Chapter Text
The halls of the Pizzaplex were mostly quiet. Mostly. The sounds of wheels and the stomping of metallic feet could be heard.
Gregory was NOT having a blast right now pushing this cart full of animatronic parts. But he wasn’t gonna just leave it behind! No. He needed to show Freddy and Vanessa just how much he could do even alone! Well, technically not alone. His eyes peek over the cart to look at Chica. Who wasn’t the happiest being near him. But they made a deal. He’d fix her too while he was at it. Likely do that first so she’s just silently judging him. Yeah. Yeah! She’ll praise him. He did good! He’ll do good.
With a loud grunt he shoves the cart up the ramp onto the parts and services work room. Work station? Either way, his eyes flicker over to the chair. He had fixed Freddy many a times on it. He had ruined the animatronics for him. Or was it for himself? The broken noise of Chica’s voice box (or lack thereof) pulls him out of his thoughts. Right. He reaches into the cart and begins to dig around. Then he pulls out a Chica replacement arm. It was lucky the onstage animatronics had replacements or else he would have to shove random parts on her and she likely wouldn’t like that. Would the animatronic he’s gonna rebuild like that? They’ll understand. Probably.
He plucks up a spare beak and faceplate. Giving an iffy smile, she rolls her eyes and trudges into the room. Climbing into the seat with registered ease. Once the system realizes the animatronic he registers what the new “upgrades” will be for her.
“Ah. I guess this is the part where I give you a good luck. The animatronics get-“ Angel begins to speak, but is cut off by Gregory.
“They get weird if you mess up when you fix them. Seriously who adds such a function!” Gregory exclaims. Throwing up his arms as he enters the chamber. Nearly dropping the things he had to fix Chica in the process. He sets them on a nearby table and stands on the stool.
Staring down at her like this. It reminds him of when he took her cheek. He had just grabbed it and foolishly ripped it off of her face. Though it wasn’t that hard considering the fact he smashed it. His leg aches with a phantom pain. And his hand twitches a little. His camera was next to him as well. In case he messed up he could blind her and escape until she calmed down. His eyes slowly go over her body. Looking over all the damages, he likely can’t fix EVERYTHING. But he’ll do what he can.
“You have selected multiple areas to be fixed at once. Please select which tutorial you want first!” The intercom above says.
“I’ll begin with the arm.” Gregory says aloud. And Angel gives a grunt. Probably reassurance! Hopefully. He listens onwards as the voice above him begins to talk about what he should do. He removes the last of the old shell left behind the ruined arm. Then he begins to attach the new one. Placing wires in the right spot. Screwing in certain spots to tighten the hold she would have. He makes sure the elbow can bend properly, after that he begins to configuration test. Which was the easiest considering you had to just play Simon Says. Once it’s over he gives a grin. “See! Freddy wasn’t just my only accomplishment! I could fix them all if I was given the time!”
“You still have a couple more things to fix. I’d suggest the faceplate before the beak. Or else you’ll have a new problem on your hands.” Angel says. And Gregory scoffs. “I knew that! I don’t see YOU fixing the animatronics. Faceplate tutorial!”
The voice begins to speak, but Angel also pipes up. “I fixed enough animatronics and built several from the ground. You-“
“I’d love to hear more but I’m trying to listen.” Gregory snaps back. And Angel gives a low growl like noise that oddly sends a shiver up his spine. He removes Chica’s old faceplate. Making a face at the way she looked without it. But the process is easier than the arm. And the beak is perhaps the easiest. Gregory found it easy even when he did it to Freddy. Maybe it was the familiarity. Either way she’s up out of the chair and she looks better.
The process ends. And he hears the doors open, curiously he looks and- his eyes widen. Vanessa and-
“Freddy! You got your body back!? But- I thought- it was destroyed it-“ he didn’t look any better. But he seemed to lighten up when Gregory finally noticed him. He tries to speak but his jaw hangs at a odd angle for a moment. His body trembled and Vanessa grunts. Her eyes look to Chica. Like she’s debating something. Instead she points to behind her, “alright. I need this workstation. Get out of here while I fix him.”
