough so that Vanessa's little girl side was squealing at its level of cute. "I won't lie, Chica, but this is easily one of the best hand-made dolls I've ever seen. I wouldn't mind covering my bed in a bunch of mini versions of you guys. Its THAT good. I can almost see you selling these!"

The hen hummed thoughtfully, fidgeting a little at the praise.

"You and Sun have a knack for this," She continued to say as she offered it back to its maker. "But if I may ask- how long have you had this? You done with it yet? It LOOKS done, minus the fact he's naked."

The chicken took it back and turned it around, eventually reaching for a needle and thread herself. She began with, "There's a story that goes into this, see. I started making this over a year ago but hated how it looked- so I made another until I got better. This thing has been beat up and taken apart and put back together again- not unlike the real deal, now that I think about it..." She looked uncomfortable there. "As it is, I made this because I felt bad."

"About what?"

The chicken leveled her a pathetic, heavy-lidded look, "Years ago, Freddy stole the last Glamrock Bonnie plush from the garbage bins in the alley during the renovations. He knew they were gonna be all gone so... yeah. He held onto it for a bit before eventually showing me his plush he'd been harboring in secret." She pulled some stitches at the bunny's joints, securing his limbs so they wouldn't pull apart so easily as she spoke, "He shared this toy with me since I had nothing of Bonnie left after the clean-up. Everything of Bonnie that existed in the PizzaPlex was gone. Just... gone! We had nothing to remember him by but our own memories- and even then, our memories aren't perfect. You know as well as I do that our minds can be tampered with and edited. It was inevitable that staff may remove him from our thoughts, perhaps... or make us forget him out of spite or... I dunno."

Her teeth showed in a grimace as she said, "We just didn't want that. We love our bunny so much- he is half our hearts, as we are half of his. Bonnie was why our band worked- why we had the flare we did, why we could pick ourselves up off the floor even after the roughest of days. And the fact we couldn't hug him anymore? That hurt so much that it physically ached with time. That ache was so terrible, I wanted to just..." She paused here, lowering the toy and staring dolefully at the floor, "I just wanted to forget it. So... I ate terribly so I can forget being that sad- as you know. My memory was going to fail with time inevitably- whether it be from the staff or the food, remained to be seen. I would forget him, and it wouldn't be long in-coming that I forget everything else too-"

Her soprano wobbled and broke; the hen pulling her legs up as best she could in her seat and tucking the stuffed rabbit close as she would a real baby. "Losing myself so completely almost felt like bliss after a while. I hate that feeling, but it was the only way I can deal after the PizzaPlex closed and we were left in darkness. I stopped seeing Freddy, Roxy couldn't see me to help, and Monty just... didn't care. I was so lonely in those months after the megaplex closed... Forgetting everything that hurt became paramount to me. I just... I just..."

She stopped completely, taking that moment to tuck the toy out of sight and under her chin. Her shoulders jumped a few times; and a couple sobs escaped her. At that point, Vanessa leaned over to rest a gentle hand on her arms, then got up completely to close the gap between them. She found her arms around Chica's shoulders and leaned over her in the chair, certainly feeling the weight of her brusque nature with them back then crawling up her back. She knew she'd been almost out-right cruel to them some nights- whether or not it was intentional or because of Vanny's influence on her didn't matter.

One of Chica's hands found itself on Vanessa's arm, clenching it gingerly in thanks. She said, "I-I digress. I'm sorry... I just. Just. I was so... taking what happened to Bonnie and moving on wasn't something Freddy or I can do. We just couldn't. So we shared that toy for a while..." She bumped her head against Vanessa here, "But I ended up losing it. That toy disappeared with time- and Freddy, he was so devastated when I lost it. He cried! He said he didn't, but I heard him-" She inhaled gustily there, "He was so upset with me... I guess it just finished driving us apart."

"How'd you lose it?"

"I went wandering around with it... like an idiot," Chica huffed. "I got into another food tizzy and... I misplaced it. It got lost in that joint and I never found it again. Even to this day, I felt bad about it. It was my fault that Freddy and I were so removed after a point- besides losing the toy, I felt so guilty that I couldn't even look him in the face-" She swiped a hand to an optic and rubbed, though there was no tears there. "I felt like I killed Bonnie twice- once literally with the bowling ball, and then again because of my own gluttony. So-" She held up the stuffed toy, "I wanted to make this to compensate for it. I practiced making it ever since you taught me to sew, and only recently I found a design I liked and... it makes me happy you like how it looks."

