(In Funtime Foxy's voice): "It seems you couldn't make it to my show, so I brought the show to you!"
Hello all, boy it's been a very long time since I last submitted a chapter, three months yikes, blame a large writers' block for a that, but it has finally paid off with another chapter.
It is a bit shorter than my usual word amount, but I am now focusing on writing shorter chapters when I can.
I know that many people across the FNAF fandom are hoping that Security Breach's DLC helps to fix its numerous issues, as the story was all over the place. I agree with Game Theory's latest theory on how fan theories may have influenced Steel Wool and Scott to cut out content when the fandom got close to the original story. It cannot be proved as fact, but it is evident from the game files and the pregame release trailers that the game was on a different course compared to what we actually got.
I quite like Security Breach, but I just wish it was more coherent, hopefully the DLC fixes things. We've still got those 'Tales from the Pizziaplex' stories coming out later this year though!
Anyway do please enjoy.
Apologises for any lingering grammar mistakes.
Chapter 63
Deadly Word Games
"Naughty boy, naughty boy."
"It's pass your bedtime. . ."
"You must be punished!"
"Nighty night. . ."
Moondrop threatening Gregory in FNAF Security Breach.
Tommy stood before Springtrap and looked up at him. The boy's red eyes seemed to be both enticing and calculating, like a snake waiting in the grass.
"You know that some secrets are best left buried," he said coldly.
He then smiled, it being menacing and barely hid a sadistic desire to inflict agony a thousand-fold.
"And those who try to investigate such secrets when they really shouldn't, are buried along with them."
He then held his hands out, as though he was gesturing to the whole room.
"You wouldn't be the first lot who have dared to step foot in this place, but it proved to be their last."
"Your claim of victory is a little too premature," Springtrap remarked determinedly with narrowed eyes, although he mentally noted the boy's words.
"Plus, you are with us and not your Nightmare friends, you're outnumbered."
Tommy, or rather 'Dark Tommy', as Springtrap now decided to call him by smirked before saying confidently.
"Since when did numbers matter, do you want me to show you what I am truly capable of when pushed?"
"Admittedly I am not fond of that idea," Springtrap replied, he kept his serious tone, glaring at the boy.
"But you shouldn't overestimate your chances either."
He could see the Nightmare's dark intentions, it was as transparent as ever, baiting him into rash action.
Springtrap wasn't going to fall for this Nightmare's verbal tricks, although he was aware that they couldn't stay here for long, else the Nightmares would find them.
Dark Tommy nodded in approval of Springtrap's words.
"It's a smart choice to avoid confrontation," he muttered plainly.
"Especially when you are clearly way out of your depth."
"What do you want and why have you decided to take over Tommy?" Susie demanded, stepping out from behind Springtrap.
"I was simply curious Susie," Dark Tommy remarked coolly.
"It was getting boring waiting in the shadows and watching constantly behind Tommy's eyes, I want to get to know you guys personally."
"There is more to it than that, we're not dumb, we know that you're malicious," Cassidy retorted ferociously.
Dark Tommy's eyes moved over to Cassidy; he spoke in a knowing tone that border lined mockery.
"And yet you knowingly walked off with SpringBonnie towards the backroom of Freddy Fazbear's, at least I didn't follow strangers."
"Your dad wasn't aiming to murder you!" Cassidy hissed, the anger in her eyes was very evident.
Dark Tommy's smile dropped as he gave a reply.
"For you it was simply a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said coldly, but in his red eyes you could see his inner smile.
"A real tragedy, if only you didn't come to Freddy's that day."
He then tilted his head to one side and looked at Cassidy, like he was studying her.
"I do have to ask though, if you could change time, by swapping it with someone else, would you, do it?"
His red eyes flickered over to the other children, giving them all a questioning look.
"Would you, to escape your current situation and regain the time that you've lost?"
Then his gaze returned to Cassidy, slowly putting her under an intense glare.
"What would you do Cassidy?"
"I have to wonder. . ."
Cassidy's hands immediately formed into fists, feeling her rage build to murderous levels. Then her intense gaze suddenly softened when she felt a hand gently grabbing her shoulder, her eyes darted over to see that it was Springtrap.
"Cassidy, he or 'it' is just trying to annoy you, it is baiting you," he whispered, loud enough so only she could hear.
"Just ignore him."
Then Springtrap's eyes turned back to face Dark Tommy.
"I wouldn't try to target any of them," he said sternly.
"And if you try to hurt any of them, I will make sure that you regret doing so."
Dark Tommy gave Springtrap a knowing smile again, his confidence didn't waver in the slightest.
"You won't harm Tommy though; you've already shown that you care about him to a great deal," he answered in a self assured manner.
Then he dropped his smile, now looking serious, if not ominous.
"Besides, you're not the first person to threaten me, to try and put me in my place; we both know that you are just trying to be strong for them, but it is nice that you are trying anyway SpringBonnie."
"After all, you did knowingly step into my world, into your graves, that does take true courage. . .and naivety."
"Bring back Tommy," Springtrap demanded forcefully, but Dark Tommy didn't drop his serious expression, shaking his head as he spoke.
"No, he's had his turn, now it's mine, but don't worry, he is safely locked away until I decide to let him out and nor can he hear us; but he knows I am in charge, I can feel him kicking away and screaming at the back of my mind."
"What do you want exactly?" Gabriel asked sternly, stepping out from behind Springtrap.
"I bet that he is just stalling us so the other Nightmares can catch up."
"Good guess Gabriel, but again, I am curious about why, despite the warnings you decided to come here," Dark Tommy replied modestly.
He slowly walked forward, getting very close to Springtrap, whom despite the latter's stern posture didn't seem to concern Tommy in the slightest.
"Why would someone like yourselves want to spend time in a dreadful place such as this. . .willing?"
His voice was calculating, carrying a questioning tone.
"Was it curiosity, or perhaps it was simple ignorance."
"I am willing to bet that it was both, that normally is the case, it was for the last group."
"Why does it matter why we came?" Charlie asked dismissively, but his voice was dead stern, yet Dark Tommy replied in a factual manner.
"You have only really guaranteed your own deaths really, not that I will actually kill you lot."
"It's just fun watching you try to fight against the inevitable, even if it doesn't happen right now."
