Chapter 5: A Nice Field Trip

I woke up with this much happier feeling in me. Sitting up with a sleepy grin, I stretched my arms up to the ceiling. After getting out of bed, I headed into my bathroom to get the day finally started. After getting the shower started and stepping in, I lathered my hair in shampoo. While rinsing off my hair, I heard a knock on my bathroom door.

I peeked around the shower curtain, "Come in!" It was Glamrock Freddy who had opened the door.

"O-Oh hey, superstar, Greyson!" he stammered, his face turning a bit red as he tried to avert his eyes.

I couldn't help but chuckle, running a hand through my wet hair. "It's fine, Freddy. I'm not exactly wearing a suit of armor here."

"C-Could I talk to you for a second?" Glamrock Freddy was still trying to not make eye contact with me.

"Yes Freddy, let me finish getting ready, okay?" I smiled at the bear animatronic.

"Okay, superstar!" Freddy smiled softly before leaving the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

I sighed a breath of relief before getting back to my shower.

I wonder what he needed to talk to me about. I pondered while lathering my body with soap in the warm water.

When I was finished in the bathroom with my shower and skincare routine, I wrapped my waist up in a towel. Stepping out into my bedroom, I wasn't expecting Freddy to be sitting on my bed, waiting for me.

"O-Oh my! I'm so sorry!" Glamrock Freddy started to shield his eyes.

I started to chuckle while walking up to him, "It's okay, big guy, I'm only showing my bare chest." I lightly pushed his shoulder jokingly.

"O-Oh okay, superstar", the bear nervously chuckled.

I headed into my walk-in closet to pick out my outfit. Picking out the clothes I was going to wear was easier today. Today's outfit consisted of a navy long-sleeved collared sweater, a pair of khaki pants, a brown belt, a pair of brown shoes, and my silver chain necklace. Once I stepped out of the closet, I was showered with compliments by Galmrock Freddy.

"You look very outstanding today!" the bear animatronic smiled softly in my direction while I threw the towel into the hamper.

I smiled sheepishly while taking a silly bow, "Why, thank you, kind sir." The both of us bursted out laughing at my behavior.

As our laughter faded, I leaned back against the bed frame, stretching my arms. "Alright, Freddy, what's up? You looked a little tense earlier."

Freddy's ears twitched, and his smile softened. "I wanted to tell you something that happened this morning."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

He nodded. "I woke up early and wanted to make breakfast as a thank you to you and Trevor. But… I may have underestimated my cooking skills."

I smirked. "Let me guess—something caught fire?"

Freddy chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "Nothing was on fire… but let's just say it was inedible." He sighed dramatically. "I am very sorry for the wasted food, Greyson."

I waved him off. "No worries, big guy. It's the thought that counts."

He perked up slightly before his face turned serious again. "While I was in the kitchen, I heard a thump from upstairs, coming from Trevor's room. At first, I thought he just rolled over, but something felt… off. So after I threw away my, um, failed creation, I went to check on him."

I leaned forward. "What did you find?"

Freddy's ears drooped. "Trevor was on the floor, tangled in his blankets. He was whimpering in his sleep, shaking." He frowned. "I didn't want to wake him too suddenly, so I sat with him until he calmed down. It's been about two hours now, and he's been sleeping more peacefully."

I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. Trevor had dropped into my life out of nowhere—literally appearing on my front porch one night, cold and desperate. I had no idea what he'd been through, but judging by how guarded he always was, I knew it wasn't anything good.

Freddy must've noticed the look on my face because he tilted his head. "Greyson?"

I shook my head. "Sorry, just… I feel bad for him, y'know?" I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "He's clearly been through a lot."

Freddy nodded solemnly. "Yes. But he is strong, I can tell."

I pushed myself off the bed. "Let's wake him up. I'll make breakfast this time—omelets and pancakes for all of us."

Freddy's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh! That sounds wonderful, superstar!" His tail flicked slightly, betraying his enthusiasm.

I chuckled. "Go get him, and I'll start cooking."

