Chapter 4: Gathering

It was now Monday and the gang were having lunch at a cafe somewhere in town. The thoughts of yesterday were still fresh in their minds. If they had until Saturday, plans and strategies needed to come at a rapid pace. If a lawyer couldn't help, then Buster might be the only hope of getting them closer to solutions.

"Did the day shift guard check the cameras by any chance?" asked Bonnie. "He did, but he didn't see anything going on at the time," Freddy replied, "Someone also checked the pizzeria earlier today. They found something in the vents. A stink bomb!" "Really? A stink bomb of all things?" asked Chica, "It's 2024, I thought us as a society got out of pranking businesses." "You'd be surprised by how much it keeps happenin," said Foxy. "Here's the thing though, it looks completely home made," said Freddy, "None of it looks like it came from a prank store. The smell was far too intense for what it was! I mean, it smelt like death!" "The smell reminded me of what it would be like to stay a week at Blank's house," said Bonnie.

Freddy then remembered something going on later tonight. "I just remembered, that gathering out of town," Freddy said with a sigh, "I know dad wants us to attend it, but I don't think he realizes that none of us get respected. Everytime we attend this yearly, it just seems less and less pleasant. When I took over the pizzeria 10 years ago and became the main guy, it feels like respect for Fazbear Entertainment and us as the cast got lower and lower with time." "A lot of folks still respect us," said Chica, "Just not other businesses like ours. I mean, I guess competition is taken to heart as we've seen. You got Bon's Burgers, Candy's Burgers and Fries, and too many others to name." "If it were really competition, we'd see them bastarts tearing each other apart," said Foxy, "So that's how ye know it's favoritism."

Bonnie's phone began ringing. It was Buster calling him, as he picked up. "Hello?" asked Bonnie. "Hey Bonnie," Buster replied on the other line, "Put me on speaker, I have some more information for you guys." Bonnie did so. "Can everyone hear me?" asked Buster. "Loud and clear," replied Freddy. "Good," said Buster, "To make a long story short, I tried getting information on things, but of course, I couldn't get many clear answers. But that doesn't mean we are out of luck."

"What do you mean?" asked Freddy. "During a meeting, the mayor did mention that this individual he was partnering with is quite the wealthy one," Buster explained, "Specifics weren't specified enough, but I'd like to say he builds things. Or it might be the fact he has an empire of whatever he's known for. There's a lot of different sources from a lot of different people, you can hardly pinpoint it. But the ball is starting to roll and I might be able to find out who we are dealing with soon."

"Thanks for the information," said Bonnie. "Yeah, thanks," added Freddy, "I'm sure you will, but please keep the updates rolling." "Believe me, I will," replied Buster, "I'll see you guys with the next update I got." "See ya," said Freddy, right before Buster hung up.

"Not much, but it's better than nothing," said Bonnie. "I guess, but it just seemed very unnoteworthy," replied Chica. "It's like havin weak coffee in the mornin," added Foxy, "Sound familiar? It's logo is some abomination of a mermaid." "Look guys, like Bonnie said, it's not much, but it's better than nothing," said Freddy, "About that topic of weak coffee though, this tastes pretty damn weak."

Later at night

It wasn't exactly clear what the time was, but the gathering with entertainment companies was starting. The event was being held at a building that was being rented out somewhere outside of where Freddy and his friends lived. The numbers looked to be pretty big, just judging by the parked cars alone.

Freddy and his friends got to the event in their personal vehicles. It was far from easy to find a parking spot, but eventually they found avaliable spots. Fredbear also had trouble finding a parking spot, but much like his son and his son's friends, but he too eventually found a spot to park. The 5 of them then met up.

"I hope everyone is excited as I am," said Fredbear. "Eh, I guess," said Freddy. "I'm sure everyone is excited to trash on us," Bonnie said. "Expect the worst, but hope for the best," said Chica. "This is going to go well," Foxy said sarcastically.

When the group made their way to the building, others snickered and whispered things under their breaths. "Just ignore em Freddy, they're not worth your attention," Freddy said to himself. "That's right captain," Foxy suddenly intruded into Freddy's thoughts. "Hey! Get out of my thought bubble!" "What? Just givin ye some support." "Look, I appreciate the support, but don't just don't go into my personal thought bubble."

The gang entered the building. Many different band members of many different entertainment companies were chatting with each other. There were too many to even count. However, the moment they saw Freddy and the gang, the smacktalk under their breaths began.

Suddenly, someone on a stage talked into the microphone that was up there. "Good evening fellow mascots and entertainers! Everyone having a good time?" she said, in which everyone else clapped and cheered, "If that's the case, then it's about to get more eventful than right now! May I introduce, The Showstoppers!" The Showstoppers got on stage with their instruments and started playing a song.

