Chapter Text
Once Mike and Gregory got back from their hike and their discussion, they soon ended up in the workshop to work on the Galmrocks, as Mike didn't want to leave them shut down longer than necessary. Gregory sat down on a stool and watched Mike and Freddy work together to get Roxy laid out on a table. In curiosity, Gregory asked, "Is there any reason why you're doing Roxy first? Or did you just pick her at random?"
"It isn't random," Mike replied as he opened up some of Roxy's face plates and connected cables into the hidden ports. "She gets really anxious about being under for too long, so the sooner I can finish up with her and get her awake, the sooner she can assure herself there weren't any modifications done to her while she was out."
"I never really thought about it that way," Gregory frowned in thought. "How the Fazbear company could just change her and the others whenever they want, and none of them would have a say…"
"For the most part, it isn't that bad," Freddy assured Gregory. "Usually, it was just maintenance to make sure we were performing at top efficiency. And it's important we are functioning properly to ensure we're safe around children. Plus, Chief Pines here was always really good about talking us through any major upgrades we would have and how they are meant to work. I know Roxy certainly felt better about getting her new eyes when he pointed out it could help her spot lost children."
"Seriously, you can just call me Mike," Mike replied with a snort. "It's not like I'm the Chief Engineer of the Pizza plex anymore, what with it being burned down and all…"
"I suppose that's true," Freddy chuckled. "Alright, Mike, it is."
Gregory snickered a little at the interaction before watching Mike work away on his computer, asking, "Is it going to take you a while to find and remove the return protocols and any other stupid programming?"
"Find? No," Mike shook his head slightly. "I'm well familiar with the Glamrock's programming and know where I need to look for those specific protocols. Removing them could take a bit, as I'll need to make sure that getting rid of the programming doesn't affect the rest of their systems and AI."
"Could it really affect them that much?" Gregory wondered.
"You'd be surprised," Mike replied with a smirk. "With complicated code, things could get connected in ways you never intended. There's one famous story of how these game developers were making a racing game and found a random football beneath the map. They had no idea how it got there, and they couldn't delete the football without it destabilizing the entire game. The programmers eventually gave up on removing it and just left it in the code."
"And you think that could happen to Roxy and the others?" Gregory asked in concern.
"Not that extreme, as the protocols would have been added after their main AI was already completed," Mike assured. "It's mostly a precaution on my part."
"After all, Dipper was able to remove those protocols from me already, and I'm perfectly fine," Freddy reminded Gregory, which did make Gregory feel better.
Despite Mike taking those extra precautions, it really wasn't long before he was able to delete the troublesome protocols. Checking over Roxy's programming one last time to make sure everything looked good, Mike initiated the startup sequence and unplugged the cables.
Roxy shifted and grimaced as she came online, eyes blinking open as she became more aware. Before she was fully clear-headed and could potentially start panicking, Mike spoke calmly, "Hey, Roxy, it's me, Mike. I'm back in Gravity Falls with the rest of you, and I just finished removing the return protocols as well as a few other programs that would hinder you from being able to function properly outside of the Pizzaplex. Other than that, everything is the same, and there were no major repairs or modifications done to you."
Roxy released some tension as she processed Mike's words, and her own internal diagnostics backed up his words. Sitting up, Roxy said with a teasing grin, "About time you got back, Mike. No one needs that much beauty sleep."
"Glad to be back," Mike chuckled.
"I'm glad to have you awake, Roxy," Freddy smiled at his fellow band member. "Do you want to stay here while Mike works on the others, or do you want to head into the main part of the Manor?"
"I'll stick around," Roxy replied to Freddy, getting off the table fully. "Might as well just catch up with the others all at once. Besides, I'm sure the others will appreciate seeing my beautiful face when they wake up rather than just your ugly mug."
"I suppose so," Freddy chuckled as he moved to help get Chica on the table next.
Going over to lean casually against the wall by Gregory, Roxy asked, "So how are you doing, kid? Gotten used to being around a bunch of rich folks yet?"
"Kind of," Gregory replied with a snort. "It's still weird that they're loaded, especially because they don't really act like it. I mean, yeah, they have the big fancy manor, but they do things like play with Mabel's pet pig or have a picnic with a supernatural bear in the woods. Them having money feels more like a side note to the rest of their craziness."
"I can see that," Roxy chuckled. "They are Mike's family after all, and he's always been one of the stranger humans we've known."
"Good point," Gregory snickered.
They chatted for a bit more before Mike finished up with Chica, and she joined them as well. It wasn't much longer before Monty and Sun were also worked on and awake as well, which was the last of the animatronics for now. DJ Music Man and Bonnie would take a lot longer since Mike had to build them new bodies.
"Everyone feeling alright?" Mike asked the animatronics once he finished up. "No obvious new bugs in your systems that need to be taken care of?"
"None so far," Chica replied. "But we'll be sure to tell you if we notice anything."
"Good," Mike nodded, turning off the computer.
"Come on, guys," Gregory grinned at the animatronics. "I'm sure the others will be excited to see you're awake. And Mabel is going to want to make you all sweaters."
"It's true," Freddy confirmed with a chuckle. "She already made me one, though unfortunately, it needs some repairs after I accidentally attempted to open my stomach hatch while wearing it."
The others snickered in amusement and surprise at the story, not really used to the idea of someone making them something like a sweater, the closest thing being the drawings kids would give them. Following after Gregory, the animatronics headed into the manor, still getting used to the idea that this place was their new home.