Chapter Text
Half-lidded green eyes scanned over the stack of tickets as he silently counted them, segmented digits flipping through them like the pages of a book. As he reached the last few, he began counting aloud. "Ninety-six...ninety-seven...ninety-eight..." He teasingly looked from the tickets to the excited brunette just beyond the counter. Her hair tied back, it swayed with her every bouncing movement. 'Smiling', the mascot resumed his counting. "Ninety-nine, a hundred. Just enough for one plush toy." He chuckled as the girl celebrated, he inserting the tickets into a collective box. "Any idea which one ya want?" he asked, turning to the wall of dolls behind him. Finding the two gold ones of himself and Fred, the dolls sporting brown muzzles and bellies now instead of cream, filled him with a sense of pride.
It was wonderful that the arcade was offering their plush toys, again.
"The Freddy one, please!" beamed the child, not once ceasing her bouncing.
"Alright. One Toy Freddy," he stated, fluidly taking down the plush in question and handing it to the now squealing girl. She laughed, wide eyes locked on the doll as she gave it a tight hug. "Yay! Thank you, um...uh..." she struggled, failing to remember his name. "Springtrap. But, please, just call me Spring," the rabbit told her, arms crossed as he rested himself against the counter top. "Spring? That's a cool name," she giggled, then bid her thanks again as she hurried off to show her friends her new prize. The mascot gently laughed, watching the girl until she was no longer in sight. His posture didn't shift from his leaning on the counter, his head all that moved as he peered to the wall at his left. Smiling back at him was a photo of himself and Faye, the latter wearing a veil and white torso plates to mimic the top half of a wedding gown. The rest of her was covered by a fabric skirt--sparkling and white to match her plates. She looked happy, securely held in both of his arms, her head tucked under his chin. The photo had been shot by Reese on the day of their union. Fred supervised their exchange of vows. He'd taken it upon himself, as there weren't too many humans out there willing to finalize a marriage between animatronics.
The event had only been a week ago, but it was still nice to reminisce about.
"All good there, brother?" came Fred's voice. The bear himself stood at the other end of the prize counter, having given a boy the bag of candy he'd won. "Hm?" Spring's ears twitched and swayed as he turned to find whom spoke to him. "Me? Ah, yeah. I'm fine, mate," he responded, muzzle dipping as his green eyes landed on the copper band circling his ring finger. "More than that, actually," he added, shifting the ring in place with his thumb. He blinked, then peered back at his ursine sibling. "Am...am I just dreamin' all this, mate?" As expected, Fred chuckled and shook his head. "Would be quite a powerful dream, otherwise," he clarified, proceeding to stand at Spring's side. For a few moments, the two stood and watched the children running about the arcade, some bundling around flashing screens and cheering over catchy music and sound effects. In the adjacent dining room, their parents sat and ate, some talking on cellphones or reading. Enjoying a few moments apart from their children, now that they could trust said children would be safe in a Fazbear location.
Spring didn't know what came over him, just then. All he knew was that his jaw opened to speak before he could register the words. "I'm glad you're here, Fred."
The bear's little ears wiggled at the statement, his blue eyes briefly closing. "I'm glad you are, too," he returned, gesturing then to the kids occupying the game floor and the adults in the next room. "I'm also glad they're all here, having a good time, with no sense of fear hovering over them like a blanket. It's been far too long since we last enjoyed a day of fun and games. Interacting with folks."
Spring nodded along, relieved to see nothing but happy faces. Once or twice, he caught sight of Mangle wandering about, kneeling to greet smaller children and exchange tokens with their pocket money. "'Ey, Mang! Next Meet 'n Greet's comin' up, isn't it?" he called, the white and pink fox quickly turning to find him. "Ten minutes," she nodded back, after sparing a glance at the nearest wall clock. These short wanderings among the public were a refreshing break from her otherwise rooted place near the prize corner. Parents with young infants and strollers were already lining up by the Meet and Greet, some consoling already-upset babies in their arms. "Wow. Busy today, aren't we?" questioned the fox, an ear lowering and perking right back up. "Alright, little tykes. Mangle's got someplace to be, but I'll be back out in no time," she told a few more children as they accepted another stack of tokens from her. "Okay, but don't be gone long," one boy said with a smirk, his group breaking off into the sea of game consoles.
Mangle lightly laughed, standing to make her way back to her greeting post. She returned a wave to the Golden Duo at the prize corner, hearing music kick up in the dining room as the Toy Band began another round of songs. Finally, after so long, the Fazbear family could enjoy their work, again. If there wasn't already a grin carved on her muzzle, the fox would have been smiling to herself. She gave word to the waiting guests that she'd see them all soon, then entered through her curtain to step up on her stage. Her legs immediately froze, locking her in place. Gold eyes took in the sight of Faye the Hare seated at the edge of the stage, the business owner Reese standing in front of her. They were talking. What about? Did something happen? "Everything okay, ladies?" Mangle began as she neared them. Reese met her gaze, tugging down the long sleeves of her white dress shirt. "All's good. Just had to run a diagnostic scan on Auntie, here. We both heard something beep from inside her, and she said she felt off from her norm."
