Chapter Text
" Hello, hello! This is just a reminder of company policy concerning the safe room. The safe room is reserved for equipment and/or other properties not being currently used and as a backup safety location for employees only. This is not a break room. It should not be considered a place for employees to hide and/or congregate and under no circumstance should a customer ever be taken into this room and out of the main show area. Management has also been made aware that the spring Bonnie animatronic has been noticeably moved and would like to remind employees that this costume is not safe to wear under any circumstances. Thank you and remember to smile, you are the face of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. "
Footsteps echoed throughout the underground tunnel network that sprawled out beneath Freddy Fazbear's Mega Pizzaplex, the latest attempt by Fazbear Entertainment to restore the Fazbear legacy in Hurricane, Utah. The city where it all began. Fighting back a yawn, Johnathen Davis, an employee of the company, pushed along a bright red loading trolley deeper into the dimly lit hallway. It was littered with numerous stacked boxes, containing salvage and leftovers from the old local Pizzerias that the company had torn through when building the Pizzaplex. Their masterpiece.
"I can't believe kids around here used to play with that thing" John's partner, Peter muttered out loud, his eyes locked on the giant animatronic bear that stood dormant on the loading trolley. "Kids were different back then. This used to be top of the line" John replied, shifting his gaze from the back of Freddy Fazbear's head to the giant box Peter pushed along on his trolley.
"What's in there?" John inquired. "Not sure. Whatever it is, Mr Smith was very clear that whatever was in it was special to Mr Emily and to take good care of it. Both of these" Peter explained. "Mr Emily. That's the old CEO, right? Henry Emily?"
"Yeah. These are just some of the things left in his will. Mr Smith mentioned these things used to belong to his daughter." John raised his eyebrow. He didn't know Mr Emily had a daughter or any family for that matter. They said he died childless, that's why the company was given to Mr Smith.
"Never knew he had a daughter" John finally spoke. "I was surprised too when Mr Smith told me. It’s a depressing story. She died a long time ago. Murdered outside of Fredbear's Family Diner back in '85. She was the only family he had left. When she was gone, the Diner was all Mr Emily had. It's why he never married again. Why he was always alone" Peter explained, a solemn expression on his face as he looked on ahead.
"Jesus," John whispered. He couldn't begin to imagine what his late boss was going through. Each and every day of his life, the death of his daughter haunting his mind. His family, his legacy, and his love. Annihilated in one bad day. No wonder he always seemed so distant, so closed off. John felt bad, and guilty about any negative views he held of his boss during his time working for the old man. If only he knew.
"I think this is it. '' Peter muttered as the two stopped outside an entrance to a dark room, designated to be closed off once the men had completed their drop-off. "So this is the safe room? Not quite what I expected" John stated as he wheeled the old bear inside. "Don't let the name fool you. This is the place things like these go when the company wants something to disappear. All locations have these" Peter explained as he unloaded the large present box in a corner before moving to help John with the deactivated Freddy Fazbear.
"I don't get why they wouldn't put this up in Rockstar Row. They'd be perfect to display" John wondered as he carefully unloaded the bear and with Peter's help, leaned it against the wall. "Mr Smith doesn't want these getting touched by the kids. Said they were too important" Peter answered with a shrug before making his way out.
John stood there for a moment, watching the box for a moment before slowly turning his eyes to the slumped-over bear against the wall. As he looked into its deactivated dull blue eyes that were barely visible in the darkness, John wondered what the old bear's story was. With a sigh, he turned his heel and made his way over to the exit, joining his partner as they slowly made their way back to the surface.