"We are already dead!" Charlie exclaimed frustratedly, gesturing to himself and everyone else.
"Killed by your father no less!"
"That nasty scar across your face Charlie strongly suggests otherwise," Dark Tommy said nonchalantly. Then his eyes shifted to that of the Afton Family portrait that Springtrap had propped up against the wall.
"In this place, you cannot die, not in any normal way, being torn apart doesn't end anything, you just keep on coming back to life."
Whether he or 'it' was speaking from experience or observation couldn't be determined.
"My father, well Tommy's father did what he did, in revenge for Tommy's death and that of his. . .siblings."
He said the last part bitterly, as though it was hard to swallow.
His hands formed into fists.
"Vincent knows where he is going when the end finally comes, but he doesn't care, death cannot scare him."
His bright red eyes flickered over to Springtrap and the children.
"But it does scare you, despite already being dead, but I can't blame you for being afraid."
"No one likes agony. . .unless it is someone else's."
"That's actually what a bully does!" Springtrap injected strongly, also having turned his own hands into tight fists.
"Causing pain, but often to mask their own."
Dark Tommy laughed manically, suddenly wrapping his hands around his waist as he chuckled. The act was unnatural for a child his age and it only further unnerved the other children, as they instinctively huddled behind Springtrap for safety.
"Ha, that's a shot in the dark!" Dark Tommy exclaimed, clearly dismissing the allegation.
"Clutching at straws there SpringBonnie!"
Springtrap's eyes narrowed further, feeling his frustration build.
"I don't think so 'Tommy', you clearly have dark intents, I know the kind of monster you are, hiding inside a child's body, I won't be easily fooled."
He knew that they should move away, it would be risky to stay in one place for too long.
Although it seemed that Dark Tommy was on the same wavelength.
"Really, this display of caution seems odd, didn't Charlie here, alongside the others advise you not to explore in the first place?" he enquired with mock curiosity.
"Yet you urged everyone to keep exploring, despite knowing the dangers that lurked around you, that's. . .very foolish, putting young lives in danger."
"Your friends have been shadowing us no doubt given that line," Springtrap mentally muttered, making a mental reminder to retain those words.
"Hey!" Susie yelled, peering out from behind Springtrap.
"We agreed to come here!"
"Don't pin this all on SpringBonnie!"
Dark Tommy now looked intrigued, as he eyed Susie with a bemused smile.
"Well, at least you know that you'll be responsible for your own demise. . .again."
"What do you mean 'again'?" Gabriel asked suspiciously.
"You just said that we cannot die here, death doesn't work how it normally does."
Dark Tommy's expression became stern, he looked almost annoyed by Gabriel's question.
"You won't die in the main sense, but that doesn't mean you cannot feel pain to its fullest extent here," he remarked coldly, before his eyes flickered over to Charlie, in particular the bloody scar that ran across his face.
"Some of you have already experienced it, but there are always ways to make the agony more intense each time you feel pain."
"And to further answer your question Gabriel, neither of you had to go off with my father, didn't you know not to follow strangers?" Dark Tommy asked coolly, now returning his gaze to Gabriel.
"Did you ever listen to your parents?"
With the knowing look in Dark Tommy's eyes, which Springtrap recognised as enjoyment, he knew the type of reaction that would follow. The children were like tigers tugging on their leashes and Springtrap couldn't hold them all back if he seriously tired, not physically anyway.
Yet their reaction never came, as suddenly all the lights in the room turned on and both doors opened fully. It was accompanied by the sounds of the house creaking and groaning, like it was either expanding or contracting.
Dark Tommy looked pleasantly surprised by it all.
"Oh dear," he began, looking about everywhere at once.
"It seems that the house has finally grown bored with you, you'll struggle to hide now as it'll start to reveal your hiding places," he said evidently pleased.
With all the lights now on, the entire room was a bright beacon and it would lure in unwanted company.
Springtrap's eyes darted back and forth between the two doors, mentally prepared should any of the Nightmares suddenly appear in either doorway. He changed his posture to an aggressive one, ready to leapt at any intruder.
Dark Tommy eyed Springtrap with an intrigued expression, but he kept his smile.
"Someone is ready for a fight, but you know that you won't win, especially not against Nightmare Fredbear," he remarked humorously.
"You and Fredbear may have bested him back on earth, but here, the rules are different and Fredbear isn't with you."
"Plus, if you want to leave, do you even know your way back to the windows?" he asked curiously.
There wasn't any need to give an answer, it was obvious they were lost in this deceitful labyrinth of a house. Although admitting it would only give Dark Tommy further enjoyment in their dilemma.
"We got ourselves into this mess, we'll get ourselves out of it," Springtrap insisted with determination, speaking firmly as he eyed Dark Tommy.
Yet the boy's reply was more of the same, a seemingly unassailable confidence.
"The house allowed you to enter, but now you have eroded its patience, it won't let you leave so easily and you haven't even seen a quarter of its true size yet."
"The other Nightmares will find you if you stay here and they won't stop hunting you until you leave."
His smug expression enhanced an aura of all knowing that emanated out of him.
"You know this is true, they are relentless hunters."
"If you leave now, you might be able to remain ahead of them. . .the key word being might."
Then he pointed to himself, smiling as he did so.
"Yet, there is one lingering question, what are you going to do about Tommy?"
The other children looked at eachother, their expressions were those of unease and uncertainty.
Yet Charlie stated his opinion first.
"I am afraid that he'll become a burden if he comes with us."
He immediately looked at Springtrap, fully expecting his resistance.
"If we get into a tight spot, he'll just turn back into 'this'."
Charlie gestured to Dark Tommy, staring at him with an aggressive gaze.
"How exactly can we trust him to keep quiet if he reverts back, we simply can't."
"Tommy cannot control his other half and his other half will just make obstacles to slow us down, make noise to attract the other Nightmares or he'll just attack us when we're distracted."
"I agree," Susie added urgently, glaring angrily at Dark Tommy who were smiled mockingly back at her.
"Evil Tommy cannot be trusted, he clearly has it out for us, he wants to kill us, even if he doesn't actually attack us himself."
Susie's eyes then flickered over to Springtrap.
"SpringBonnie, we should just let Tommy go and try to escape ourselves, we're way in over our heads here," she said firmly.