As Freddy hurried off, I glanced toward the hallway. Trevor had been here for a while now, but I still didn't know the full story of what had happened to him. Maybe, just maybe, today would be the day I'd finally get some answers.

The smell of sizzling eggs and warm pancakes filled the kitchen as I flipped the last omelet onto a plate. Just as I was finishing up, I heard footsteps approaching. I glanced over my shoulder to see Freddy and Trevor walking in together. Freddy, as expected, was practically bouncing with excitement, while Trevor looked… well, exhausted.

They both took their seats on the stools at the breakfast counter, Freddy's tail flicking slightly as he eagerly watched me set the plates down in front of them. Trevor muttered a quiet "Thanks" before rubbing at his face with one hand.

It was then that I noticed—he was still in yesterday's clothes. The same wrinkled t-shirt and jeans that I had lent out to him yesterday when he had his outburst. I didn't say much about it, not wanting to embarrass him, but I did clear my throat.

"Hey, after breakfast, we should go to the mall," I said casually, leaning against the counter. "Trevor, you need new clothes."

Trevor froze mid-cut into his omelet. His shoulders tensed slightly before he forced out, "I'm fine."

I raised an eyebrow. "You've been wearing the same thing since yesterday, dude. You need at least a change of clothes."

Trevor huffed, clearly uncomfortable. "I don't want anyone paying for me."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm offering. Out of hospitality. And because I'm your friend."

That got him to shut up for a second. His expression flickered with something unreadable before he exhaled. "Fine. But nothing too expensive."

I smirked. "Deal."

Freddy, who had been listening intently while munching on his pancakes, suddenly perked up. "Oh! A trip to the mall sounds delightful!" He clapped his hands together. "So many stores, so many lights—so much to see!"

Then, just as quickly, his excitement faltered, and he tilted his head. "But… Greyson, how do we explain me? An animatronic that was supposed to be destroyed is suddenly walking around in public?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Freddy, you're way too naive." I shook my head, grabbing a glass of water. "If anyone asks, we'll just say you're a cosplayer. A very dedicated one paying respects to the 'fallen Glamrock era.'"

Freddy gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "A cosplayer? But—oh! That is rather clever, Greyson!" He grinned proudly. "Yes! I shall be… an enthusiast of myself!"

Trevor let out an amused scoff, finally taking a bite of his omelet. "This should be interesting."

I smirked. Oh yeah, this was going to be fun.

The drive to the mall was relatively quiet, aside from the occasional hum of music from the radio and the chatter between me and Freddy. Trevor, on the other hand, had spent most of the ride staring out the window, lost in thought. I didn't push him to talk—I figured he was still getting used to all of this.

When we pulled into the parking lot, the sheer size of the mall came into view. It was massive—a two-story shopping center filled with everything from designer brands to everyday retailers and even a few small businesses tucked between them. It was always packed, especially on weekends, and today was no exception.

As we walked toward the entrance, I leaned over to Freddy, giving him one last reminder. "Alright, big guy, remember what to say if people ask."

Freddy beamed. "Of course, Greyson! I am but a humble cosplayer, honoring the fallen Glamrock era!"

Trevor scoffed. "You make it sound like a historical tragedy."

Freddy placed a hand over his chest dramatically. "In a way, it is."

I chuckled, shaking my head as we reached the doors. Just as I was about to push them open, a group of teens exiting the mall suddenly froze.

"Holy crap!" one of them gasped. "Is that—Glamrock Freddy?!"

The others immediately turned, their faces lighting up with awe. "No way! That's such a sick cosplay!"

Before Freddy could even respond, they were already pulling out their phones, taking pictures and excitedly chattering among themselves.

"I miss the Pizzaplex so much," one of the girls said, clutching her phone. "The animatronics were so cool."

"Yeah, man," another teen added. "I still have my Freddy Fazbear plush at home."

Freddy chuckled warmly, placing his hands on his hips. "It is always wonderful to be remembered! The Pizzaplex may be gone, but its spirit lives on in all of you!"

The group let out a collective "aww" before thanking him and walking off, still buzzing about their encounter.

Trevor turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "I can't tell if he's enjoying this a little too much."