"Off...how? What did ya find?"
Reese smiled. "Could, uh, I have you do a favor? Would you go grab Spring for us? He should be here with Auntie."
Mangle cocked her head, confused. Grab Spring? For what? Her ears stood straight when it hit her, and she wordlessly whipped herself around to head back out of the Meet and Greet. She found the rabbit with his ursine brother, still casually talking. "Heya, Spring! You're needed in the Meet 'n Greet," she called out to him, the rabbit's soft laughter dying as he turned wide eyes to her.
"I'm needed? For what?" he asked back, slowly beginning to wander by Fred on his way out from behind the counter.
"For what? Haha! The stork's landed, o' course!" Mangle beamed back, smooth tail wagging.
"Stork? There aren't any birds 'ere, lass. Well, 'sides Chi, in there," 'frowned' Spring, pausing his motion in his confusion. An incredulous look from the white fox was enough to give him the hint. "OH! Ya mean--geez! I'm comin'!" he exclaimed, now excited as he followed Mangle back through her curtain. "Congrats, brother!" Fred called after them, a large hand at his muzzle. He would join them, later. Someone had to man the prize counter, in the meantime. But that didn't mean the others wouldn't get to see the newest addition to the family. Momentarily lowering his head, Fred shut his eyes and muttered quietly into an inner microphone, telling the others the good news. The band in the other room were just finishing their current song when they each heard Fred's voice in an ear. Rather than simply jumping down off the stage, they decided to play the caution card, turning the news into an act. "We just received some good news, boys and girls! Our resident hare, Faye, is about to become a mom!" Toy Freddy announced, some of the present children gasping their replies. "Oh, goodness! The Arcade's getting a new addition?" Toy Chica feigned shock, secretly thrilled to go and see the "newborn". "What are we wastin' time here, for? C'mon; let's go meet the little one," Toy Bonnie suggested, guitar already at his back as he carefully moved to step down off the stage. Their child fans hurried to their sides as each character saw themselves from the dining room to the Meet and Greet. Reese stood just outside their destination with a guard, meant to allow the animatronics in, while the human guests had to wait their turn.
While the owner explained to curious patrons what was currently underway, the animatronics gathered in Mangle's assigned room. Spring and Lefty were already at Faye's side, the black bear sitting with her on stage, the gold bunny kneeling in front of her. "Is it finally time?" Chi 'grinned', hands curled at her chest in excitement. "Aye, that it is," Mangle confirmed, motioning everyone to give the parents-to-be some space. No one spoke as Faye and Spring quietly conversed. The mint-green hare nodded, hanging ears folding over her back as she reached to tug off her front torso plate. Taking it from her, Spring set it aside, focus then on the object tucked in her lower belly. Gently, large hands closed in to pull the small endoskeleton from the inner clamps holding it perched. Temporary cables were unplugged, no longer needed. Faye went about putting herself back together, her mate almost protectively holding their "newborn" close. Its new core flashed, steadily glowing. Seconds later, metal limbs stretched, arms extending, legs pushing against its "father's" body. The short rods acting as bunny ears twitched, a small muzzle of teeth opening and closing. Small light-blue eyes opened in its skull, which turned to catch sight of both "parents". There were soft noises emitted from the group, everyone trying to get a look at the "infant".
"Well, look at ya. Tiny lil' thing, ya are," Spring 'smiled', allowing his "offspring" to reach and grab his black nose. "I'm gonna be your daddy from now on. Name's Spring, lil' mate." Green eyes curiously shot up to Faye. "Or...lass?"
"'Lil' mate' is fine, for now. But that's MY nickname," Faye played. With a giggle, she stated, "He was meant to be a boy, honey-bunny. He just needs a name."
"And 'skin'," T-Bone tossed in, unable to keep from chuckling when Chi shoved his shoulder. "We got him one, silly," she said, watching as Toy Freddy followed Mangle behind her stage. Both emerged and rejoined them, the red-cheeked bear carting a gift box. "A little something from our former Marionette," he explained, the black bear in question acting shy at the praise he then received. With a soft chuckle, Spring peered back down at his son. "So, uh, that's your mama, there. Her name's Faye--an' ya better be a good lil' bun for her, all right? She's been through a lot, done a lot, just to get to this point o' havin' ya. An'...I gotta say, I sure am a lucky rabbit to 'old such a lil' gift from the bravest an' most amazin' woman I've ever met," he said, soon enough averting his gaze from the little endoskeleton to the hare sitting before him. She only 'smiled' warmly, content to watch her mate hold their child for the first time. It was then the gold rabbit's ears, having lowered, perked back up. "Oh, right! Ya need a name, don't ya?" he laughed to himself, eyes falling again to the metal bundle in his arms. "Ooh, can I, lil' mate?"
Faye nodded her permission. After all, it was only fair that he give their son a name. She'd spent the time to build and charge their little one.