Springtrap sighed, he couldn't fault their logic. Dark Tommy was a massive red flag, even if his capabilities were unknown his intent was not.
"We cannot trust a single word that this Nightmare says, whatever secrets it knows it isn't worth staying here!" Gabriel argued strongly.
"This whole house is alive and it doesn't want us here, Tommy seemed to be doing fine before we arrived."
"The term 'doing fine' would be an understatement Gabriel," Springtrap replied firmly.
"But," Sammy began, speaking hesitantly.
"If he's survived for this long with the Nightmares for company, then he isn't in too much danger, right?"
Dark Tommy took a step closer to Springtrap.
"Why does Thomas Afton's life matter so much to you SpringBonnie?" Dark Tommy asked curiously, completely catching Springtrap's attention with the latter narrowing his eyes at the boy's question.
Yet Dark Tommy raised another question.
"Why risk losing all five lives and more, just for the sake of saving one?"
He then gestured to himself before turning his attention to the other children.
"Especially for one who has me for company, they on the other hand aren't so complicated."
He spoke reflectively, but there was a disproving undertone.
"Didn't Tommy tell you that he cannot leave the house, you've been wasting your time and putting everyone else in more danger to try and achieve the impossible."
"I thought that all Fazbear entertainers were meant to protect children, that their safety came first?"
These weren't really questions, just barely masked verbal attacks designed to portray Springtrap as careless and the latter knew it. It didn't make it any less painful to hear though.
Dark Tommy continued, digging deeper with his questions.
"Is it because you feel sorry for him, that cannot be helped as Tommy is pathetic and miserable, you want to consul him, but you cannot heal his wounds."
His verbal bombardment was unrelenting.
"Or do you simply want to play your part in helping the family that you've only just discovered."
Those words stirred something in Springtrap's memories.
"Or are you trying to solely help Fredbear and repair the mistakes of the past, his past in particular."
He shook his head dismissively, before his eyes wandered over to the Afton Family portrait.
"It'll be an ill fated venture if there ever was one."
Then his red eyes lit up, they particularly glowed brighter than before as a realisation seemed to dawn on him.
His eyes darted back to look at everyone else, going from one child to the next, before finally landing on Springtrap.
"Ahhh," he began, sounding satisfied, but he didn't smile, instead he expressed an intrigued, if not astonished look.
"I get it now, you want to reverse the misdeeds of Tommy's father, seeing how he used the SpringBonnie suit to lure and murder children and with you being thee SpringBonnie, you want to save them, to allow them to move on, how very poetic."
Then his smile returned, it being cold and ominous.
"Too bad that the adventure will end here, you cannot save everyone SpringBonnie."
"I can certainly try!" Springtrap snapped back, his patience was beginning to erode and he was surprised that the other children were still holding themselves in check.
"Didn't you listen to Nightmare Fredbear SpringBonnie!" Dark Tommy replied, his voice suddenly breaking in a frustrated snarl. It was as though a switch had been flipped on his demeanour.
"Tommy cannot be saved in the way that you think, it was obvious, Tommy told you himself and yet you are still here!"
He then pointed to all of the other children.
"You are all still here because of your own stupidity, despite knowing the dangers."
Then his eyes fell on Springtrap again, but his aggressive demeanour seemingly relented.
"Now these unfortunate souls will suffer for your mistake, for you have made the biggest folly."
Dark Tommy then shrugged and looked away.
"You should have stayed asleep SpringBonnie, locked in your coma like dreams forever."
"At least you would have had only the stain of allowing Charlie to be stabbed to death outside of Fredbear's Family Diner, instead of leading eleven children to their doom."
Springtrap felt his heart skip a few beats and suddenly his memories came into full focus in his mind's eye. Dark Tommy's earlier words of helping the family that he only just discovered clicked, as the latter has been referring to his return to the waking world from his decade's long coma.
An event that the Nightmare or 'thing' shouldn't be aware of.
Equally, it seemed that Dark Tommy's words had shocked Charlie, with the boy in question gasping in surprise on hearing such words.
"How did you know that I was in a coma?" Springtrap asked inquisitively, stepping forward, feeling a fire of anger burn within him.
"Or how Charlie died and in such detail?
Dark Tommy smirked, his red eyes meeting those of Springtrap's.
"Like I said earlier, the other Nightmares tell me everything and Vincent told them beforehand, his knowledge is quite extensive, he likes to talk alot."
Springtrap felt his hands turn into fists, the anger he had been holding in throughout the conversation was steadily making itself known.
"Your past isn't as secretive as you would like it to be SpringBonnie, nor is that of the other Fazbears," Dark Tommy remarked coolly.
"Yet, that it is what makes this game so much fun to begin with, wouldn't you agree if the roles were reversed?"
Suddenly Springtrap launched himself forward, reaching out and gripping the boy's shoulders and holding him firmly in place. Springtrap's frustrated filled green greyish eyes bore into Dark Tommy's calm red.
"Who are you, what is your name?" Springtrap asked quietly, but the anger, the impatience in his voice was clear enough to be registered by Dark Tommy.
"How did you come to exist inside Tommy?"
Dark Tommy raised his eyebrows in evident delight, clearly enjoying the moment.
"Now that would be telling," he replied smoothly.
"It wouldn't be fun if I were to give away all of the answers, plus you are not in any position to demand anything from me."
"Yes, I am," Springtrap growled ominously.
"You underestimate my desire for answers from this wretched place."
"It'll get you killed, or worse," Dark Tommy remarked factually, still retaining his smile.
"You forget, we're already dead!" Springtrap snarled, but Dark Tommy replied confidently with.
"Go on then, hurt me if you want, if you're that desperate to get answers, but I am not like Tommy, I won't crave."
"Everyone has their breaking point!" Springtrap argued.
Still tightly holding onto Dark Tommy's arms Springtrap lifted him up into the air, before pulling sharply on both arms as though he intended to break them. Yet there was no cracking sound, or anything else for that matter as Springtrap held Dark Tommy in a strong grip.
"SPRINGTRAP!" Charlie yelled, reaching forward. He was shocked, completely stunned that Springtrap would dare try to harm Tommy, even if the 'thing' cohabiting Tommy's body was currently in control. If anything, Charlie expected himself and any of the other children to be the one to strike out at Dark Tommy first.