I grinned. "Let him have his moment."

With the teens gone, we finally stepped inside and made our way to Polo Ralph Lauren—where, of course, I had insisted Trevor go.

"You need quality clothes," I told him.

"You just want to dress me up like a preppy rich kid," he grumbled.

I smirked. "Guilty as charged."

Trevor sighed but didn't argue as he started browsing through the racks, picking out a few shirts, jackets, and jeans. I kept my distance, letting him shop at his own pace while I turned my attention to Freddy.

The animatronic bear was practically glowing as he admired the displays, his hands gently brushing over the fabrics. He looked at the mannequins in their neatly styled outfits, eyes full of wonder.

After glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, Freddy leaned toward me and whispered, "Greyson… I wish I had clothes like humans do."

I blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. "You… want a wardrobe?"

Freddy nodded eagerly. "Yes! I have always admired the way humans express themselves through fashion. Different outfits for different occasions—it is fascinating!" His expression softened. "I know I am just an animatronic, but… it would be nice to have something of my own."

I gave him a reassuring pat on the arm. "Hey, you're more than just an animatronic. And if you really want a wardrobe, I'll talk to Whitney about it. I'm sure she'd love to help."

Freddy's ears perked up and wiggled, while his tail gave a small, excited flick. "Truly?"

I chuckled. "Yeah, truly."

Freddy beamed. "Oh, thank you, superstar! This is wonderful news!"

Before I could respond, Trevor's voice called out from the fitting rooms.

"Greyson! I need a second opinion!"

I smirked. "Duty calls."

As I made my way over, I couldn't help but glance back at Freddy, who was still admiring the clothes with a newfound sense of excitement. Yeah… I'd definitely be talking to Whitney about this.

After Trevor finished trying on clothes, we made our way to the checkout counter. I didn't even blink as I handed over my card, but Trevor, on the other hand, looked like he was about to have a heart attack when the total flashed on the register.

"Dude, that's—" He gawked at the price, then at me. "Are you insane?"

I shrugged, sliding my card into the reader. "High-quality clothes aren't cheap, and I told you—I got this."

Trevor groaned, rubbing his face. "I swear, I'm paying you back."

I smirked. "We'll see."

With two full bags of clothes in hand, we stepped out of Polo Ralph Lauren and continued exploring the mall. The place was packed, and we couldn't go five minutes without someone stopping us to gush over Freddy's "cosplay."

"Oh my god, I miss the Pizzaplex so much."

"I used to go there all the time as a kid!"

"I still have a bunch of Fazbear merch at home!"

People snapped photos, some even asking Freddy for a hug, which he happily obliged. He seemed to be enjoying every second of it, soaking in the love from old fans who still held the Pizzaplex close to their hearts.

"Superstar, I never knew how much humans cherished us," Freddy said as we walked through the mall, his voice filled with emotion.

I chuckled. "You guys were an entire era of entertainment. Of course, people remember."

Our shopping spree didn't stop at Polo Ralph Lauren. We hit up H&M, Nike, Banana Republic, Burberry, Abercrombie & Fitch, L.L. Bean, and Nordstrom. By the time we were done, Trevor was hauling more bags than he thought he'd ever own, and Freddy, despite not buying anything for himself, looked absolutely thrilled just from the experience.

"This has been quite the adventure!" Freddy beamed, holding a few bags in his massive hands.

As we made our way back toward the parking lot, something caught both Trevor and Freddy's attention.

Shiny jewelry. Of course, it would attract the bear's attention.

The two of them stopped dead in their tracks, eyes glued to the glittering displays inside Swarovski. Rings, necklaces, bracelets—all meticulously arranged under bright, enticing lights.

Trevor let out a low whistle. "Damn… that's some expensive-looking stuff."

Freddy's eyes practically sparkled as he pressed his face close to the glass. "Oh, such craftsmanship! Such elegance!"

I shook my head with a laugh. "Alright, you two magpies, admire from a distance. We need to—"

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Glancing at the caller ID, I saw Whitney flashing across the screen. I stepped outside the store before answering.

"Hey, Whit, what's up?"