“I can help-“
“No. I’ll do it myself. Alright?”
“But I fixed Chica look!”
“You also caused the whole thing.” Chica finally spoke, her voice rough for a moment before it finally rights itself. And Gregory frowns. But he leaves the station. Walking over to his heap of an animatronic.
“You just fixed her and her response is to chastise you on past actions.” Angel tisks at that. And Gregory scowls. “I know! I helped twice now and for some reason I’m not getting praise for it!”
“You made the mess in the first place Gregory. It’s hard not to be mad.” Chica butts into the conversation. And Gregory huffs. “But I’m trying to fix it! And I did! I fixed you and-“
“Hey guys, can you quit the all the arguing out there?” Vanessa suddenly interjected. “If Freddy goes crazy he’ll likely claw at me or worse. So I need concentration.”
Gregory stares at Chica, who glares back at him. His hands ball into fists and he turns away from her, why was she still mad?
“She’s mad only because she doesn’t to admit how good you’ve done.” Angel says. And Gregory flexes the fingers of an animatronic hand. “Well. That’s dumb. I definitely helped and I think I would say good job.”
“Are you talking to me or yourself right now?” Chica asked.
“No one! I’m just- talking to myself.” Gregory can’t help but huff again. Chica crosses her arms over her chest. Much like a scolding parent would whenever Gregory did something wrong. Testing the waters and getting bit for it. “Well, if you was me Gregory, you wouldn’t been so happy for getting smashed by a trash compactor.”
“I could’ve done worse and maybe I-“ He flinches back after yelling. A pain shooting through his head, a low buzz in his mind. Like it was itching for him to submit. No. Wait. Why would he think that? Why did he say that?
“What was that?” Chica asked. She looked at him with an angry look. It was the look she gave him after he had just smashed her face. When she had a tight hold on his leg. It makes his body shake as he stepped back. Her following with a foot forward.
“Hey! Both of you. I said to quiet down! I-“ a spark goes off near Vanessa and she jumps back a little. Freddy’s body begins to twitch in an odd way.
“Shit!” She curses. Her eyes look towards the Camera. And she reaches for it. Only for Freddys hand to swipe out at her.
A sudden cry of pain makes both Chica and Gregory’s head turn towards the sound. The first thing Gregory sees is blood. Along her arm was a gash. Which she held, keeping her back pressed as tightly to the wall as she could until Freddy stopped. His eyes blink and he looks over confused. “Vanessa, I don’t feel much di-“ his voice stops at the wound. “Vanessa! Did I do that? I’m so terribly sorry.”
“If we don’t leave now. They’ll start to blame you.” Angel murmurs into his ear. And Gregory uses this opportunity of no attention to dash out the room. He thinks he hears a shout. But he doesn’t stop for it.
He doesn’t know where he’s running to. But it’s away from there. Even if just for a moment. He left behind his animatronic that he was gonna build. But if he tried right now they’d just yell for him to leave. He didn’t wanna be yelled at. He did good! He did…
He wipes at the tears in his eyes. “Vanessa was right. I’d just cause more problems if I stuck around. I’m…” his tongue feels odd, foreign. Like it didn’t belong anymore. “I hurt her. I-it was my fault cause I gave freddy that upgrade and then I said those words why did I say that-“ he wipes at his tears again, sniffling lowly.
“Gregory-“
“It’s not. I should go back and apologize. Maybe they’ll, forgive me.”
“And what if they hate you?” Gregory froze at that, “they wouldn’t… they… Freddy wouldn’t hate me.” Vanessa could. Vanessa was hurt because of him, Chica was hurt because of him. The rest of the crew was hurt because of him but not Freddy.
—-
“If you was left alone. You’d have me. I don’t plan on leaving your side.” Angel spoke. It was true, he couldn’t leave Gregory’s side. Not that Gregory knew.
Purple eyes gleam over the tiny figure who cried quietly. His hands balled up to his side as he walked forward. Angel begins to unfurl his own hand. Watching with interest as Gregory’s opened as well. The boy seemingly unaware. Just like when he spoke out.
All he needs is a harder push. And the plan can begin.