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MIGHT DO IN REPONSE!" Gabriel cried, more in fear than anything else.
"IT IS STILL A NIGHTMARE, DESPITE LOOKING LIKE TOMMY!" Susie shouted, cowering behind Cassidy who looked on in complete shock.
"HE MIGHT GO BERSERK!" Sammy called out, also hiding behind Gabriel, as the duo steadily backed away from Springtrap, the latter's attention was fully on Dark Tommy.
"Whatever happens next, is entirely on you," Dark Tommy whispered, his face no longer held its cocky grin and his red eyes ceased to glow with an outpouring of confidence. Instead, his entire face held a stern expression, it almost seemed like disapproval.
"Push me too far and you'll only have yourself to blame SpringBonnie."
"You can either attack me and provoke a very nasty response, or try to save the unwilling children who followed you in here by escaping this place."
"Trust me, you have better chances by following through with the latter option."
Nearly every fibre of Springtrap's mind was screaming at him to try and 'purge' this demon, or at least seriously incapacitate it. He wanted to shut this creature up, to bring back Tommy and preferably lock up a dangerous fifth columnist if Tommy was brought along with them. However, in truth he didn't know how to achieve that end, the supernatural was a virtual unknown to him.
He was out of his depth and he knew it, as did Dark Tommy. Escaping this nightmare of a house was the best option left, but that was literally easier said than done.
"I'm waiting SpringBonnie," Dark Tommy said seriously, staring deep into Springtrap's eyes.
"Make your choice."
Springtrap knew that Dark Tommy held all of the cards, he was dealing with the unknown and he was being pursued by the other Nightmares. Time was short, they didn't know where they were and making another outright enemy in Dark Tommy would be disadvantageous, if not utterly suicidal.
"I want to help you Tommy, but I don't know how," Springtrap admitted to only himself.
In truth, he wanted to help everyone escape from this hell, but the answers eluded him and there were more pressing matters.
"What secrets are still lingering in this place, what does Fredbear know, what is going on with the other Fazbears?"
He needed to get back, above all he had to return and help Fredbear.
Springtrap narrowed his eyes at Dark Tommy who continually stared back at him with a stern expression.
"I am waiting SpringBonnie," he said plainly.
Springtrap sighed deeply, before slowly lowering Dark Tommy down to the ground.
"You're right, I can't harm Tommy and I am utterly out of my depth," Springtrap muttered, admitting defeat in the stand off.
Charlie meanwhile released a pent up sigh of relief, feeling some of the stress leave his body.
"You care about him too much and you cannot bear to leave him alone with us," Dark Tommy remarked triumphantly, his red eyes glowed confidently as he spoke.
"Your compassion will be your downfall, as the children's naivety was theirs."
In response the other ghost children collectively gave Dark Tommy a cold glare, yet he merely replied back with.
"You could have thought about why SpringBonnie wanted you to follow him into a backroom before actually going in."
"Did none of you ever hear about stranger danger?"
Yet Springtrap ignored Dark Tommy, looking over at the Afton Family portrait, whilst the latter continued talking.
"You are taught to be mistrustful of strangers, no matter who they are."
The Afton Family portrait held Springtrap's full attention as he drowned out Dark Tommy's voice.
The happy and smiling family was now long gone. . .its sole living member was an utter monster, driven mad by grief to such an extent that the act of murder had become second nature to him and yet Springtrap couldn't help but conclude that Tommy had the worst deal between the two Aftons.
Vincent was free, whereas Thomas was not.
"I need to let Goldie know what I have found, the others deserve to know, I might not be able to save Tommy completely, but I will try and achieve something for everyone's sake here," Springtrap mentally vowed.
"I have to. . ."
Narrowing his eyes Springtrap reached over and grabbed hold of the Afton family portrait, limiting it up.
He held it delicately in his hands, staring longingly at it.
"They seem to be so happy, what do you think of this picture?" Springtrap asked, he was genuinely interested in Dark Tommy's answer.
For a moment Dark Tommy gave Springtrap a blank look, as though he was genuinely caught off guard by the question, but he quickly replied with.
"It shows a happier time, that cannot be recaptured, even if Tommy desires it, he cannot make it happen, nor can you."
"Why?" Springtrap asked, sounding intrigued.
Dark Tommy rolled his eyes in disbelief.
"It isn't obvious, my father is a deranged murderer, Michael is literally dead to me and Elizabeth would be too broken to try and revive any sibling bond that we had and as for my mother, well she's been gone for a very long time."
"Besides, if any of them knew the truth about my father, they wouldn't want anything to do with him."
Dark Tommy then smiled sinisterly and his eyes glowed with enjoyment.
"Well, I say 'my father' and 'my siblings', but I really mean Tommy and we both know that Tommy would have a complete breakdown if he discovered the truth, so this can be our little secret."
Springtrap nodded reluctantly, agreeing with Dark Tommy's words.
"Yes, it would utterly destroy Tommy, but I am surpised that he has lasted this long even with you for company."
Dark Tommy raised his eyebrows, giving off an intrigued expression as Springtrap continued.
"You're pretty much in control, this house keeps Tommy locked up here, your Nightmare friends hound him relentlessly and it is a situation that brings neverending satisfaction for you."
Dark Tommy's smile only grew and his red eyes burned brightly with a sadistic temperament.
"I quite like the current state of things, Tommy's agony is an everlasting source of joy for me."
Springtrap's eyes darken at those words, coldly replying with.
"Teasing, torturing him and everything in between, you control his fate and that of others, I have little doubt as to how you interacted with other visitors who unfortunately found this place."
"The last group were an exceptionally intriguing bunch of children, one of them was particularly gifted," Dark Tommy remarked, his voice dripping with enjoyment at the conversation.
"You should have seen what happened, it was a deadly showdown, but it can always be recreated with you guys, if you can't get out fast enough."
"Yet people like you SpringBonnie do not know when to quit."
"Because there is too much at stake for me to quit, as clueless as I am about what exactly is going on here," Springtrap sternly retorted.
"But I do know what you are, you are much like Vincent, at least as far as I know him."
"This is a game to you, as the Fazbear's' lives are to Vincent, holding all the cards, dictating how the game is played, teasing everyone with half answers."