"I need you three at my lab. Immediately," she said, skipping the small talk.

I frowned at her response. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, nothing's on fire yet," she said quickly. "But this is important. Oh, and on the way, bring food from The Cheesecake Factory. I'm starving."

I snorted. "Real urgent, huh?"

"Yes, Greyson. Life or death. And cheesecake."

I laughed. "Alright, we're on it."

Hanging up, I turned back toward the jewelry store. Freddy and Trevor were still staring at the display like kids at a candy shop.

"Alright, you two, snap out of it," I called, clapping my hands. "Whitney needs us in Las Vegas. Now."

Trevor blinked, snapping his head toward me. "Vegas?"

Freddy's ears perked up. "Right this moment?"

"Yes, right this moment. Grab your stuff—we're stopping for food, then we're getting on the road."

Neither of them questioned it further. We hurried back to the car, stuffing every single shopping bag into the trunk before hopping inside. As soon as we were buckled in, I started the engine and peeled out of the parking lot.

Las Vegas, here we come.

The drive to Whitney's lab was smooth, with the lights of Las Vegas twinkling in the distance as we pulled into the heavily secured facility. This wasn't just some makeshift lab—this was government-issued, locked down with keycard access, security cameras, and guards stationed at every major entrance.

After parking, I grabbed the bags of food while Trevor and Freddy hauled the rest. Whitney buzzed us in, and the moment we stepped inside, she snatched her Cheesecake Factory bag from my hands and practically sprinted to the nearest empty table.

The three of us exchanged amused glances before following her. She was already tearing into her filet mignon like she hadn't eaten in days.

I chuckled but then took a closer look at her. She was in her matching pastel pink hoodie and sweatpants, her glasses slightly askew, and her box braids messily thrown into a bun on top of her head. There were dark circles under her eyes, and I knew immediately—she hadn't been taking care of herself again.

I sat across from her and gave her a pointed look. "Whitney, have you been sleeping?"

She waved me off, still chewing.

"Whit."

She sighed dramatically before swallowing. "Yes, Dad, I've slept."

Trevor scoffed. "Does crashing at your desk for ten minutes count?"

Whitney took a dramatic bite of her steak to avoid answering.

I shook my head. "Seriously, what's going on? Why did you need us here so fast?"

She finally swallowed, then wiped her mouth with a napkin before reaching for something under the table. "This."

She pulled out a sleek, compact-looking device, setting it down in front of us. It was about the size of a large tablet, but with various wires, ports, and a high-tech interface glowing softly on the screen.

"I've been working on this since early this morning," she explained, pushing her glasses up. "This device will allow you to carefully remove the other animatronics' M.C.P.C.s—their Main Character Personality Chips—from their old endoskeletons without damaging them."

I leaned in, examining the machine. "You finished this in a single day?"

Whitney smirked. "I was motivated."

Freddy, who had been munching on his meal, perked up. "You did this… for my friends?"

She nodded. "I figured you'd be missing them."

Freddy set down his fork, his usual cheerful expression softening. "I do."

Whitney leaned back in her chair. "Then I hope this helps."

Trevor whistled, nudging my arm. "Damn. She really is a genius."

"I know," Whitney replied smugly before shoveling a forkful of mashed potatoes into her mouth.

I smirked, but then my stomach dropped as I saw her expression shift into something more serious.

"There's another reason I called you here," she said, setting her fork down. "Fazbear Entertainment is about to dissolve. Three weeks from now, the government is taking full control over the land where the Pizzaplex ruins are."

My jaw clenched. "So, we have three weeks before we're locked out for good."

"Yep," Whitney confirmed. "That means you three need to get those M.C.P.C.s fast."

Trevor groaned. "Of course, there's a time crunch."

I exhaled sharply before straightening up. "Then we start tonight."

Whitney blinked. "You sure?"

I nodded. "No time to waste."

She held out the device to me. I took it carefully, feeling the weight of responsibility settle in my chest.

"Then good luck," she said, picking up her fork again. "And don't break it. That thing cost a lot to make."

I grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Tonight, we were going back to the Pizzaplex.