Chapter 6: Stumble Upon Greatness

Halloween night went by quickly, and it was now a week after the incident. I haven't seen Monty at all since we took down the decorations the next night. It was like he was avoiding me. I tried venting to Roxanne about it, but she just said that he was avoiding everyone when the Pizzaplex closed each day.

I hope he's doing okay. I sighed to myself as I was helping with escorting the stragglers out of the building.

As the clock struck midnight, I heard a commotion behind me at the front doors! Turning around, I saw a familiar mix of dirty blonde and strawberry hair standing in front of the now closed security shutter!

"Scarlett?" I felt tears well up in my eyes.

"E-Elijah? Is that you?" Scarlett's voice wavered a bit. She was holding the hands of both of her children, in which they were holding a suitcase in each of their hands.

I nodded slowly with tears running down my face. Scarlett let go of her children's hands and ran over to me and hugged me. Returning the embrace, I just let the tears flow.

"W-What are you doing here?" I looked at her while wiping away the tears, "I'm going to get in trouble if my boss knows you guys have been stuck in here with us."

"I-I'm sorry", My former manager began before she gave me a confused look, "Wait, you work here?"

"Y-Yeah, I've been trying to blend in with the town", I sheepishly smiled.

I heard metallic footsteps behind me! My heart sank a bit because now I would have to explain everything.

"What are you guys doing here?" I heard Freddy's voice behind me, "The Pizzaplex is closed to customers for the night."

I turned around, not only Freddy was closely behind me, there was also Chica, Roxy, Sun, and even Monty!

With a sheepish grin, I began to explain, "Guys, this is my former manager, Scarlett, and her twin eleven year old children, Ryan and Reagan!"

There was a silence before Freddy piped up, "Former...manager?" The flashy orange bear animatronic was confused.

"Yeah", I started to say, "If I tell you guys this, can you please keep this a secret for now?" I practically was pleading to them.

"I can keep it a secret, superstar", Freddy smiled with his voice smooth, like honey.

I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly. "So… you've all known me as Elijah, the guy who works here and helps keep this place running. But that's not the full story."

Chica tilted her head, her bow bouncing slightly. "What do you mean?"

I hesitated, my heart pounding. "Before I came here, I… I was someone else. Someone… famous."

Roxy's eyes widened, her sharp features softening with surprise. "Famous? Like, actually famous?"

"Yeah," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I was a pop and R&B singer. My stage name was Eli Sway. I—" My voice caught, and I clenched my fists, forcing myself to continue. "I had everything. Tours, awards, fans… I even had a mansion. But it all came crashing down because of one person."

Monty's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt.

"Andrew," I said, his name like poison on my tongue. "He was my boyfriend. At first, he was charming, supportive. But over time… he became controlling. Manipulative. And when I tried to leave, he—" My voice broke, and tears spilled down my face.

Freddy stepped closer, his large hand resting gently on my shoulder. "Take your time, superstar," he said softly.

I nodded, wiping my face. "When I finally got the courage to leave him, he didn't take it well. He… he set fire to my mansion. Blew it up, actually. The police said it was arson, but they couldn't prove it was him. I lost everything that night—my home, my career, my life as I knew it."

Chica gasped, her hands covering her beak. "That's awful, Elijah! I—I can't imagine…"

Roxy looked stunned, her tough exterior cracking as she murmured, "No wonder you've been hiding."

"I didn't just lose my things," I continued, my voice trembling. "I lost my sense of safety. Andrew started stalking me, showing up wherever I tried to start over. He has people working for him, and no matter where I went, he always found me. That's why I came here—to this town, to this job. I thought maybe, just maybe, I could finally disappear."

The silence that followed was suffocating. I didn't dare look up, afraid of what I might see in their faces.

It was Freddy who spoke first, his voice steady and resolute. "Elijah, you don't have to run anymore. You're not alone. We're here for you."

Chica nodded emphatically. "Yeah! And if that Andrew guy tries anything, we'll protect you!"

Roxy smirked, though there was a fierceness in her eyes. "Nobody messes with our Elijah."

Even Sun, who usually kept things light, looked serious as he chimed in. "You're safe with us. This place is practically a fortress."

I finally looked up, my vision blurry with tears. "You guys… you don't know how much that means to me."

