Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This ends, 

for all of us. 

End communication.

…

Drip

drip

Something kept dripping sporadically in the otherwise quiet offic… huh? The uncomfortable feeling in his legs suddenly set in. ‘Metal?’ What had happened? 

Michael remembered the fire in his pizzeria, Henry’s final words. Why- Why is he still here?

Sigh ‘I really don’t even deserve death do I?’ He says with the biggest sigh a man with no lungs could give. He can’t do this any more.

“What do I even have to do now? Is it father again?! He should be dead for real now!” Michael shouted to no one ‘but so should I, I suppose.’ he says getting up from the pile of unidentified rubble. Already tired from this whole thing.

Walls all burned and the roof giving in to gravity, the place smelled more rotten than the purple walking corpse. Tho, he wasn't as butchered as he assumed he would be. Probably something to do with remnant, meaning dead children's souls are involved as per usual, and so would be his father. ‘I wonder if the others survived that. I hope not.’ The kids deserved peace, Michael should meet the same fate as his father. 

Walking around the forsaken place, Michael kept looking for an exit. Upon closer inspection, why was he underground? Wasn’t this his pizzeria? Has he been dead for so long Earth reclaimed its territory from humans? No, he would certainly be powder by then. Then, in the mist of debris, a very rough lift could be seen. ‘That is not mine, could it be the exit?’ he pondered, stepping inside. Horrible idea, the lift is broken and shaking like a blender. The Fazbear Ent. way, lovely.

After the joyful ride, Michael found himself in a dark place, but with some colorful neon lights adorning it. The place was huge, but all he could see were the Fazbear decos everywhere, everything had an 80s theme, as far as he could tell, that certainly wasn’t the 80s he lived on… Not wanting to deal with any of that for now he kept walking as fast as possible, ignoring all of the implications of the place. 

The place was filled with weird robots roaming around, though these ones seemed much less alive than what he was used to. ‘Could they actually just be robots?’ He could think about them another time, so he kept sprinting.

Finally, he was out of that horrible mall. ‘When did Fazbear get so much money to fund this? I had a trash animatronic band to work with in my time! That’ s ridiculous.‘ Michael whined as he stepped out of the maybe haunted with dead children pizza mall. ‘If all of those animatronics have souls I'll be damned for good.’ He winced at that ‘though, I wonder how much gasoline that would need.’ That already becoming his usual thought.

It was already dark, possibly past 12 am considering the lone roads. Michael began walking, in search for somewhere to stay. If he was doing this again then he would have to think and investigate, so he needed time.

After some minutes a light source could be seen not far. ‘Gas station, that could do’ so he approached the place, there was no one else besides him and a sleep deprived cashier. 

“Excuse me,” he exclaimed, voice a little rougher than intended, though expected considering his little situation. The cashier looked up, seemingly startled by the sudden voice. “um-” Ok he didn’t think this trough. What should he even say? ‘Excuse me kind sir, do you happen to know what year it is?’ He sounds like a madman. But before he could even say anything, the guy promptly passed out on the counter. ‘Oh right, purple corpse. Not something you usually wanna see after midnight, or any time really.’ He totally forgot to check how he looked, usually he had his bear mask, but that was long gone. 

After finding a restroom and unlocking it using the keys he got from the gone cashier, he looked in the mirror. ‘Oh wow, handsome as ever.’ The stitches in his cheeks came undone, leaving a gaping hole so you could admire the corn teeth adoring his mouth. His nose was long gone, but that was the usual, it was gone a long time ago. His eyes were sunken, with only two glowing white dots being visible, a tinge of blue in them. Very friendly appearance, not disregarding the smell, he was used to it but it was certainly not pleasant to other people. His clothes were all butchered and burned as well, light blue shirt now showing specs of his decaying skin, his once vibrant yellow vest covered in ashes, his pants in a similar state. But just like him, it wasn't as bad as it should be considering what had happened, for which he was grateful, being purple zombie was enough, he didn't need to be naked purple zombie.

His hair was still there, wispy strands clinging to his forehead. Some parts were burned, leaving horrible holes. He needed a new wig, naked balding purple zombie was the worst.

Guess he would just have to go back to masks, nothing really unusual. He got back in the store, looking for masks to use, and a cap If possible, do they sell caps in gas stations? He sure hopes they do.

Turns out they don't, to Michael's dismay. But he did get a box of black surgical masks, and a pack of gum. He seriously needs to check that, it's not normal to chew this much gum, but the doctors would most likely focus on other stuff if he tried.