" Uh hello, hello? Uh, this is just to inform all employees, that due to budget restrictions the previously mentioned safe rooms are being sealed at most locations. Including this one. Work crews will be here most of the day today constructing a false wall over the old door face. Nothing is being taken out beforehand, so if you left anything inside, then it’s your own fault. Management also requests that this room not be mentioned to family, friends, or insurance representatives. Thanks again, and remember to smile. You are the face of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. "
Well into the night, when the workers had long since vacated the building, a man in a black suit was journeying through the underground toward the safe room at the far end. His head hung low, and a disheartened expression sprawled onto his features as he held onto the note in his hand. He stopped before the entrance, peering into the dark room through the rim of his glasses, making out the silhouette of Freddy Fazbear limp on the floor. Fritz Smith sighed as he glanced down at the note in his hands. Henry Emily's final note for him.
To Fritz M. Smith.
If you are reading this, my dear boy, then I have passed away. I thank you for everything you have done for me. I know it was I who took you under my wing, training you to become my eventual successor to the company but I feel it was I who was rewarded the most. I hope that someday in the distant future, we will meet one another again. Until that day, I have but one final request I must ask of you. In the basement, you will find a large prize box. It contains what remains of the Puppet, the animatronic my late daughter once possessed. I am sure you are familiar with it. There is also the body of Freddy Fazbear, the original one that was possessed by one of the Five Missing children named Gabriel. It was all that I could recover from the old pizzerias. I want you to take these to the safe room beneath the Pizzaplex where they will be sealed away for good. It's time to move on from the tragedies of the past and put those bad memories behind us. I am certain that you will see this task to its completion. Thank you, Fritz. It was a blessing to have known you. I rest easy knowing that the company is in good hands. Do not dwell on the past, my dear friend. Always look forward.
Your late mentor and friend, Henry C. Emily
Fritz wiped away a stray tear on his cheek as he folded up the letter and placed it in the breast pocket of his suit jacket. He glanced into the dark room, the silhouette of the motionless Freddy Fazbear, the light shining on the top hat that sat on the slumped bear’s head. Fritz exhaled and walked over to the right where a cover to the entrance remained. Lifting it up, Fritz dragged it across the entrance until it was completely covered. Grabbing a nearby drill, Fritz screwed in all corners of the cover into the wall until it was fully secured. Setting it aside, Fritz stepped back to look at the now sealed safe room. Once more, the past had been hidden, and the bad memories could finally be laid to rest. With a quiet nod at the safe room, Fritz turned around and walked down the hallway.
Afton was gone. The children were gone. It was time to move on.
Vanessa sat anxiously in the waiting room. She had been waiting a long time for a position to open up at the Pizzaplex. Ever since she play-tested those Fazbear games, she’s felt compelled to come to the Pizzaplex and work there. She didn’t quite understand why though, she wasn’t exactly blessed with her father’s patience, especially when it came to little kids and all the ghost stories she had heard about Freddy’s over the years should have kept her far from it, yet here she was. The door to the manager's office opened nearby and out stepped the manager wearing a pair of brown pants and a blue polo with a simple tie.
“Miss Afton?” he asked. Vanessa stood up, straightening out her shirt as she faced him. “Yes, t-that’s me!” Vanessa stuttered with a nervous smile. “My name’s Arthur Smith, I’m the Manager of Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex. From what I understand, you’re here for the position of nightguard?” he inquired. “Yes, sir. That’s what I’m here for” the blonde replied. “Great. Well, I don’t believe the waiting room is the best place to discuss this. Please, join me in my office.”
Vanessa nodded and entered the office. The manager’s office was a modest size, with filing cabinets guarding the walls with the manager’s desk close to the back wall. There was a window that overlooked the main atrium with a view of the main stage in the distance. Though no sound could be heard, Vanessa could see the Glamrock animatronics performing on stage.
Roxanne Wolf, the latest addition to the band that played the keytar. Chica the Chicken who played the electric guitar with electric fervour. Bonnie the Bunny performed the bass guitar with a coolness that few could pull off which was impressive considering the fact he was an animatronic. Then of course, at the centre of it all was Freddy Fazbear, who ran wildly up, down and around the stage with the microphone in his hand and a joyful grin on his face.