"Hmm, lemme see. What's a cool name?" Spring muttered in thought.
"Don't call him 'Junior'," his hare playfully warned.
"Rats!"
The group snickered and giggled at their display, deciding to pitch in on a name. "It's got to be something Bonnie-related," Chi said, intent to stick to tradition. "Has to be somethin' kid-friendly, too," T-Bone put in. "Aw, why not just let 'em see what Lefty's packed for 'em, and let 'em decide for themselves?" suggested Freddy, turning the box over to the new mother. Faye thanked him, then set the box in her lap and unwrapped it. Inside was...
A SpringBonnie plush. No. He wasn't "SpringBonnie", anymore. He was Springtrap. Springtrap 2.0. This was a Springtrap plush--brown highlights and all. But this one was different from the rest. It had additions, lengthened arms and legs. Hands and feet. Stitched together and attached to metal linings so as to slip over an endoskeleton. There was even a little purple bow stuck to its brown chest. "Lefty made this? It's adorable!" Faye claimed, removing her child's new "skin" from the box. Silently, she looked to her mate, whom carefully maneuvered their "offspring" and held him so that she could dress him up. The costume slid on over metal limbs like butter, snug in all the right places as Spring zipped up the back. New costume ears flickered as the plush-like animatronic looked himself over. He looked just like a plush version of his father. Except for the muzzle of little jagged teeth. Like a little finger trap, or--
The idea lit up in Spring's computer brain. "Plushtrap," he said, settled on their son's name. "That's what we're gonna call him."
"Plush, huh?" Faye commented, bouncing the name around in her head. She liked how it sounded. "Plushtrap. That's a cute name~" She accepted her child from Spring when he offered, silent as the appointed leader of the group spoke up. "Hey, we should get a picture of this! A warm welcome of the Arcade's newest member: Plushtrap," Freddy declared, the others agreeing and hurrying to grab Reese and a camera. Ignoring the welcomed chaos, the new little family kept to themselves by the stage, Spring letting a hand rest on Plush's head. "A new chapter already, huh? Start writing the pages of parenthood," Faye said, feet flat on the floor as she remained sitting, an active Plushtrap in her arms. "It's gonna be an insane ride, lil' mate," the larger golden rabbit snickered back. "Maybe. But ya know? I wouldn't ride it out with anyone else~" replied his hare, whom leaned close to tap her nose against his. Spring's response was shy laughter. "I love ya, lil' mate. Both o' ya," he told her.
"I love you, most."
"Impossible~"
It was her turn to giggle as he closed the distance to nuzzle her. Neither registered the calm glance Lefty gave them. Relief filled his new animatronic body.
The Fazbear family would be just fine.
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It was too quiet.
How long had it been this way?
Emerald-green eyes slid open, greeted by the darkness, once more. Her head of false pigtails turned, again finding cable bindings securing her arms at either side. She couldn't stand, forced to stay seated.
How long had she been stuck here?
Heh--however long ago the company had confiscated her and her circus friends, that's how long! Where were they, anyway? Had they been dismantled?
Was she the only one left?
Where was Michael? Why hadn't he come back?
A mechanical hum poured from within her chest cavity as she resigned herself to her situation. She could call out for any of the others.
Ballora.
Funtime Foxy.
Funtime Freddy.
But like all her previous attempts, she knew they wouldn't come to her aid. They wouldn't hear her call. Nobody had. Nobody would.
Instead, she spent her waking hours in wait. For what? Anything. A sound. A voice. A presence. Eventually, someone would come to see her. They had to; this was Fazbear Entertainment's warehouse!
...Or would they? Considering nobody had been by to check on her, at the very least? No. They probably wouldn't come.
She missed Michael. She missed being home. She missed her father.
She ESPECIALLY missed her father.
She let her eyes close, waiting in the silence for Sleep Mode to kick back in. At least in her dreams, she could see her friends' smiling faces. But then...she heard something. She gasped, eyes shooting open. She HEARD something. A person? No...no. It was more like...a buzz? A hum? A bug? No, it sounded too much like...was that a computer? Her head turned from side to side, eyes desperate to locate whatever was producing the sound. She couldn't find it.
Until a light flickered on. A monitor, stationed on the floor a ways from her. She didn't think it had any power; how was it on? Curious, she stared. And stared. And kept staring. The blue screen eventually shifted, morphing into an image. What was that? What WAS that? A person? An avatar? Mechanical eyes narrowed, making out the shape of a humanoid form. It wasn't human, though. Not with those rabbit ears. Certainly not with those glowing purple eyes.
And a wide grin of static white.
"Who...who are you?" she asked, voice glitching from lack of use.
This...rabbit tilted its head, eyes and grin still brightly glowing. From the monitor's speakers came a voice.
"It's time to play, Elizabeth~"
A cartoonish tone, something playful. A tone she knew, too well. Green eyes widened, taking on a glow of their own as the word left through her metal jaws.
"Daddy."