Vanessa nodded, leaning over a bit to peer into the hen's lilac eyes, "Well, I think you did a splendid job on it. It looks better than the older ones, as I've said. And frankly, I wouldn't mind one of these for me." She smiled and grazed a hand lovingly on it, "So, how done is it? You never told me-"

"Done, technically... seeing as you like it, I assume Freddy will love it," Chica sighed with a slight lightening to her tone. "The clothes can be optional maybe..."

"Absolutely. So, you gonna give it to him for Christmas tomorrow?"

"That was the plan- but now I suppose I should be wrapping it-" She said.

Vanessa nodded and gesticulated to the closet nearby, "I've been putting the wrapping paper and bows in here- seeing as all the rest of our crafts is here too. You can wrap it up right now and stick it under the tree!"

Chica nodded, going to rise and do just that. Vanessa huffed as she observed the hen, feeling immeasurably terrible for the way she once treated them. She didn't go out of her way to be cruel to them- she had her numerous bad days to account for the bludgeoning nature of her tongue, but she also knew sometimes she'd been so frustrated with them because they were so hard to deal with. In the end, Vanessa hadn't the patience to deal with them anymore and wound up accidentally insulting them and belittling them with deadpan words and callous mannerisms. And in one or two instances, she definitely recalled being mean to them on a whim.

Not one of her prouder moments- but that night Gregory spent in the PizzaPlex had made her crazy with worry and frustration. Vanny became active and constantly seized control; and Vanessa wound up worrying that she could hurt Gregory if the bots didn't do their part to find the boy. She even shouted at Roxy in her own room and kept groaning whenever she saw Chica in the dang garbage over and over instead of them helping with the search-

-And then she realized they were hacked and Vanny could have done it whenever Vanessa couldn't reliably remember it. The times she took control, Vanessa couldn't remember EVERYTHING that happens.

Even before this however, the bots tended to frustrate Vanessa on their own merit. Monty destroyed things for fun, Roxy was a hot mess that reminded Vanessa too much of her own confidence issues, and Chica's singularly focused frenzies made the woman too paranoid to go near her- in case she gets trampled by her just for being in-between the hen and a slice of pizza by accident. Getting hurt by them was a very real danger and she couldn't afford to be patient with them when they weren't being agreeable on their own accord-

But now, Chica's behavior made fantastic and sickening sense. Her coping with Bonnie's loss truly was terrible in every facet; with Vanessa feeling bad for the fact she may have even compounded the hen's fragile mental instability. She would have irrefutably taken the toy away if she saw it; but it would've been her job to dispose of it- to not leave it lying around where people can find it and question where the bot was anymore. If she knew it belonged to Freddy and Chica, she wasn't sure if she would've left it for them either; as she hadn't been friendly with them to begin with-

Once again, not one of her prouder moments- and it was the reason why she went out of her way for them now. She wasn't going to let them do without ever again. When she used to be the reason why they were so insecure, she felt she had to compensate for it and helped them to acclimate to the life they now had. And in return, they've given their own form of devotion and showed a love she once didn't think them capable of as thanks. They even had an anniversary day of their coming to live here:

'Vanessa Appreciation Day'- a day where, on aforementioned anniversary of leaving the PizzaPlex forever, the bots would shower her in thanks and gifts, where applicable. Freddy was super huggy those days and even Bonnie stopped being his smartass self so to properly give her a gift and acted quite the gentleman towards her. Monty wasn't in her way, and Chica and Sun made her dinner! Roxy went out with her for an evening to have a girl's night out with the hen on the side.

They made a personal holiday just for me, she recalled, watching the hen as she finished wrapping up the azure toy. They thank me that much even though I've put them through a modicum of hell myself.

I will never let them down again. Waking up Vanny wasn't something I've wanted to do but... if they care that much, I should put my own foot forward for them too, right? Relying on Vanny for help is the only way I can figure we can protect ourselves and what we have- ironic and stupid as that sounds.

Chica walked up and smiled shyly, brandishing the little present in her arms. "So... you said you wanted one of all of us?" She eventually queried.

Vanessa smirked, "Absolutely. I'd feel like the luckiest girl in the world if I had a Glamrock plush MADE by a Glamrock personally."

The hen's smile grew three sizes that day. "Guess I know what I'm making you for the next while," She lilted. "You think Cassie and Greg would want one too?"