“Impressive, aren’t they?” the manager asked as he stood beside her to observe the animatronics perform. “I can definitely see why they’re the talk of the town” Vanessa replied, tearing her gaze from the window. “Indeed. So, security guard. It’s a tough job, you know. I know for most places, that may just involve sitting around in an office and staring at the cameras occasionally and patrolling. You know, the usual stuff but here, it’s a bit different” Arthur explained. Vanessa raised her eyebrow in confusion. “How so?” she asked. “Well, at night, due to the nature of the AI in the robots, they’re almost self-aware. They have their own interests, things they like to do when business isn’t going on. Naturally, they can’t do that during the day with all the kids running around so the only time they get free time so to speak is at night. Naturally, they may want to talk to you. Especially Freddy, he’s kind of a people person. Er, bear? Anyway, would that be an issue for you, Miss Afton?”
“Wow, uh no, that shouldn’t be an issue. Sounds intriguing actually” Vanessa remarked in response. “Wonderful. I looked over your application and checked your credentials and such. I believe you’d be a lovely addition to our family here at Fazbear Entertainment. Welcome aboard, Miss Afton” Arthur announced jovially. “Wait, I got the job?” Vanessa asked wide-eyed. “You sure did, Miss Afton. The job you applied for mainly concerns the night watch part so as long as you're comfortable working with robots at night, I’d be happy to formally hire you” the manager explained. “Really? No long winded questions or asking why I’m here or what I hope to gain?” Vanessa asked in disbelief. Arthur smiled in amusement. “I’m not that kind of boss, Miss Afton. Most people want to work for two reasons. Money and experience. I don’t like to beat around with the questions and draw things out. You're eager for a job and I need someone to fill a position. It’s a win-win” Arthur explained as he took a seat at his desk.
“Now, you’ll still need to sign a contract. It concerns your employment here as well as a confidentiality agreement.” Vanessa took a seat opposite Arthur as he slid her the contract and a pen. “Confidentiality agreement?” Vanessa asked curiously. “Yes. Lots of companies want in on the ole Fazbear secret as it's called. They’d love to get our intellectual property. This agreement dictates you can’t talk about any sensitive information regarding our animatronics or the Pizzaplex without the expressed consent of Fazbear Entertainment. Company security, you understand” Arthur explained. “Fair enough, and thank you for the opportunity” Vanessa replied honestly as she signed her name in the relevant section of the contract. “Please, the pleasure is all mine” Arthur replied as Vanessa handed him her contract before shaking her hand, officially binding the agreement.
“Wonderful, now. It’ll take a bit to get your name into our systems. They’re quite extensive, you see. I’ll contact you when everything is ready. Before you come back, remember to bring your own pair of shoes. I’d prefer you wear leather but I’m fine with suede so long as it's black. Your uniform will be supplied to you when you come in next. Could I get your height, please?” “Sure, I’m about 6 feet,” Vanessa replied. “Wonderful. I’ll contact you as soon as everything is ready, Miss Afton. And once again, welcome to the Fazbear Family.”
Deeper beneath the Pizzaplex, locked away in a safe room sealed away long ago, trapped within the decades-old prize box, the feeling of corruption from beyond it began to seep inside it. Since the fire, the charred and broken remains of the Puppet had remained lifeless, the spirit that had once inhabited it departing long ago. Its leg was missing as well as its hand. Its jaw was torn open and one of its eyes was missing. The mask bore the stains of burns as tears littered the fabric that encased the powerless endoskeleton. “ Wonderful. I’ll contact you as soon as everything is ready, Miss Afton ” a voice echoed throughout the box. The lifeless body suddenly twitched. “ And once again, welcome to the Fazbear Family. ” The Puppet twitched again, this time more violently. The air moved with fury as the broken machine’s twitching became faster and more sporadic.
IT'S ME
The Puppet’s eye reignited.