Chapter 13: Unexpected, But Unlucky

It was almost time for Scott to open the pizzeria expansion to the public! It was happening tomorrow, the sixth of January. Benji's anticipation the night before was so immense that he let his curiosity get the best of him. He was going to sneak into the other side of the pizzeria. After successfully ducking underneath the rope in front, he froze as he was about to pull the door open from someone clearing their throat behind him. Benji slowly turned around. It was Golden Freddy standing there with his arms crossed.

"H-Hey Goldie!" Benji sheepishly smiled at him.

"What are you doing?" Golden Freddy asked quietly, but sternly.

Benji huffed a defeated sigh. "I just wanted to see everything for the new expansion since it's all finished." Benji moved his left foot back and forth slightly.

"You're really that curious?" Goldie chuckled.

"Y-Yeah", Benji was slightly embarrassed.

"I'll let it slide this time. However, I'm coming with you. I can't let the cute night guard get hurt", Golden Freddy accidentally let the last part slip out.

"W-Wait, what?" Benji was slightly taken aback by what he had just heard.

Golden Freddy's golden face seemed to turn a shade darker—well if animatronics could blush. He crossed his arms again, trying to look unaffected, but Benji caught the briefest flicker of fluster in Goldie's glowing eyes.

"Forget it," Golden Freddy said quickly, waving a hand as though to dismiss his slip. "Let's get moving before someone else catches you."

Benji blinked, his mind still replaying cute night guard. He wanted to press the issue, but the last thing he needed was to make things more awkward than they already were.

"R-Right," Benji mumbled, gripping the door handle to push it open. "Thanks for, uh… covering for me."

"Don't mention it," Goldie replied, though his tone was softer now.

They stepped into the expansion together, the faint hum of dormant animatronics filling the air. The new section was sleek and shiny, a blend of classic pizzeria charm and futuristic upgrades. The dim emergency lights gave everything an almost eerie glow, but to Benji, it was mesmerizing.

"Wow…" Benji whispered, stepping forward. "It's so much bigger than I expected."

Goldie watched him from a short distance, his gaze unreadable. "Yeah, it is. Took Scott long enough to finish it."

The expansion loomed before them, its polished surfaces gleaming faintly under the dim emergency lights. As Benji and Golden Freddy moved deeper into the new wing, the atmosphere shifted. The usual hum of machinery felt sharper, punctuated by faint shuffling sounds coming from one of the darkened corners.

"Did you hear that?" Benji whispered, clutching Goldie's arm.

Golden Freddy's glowing eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. "Stay close," he said firmly, his voice low and protective.

The sound grew louder as they approached Kid's Cove, the once vibrant play area now bathed in shadows. As they stepped inside, a figure darted out from behind a tangle of nets and ropes.

"Benji?"

It was Vixen—the pristine, white-and-pink variant of Foxy. She looked surprised but quickly softened, her wide eyes glimmering with gratitude. She was wearing the necklace that Benji gave her on Christmas.

"Oh, thank goodness you're here," she said, her voice shaky but sincere. She moved closer, wringing her hands nervously.

"Vixen?" Benji asked, his confusion evident. "What's going on? Why are you hiding here?"

"I… I didn't know who else to trust," Vixen admitted, her voice breaking slightly. "The others—they've changed. They're planning something. Something bad. And if you're here—" She glanced anxiously at Benji. "You're in danger."

"Planning what?" Benji asked, stepping forward despite Goldie's silent warning.

Before Vixen could respond, a loud clanging echoed through the cove. The shadows seemed to shift as three figures emerged, their glowing eyes locking onto the trio.

Toy Freddy. Toy Chica. Toy Bonnie.

"Oh no…" Vixen whispered, her ears flattening against her head.

"Get behind me," Golden Freddy ordered, shoving Benji back as the Toy animatronics advanced.

"Night guard," Toy Freddy said, his voice cold and mechanical. "You shouldn't be here."