‘I should probably pay,’ Michael remembers, shuffling his pockets in search for anything of value. “Let's see, ashes? won't do. Melted some..thing…? Sister? I’d rather not.” Going for his other pocket he felt something “Granny?! No, more ashes.” … He settled on writing an apology note.

Putting on his mask and popping a gum in his mouth he resumed his walk. Hoping he could find some dodgy motel to stay for the night, sleeping in the streets isn't a very good idea when you look and smell like a corpse, worse when you kind of are one. ‘Though, sleeping in a casket isn't such a bad idea, but I doubt they wouldn't just cremate me. Done that, didn't work.’

After a few more minutes he arrived at a motel. Old, dodgy and possibly haunted. ’ah, I already feel home’ finding an empty room, Michael immediately broke in through the window. How did he know it was empty? Well, spending years fighting ghosts in robots having to hear each step they made so he wouldn't die (again) gives you some stealth skills.

There wasn’t anything special about the room, a twin bed, a lamp and an obscure bathroom. There was also a stench that lingered in the air, the kind of stench that stated “I haven’t been cleaned in the last 30 years” but you can’t be sure if it was really the room. Michael sure did not mind it and went straight to bed, suddenly feeling like he hadn’t slept in years, which most likely was the case. Michael would be snoring like a truck if he still had a nose, or lungs. 

Michael groaned as he felt the sun assault his eyes(?), but started feeling very uneasy upon hearing commotion from outside. He didn’t waste any time and hid in the bathroom, the noise isolation being so terrible he could still hear the conversation outside. A woman was frantically explaining something to someone, an officer maybe, or another guest, male.

“I’m telling you, there’s a body inside this room!” Oh well.

“Did you see anything? If it’s the stench that’s just the usual.”

“No I didn’t look, I don’t really wanna see a body you know? Can you look, please?”

“What?! As if I would! I don’t wanna see a body either!”

Sigh ‘what should I do now? If I'm lucky- which I never am- they won’t notice my skin if I leave, but I would then become suspect for a supposed body here, and if I stay here they might actually call the police, then I will be the body.’ Michael complains. No one ever talks about the problems that come with being a corpse.

Thinking better, they both sound young. Maybe they won’t have the courage to call the police, they should, now that he thinks about it, but he would rather if they did not right now. 

How long would he have to stay in the bathroom? He had a whole lot of stuff to do, he couldn't stay there the entire day. 

Then he noticed the voices were becoming more distant, and wasted no time to flee the room. He heard someone shout something and then run, probably the kids from before thinking he was a killer, not the first time people make that mistake. He wasn't going to stay to explain himself tho.

Great, Michael was back in the streets, still purple with burned clothing and no idea what the date was. He hoped it was October, that could make stuff slightly easier.

Wandering the streets, Michael began thinking about a plan to deter his father, again. A small part of him wishes to take this new chance to try and live a normal life, a larger part shouting he never deserved one. Plus, he was already dead, there was no life left for him. Stop thinking about that, it's useless now.

‘I should get some non-burned clothes, learn about this time, form a new identity, get a job at that Freddy's,’ Michael shuddered, ‘find my father, arson… nothing that I haven't done before’ he decided. Being distracted by his plan, Mike didn't see the wobbling man walking into him, bumping each other, making the other man fall to the ground.

‘Drunk already? What time is it? 10 am max.’ Michael internally scolded the man, then offered his hand to help the man up, earning only a slap as the man shuffled on the ground trying to get up.

“Why dontch yu look wzhere yu goin’?” just leave me alone. The man got up, already clenching his fists.

“You walked into me, not the other way around.” Should he take off his mask? The man stepped closer.

“Com here yu little-” he suddenly stopped, eyes widened as he inspected the peculiarly colored man before him, gaping holes where there shouldn't be any holes. “What in de word are yo-” 

Michael cut him off with a punch in his stomach, nothing too horrible, just enough to make a drunk man sleep for a while. The guy wore some plain, straight jeans and a black long-sleeved t-shirt with the photo of a cat saying ‘Mewing, not meowing’ in bold electric letters. What's that supposed to mean? 

Disregarding that, the guy was wearing a cap ‘finally’ Michael thought. Hiding in a little corner, he exchanged their clothes. If this was morally correct or not didn’t matter at the moment, Michael Afton wasn't a good person anyway.

Putting his mask back on. Making sure to take his nameplate from the vest. He also took a look at the man's belongings, looking for a phone so he could see the date.

And so he saw it.

March 2035.

Chapter Text

March 2035.

12 years

12 years since everything was supposed to be over

And it's not

A knot grew in Michael's throat as he watched the screen. He was exhausted, rightfully so. That was his fate either way, dying over and over again tied to an impossible task. It's too late to back down now.

So he kept going.