"Oh, no doubt. You know as well as I do that Cassie would totally go for a plush of all of you," She said. "She may even cover her whole bed with them."

The hen nodded, "Guess I'll have something else besides kitchen duty to be keeping me preoccupied..."

With that, Vanessa walked with Chica down the stairs to place the present under the tree. They chatted amicably as they did, with Freddy taking notice of them nearby from his position on the couch. Vanessa noticed him there and was gladdened to see that, beyond his earlier behavior, he seemed more himself again. He had returned at some point from his man-hunt but appeared empty-pawed.

Vanessa actually took pause and asked, "You okay? You didn't find anything out there, did you?"

Freddy's eyes had been on Chica as she put the present down, glancing up to meet Vanessa's beryl pair with his own cerulean set. "I found trails but... the snow covered them up fast. No scent," He inputted with no small amount of derisive disappointment. His tone was sharp, making the girls look up at him. Vanessa found herself blinking rapidly when he said, "It seems there's been trails everywhere else too... I think they've been spying on us. I couldn't tell however since there's been trails made by the neighborhood animals too... I smelled the neighbors' cat a few too many times crossing paths with wherever these bots are."

"Surely you can tell the difference though-?" Vanessa pressed, looking stoutly alarmed by this portent.

"That's the thing: The neighborhood tom here? He's been smartly using these beaten paths so to avoid pushing through the snow- and there's been all kinds of activity from the creatures around here. It seems our sentinel friends are no threat to them and the animals just mix up their smells with whatever little can be found of the bots-" Freddy supplied stiffly. "Otherwise, they leave no discernable clear odor. I think I smelled metal but... its not very clear after a point and started to fade very fast as soon as I got a trail."

"He's been chasing it for the past two hours!" Bonnie called from the next room- the garage. "I hadta drag his ass back by force! The trail went cold and he didn't want to come home 'til he found it again!"

Vanessa noticed Freddy's huff and unrepentant expression, the bear sounding miffed himself as he said, "I wasn't going to let them hurt Roxy and get away with it. And if they're lurking around here, I'm going to sus it out- make no mistake on that."

"I'm surprised you ain't outside right now taking watch, on that note-" Vanessa started, Chica coming to stand beside her.

"If they were smart, they will stay clear of the house and neighborhood tonight. Monty's already looking around with Moon. Moon's been creeping around outside taking a look around the time's Monty has to come in to thaw. I will be going out next," Freddy informed her. "I will not tolerate them being around here for tomorrow especially; not when we're expecting Jacob to come over."

"I have half a mind to call Brittany and say its not a good time-" Vanessa sighed, face-palming in the process.

"I know, I almost did it myself," Freddy admitted, ears sagging visibly. "But I want Cassie and Greg to have fun for once on a holiday like this one- and things should be okay with all of us taking turns watching. Brittany told me that this Christmas would be Jacob's first one with actual friends outside the orphanage-"

Ouch. Yeah, no way Freddy was going to cancel on Jacob then, on that note. Vanessa knew the bear was a sucker for kids like that after meeting Gregory; and even though Jacob had a family now, he hasn't had it very long. The only holidays he's ever spent with anyone had been with the other kids in the orphanarium on the other side of town. His adoptive parents no doubt were looking forward to this as well as Vanessa and the others did.

"Crap- I forgot about the feast!" Chica smacked herself next; jumping visibly. "Oh- I need to get in there and pre-cook that ham! And the other stuff-" She bustled past them in a hurry. "Oh feathers this is gonna be a huge meal! I can't believe I forgot-"

Her voice died as she escaped into the kitchen, leaving Vanessa and Freddy temporarily alone, besides DJ nearby still watching them with a book in hand. He raised a brow and got back to reading on that note; as silent as a church mouse.

"Well then, " Vanessa eventually went on to say. "I say, let Chica have at it in the kitchen then... Meanwhile I'm going to finish Roxy's pelt and get back onto the computer for some last minute work. I think I have someone interested in selling us another house we can flip-" She started.

Freddy hummed but then reached over the couch to snag Vanessa as she went to pass by. The woman huffed, and couldn't exactly escape his vice when he pulled her over (gently, of course) to sit on the arm of the couch. A little surprised by the emotion, Vanessa complied and found herself hugging him too; and not for the first time or the last, loving the actual bear hug she was getting. It literally helped her blood pressure every time Freddy gave her one; so it wasn't like she was complaining.