"Aren't they the guys that called us secret killers?" asked Bonnie. "Not this again," sighed Foxy. "They did call us that, which is ironic, since they look more like killers than us," said Chica, "I mean, what kid wants to have a band perform on their birthday that looks both sleep deprived and like they've snorted up Talkies dust?" "A disturbed one," said Fredbear, "And trust me, I've seen some of them in my days." "Well no matter what they say, we ain't no killers," said Freddy, "I know that's been a myth spread by the internet for about a decade, but still, the fact is it's not true."

Just then, a familiar group walked up to the gang. 3 cats, a chimpanzee, and whatever the hell the other thing was. "If it isn't Freddy, Freddy Sr, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy," said one of the cats, "Boy, have you guys fallen from grace." "And if it isn't Candy, Cindy, Candy Sr, Chester, and Blank," Freddy sighed, "Boy, have you guys had a fair fall from grace yourselves." They all began to start talking smack to one another. For better or for worse, did catch the attention of some of the other attendees.

"10 years of running the pizzeria and barely any impact," remarked Candy. "Ironic coming from you of all entertainers," Freddy remarked back. "Oh please Freddy, sure we aren't perfect with our establishment, but at least we don't get in the crosshairs of controversial topics." "Is that because of the allegations of you using Columbian nose candy to keep you going through the day? I'd wanna stay away from there too if I did the same." "They are called allegations for a reason asshole!" Candy then either scratched or wiped his nose.

While Freddy and Candy smack talked each other, so did Candy Sr and Fredbear. "Not so sharp looking," said Candy Sr, "I can see where your son gets it from." "I'm sorry, but have you looked at yourself in the mirror Candy?" asked Fredbear, "You look like the type of cat to be on the registry." "Look at yourself Fredbear, you're a walking disgrace to every entertainment owner in here!" "At least as owner of Fazbear Entertainment, I don't scare children with my appearance when they see me."

Chica and Cindy also smack talked each other. "What are you supposed to be? Some inflatable arm thing outside of a used car lot?" asked Cindy in an insulting way. "And what are you supposed to be? An uglier version of your brother?" asked Chica in an insulting way back. "No actually, I'm just a better and superior version of you. Everyone loves cats in case you didn't know. Ducks, or chickens, or whatever the frick you are, just stick on the sidelines." "Don't let your ego get bigger than your head Cindy, you know what happens if you let that take effect. I'm sure your brother would know what that's like, given his ego and allegations against him."

Meanwhile, Bonnie and Blank were doing much of the same like the others. "Hey Blank, could you get Candy and the others off of me and my friends backs for once?" asked Bonnie. "You know the rules and so do I," replied Blank. "Did you seriously just reference Rick Astley?" "What no! Don't turn this into-" "You just tried to RickRoll me!" "You incompetent bunny! I did no such thing!" "Blank, I'm pretty sure you did." Bonnie really got Blank pissed.

And of course, Foxy and Chester did much of the same. "Where's ye penguin lad?" asked Foxy, "Did he realize that his family in the south pole might be screwed?" "He got sick and couldn't come to the gathering, you soulless bastard!" said Chester, "My god Foxy, don't you have a heart?!" "I do, but not for ye or the bawheid crew that insults me, the captain, and our crew." "You know why you guys don't get respect? Because everyone else in this place, including us are better than you! You guys are laughable, predictable, and walking jokes to every entertainer and entertainment company in this very place!" "What's that? I couldn't hear ya! Sounded like a bawbag is in ye mouth!"

The argument between both sides started to get loud. Before they knew it, it really started to catch the attention of everyone else in the place. Even the Showstoppers saw this going on as they continued to play. But with the argument between the Freddy's side and Candy's side, it started to cause a bit of a disturbance. After the Showstoppers finished playing one of their songs, Bon on the microphone said, "EHEM, if you guys to the left arguing could shut up, we would really appreciate that!"

This shut up the groups, as the band continued playing. "Wasn't worth our time anyway," scoffed Candy as he and his group walked off. "While you guys get settled in, I'm gonna go have a few drinks," said Fredbear.

It was uncomfortably silent amongst the gang. They were all understandably angry about Candy and his gang coming over to smacktalk them, on top of others whispering under their breaths about them. They thought about leaving, but much like the other times, ultimately decided to stay, in the hopes of it improving. Previous times, it did. As the years went by though, it seemed to work less and less.

Freddy took a deep breath, "Alright, let's not let the know-it-alls stop us from having fun during this event...which is easier said than done, but I digress." "To be fair, it's not like everyone here hates us," said Chica, "There's a few here that appreciate us. Not a big amount, but some at the very least." "There's some good right there," said Bonnie. "Little appreciation is better than no appreciation," added Foxy.

Freddy and his friends decided to go find those who would respect them. Meanwhile, Fredbear started to drink at the bar area. The night wouldn't be like other nights everyone gathered though, it'd be very much different...

To be continued in the next chapter...

Holy BALLS, this took me a while to work on, let alone finish. My motivation was really low for a while, until early to mid March, then it started to kick back in again. At the very least, it's finished and now I can work on the next chapter.

(Chapter 4 published 3/19/24)