Debating on returning the phone or keeping it -could would be useful after all- and doing one good thing wouldn't erase his sins, he was too far gone to have redemption. 

Against his practical thoughts, he returned the phone to the owner, who was currently slumped in a filthy alley. 

Leaving the alley he returned to the sidewalk.

Since all the little money he had had been turned to ashes he had no way of getting a place to stay (legally), so the only thing he could do now is get a job… Which for Michael is always in Faz Ent.

Heck, if he didn’t change names every moon (or died in his first job) and actually settled on one identity, his resume would make him look like a Freddy fanatic.

From his first to his last job it was always Freddy's. It haunted his life from the moment he was born. 

Awaking from the little monologue, Michael found himself in the pizza-mall thing entrance. Now looking at it in the daylight he can see the details better. There was a giant led sign with Freddy, Chica, fo- no, who's that? Female gray Foxy?... and an alligator?! Who killed Bonnie?!

Well, the sign showed Freddy, Chica and friends in what seemed like some Rockstar esque facial paint. Most likely a new generation, not new to Freddy's, how could they replace Foxy though? That's unforgivable. 

And where's Bonnie?

Above Freddy Fazbear's was displayed, and underneath read the text mega pizzaplex with thunderbolts adorning it. What was more impressive though was the entrance itself, big extravagant pillars presented itself, looming over Michael’s decaying figure. It didn’t even look like a pizzeria. 

He would think it was cool had it not been for knowing what he knows, and being who he is.

Judging by the security doors being down and the lack of anything alive in his proximity, it seemed like it hadn't opened yet. Oh God, do they not open today?! He didn't even think about that. Ughh, would he have to come another day? 

Just when he was about to turn, a voice boomed from behind.

“We won't open for another hour, come back later.” Said the voice in a dry tone, making Michael wipe his head startled, good thing he covered his face.

A woman, he noted, blonde hair tied in a high ponytail, a security cap on top. Poor woman, she seemed to be wearing a new kind of Freddy's security uniform.

“Are you going to say something or will I have to drag you out?” she said, annoyed at the silence.

“Oh, I came here looking for a job.” he blurted. She raised an eyebrow at that.

“Do you have an interview scheduled?” 

“...”

He didn’t think about that. In all honesty, he thought Freddy's didn't do that at all, they never did in the past, you just said you wanted a job and they would hire you. They never had a lot of options to be picky. 

The woman was silent for a while, thinking. “...Do you have experience with animatronics?” 

Yes, a horrible experience. “Yes, I was a technician for an animatronic brand a while ago.” Not a lie. 

“Hmm, give me a minute.” She said, taking a radio from her belt. She began talking with someone, or pretended to, he couldn't hear anything coming from the radio. “Uh, what's your name?”

“Mike Schmidt” he said, like it was second nature.

“Okay, you're hired.” Well that was quick.

“When do I start?” He inquired.

“In an hour” 

Seems like they are in a hurry, I must wonder what happens to the technicians here. Sigh

“Come with me,” She demanded, opening the staff door “I will show you your workplace, and get you a uniform.” 

To call the place a mall was an understatement, this wasn't a mall, this was a small village! A greasy small village. Yesterday, he could see very well with everything turned off. Now, with the lights on this looked like a whole different place. Much more lively. And it wasn't even open yet. 

Michael couldn't help but note the lack of workers, human workers. For a place this gigantic that was about to open surely there would be more people working, right? 

But there was no one else, except for the woman and himself. Speaking of her, she was awfully quiet, not talking the whole walk to ‘Parts and Services’. Looking closely, her face was crunching as if concerned about something.

Makes me wonder if she knows more than she lets on. Michael wouldn't judge her for not telling. He knows he wouldn't. He didn't.

They kept walking until they reached a door reading ‘staff only’. Entering led to a grim hallway, the only light source being some malfunctioning lamps that kept blinking. The blonde led Michael to the man's locker room. 

“You can find a tech uniform on the third locker” she said. “It’s clean” she adds after, mumbling something under her breath that Michael didn't pick up.

Yup, he does not believe her. But he doesn't mind either, if he cared about work health he wouldn't have a job. 

She leaves him alone so he can change, and Michael takes the time to examine the room. He was glad he was alone so no one would see him, but at the same time, how was he alone? Seriously, this place is incredibly understaffed, more than it had ever been. It seemed like no one worked here, except for her. Maybe they did actually replace everyone with animatronics, that wouldn't be so surprising, but shouldn't they at least have more techs? 

Michael couldn't decide whether he was glad there were less people working here or concerned. No, he should be concerned, if this place is just like the others then more 7 foot tall killer robots is definitely something concerning. He just hoped the child deaths hadn't started yet, but since he was here they already had… He was late. 