Monty's sharp glare cut through me like a knife. "You're putting everyone here in danger, Elijah. You think running away and hiding in the Pizzaplex solves anything? What happens when Andrew comes looking? Huh?"

My chest tightened, anger flaring up. "You think I don't know that? You think I haven't been looking over my shoulder every second since I got here? I didn't ask for this, Monty!"

"You didn't ask for it," Monty scoffed, stepping closer, his towering frame bearing down on me. "But you brought it here. To us. You're dragging us into your mess, and when it all falls apart, we're the ones who'll pay for it!"

"That's not fair!" I snapped, my voice cracking. "You have no idea what I've been through—what he's put me through!"

Monty growled, his claws flexing at his sides. "Then enlighten me, Elijah! Tell me why we should all risk our hides for your problems!"

The words hit like a punch, and before I could stop myself, the memory surged forward, spilling out of me in a torrent. "You want to know? Fine! Remember the utility tunnels, Monty? You were there!"

Monty's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond.

"All of a sudden, the lights went out!" I said, my voice trembling as the scene replayed in my head. "I had my flashlight, and I shined it down the hallway. That's when I saw him—a man in a purple and black mask, just standing there with his back to me."

Roxy and Chica froze, their eyes widening. Freddy stepped closer, his hand hovering as if to steady me.

I pressed on, my voice growing shakier. "He didn't move, didn't say anything. And then—then I heard it. That awful, maniacal laughter. It was like it was coming from everywhere."

Monty's expression darkened, but he stayed silent.

"I shouted at him, told him the Pizzaplex was closed," I continued, my words tumbling out. "But he just turned around—slowly. And when he did, he pulled out a knife. He said Andrew needed me. He taunted me like I was nothing."

Chica gasped, clutching her chest. "Elijah…"

"I asked him how he found me," I said, tears streaming down my face. "But he ignored me. Said Andrew would be happy I was found. And then he was gone. Just… disappeared. The lights came back on, and I—" My knees buckled slightly as the memory overwhelmed me. "I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe."

I looked directly at Monty, my voice breaking. "And you… you picked me up. You carried me out. You didn't say anything, but you didn't leave me there."

Monty's jaw clenched, his gaze flickering with something I couldn't quite place.

"So don't you dare stand there and act like I'm just some burden," I said, anger and hurt lacing my words. "You saw what I'm running from. You know how dangerous he is. And you still helped me."

For a moment, Monty said nothing, his expression unreadable. The tension in the room was suffocating.

Finally, he growled low in his throat, his fists tightening. "Yeah, I carried you out. But that doesn't mean I signed up for this!" His voice rose, sharp and furious. "You think I want to deal with some psycho chasing you? You think I want to put everyone here in danger because of your past?"

"Monty, stop," Freddy said firmly, stepping forward.

"No!" Monty barked, glaring at Freddy before turning back to me. "You want my help? Fine. But don't expect me to pretend like this doesn't piss me off!"

He turned on his heel, his heavy footsteps echoing through the atrium as he stormed off.

The silence he left behind was crushing.

"I…" My voice faltered, and I sank to my knees, overwhelmed by the weight of everything.

Freddy crouched beside me, his massive hand resting gently on my shoulder. "Let him cool off," he said softly. "Monty doesn't mean it."

Chica knelt down too, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Elijah, we're here for you. No matter what he says."

Roxy, standing with her arms crossed, spoke quieter than usual. "He'll come around. Monty's just… Monty."

I nodded weakly, but the tears wouldn't stop. "I don't want to drag you all into this," I whispered, my voice trembling.

"You're not dragging us into anything," Freddy said firmly, his voice warm yet steady. "We're a team, Elijah. And we'll face this together."

For a moment, I allowed myself to believe him. The warmth of their presence grounded me, but deep down, the fear still gnawed at me, lurking in the background. I barely noticed Scarlett beside me until I felt her hug me. I didn't resist—I couldn't. I was too drained to do anything but accept the comfort.

"Elijah," Scarlett's shaky voice broke the silence. "There's something I need to tell you."

I turned my head slightly to face her, noticing the tear tracks staining her cheeks. "O-Oh yeah?"

Her voice cracked. "A-Andrew… he… he killed our family's security." Her eyes, filled with sorrow, darted to her children. "He killed their father, too."