Dark Tommy merely nodded in acknowledgement, but then Springtrap looked back down at the Afton family picture.
Everything looked so peaceful and safe.
"It's a pity that Tommy cannot move on and escape this wretched game," he muttered sorrowfully.
"He doesn't need to move on, things are perfect as they are," Dark Tommy replied strongly.
"This is my world SpringBonnie, as it is your grave which I might lead you into, that is if you are not careful enough."
In response, Springtrap slowly lowered himself down until he was at eye level with Dark Tommy, directly staring into his pupils that seemed to be otherworldly.
"And what if," he began coldly.
"I led you into yours?"
"Is that meant to be a threat?" Dark Tommy asked sternly, with any sense of mockery having vanished from his demeanour.
"Remember what I said earlier about not pushing me too far?"
"I do remember, and my words might be considered as a threat," Springtrap replied with equal seriousness, tightening his grip on the Afton family portrait.
"However, if there is one thing this house has taught me, it is that danger always comes when you least expect it, luring you in before striking you with all its might. . .like so."
SMACK!
With all his strength Springtrap brought up the Afton picture with a sudden quickness before slamming it right into the side of Dark Tommy's head. It created a loud and heavy wooden smacking sound, right before Dark Tommy staggered to the side, then fell and hit the carpet floor with a solid thud.
The boy's eyes which had always burned a bright fiery red closed, as he sighed, exhaling deeply as he did. There were no words, no mockery or snarling promise of vengeance, just a sigh that sounded like. . .disappointment. Springtrap exhaled in relief, feeling a great weight of tension release itself from his mind.
Dark Tommy had been silenced, be it temporally and a quietness passed over the entire room. Yet it was momentary, as Charlie uttered what was probably the collective feelings of the other children.
"He'll want to kill you for that," he said, his voice filled with only dread, as he looked at Tommy's unconscious form.
"True, but he deserved it," Springtrap muttered coldly.
"He was talking too much, but that isn't why I did it."
He turned to quickly glance at the two open doorways, checking for any unwarranted visitors listening in.
"We are getting out of here and I don't want to let any of these monsters win, let alone get inside my head."
With a free hand, he pointed at the unconscious body of Thomas Afton.
"I intend to defy that monster, to beat his 'game', I won't be a pawn in whatever machinations they have with Vincent."
"When he wakes up, he'll be very angry," Susie commented, not taking her eyes off the motionless form of Thomas.
"And didn't he say that he had a high tolerance?"
"He said he possessed a high tolerance for pain, but not for being knocked out," Springtrap answered.
"There is a slight, but crucial difference."
He then held the Afton Family portrait; remarkably it was still in one piece despite having been hammered against Tommy's head with a great deal of physical force.
"If he is still Dark Tommy when he wakes up, then I'll just knock him out again."
He then held the picture out towards the children.
"Gabriel, or Cassidy, can one of you please hold onto this for me?"
Gabriel obligated and took hold of the picture from Spiringtrap, gripping it tightly.
Springtrap meanwhile lifted up Tommy, cradling him between his arms. He looked again at the stunned faces of the children, whilst their eyes displayed both concern and foreboding, Springtrap's only showed a strong determination.
"I will get you all out and put an end to this nightmare, I promise."
He then looked over at the collection of toys that were scattered across the bed covers.
Amidst the clutter, his eyes spied out a jump rope or two of them at the least.
"Cassidy grab those two jump ropes and tie them around Tommy's arms and legs, if Dark Tommy comes back, I don't want to make things easy for him," Springtrap ordered.
Cassidy sighed, showing her discomfort with the whole situation before compiling and handing over the flashlight to Susie.
"Wait, you're taking Tommy with us?" Charlie asked, there wasn't any anger in his voice, just a deep concern.
"What if Dark Tommy returns and tries to jump us when we're in a tricky situation?"
"You know he will."
Springtrap turned to face him, Tommy's body was almost limp in his arms save for the steady rise and fall of his chest, the boy it seemed had been knocked out cold.
"I'll deal with him, either by knocking him out, at least forcing him to help us, at least convince him to extend the game by giving us another chance, he really seems to like games."
"And what if that isn't an enough?" Charlie asked, his voice was steady, but Springtrap could clearly see the dread in his eyes.
"What if he doesn't want to play nice anymore?"
Springtrap sighed, the weight that he was carrying on his shoulders became very obivious to Charlie.
"I hate to do it, given everything I have said about saving him, but I'll have to leave Tommy behind," Springtrap said, sounding very pained about the prospect, as his eyes looked down at the boy who seemed to be so innocent as he lay cradled in Springtrap's arms.
"Dark Tommy is right, I do care about Tommy, but I cannot lose everyone and despite the horrors that Tommy has been subjected to, he has managed to survive here for countless years, decades even," Springtrap muttered, feeling tenacity start to fill his spirit.
Then his eyes flashed with that same old determination.
"But I will come back and save him, when are we finished with Vincent, it's a promise that I am keeping, regardless of what happens here."
The steadfastness, the pain and mental weight that Springtrap carried on his shoulders; Charlie recognised all of it, for he held the same characteristics when regarding his close connection with the other children. He had been the first victim; he had seen everything and it only made sense for him to be the leader of this traumatised group of tragic souls.
"I just hope that your burden is not as great as mine when to comes to trying to save people you care about," Charlie muttered, his words strongly resonated with Springtrap who knew well of Charlie's experience of having to shoulder responsibility and reality.
Dark Tommy's words from earlier came back to haunt Springtrap, echoing in his mind.
"Why does Thomas Afton's life matter so much to you SpringBonnie?"
"Why risk losing all five lives and more, just for the sake of saving one?"
Springtrap sighed again, brushing the 'thing's' words aside, as deep as they cut into him, he couldn't allow himself to be dragged down by the reality of the current situation that he had walked into. . .there was always hope, as fleeting as it may appear right now.
"I will get us all out of here, or at least as many of us as possible," Springtrap vowed, staring directly at Charlie.
"Regardless of what threats Dark Tommy issued, or that we are being chased, we can't let fear rule us."
"I know," Charlie replied with equal determination, followed by all the other children expressing a similar desire.
