Chapters Today was quiet. A birthday party for a lonely filly that her mother put together so she can make some friends. What can go wrong?
Oh, hello. Nice to meet you. My name is Apple Wisp, but my family calls me Wisp or Wispie. I turn 5 years old today. That's right, the birthday party is for me.
My mother, Honey Crisp, works as a technician in an establishment where animatronics roamed and made friends with the children that visited. A magical place where the imaginations of children and grown-ups alike come to life.
Fredbear's Family Diner.
However, something went wrong a few months ago and the place was refurnished and remodeled as the place I'm having my birthday party. The slogan is still the same, just given a new name.
Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.
I bet you're asking why I seem to be lonely. Well... I'm not like the other ponies in Ponyville. Or Canterlot. Or Cloudsdale. Or even the Griffon Kingdom.
I look like an ordinary Earth Pony at first, but I have a thick, prehensile, leonine tail. My fur is a dark pastel green and my mid-back length mane and tail fluff are a dark rosewood red, nearly brown. My eyes are hazel, nearly green.
And I'm a Blank Flank, but I'm not bothered about it. It just means my talent hasn't been recognised yet.
My mother says I inherited my looks from her brother, my uncle. Haralson Apple.
So, yeah. I'm as strange as a zebra.
Anyway, I'm rambling off a bit. There are other kids at the party. Four. One two fillies and two human boys to be exact.
Humans and ponies have lived in harmony for over millennia. When ponies were quadrupeds with above average human awareness and intelligence. As the years progressed, the ponies evolved alongside the humans and became anthropomorphic, unguligrade ponies. And the humans evolved to adopt the magic of Equestria and separated into elves, angels, nymphs and druids.
Surprise is a Pegasus filly of 9 years old. Her fur coat is white and her wavy mane and tail are yellow with lighter yellow streaks. Her eyes are a violet color. She earned her Cutie of purple party balloons, which indicates her name. She's a skilled flier. Maybe she'll become a member of the Wonderbolts one day.
She wore a yellow t-shirt under a blue tank top and a pair of dark blue 3/4 length pants.
Frederick Robbins is a young human boy of 9 years old. Quite a social lad. Light Caucasian skin. Short brown hair with long bangs and light blue eyes.
He wears a light brown hoodie and a pair of olive cargo shorts. White socks and green sneakers.
A 9-year-old Unicorn filly that went by the name Twilight Mist. Incredible magical abilities. I think she used to attend Celestia's Academy for Gifted Unicorns. Her fur was a pale pink and her mane and tail were white with a purple streak. Her eyes a matching pale violet. Cutie Mark of purple stars.
Twilight wore a light purple sundress with a rainbow-themed friendship bracelet on her left wrist.
And last, but not least, Alexander, or Alex, Sullivan. A very adventurous human boy that shares a lot in common with Foxy. His birthday is a week after mine, so he'll be turning 10. Lightly tanned skin. Natural dark red hair and green eyes.
He wore a striped red and white t-shirt with a blue scarf around his necks. Brown shorts and blue sandals.
Foxy was wondering around the diner, singing his favorite song, entertaining the fillies. The other kids were laughing and singing along with him.
*'Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free,
You are a Pirate!
Yar - har - fiddle-dee-dee,
Being a pirate is alright with me!
Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free,*
You are a Pirate!'
I smiled and patted my knees to the beat of the song. Foxy was always my favorite Animatronic. He's a very sweet character under the pirate theme. Always teaches the kids to share what they've got, a good character to have in the group.
The other animatronics, Freddy Fazbear, Chica and Bonnie were on the stage, playing music.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
I yelped in startle, as I looked over and saw Alex right in front of me with a huge smile on his face.
I calmed down and smiled back, "Thanks."
He chuckled, "I scared you, didn't I? Hehe."
I just remained silent and let him smile at me. He looked around and saw the other kids. Then he asked, "Am I the last guest?"
I shrugged, "Pretty much."
He sighed and sat next to me, "Knew it." He scratched the back of his neck and explained, "My mom was on her phone all the time so I'm late, as always..."
I waved my hand, "It's not a big deal."
"I'm sorry, though." He apologised either way.
I gave him a small smile. Then we looked around and saw the entire dining area was empty.
"Where are the others?" Alex asked.
"I think they're playing with Freddy and the others on the stage." I shrugged.
He looked at me and I pointed at the front stage. I was right. Surprise and Frederick were chatting with Chica. And Twilight Mist was learning how to play guitar with Bonnie.