"Thank you again for looking out for us," The bear started, releasing her after a full moment of said hugging. "I know the majority of us may be a bit... er, well, we all are a bit off-kilter with this thing with Vanny but- I understand your worry completely."

"You're not mad?" Vanessa found herself saying.

"No, not anymore. I admit, I was at first but... not so much now," Freddy told her. "I am still paranoid about Vanny but with Chica, Bonnie, Mex, and the others, I am certain we can keep her under wraps. Her information is already paying off as well, loathe as I am to say it. She and Greg even talked apparently-"

"What."

Freddy held up a paw, "Now hold on, listen: Greg told me that he talked with Vanny the prior day about something- and she helpfully informed us that the company has been staying afloat on subsidiaries and we can take advantage of that. He formulated a plan: He said he's going to use Mex to 'surf the net' and look for these businesses. They are licensed and legal apparently, and likely have buildings rented out to do their work in- meaning, the county and state they're in will have them on file." Freddy went on to say carefully, "He's already tracked the address of a couple of them since that conversation yesterday. He and Mex are looking into them and checking out who currently runs them and how connected they can be to Fazbear Entertainment in general. We may require Vanny to narrow it down, but I am certain with her help, we can cut them off and weaken the company."

"While that sounds intelligent on paper-" Vanessa went on to say, "I'm worried about Vanny pulling a fast one-"

"She will not, if she knows what's good for her," Freddy said in a rumbling baritone that could make even a blood-thirsty war god kneel. Vanessa blinked at the gravelly hardness in it as he clipped, "I will personally make sure she behaves. I will assist in taking her apart digitally if I have to to make her compliant. After what she put us through, I have no qualms of hurting her as need be."

Vanessa raised a brow here but didn't argue. Guess Vanny pissed even Freddy off, she wondered. And god damn, that takes a lot to do it.

Freddy finished releasing her and gently brushed her clothing straight as well as move some errant blonde hair out of her face, "Now then. You leave Vanny to me and the others, and we shall continue our work on finding that information on those companies. You do enough to help us stay functioning as is! And I know you've spent a lot on us recently... you worry about all of us and do your best to make us happy and comfortable."

"I was the one who let Vanny free though-" Vanessa began to argue. "I shouldn't let you guys pick up my mess and do the watching FOR me!"

"Tut tut-" He waved a finger at her nose and booped it; a blue talon softly grazing it. "I just made it clear that I do not mind this endeavor. We do this as a team after all, and you've shouldered enough for all of us. I will not have you running yourself ragged worrying about Vanny AND our care all at once- let alone the kids and Fazbear Entertainment! You'll only end up crashed and emotionally drained! Now-" He pushed her up, "Off with you. Get your work done, and rest. If I have to, I will be up there to check on you myself."

"You ain't my dad-" She argued uselessly.

"If I have to step into those shoes for a moment, I will-" He chastised while jabbing that same talon that touched her nose to her chest. "Do not force my hand! I will not be dissuaded when you physically cannot stop me from doing so!"

"I can't believe this- I'm getting told off by YOU of all bots-" She started.

"Oh, its gets better-" Freddy sneered now, making the woman wonder where their old Glamrock Freddy went. "Because now Vanessa-"

"Oh no."

"NOW-"

"Don't say it-" She spat.

He could not fight his grin when he said, "-YOU are the one under lock-down!"

"Ughhhhh!"

He jabbed his talon again towards her room upstairs, "Now go back to your room! And for Pete's sake, rest! If you do not, I'll grab Luis and get him to lecture you on the importance of your health again!"

"Oh, DO NOT go there, papa bear," She griped.

He only pointed, and she groaned her way out of the room. And as she did so, she cannot help but hear behind her, "I always kind of wanted to do that- That felt good for some reason!" And to that, DJ (as well as herself...) produced a tiny chuckle.

I guess I had that a long-time coming, she couldn't help but muse lightly to herself.

Still, Freddy's continually shifting demeanor was a somewhat worrisome factor. Vanessa couldn't help but linger on it the entire time she was in her office; definitely recalling the violent intensity that was his aura when Roxy confessed her scrap with that Foxy. That bear, projecting something so strangulating and corrosive could've melted metal with just his gaze alone. And yes, while she did not fear he would hurt them intentionally, she wondered how much of him was there in those moments. Freddy did not speak of them though, for lack of understanding himself.

She'd be dwelling on all these worries well into the night- only falling asleep when Luis had found her awake in her bed and lulled her to rest with the gentle combing of his fingers in her hair.