"We aren't beaten yet," Charlie retorted with a fierce will in his eyes, the sight of it made Springtrap smile at little as Cassidy finally approached with the two jump ropes.
"Here, I really hope that you know what you're doing SpringBonnie?" she muttered as she tied both sets around Tommy's feet and hands, making double sure to have the bindings double knotted for good measure.
She only wished that she had something with which she could draw across Tommy's mouth to shut up his darker alter ego, like tape, the thick kind.
"Good job Cassidy," Springtrap said, balancing Tommy's weight in one arm, whilst patting the girl on the head, gently ruffling her black curly hair.
Cassidy appeared to apricate the gesture, even leaning into it briefly before backing away as Springtrap returned his other hand to supporting Tommy's weight. Then he hoisted the unconscious boy over his shoulders, needing only one arm to keep him pinned in place, his other arm was freed to use in whatever situation came their way.
"Come on, we best start putting as much distance between ourselves and the Nightmares as possible," he ordered; as he started walking towards the open doorway, the one besides the bed whose colours clearly indicated that it was a girl's. . .Elizabeth's, Tommy's older sister.
"Sammy take those drawings of the Funtimes with us, I have a feeling that they are connected somehow," Springtrap requested suggestively.
Sammy did so, carefully talking the remaining drawings of Ballora, Funtimes Foxy and Freddy and lastly Ennard off the wall. He stuffed them into his trouser pocket and quickly caught up with the others, as they all filled out of the doorway, following Springtrap's lead.
Compared to the group's previous experience of walking in an either pitch black or a dimly lit hallway where lone lamps acted as lighthouses amidst a sea of utter blackness; the hallway outside was completely lit as far as the eye could see. Every element of the hallway was on full display, the aged wallpaper, the numerous open doors and the faded blue carpet that stretched forever onwards.
There was no cover in sight, just full exposure.
Well, on a second look there was one place where the darkness remained. . .the ceiling.
The blackness was like a cloud, one that both hovered above the group and clung to the ceiling like a blanket, it being too thick to see through.
"Keep an eye on the darkness above us, we can see everything else, so the Nightmares shouldn't be able to sneak up on us," Springtrap said firmly, gazing up at the sea of infinite blackness that loomed overhead.
Susie immediately turned the flashlight on and pointed it up at the ceiling, yet it only succeeded in partly pushing back the darkness.
It was like it was resisting the light's penetration.
"Also watch the doors, with there being so many, something is just bound to jump out at us, I just know it," Springtrap muttered cautiously.
Yet when they passed by several open doors, a new reality immediately when dawned on them. The rooms were still dark, despite the doors being open the light from outside didn't seem to penetrate the blackness that shrouded the rooms' contents. In fact, the light seemed to bend away from the darkness, like it was trying to avoid it with the darkness itself being an unmoveable wall.
Furthermore, when they looked back, they noticed that the lights were dying out behind them. The moment the last child wandered pass a lamp it started to turn itself off, allowing the shadows to return. Only their immediate surroundings were lit, they were fully in the light whereas everything else was hidden in darkness; giving their pursuers plenty of hiding places. Their uncomfortable situation only strengthened the feeling of unease that flowed through the children, only starved off by their determination to make it through this literal nightmare.
The house must really want them gone, expressing its immense displeasure at their continued presence.
"Stay close, those at the back keep an eye of anything coming up behind us," Springtrap ordered, not bothering take his gaze away from his immediate surroundings.
The open doors that only showed voids of darkness inside gave him the most worry, but he didn't show it. Fear would only cripple him and one of the last things he wanted to do was prove Dark Tommy right about this house becoming his enteral grave.
"I just hope that when you wake up, you're back to normal Tommy," he mentally hoped.
"I really don't want to knock you out again."
Springtrap sensed movement next to him, turning his eyes in its direction he found Charlie walking besides him, matching his speed. Charlie's face was a mixture of deep thought and discomfort.
"The idea that Vincent murdered us because he lost his family," he started before shaking his head.
"It doesn't make sense; I didn't see a grieving Vincent looming over with me as he drew out his knife."
"Same," another voice added, this time from Springtrap's right, he looked over.
It was Gabriel.
"Don't worry Susie is keeping an eye on Tommy in case he stirs," Gabriel said, sounding warry, whilst casing occasional glances at the nearby open darken doorways; he was still holding onto the Afton Family Portrait as instructed. Briefly looking back behind him, Springtrap could see Susie watching Tommy's unconscious form like a hawk, as the latter slept soundly across Springtrap's shoulder. Meanwhile Cassidy and Sam quickly brought up the rear, gazing about in all directions to avoid getting jumped.
"However," Gabriel began, catching Springtrap's attention.
"Just like Charlie, I didn't see a sad SpringBonnie man standing before me and the other children' he just smiled maniacally and there was a threatening look in his eyes, no sorrow or hesitation; at least that's from what I can remember."
"Would Vincent want to show his broken side, what remnants of humanity he still possessed to us, his victims?" Charlie inquired, although he sounded dismissive.
"He went into that pizzeria with the intention to murder more children, he certainly didn't show me any mercy, let alone hesitation."
"I guess that he wouldn't want to show any weakness," Gabriel began, seeming to engage in deep.
"He had to appear to be all controlling and invincible to terrify us."
"You forget as well that Dark Tommy could be very well be lying with what he said about Vincent's motivation; I wouldn't put it past him to openly lie," Charlie remarked, casting a look Gabriel's way, but Springtrap injected before Gabriel could respond.
"No," he muttered softly, mentally considering the newly framed timeline of events that he was only starting to piece back together.
"The timings of everything, Tommy's death, followed by the sudden deaths of his siblings Michael and Elizabeth and then shortly afterwards five children disappear at Freddy's, it feels too far beyond the realm of odd timing to not be connected."
"Vincent is indeed Tommy's father, of that there is no doubt, but why did he think that doing what he did would make things any better?" Springtrap remarked, speaking his thoughts aloud.
"I don't like it," Charlie whispered coldly.
"Neither do I," Gabriel added, although he spoke with more anger surprisingly.
"The death of his children gives him no justification for what he did to us!"
Charlie then injected.
"On that Dark Tommy was right, Vincent would be dead to his own children with what he's done, if any of them had any empathy."
"I like to think that they would have done, I'm sure that Tommy does," Springtrap remarked thoughtfully.