Alex's smiled, then something hit him, "Oh wait." He stood up and looked at me with stars in his eyes, "I have to see Foxy. I brought an eyepatch." He started digging through his pockets, "Where is it?" Then he wondered off.
Once I was alone again, Freddy walked over to me.
"H-hey, Birthday Girl." He greeted with a smile, then asked, "What are you doing here on your own?"
My head sank into my shoulders, "Just enjoying the pizza."
Freddy shook his head, "Nonsense. Being the Birthday Girl, Chica, Bonnie and I have a special treat for you. You get to sing with us on stage."
My eyes widen and my face went red, "No. No, no, no, no. I can't sing."
Freddy took hold of my hand, "Your mother tells us you have a wonderful singing voice. No need to be shy."
With that, he got me out of the booth and made me follow him to the stage. Once there, he let go of my hand and walked over to Chica and Bonnie. Whispering something I couldn't make out. Chica and Bonnie nodded. Bonnie grabbed his guitar and Chica stood next to me.
Freddy grabbed his mic and spoke into it, "Hey, everypony. Hope your enjoying the delicious pizza and wonderful adventures. To celebrate the fifth birthday of Apple Wisp, we're gonna let her sing one of her songs on stage."
The other kids, Foxy, Bonnie and Chica clapped their hands. Freddy gave me his mic. Butterflies crawled and fluttered in my stomach and my knees started shaking.
I closed my eyes and took a breath to calm my nerves. I looked at the diner again and everything just fell into place.
I brought the mic to my mouth, "Thank you everypony for coming. This song is for a special boy, who lost his life some time ago."
Bonnie switched on the cassette player and it started playing a steady piano tune of four beats.
Youtube Video
Once the music was finished, there was silence. Then clapping. Everypony in the diner, including the animatronics, turned and saw a tall golden-yellow Bonnie animatronic clapping its five-fingered hands with a smile.
Its eyes were a light green. A purple bow tie around its neck with two buttons underneath. And it had some feminine charm to it. I recognised the Golden Bonnie. My mother told me that Fredbear had a partner on the stage with him. She was meant to be Bonnie's female counterpart.
Spring Bonnie.
Freddy smiled and pointed, "Hey, kids. Look who's back from her vacation. Spring Bonnie." Then he encouraged, "I bet she missed us. Let's go say hi."
The other kids cheered and ran toward her. Spring Bonnie was welcoming and sweet with them. Like a fun big sister. But something felt wrong. Horribly wrong. Like the entire room went cold and dead.
'Don't trust the Golden Rabbit...'
I slowly backed up to hide behind Freddy, but Alex grabbed my hand, "Come on, Wisp. Let's say hi to Spring Bonnie."
I removed my hand, "I don't know. Something feels off about Spring Bonnie. I don't like it."
Alex scoffed, "Hearing voices in your head? Don't be paranoid. What's the worse that can happen?"
He took a firmer grip on my hand and dragged me toward the golden rabbit. Spring Bonnie was smiling and having fun with the other kids.
"We missed you, Spring Bonnie." Surprise said with a large smile on her face.
"It's so good to see you kids again." Spring Bonnie said with glee. I folded my arms and raised an eyebrow. She had a male tone under her voice. Then she spoke up, "Hey, I have a good idea. Since you kids were so good today, I have a special treat for yah."
"Really? What is it?" Twilight Mist asked.
Spring Bonnie giggled, "I can't tell you. It's a surprise. If you fillies follow me, I'll show you."
The other kids smiled and followed Spring Bonnie down the room. Alex grabbed hold of my hand and forced me to follow. As we walked passed the Prize Corner, I looked over and saw Marionette peeping out of his box. He had a look on his masked face. He shook his head at me.
'Run...'
The other kids and I followed Spring Bonnie into a dark and quiet room. All that was inside were spare parts and wires for the animatronics. Spring Bonnie closed the door and locked it. I kept my guard up.
"Where's the surprise, Spring Bonnie?" Frederick asked the smiling Springlock Animatronic.
Spring Bonnie turned to us with something in her hand. I narrowed my eyes at it. It was sharp and pointed. Like a...
Spring Bonnie smiled darkly, "You are the surprise. The end of your lives."
I gasped at the dark tone. Spring Bonnie removed her head and it was revealed to be a skinny adult human man with very pale Caucasian skin, strange, glass-like, light purple eyes and glossy black hair behind the mask. He wore the night guard uniform of a purple collared shirt with a black tie, black pants and black shoes.