The room felt colder. The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. I swallowed hard and quickly moved to comfort her, wrapping my arms around her as best as I could. To my surprise, Freddy joined, his large arms engulfing her in a gentle embrace. Scarlett tensed for a moment, taken aback by the unexpected kindness, before melting into the comfort Freddy offered, her face pressed into his fuzzy chest.

After a moment, her muffled voice broke the heavy silence. "Mmmm… you smell like oranges."

I blinked. "What?"

The random comment caught me off guard, and before I could help it, I snorted. Scarlett's shoulders shook with laughter, still pressed into Freddy's chest, and soon her soft sobs turned into full-blown giggles.

"I didn't expect that," I muttered through a chuckle, wiping my eyes as a hint of lightness returned to the room.

Scarlett pulled back, drying her tears. She glanced around at all of us, smiling weakly. "I'm sorry for making this night so heavy. I just needed somewhere to go… I can't let that psychotic freak hurt my children."

I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You can stay with me. I've got extra rooms at my apartment for you and the kids. You're all safe with me."

Scarlett looked at me, her expression softening. "Thank you, Elijah. I mean it."

"You're welcome, Scar," I replied softly, using the old nickname from when she was my manager. Then an idea struck me, and I perked up. "Since we're all here until 6 AM, we should do something fun. What do you guys think?"

"What do you pups want to do?" Roxanne asked Ryan and Reagan with a warm smile, crouching down to their level.

The twins exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up as they scanned the signs around the Atrium. Their faces broke into grins as they both pointed toward the same sign at the exact same time.

"Bonnie Bowl!" they shouted in unison, bouncing on their heels with excitement.

Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" they giggled together, their energy infectious.

Chica clapped her hands together, beaming. "Then it's settled! To Bonnie Bowl we go!"

"I'll catch up with you guys later," Sun chimed in, waving from across the room. "I have to finish cleaning the daycare."

"Alright, see you soon, Sun!" I called back with a smile as he headed off.

Just then, I felt Freddy hesitate beside me. He shifted awkwardly, his usual confidence a little shaken. "Superstar?" he began nervously.

"Yeah, big bear?" I smiled softly, noticing his unease.

"I'm going to go check on Monty… make sure he's alright. But I'll meet you at Bonnie Bowl. If that's okay?"

I squeezed his metallic forearm gently. "That's more than okay. Take your time, Freddy. We'll be waiting."

Freddy gave me a grateful nod, his frame relaxing. "Thanks, Elijah. I'll see you soon."

As he lumbered off toward the direction Monty had gone, I took a deep breath, looking back at the group that surrounded me—my family, in a way. No matter how heavy things had gotten, they were here. And for tonight, we'd make the most of the time we had.

"Bonnie Bowl, here we come!" I announced, and together, we headed toward the neon lights of the bowling alley, leaving the darkness behind for just a little while.

The Atrium glowed with its usual colorful lights as we made our way toward Bonnie Bowl. Ryan and Reagan skipped ahead, giggling, their excitement infectious. Scarlett followed close behind, a relieved smile softening her tired features. Chica and Roxy flanked the group, chatting softly and keeping an eye on the twins, while I walked at the back, taking a moment to soak in the scene. Roxy noticed me in the back, she went to walk beside me.

"Did Freddy need a break?" Roxy asked me curiously.

"He said that he was going to go check in on Monty", I sighed with a bit of tiredness behind my voice.

"That's somewhat true", Roxy admitted.

"What do you mean?" I asked the wolf with an arched eyebrow.

"Ever since we lost Bonnie, Freddy's soulmate, it's been difficult for the big bear to even step into that bowling alley" Roxy looked down with sorrow.

"O-Oh", I didn't know what to say.

"Yeah, just give him some time to get his shit together, pup", Roxy softly smiled at me.

As we stepped into the bowling alley, the faint scent of popcorn and shoe polish filled the air. The lights above the lanes flickered in a familiar rhythmic pattern, and the faint hum of retro music played softly in the background. The neon glow reflected off the polished lanes, giving the entire space an otherworldly charm.

"Wow!" Ryan exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took in the sights. "This place is awesome!"

Reagan grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the counter, where racks of bowling shoes waited to be claimed. "Come on, let's get our sizes!"

Scarlett gave me a knowing look. "Looks like they're settling in just fine."

I chuckled. "Bonnie Bowl has that effect. It's hard not to feel at ease here."