That leaves a sour taste in Michael's mouth, so he starts changing his clothes to put his mind elsewhere. He was here now and he would make sure nothing else would happen here, not anymore. 

Please, let it be the last time.

Chapter Text

Tapping her foot, Vanessa was losing her patience. How long can it take to put on some overalls? “Are you done?” no response. Should she investigate? Stretching her hand to the door handle she hesitated, for logical reasons. She would look like a creep if he is actually just changing himself very slowly. 

Interrupting her weird thoughts, the door burst open, revealing the masked man. “Oop, sorry. Did I hurt you?” he asked. 

“No, it's fine” 

Her eyes fell on the man before her. Despite the dim lights, she could make some details that she didn't see before, like how hollow his eyes were. So hollow that it looked like he only had little white dots for eyes. How weird. There were also some scars visible on his face, he probably had a lot more behind the mask. His hair was awfully burned as well, and his skin? Don't even start. It was mostly covered by his clothes, the only uncovered places were his eyes.. Even his hands and neck were covered in dirty bandages. But she could notice that it was covered with rashes, making him look like one big bruise. 

He also reeked. Seriously, how had she not noticed before? Truly, the pizzeria wasn’t the best smelling either, with all the kid piss and vomit. Ew. Has her nose grown used to rotten smells?

…Rotten

…

She shakes her head. ‘Not now.’ He smelled horribly, that’s the important part. ‘...Is that mean to think?’

“Hello? Uhm..” Mike says, adjusting his hat. Oh boy, how long has she been staring?

“Took you long enough.” She clears her throat, adjusting herself. He doesn't seem bothered by the comment 

“Excuse me-” he shuffles from the door to her side. She flushes slightly, realizing she was blocking his way while zoning out. Why is she like this?

A beep sound echoes in the hallway, coming from her watch. They would be opening in 30 minutes.

“Come on,” she turns back to the corridor “Parts and Services is a little further from here” she points.

A lot further, he corrected. After passing multiple doors and taking a lift to the underground, in a deafening silence, they reached their destination. 

The place was much bigger than he anticipated, much like the rest of this place. It was spacious, with a circular room in the middle, large tubes connecting on the top. 

“This is your primary workplace” she gestures to the circular room, walking to the computer next to the door. “Here, have a look.”

Michael walks up to her. 

“This is for upgrades on the animatronics.” She continued. “You just have to choose an option and follow the instructions. It also does routine check-ups on them from time to time.” 

Michael raises one eyebrow “So anyone can do it? Why do I need experience then?” 

“This part, yes. It was made to cut costs.” She answers, entering the room. 

‘Sounds like fazbear’ Michael thought, following behind.

Inside was a single animatronic sized dentist chair with some grapples dangling from the roof. Not much to see.

Walking to the chair she continued “But I hired you for other reasons.” She says, playing with the grapples. “Our previous technician… disappeared. And now the animatronics are malfunctioning for reasons the machine can’t pick up.”

‘Disappeared huh?’ Sure. “Okay, I can do that. Anything else I need to know?” 

The woman looked dumbfolded by his lack of questioning, but he really couldn't care less. “Well uhm, this” She takes some weird orange, banana shaped(?) from the Thing, with two long metal prongs on top and a small rectangular screen. A blue lighting strike decorating it. “This is a faz-wrench,” she hands it over to him. “It can be used to reboot animatronics, and fix anything here. Like an all in one tool.” 

He takes it, carefully investigating the device in hand.

“Any questions?”

“None yet. Thanks, mate.” Mike replies.

She ponders for a while.

“Now that I think of it, I never introduced myself, did I?” He nods, “I'm Vanessa, the security guard.” She extends her hand.

He takes it, “Mike. Pleasure to meet you.” says him with poshness that did not match the view she was having.

Retracting her hand, Vanessa added “Oh, and one more thing,” looking at him up and down. “Don't get close to the guests.” She scrunches her nose.

No questions asked. He nods.

Vanessa straightens a crumpled receipt she took from her pocket, scribbling something in it.

“Take this.” She shoves it to him, “I wrote your tasks for today.”

He eyes the paper, to-do list written on top in rushed yet readable handwriting. 

“Is that all?” he asks.

“For now. Consider it a test.” She clears her throat, “I’ll go now, have everything done by 8 and leave.” ‘Good luck’ she mutters while leaving.

He lets out a breath behind his mask. “Where do I start?” His eyes trail back to the paper in hand

.

-Fix arcade machines, fazcade 4th floor

4th floor, huh?

And where’s that?