"If we decide to break the truth to him," Charlie added scornfully.
"I thought we ultimately went against that idea?"
"And unless it cannot be helped it would best, for Tommy's sanity to keep it a secret," Springtrap replied firmly, but he couldn't help enforce a coldness to his voice to make his point crystal clear.
"Even if we don't discover much else in this place, what we know already is significant enough, it changes everything," he said, truly feeling the weight of the moment rest upon his shoulders, as well as the responsibility to keep everyone safe from harm.
"Dark Tommy mentioned another group of visitors, what do you think happened to them?" Gabriel asked, continuing to glance around at various doors.
"If something bad happened to them, I wouldn't want to know about it to be honest," Springtrap answered.
"Dark Tommy mentioned there being a standoff, so maybe they escaped?" Charlie inquired,
"Maybe," Springtrap muttered under his breath.
"Dark Tommy didn't exactly say what happened to them, but with it being a 'showdown' they might have gotten away."
"He did say that it was with an exceptionally intriguing bunch of children and that one of them was particularly gifted," Charlie added, recalling Dark Tommy's exact words.
"Gifted how exactly?" Gabriel asked curiously, looking towards Springtrap for an answer.
"Honestly I cannot guess as to how, but if they escaped this place, then there is surely hope for us to do the same," Springtrap stated vigorously as he led the way forward.
"I sincerely hope that they made it out with their lives," Gabriel said cautiously, keeping his eyes on another series of doorways as they passed by.
"I would hate to be trapped in this place forever."
Suddenly he felt a hand gently grip his shoulder and Gabriel turned to look, it was Springtrap.
"If there is another way out, we'll find it, I promise you that I will try my hardest to get you and the others to safety."
Gabriel smiled, feeling the caution and dread evaporate from his mind, he felt. . .warm.
"I know we will," he said confidently with a smile.
"Good, until then, let's keep moving," Springtrap muttered reassuringly, turning back to face his front.
Before him, the entire corridor was lit up and at the far end of the corridor was another door.
"Nice to know that this hallway finally has an end," he whispered, feeling relieved, as he steadily approached it, with the children quickly following.
On the door was a word, 'lounge'.
Springtrap looked back, trying to judge the distance they had travelled, but with the approaching darkness had cut off all visibility, rendering it an impossible task. The darkness seemed to glare back at him, at least that is what Springtrap felt. There was a coldness in the air, like the very house had eyes and it was giving him a deaths stare, wanting him to be go from its premieres.
Click. . .
There was the sound of something unlocking and upon turning around, Springtrap saw that the door was now wide open. The room was dark, Springtrap reached in and felt around for a light switch. He found one, but it wouldn't work, despite flipping it on multiple times.
"I don't like this," he mentally pondered and he could tell that the children were of the same mind, as none of them attempted to move forward.
"There are other doors, this cannot be the only accessible hallway."
"Let's try the oth-"
"AAAAAARRRRRRHHHHHH!"
There was a massive creaking of wood, but it sounded more like an inhuman scream and the entire corridor seem to warp itself; twisting and bending in ways that should be impossible and yet it managed somehow. The walls craved inwards, the doors all slammed shut, accompanied by the collective sound of them locking themselves shut.
Then the entire floor rose upwards at an angle, no, it was the whole corridor, raising it up like a ramp, getting steeper and steeper with each passing second.
Thankfully though, the nearby lights remained on.
"EVERYONE HANG ON!" Springtrap yelled, instinctively gripping the doorway with one hand as he leaned heavily into the doorframe to keep himself and the unconscious Tommy stable.
Charlie and Gabriel immediately leaned back into doorframe to steady themselves, with Gabriel still gripping the Afton Family picture tightly in his hands. Sammy, Susie and Cassidy all fell forward so their weight against the accompanying walls. Soon the entire hallway was tilted to such a degree that it was impossible to use, unless someone knew how to climb up a smooth cliff face.
RATTLE!
RATTLE!
There came a series of wooden rattling sounds and soon the source of the noise came into full view.
All of the tables which contained lamps, books or whatever junk had been allowed to pill up came flying out of the darkness. Due to being huddled in such a cramped space, there was no way to avoid the approaching carnage. Yet as the carnage approached, another sound rose into being; a creaking wooden noise of something bending and expanding.
They quickly found out what it was, as immediately Springtrap felt the doorframe that he was leaning into disappear, or rather move. It moved such quickness that he only registered it when he had already fallen through the rapidly expanding doorway.
The children fell through as well, with there being nothing to grab on to. Plunging backwards with no sense of direction into complete pitch darkness resulted in the children screaming out in sheer terror.
Soon everyone was enveloped in the darkness and falling fast with no idea of what was up or down as they twisted and turned about in mid fall. Only Susie, who by some miracle was still holding onto the flashlight had some light to enable her to see.
Yet it was only temporary as the darkness seemed to close in around, almost blocking out of the light, so Susie could see anything that was immediately in front of her. . .which, was nothing at all.
Springtrap's instincts told him to maintain his grip on Tommy and to try place himself between the boy and whatever sort of landing awaited them.
Depending on how long they fell for, the landing would be rough.
Yet his mind was racing with panic, any coherent thought went straight out the window as he fought to mentally get a grip on himself.
"There has been an ending soon, it cannot go on forever?" Springtrap intensely whispered to himself amidst his own internal fear induced screams as he struggled to compose himself.
"SpringBonnie," a weak voice uttered.
Springtrap's eye went wide, that voice, it was immediately recognisable.
Within an instant Springtrap pulled Tommy off his shoulder and held him before him with both hands.
"SpringBonnie," Tommy uttered again, his eyes they were blue!
Despite being surrounded by complete darkness, Springtrap could see the light soft glow from Tommy's eyes. Then Tommy's eyes widen, filling with dread and panic.
"YOU NEED TO GET OUT!" he screamed, practically into Springtrap's face.
"I CANNOT STOP IT!"
"IT'LL ONLY GET MORE AGGRESSIVE THE LONGER YOU STAY!"
He then paused, seeming to realise what was happening, before looking around in vain to get his bearings.
"Wait, where are we?" he asked worryingly, but momentarily distracted from his panic.
"Falling, the house is turning on us," Springtrap answered cautiously.