Chica bounced up beside the kids, her enthusiasm mirroring theirs. "Let me help! I know where they keep the good shoes."

"Good shoes?" Scarlett echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Chica winked. "Oh, you'll see!"

As the kids and Chica worked on finding shoes, Roxy leaned against the counter, glancing over at me. "You good?" she asked quietly, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

I hesitated, then nodded. "I think so. Tonight's been… a lot. But seeing them happy helps."

Roxy gave a small smile, her tail flicking behind her. "Good. You need to cut yourself some slack, Elijah. You've got people who care about you. Remember that."

Before I could respond, Ryan and Reagan came bounding back, their shoes squeaking against the polished floor. "We're ready!" they announced, their excitement palpable.

"Let's pick teams!" Chica said, clapping her hands. "Who's playing against who?"

The twins immediately declared themselves a team. "We're gonna win!" Reagan declared, striking a playful pose.

Scarlett laughed, a sound that felt lighter than it had all night. "Oh, you think so? Well, you're up against the adults now."

Chica gasped dramatically. "Are you saying I'm an adult?"

Scarlett grinned. "Technically, yes."

"Then I demand a rematch if you win!" Chica huffed, crossing her arms in mock indignation.

"Deal," Scarlett replied, her smile widening.

We divided up into teams: Ryan, Reagan, and Chica on one side, and Scarlett, Roxy, and me on the other. As the first frame started, laughter filled the air, cutting through the lingering tension of the evening. Watching the kids cheer for every strike—real or gutter-ball—was like a balm to the nerves that had frayed throughout the night.

Scarlett leaned over to me after her turn, her voice quiet. "Thank you for this. For giving us a moment to breathe."

"You don't have to thank me," I replied. "This is what we all needed."

Reagan excused herself to the bathroom, promising to come right back. None of us thought much of it until she didn't return right away.

"I'll go check on her," Scarlett said, starting to rise, but before she could, Reagan appeared at the edge of the lanes, her face pale and her hands trembling.

"Mom?" she called out softly, her voice shaky.

Scarlett was at her side in an instant, crouching to meet her gaze. "What is it, honey? What's wrong?"

"I… I got lost," Reagan stammered, "and I found… something." Her small hands gestured vaguely toward the far corner of the alley. "It was behind one of the lanes. It looked like a robot, but it was… broken. Really broken."

A chill ran down my spine. "Where exactly did you see this, Reagan?"

She pointed toward a narrow service door at the back of the bowling alley. "Over there. I-I didn't mean to go in, but the door was open."

"Stay here with your mom," I said quickly, glancing at Roxy and Chica. "We'll check it out."

Scarlett looked like she wanted to protest, but the fear in Reagan's eyes held her back.

Roxy took the lead as we approached the service door, her usual confidence tempered by caution. Chica stayed close, her cheery demeanor replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness.

The door creaked as we pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit maintenance area cluttered with old supplies and forgotten equipment. The faint smell of oil and rust hung in the air.

And there, slumped against the wall behind a stack of broken bowling pins, was the remains of Glamrock Bonnie.

The once-vibrant purple paint was chipped and faded, exposing the dull metal underneath. His chest plate was caved in, wires spilling out like entrails. One arm was entirely missing, while the other hung limply at his side. His faceplate was cracked, one of his ears bent at an unnatural angle.

Chica gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Bonnie…"

Roxy knelt beside the broken animatronic, her usual bravado gone. "What the hell happened to you?" she murmured.

I approached cautiously, my heart heavy. The sight was both tragic and haunting. Bonnie had once been a symbol of joy and entertainment, and now he was little more than a discarded shell.

Chica crouched beside Roxy, her voice barely above a whisper. "We… we thought he'd been decommissioned. But why would they leave him like this?"

Roxy shook her head, her eyes narrowing. "This wasn't just neglect. This was deliberate."

Before I could respond, a faint sound—like a mechanical whir—emanated from Bonnie's chest. My breath caught as I realized some part of him was still active.

"Is he… alive?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

Chica reached out hesitantly, her hand trembling. "Bonnie? Can you hear me?"

The whirring grew louder, accompanied by a distorted crackle that might have been an attempt at speech. A single flicker of light sparked in Bonnie's remaining eye, and for a brief moment, it felt like he was trying to look at us.