"We don't take kindly to trespassers," Toy Chica added, her beak twisting into a chilling smirk.

Benji's heart pounded as the three closed in. Golden Freddy stepped forward, his presence unwavering despite being outnumbered.

"Don't even think about it," Goldie growled, his tone protective and laced with quiet fury.

The Toy animatronics lunged. Golden Freddy moved instantly, throwing himself in front of Benji like a shimmering golden shield that deflected the first wave of attacks. Sparks flew as Toy Chica's claws scraped against the barrier of his shell, her expression twisting in frustration.

"Run, Benji!" Goldie barked, but Benji hesitated, unwilling to leave him behind.

"Stop it!" Vixen cried, throwing herself between the attackers and Goldie. She shoved Toy Bonnie backward, her strength surprising even him. "This isn't what we're supposed to be doing!"

The Toys hesitated, their movements faltering. Before they could regroup, the temperature in the room seemed to drop, and an all-too-familiar figure appeared: The Puppet.

The Puppet's long, slender form glided into view, its painted face unreadable but its presence commanding. "Vixen," it said softly, though there was no mistaking the disappointment in its tone. "You've crossed a line."

"I'm protecting him!" Vixen shot back, tears welling in her eyes. "Benji's not like the others. He doesn't want to hurt us—he wants to help!"

The Puppet tilted its head, its empty gaze fixed on Vixen. "You've always been soft, Vixen. Naive. He's a night guard. They're all the same."

"No, they're not!" Vixen shouted, stepping forward. "Benji's different! He doesn't see us as monsters. He sees us as—" She faltered, her voice breaking. "As friends."

The room fell silent, the tension thick as the Puppet regarded Benji. Finally, it spoke. "If he's different, let him prove it."

"How?" Vixen asked, her voice trembling.

The Puppet turned to Benji. "We'll play The Game."

Benji's stomach dropped. He'd heard whispers about The Game—a nightmarish trial of survival tied to the old '87 pizzeria. It wasn't just about physical endurance; it tested your mind, your morals, and your ability to outwit the animatronics who once called that place home.

"No," Vixen said, shaking her head. "You can't!"

"Silence," the Puppet said firmly, though not cruelly. It looked at Benji again. "If you truly want peace, if you want us to trust you, then you'll survive The Game. Prove to us that you're not like the others."

Benji's mouth went dry. "I… I don't know…"

"You don't have to do this," Golden Freddy said suddenly, stepping between Benji and the Puppet. His usual stoic demeanor cracked, revealing an undercurrent of desperation. "There has to be another way."

"There isn't," the Puppet said simply.

Benji looked at Goldie, then at Vixen, whose tear-streaked face silently pleaded with him not to go through with it. Deep down, Benji knew he couldn't back down.

"If this is the only way to prove myself," he said slowly, his voice shaking, "Then I'll do it."

Golden Freddy's fists clenched, his golden aura flickering with barely restrained emotion. "Benji…"

"It's okay," Benji said, though he was far from certain. "I'll be fine."

The Puppet nodded, its form retreating into the shadows. "Tomorrow night, then. Be ready."

As the room fell silent again, Benji felt the weight of what he'd just agreed to settle over him. Golden Freddy placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm but trembling.

"I won't let you face this alone," Goldie said, his voice low and resolute.

Benji managed a weak smile, though his heart felt heavy. "Thanks, Goldie."

But as they left the expansion, Benji couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just signed up for something far more dangerous than he realized—and that the bond he shared with Golden Freddy would soon be tested like never before.

Golden Freddy and Benji stepped into the dimly lit dining area, their footsteps echoing faintly on the tiled floor. Benji's heart was still racing, the weight of his decision pressing on him with every step. As they approached the stage, the familiar figures of Freddy, Chica, and Foxy turned to face them, their expressions a mix of concern and quiet intensity.

"Where were you two?!" Freddy's deep, commanding voice broke the silence. His blue eyes bore into them, his posture rigid with unease.