Immediately, with a strength seemed alien to him, Tommy burst out of his rope holdings; the ropes themselves fell into the surrounding darkness. . .so much for them. Tommy then gripped Springtrap's shoulders with such force as his eyes widen once more, but this time the boy sounded far more panic stricken.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU LEAVE WHEN I TOLD YOU TOO?" he screamed, as he started to shake Springtrap roughly.
"NO GOOD CAN COME FROM THIS; YOU ALL NEED TO GET OUT NOW!"
"YOU'LL END UP BEING TRAPPED HERE FOREVER!"
Suddenly, his eyes flickered from blue to red, bright red and another recognisable voice emerged, sounding both intrigued and entertained.
"The key word being 'might' Tommy, they 'might' up becoming trapped here forever," they said delightfully.
Dark Tommy. . .
Tommy's panic stricken expression changed abruptly to become sinister and smug.
"But, hey there is nothing wrong in having 'new family members' right?" he asked with mock curiosity, although who his question was directed to Springtrap had no idea.
Then Tommy's eyes flickered back to blue and his old voice of sheer panic returned.
"YOU NEED TO LEAVE, I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG, BUT THE HOUSE DOESN'T CARE, IT JUST DOESN'T CARE!"
Yet Dark Tommy quickly reasserted himself, with the boy's eyes switching back to full red.
"Unfortunately, you have overstayed your welcome, the house deems it so, you'll only get out of here SpringBonnie if you are able to survive long enough to find an exit," he remarked coldly.
"I thought you said that Tommy couldn't hear you?" Springtrap asked warily.
"That he could only sense your presence?"
Dark Tommy raised an eyebrow of intrigue, his expression illuminated by his bright red eyes as he replied modestly.
"I know him quite well after thirty years of forced companionship, literally inside and out."
"I know what he is likely to say in any given situation."
Then suddenly his eyes switched back to blue.
"IT'S MOCKING YOU ISN'T IT?" Tommy screamed; it was more in pain than anger.
"I CAN TRY TO LEAD YOU OUT MYSELF!"
"JUST TO GET YOU OUT OF HERE AND YOU DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME SPRINGBONNIE!"
"I'LL BE FINE!"
Yet Dark Tommy pushed back and became dominant again.
He laughed and it was a child's laugh, but there was no innocence to it, it was completely hollow, save for a twisted sense of joy.
"Now he is pleading to help you I bet, so desperate and naïve," he scoffed.
"He does mean well, but you would have better chances with me leading you by the hand instead."
It was strange to seem him to talk to himself. Springtrap was finding it to be a surreal experience, watching as the boy's facial expression, tone and eyes swiftly flipped back and forth as the two personalities fought eachother.
"Surely though Tommy cannot do any worse than you SpringBonnie," Dark Tommy commented observantly.
"Like I said earlier, welcome to your enteral grave SpringBonnie, it's all around you."
His red eyes were the only source of light in the dark for Springtrap and it illuminated his face, making him look out right sinister, the fact that he was a child only enforced the perception somehow.
"Yet, I'll play fair and leave you alone for a while, seeming how you are literally out of your depth," Dark Tommy muttered, directing his gaze squarely at Springtrap, as they both continued to fall through pitch darkness.
Dark Tommy's red eyes were the only light source and despite Springtrap's heart being tugged by the terror induced screams of the other children, he couldn't break away from Dark Tommy's harden gaze.
"We'll see eachother again soon SpringBonnie, I sincerely hope that we do," Dark Tommy said, the hopefulness in his tone sounded genuine, but Springtrap strongly warned himself against believing it.
Dark Tommy smiled confidently as he continued speaking, his red eyes glowed fiercely as though in anticipation.
"Yet, I have one more question to ask."
"Are you having fun yet SpringBonnie?"
Springtrap didn't answer, he only narrowed his eyes in defiance, glaring angrily back at Dark Tommy. Mockery, Dark Tommy just saw everything as a game and everyone else as mere game pieces to be toyed with.
Dark Tommy himself didn't reply, but in his eyes Springtrap could see his inner smile and thinly veiled delight at his non answer. There was still plenty of game left to be played before it reached whatever conclusion this 'demon child' had in store.
Dark Tommy merely waved, winking even, before closing his eyes and going completely limp. His whole body relaxed with his muscles loosening and Springtrap could really feel the boy's weight, despite him being relatively easy to carry.
Suddenly, the boy's eyes opened and he lifted his head up.
His eyes were visibly, or at least the glow lasted for a second, but it was enough to confirm to Springtrap that Tommy had regained control. Although that had only been allowed by Dark Tommy, it or 'they' would return eventually.
The boy gripped Springtrap by the shoulders before burying his head deep in the latter's neck and weeping profusely.
"I never wanted this, I don't want others to suffer for me," he sobbed.
"I'm so sorry I didn't try harder to make you leave."
Springtrap merely reached round and hugged the boy tightly. He didn't say anything, there wasn't any need, any word uttered would fall short of what he was feeling right now. Amidst the terrified screams of Charlie, Susie, Sammy, Gabriel and Cassidy and Tommy's persistent weeping; Springtrap only felt the overriding fear of failure and pity for these band of traumatised yet truly innocent souls.
They all fell further into the dark and the descent didn't seem to be ending anytime soon.
At the far back of his mind, Springtrap could easily imagine Dark Tommy, watching him through Tommy's eyes and gloating with anticipation.
"Game set and match SpringBonnie. . .now, make your move."
Whilst Springtrap's dedication to try and save Tommy and discover out further clues regarding Vincent's background is commendable, he must be wary of getting too sucked in. Maybe it's too late for him to back out.
Initially this chapter was meant to be longer as implied in the previous one, but it made sense to centre it entirely on Springtrap and the children's activities in the FNAF 4 House.
I hope you liked Dark Tommy, although I had ideas of him/it long before Vanessa/Vanny from FNAF Security Breach appeared, but the similarity between the two Jekyll/Hyde like characters is interesting and I'll be sure to take inspiration from it. ;-)
I had always wondered how the MCI children would respond to the Afton children if they ever met, countless possibilities.
Next chapter will be out eventually, but we'll be meeting some 'familiar faces'. ;-)
Do please review, I appreciate your thoughts.