"Elijah, we need to get out of here," Roxy said firmly, rising to her feet. "Whatever's going on, it's not safe."

But I couldn't tear my eyes away from Bonnie. Something about his broken form felt wrong—like he was trying to tell us something, even in his shattered state.

"We can't just leave him like this," I said, my voice thick with emotion.

Chica placed a hand on my arm, her expression soft but resolute. "Elijah, we have to. At least for now."

Reluctantly, I nodded, and we backed out of the room, leaving Bonnie in the darkness. As I was heading back to the group at our lanes, I started making a group chat with Gavin and Scott.

Me: I need to tell you guys something.

"Elijah it's your turn!" Scarlett beamed, pulling my face away from my phone.

"Okay! I'll be there in a sec, Scar!" I exclaimed as my phone buzzed.

Scarlett tugged on my sleeve again, her enthusiasm undeterred. "C'mon, Elijah! We're waiting!"

I glanced at my phone again, quickly typing out a message in the group chat.

Me: I think I found Glamrock Bonnie.

The response was immediate.

Gavin: What do you mean? Like, actually found him?
Scott: Don't joke, Elijah. That's not funny.

I could almost feel Scott's tension through the screen.

Me: I'm not joking. He's here. At the bowling alley. Behind a service door.
Gavin: What condition is he in?
Me: Terrible. He's busted—chest crushed, wires everywhere, missing an arm. But… part of him is still active.

There was a long pause.

Scott: Still active?
Me: Yeah. His eye lit up for a second, and I heard this weird sound, like he was trying to move or talk.

The next reply from Scott came fast.

Scott: Elijah, we didn't know anything about this. Bonnie's been missing since before I took over the company.
Gavin: Wait, you're serious? Like, you had no idea where he went?

Scott: None. I was told he was decommissioned before the takeover, and we could never find records explaining what happened to him. We assumed they scrapped him.

I frowned, my mind racing. If even Scott—who'd spent years trying to clean up the mess of Fazbear Entertainment—didn't know what had happened, what did that mean for Bonnie?

Me: Well, he's not scrapped. He's here, and he's in bad shape.
Gavin: Do you think someone left him there on purpose?

Scott: It doesn't matter how he got there. What matters is that we get him out of that place.
Me: So what do we do?

Scarlett called again, her voice pulling me away. "Elijah! It's your turn!"

"Okay, Scar! One sec!" I shouted back before focusing on the screen.

Scott: We'll deal with it first thing in the morning. Do NOT mess with him tonight, Elijah. Promise me.
Me: What if he powers down for good before then?
Scott: He won't. If he's been sitting there this long, a few more hours won't hurt.
Gavin: Scott's right. Don't touch him, Elijah. We'll figure this out together tomorrow.

I sighed, slipping my phone into my pocket and heading toward the lane where Scarlett was waiting. She handed me the ball, grinning.

"Finally! You ready to bowl or what?" she teased.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm ready," I said, forcing a smile.

I lined up my shot and rolled the ball, sending it crashing into the pins. Scarlett cheered as I knocked down most of them, but my mind was elsewhere. The image of Bonnie's broken form was burned into my thoughts.

As I sat back down in my seat, I pulled out my phone again.

Me: We can't leave him like that forever, Scott.
Scott: We won't. We'll fix him, Elijah. First thing tomorrow. Just go home for now.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Freddy re-enter the alley, his expression unreadable. He caught my gaze and gave a small nod before approaching. I stepped aside to meet him halfway, putting my phone into my pocket.

"How's Monty?" I asked softly.

Freddy sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Still upset. But he'll come around. He just needs time."

I placed a hand on his arm. "Thanks for checking on him, Freddy. That means a lot."

Freddy looked over at the lanes, watching as the twins high-fived Chica after a particularly lucky strike. "Looks like you've got things handled here, Superstar."

I smiled. "We're trying. Wanna join in?"

Freddy hesitated, then nodded. "I'd like that."

As Freddy stepped up to join the fun, I felt a weight lift from my chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, the fear and paranoia didn't feel so suffocating. Surrounded by laughter, friendship, and the steady hum of the bowling alley, I allowed myself to breathe—to hope.

Hopefully, we can fix Bonnie. I thought to myself. Especially for Freddy.

The night wasn't over, and the shadows lurking outside the Pizzaplex hadn't disappeared. But for now, we had this. And that was enough.