Benji hesitated, fumbling for words. "W-We—"

"We both got curious about the new expansion," Golden Freddy interrupted smoothly, stepping in front of Benji as if shielding him from Freddy's glare. "So we took a quick peek inside."

Benji glanced down, guilt tightening his chest. "I… I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice barely audible.

"Hey, it's okay, matey." Foxy stepped forward, his mechanical joints creaking as he gave Benji a reassuring grin. "Curiosity ain't a crime, lad. At least nothin' went wrong in there, aye?"

Benji opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. Golden Freddy's hand rested firmly on his shoulder, as if bracing him for what was to come.

"That's… the thing," Benji said, his voice trembling slightly. "Something did happen."

Freddy's expression darkened instantly. "What happened?" he asked, his tone sharp.

Golden Freddy sighed, his golden glow flickering faintly as he spoke. "We ran into the Toy animatronics. They're active—and hostile."

Freddy's fists clenched at his sides, his gaze narrowing. "The Toys?"

"They're still operational," Golden Freddy said gravely. "And they're not the only ones. The Puppet's there too."

At the mention of the Puppet, Chica let out a soft gasp, and Foxy's ears flattened against his head. Freddy's voice dropped to a low growl. "The Puppet… Did it speak to you?"

Benji nodded, swallowing hard. "It did. It… it said I had to prove myself. That I had to play The Game."

Chica stepped forward, her usually bright demeanor replaced with quiet worry. "The Game? Benji, you can't. You know what it means."

"I don't think I have a choice," Benji said, his voice shaking. "If I refuse, they'll never trust me. And if they don't trust me… they'll see me as a threat."

"They already do," Golden Freddy muttered, his gaze fixed on the ground. "The Puppet made that clear."

Foxy paced nervously, his hook scraping lightly against the floor. "Lad, you've heard the stories. The Game ain't just some test—it's a death sentence for most. Surviving it's like trying to outrun yer own shadow."

"We can't let him do this," Chica said firmly, turning to Freddy. "There has to be another way."

"There isn't," Freddy said, his voice heavy with frustration. "You know the rules. Once The Game is invoked, there's no backing out."

Benji looked around at the group, their concern only making the weight of his decision feel heavier. "I know it's dangerous," he said, his voice trembling but resolute. "But if this is the only way to prove I'm not like the others, I have to do it."

"No, you don't!" Chica cried, her feathers puffing out in distress. "You've already proven yourself to us. You don't owe the Puppet or those Toys anything."

"They don't see it that way," Golden Freddy said quietly. "To them, Benji's just another night guard—another threat."

Benji clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "Then I'll show them they're wrong. I'll survive, and I'll prove I'm not their enemy."

Freddy's jaw tightened, his usual stoic demeanor cracking just slightly. "If you're really going through with this, we're not letting you face it alone."

"Freddy, we can't interfere," Foxy said, his voice low. "The rules are clear—if we get involved, it'll only make things worse."

"Then we'll find another way to help," Freddy said firmly. "I'm not losing another friend because of that Puppet's twisted games."

Chica nodded, her determination matching Freddy's. "We'll be there for you, Benji. Whatever it takes."

Golden Freddy stepped closer to Benji, his golden glow casting a warm light over them both. "I made a promise to protect you, and I intend to keep it. No matter what happens, you won't face this alone."

Benji managed a weak smile, the fear in his chest easing just slightly. "Thank you," he said softly. "All of you."

As the group stood together, the weight of what lay ahead hung heavily in the air. Vixen remained behind somewhere in the shadows of the expansion, her presence a mystery even to her closest allies. As the clock ticked closer to the night of The Game, Benji couldn't shake the feeling that this trial would test not only his survival but the strength of the bonds he had forged with the animatronics who now stood by his side.

The tension in the room slowly dissipated as the group settled down in the main dining area, where a small projector had been set up. Freddy dimmed the lights to create a cozy atmosphere while Chica and Foxy raided the kitchen for snacks. Benji sat on the worn but surprisingly comfortable couch, the events of the night still swirling in his mind.

Golden Freddy sat beside him, his golden form faintly glowing in the dim light. The others soon joined, bringing along bowls of popcorn, cups of soda, and an assortment of leftover pizzas. Chica placed a steaming tray of cookies on the table, earning Bonnie an appreciative grin.

"Alright," Foxy said, slumping into a chair and tossing a handful of popcorn into his mouth. "What's this flick about, anyway?"

"Sonic the Hedgehog," Chica said, plopping down next to Freddy with a plate of cookies. "It's a movie about a blue hedgehog who runs really fast. I've heard it's funny—and heartwarming!"

"Heartwarming?" Foxy scoffed, though he had a playful grin. "Let's see about that."

Freddy grabbed the remote, his usual stern demeanor softening as he pressed play. "Alright, everyone. Settle in. Let's enjoy this."

The opening scene rolled, the colorful animation and energetic soundtrack quickly capturing everyone's attention. As Sonic zipped around the screen, cracking jokes and outrunning his enemies, the group began to relax. Laughter erupted when Sonic made a quip about being the fastest thing alive, and even Freddy chuckled when the villain, Dr. Robotnik, made his eccentric entrance.

Benji leaned back, a small smile forming on his face. The stress of the night started to fade, replaced by the comforting presence of his friends. At some point, Golden Freddy draped a soft blanket over them both. Without a word, he gently pulled Benji closer, his golden arm wrapping around him in a protective embrace. Benji's cheeks flushed, but he didn't pull away, finding the gesture oddly comforting.

"You two look cozy," Chica teased, throwing a playful glance their way.

Benji chuckled nervously, his face growing warmer. "It's, uh, cold in here," he mumbled, earning a soft laugh from Golden Freddy.

"Cold, my circuits," Foxy muttered with a smirk, though his focus quickly returned to the screen.

As the movie progressed, the group became more engrossed. They cheered when Sonic outsmarted Robotnik in an epic chase scene, laughed at his witty one-liners, and even "aww'd" during the heartfelt moments.

At one point, Bonnie leaned forward, his ears twitching in excitement. "Did you see that? He just took down a whole damn army of drones with one spin! That's insane!"

"Yeah, yeah," Foxy said, throwing a piece of popcorn at Bonnie. "I bet I could do that with me hook if I were fast enough."

Bonnie caught the popcorn mid-air and grinned. "Keep dreaming, pirate."

The group laughed, and even Freddy cracked a rare smile. Chica, always the cheerleader of the group, tossed another cookie to Foxy, who caught it with exaggerated flair.

As the credits began to roll, Sonic's triumphant theme song played, leaving everyone in high spirits. Benji glanced around, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the blanket or Golden Freddy's glowing presence. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt like he belonged.

"That was a good pick," Freddy said, standing up and stretching. "It's nice to take a break from everything once in a while."

"Agreed!" Chica said, gathering the empty bowls and plates. "We should do this more often, we haven't done it since Halloween."

"I second that," Bonnie added, hopping off his chair. "Next time, though, let's pick something with more action. Maybe one of those superhero movies?"

"As long as there's pizza, I'm in," Foxy said with a grin.

Golden Freddy didn't say much, but his gentle squeeze on Benji's shoulder spoke volumes. As the others began cleaning up and chatting about the movie, Benji stayed curled under the blanket, a soft smile on his face.

Golden Freddy leaned closer, his voice low enough that only Benji could hear. "You're stronger than you think. We'll get through this."

Benji looked up at him, the golden glow in Goldie's eyes reflecting the unspoken promise of protection. "Thanks, Goldie. For everything."

"Anytime," Golden Freddy replied with a rare, genuine smile.

For now, the looming threat of The Game could wait. Tonight was about friendship, laughter, and moments of peace—moments Benji would carry with him into whatever came next.