Dave Miller. The security guard that was hired recently.
The other kids got scared.
I narrowed my eyes at the creepy smiling man. I recognized him in seconds. 'Dave Miller was just an alias. My mother works for this man. He created the animatronics of Fredbear's Entertainment. Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, Bonnie... Even Fredbear and Spring Bonnie.
Mr. William Afton!
"Mr. Security Guard, why?" Surprise asked in a scared tone, and tears in her eyes.
"Why not?" Mr. Afton asked, as his removed the rest of Spring Bonnie and set her down near the door.
I looked at his weapon. A memory hit me. My eyes widen in shock, as anger burned an inferno in my heart. Lance... One of my mother's friends' youngest son. Died a few months ago due to an unexplained accident. I couldn't believe this!
"You.... You... You killed Lance!" I shouted, my hands balling into fists of rage.
Mr. Afton smirked, "Smart girl. I knew you'd figure it out. Too bad you found out too late."
"You monster! The police will put you behind bars for this!" I yelled in anger.
Mr. Afton chuckled, "Who will believe a dead girl?"
I charged toward him and pushed him toward the nearest wall. The collision forced Mr. Afton to drop the keys. I looked at the floor and an idea hit.
"Alex, take the keys and get everypony out of here!" I told Alex.
Alex looked at me, "What about you?"
"I'll hold him off as much as I can." I answered, then shouted, "NOW GO!"
Alex nodded and grabbed the keys. He unlocked the door and opened it. He looked at the scared kids, "Come on. You heard the Birthday Girl. Let's go."
The other kids looked at Alex and ran out of the door.
Mr. Afton watched the kids run, "NO!"
I kneed him in the stomach and monkey-flipped him across the room. Mr. Afton got back to his foot and tried to run for the door. I closed it.
"You want the other kids, you'll have to go through me." I told him, taking a stance. It's a good think I learned some self-defence a few months ago.
Mr. Afton looked at the door, then glared at me, "You'll pay for this, brat."
I gave him a 'Come-at-me' hand motion. Mr. Afton charged at me and tried to attack me. I dodged and blocked most of his attacks. However, he was able to out-maneuver me and whacked me in the head, with a spare arm.
Mr. Afton stepped on my back and forced me down, "You're a stubborn one, aren't you?"
I smiled, "I get that from my father."
Angry, Mr. Afton kicked me to my side. Very hard. I think he might have broken some ribs. I was barely able to hear and see. But, I closed my eyes and braced myself.
After a while of beating me to a pulp, Mr. Afton stopped. I looked at him and he smiled, "You know, for a 5-year-old filly, you've been quite fun to kill. If only the rest of the kids were like you." Then his smile fell and drew the large knife with his other hand, "Now, it's time to finally finish you off."
Behind him, I noticed Spring Bonnie's fingers flinch and she looked at me with sad eyes. My eyes widen. These animatronics are alive?
I gave her a small smile and reached my hand to her. Suddenly, I felt everything go cold. Warm blood formed a puddle around me, and I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore.
This was it.
The last thing I heard was the Mr. Afton laughing and the other fillies screaming. I tried my best to save everypony. My best wasn't enough.
Marionette's POV.
It's quiet. Not as quiet as it should be. My music box played its calming tune, but something didn't feel right. Something's gone wrong, when it shouldn't. I have to see what's going on.
I switched on my night-vision, quietly peeped out my Prize Box and looked around the Games Room. Everything looked alright, so far. But there's a strange smell in the air. Blood, mucus and death.
Something's happened.
I split my spirit from my body, climbed out of my box and started looking around the restaurant. I was shocked of what I saw. Four spectral embodiments around the Pizzeria. They looked like kids around the ages of 9 to 10, but I couldn't see their faces.
They were all glowing in four familiar colors; purple, brown, yellow and red, and with tear streaks running down their cheeks.
The first ghost I saw was a glowing purple with red eyes and she was near Bonnie. The tears dried, and she opened her eyes. They were a more bright scarlet red with anger and revenge. She smiled and placed her hand on Bonnie's shoulder. Bonnie's eyes opened and glowed the same scarlet red.
My spirit continued to search the rest of the building and saw a ghost of a boy glowing brown with light blue eyes. He was sulking. I gave him a sad look and reached out to him. But when I got too close, the tears dried and his eyes turned red.
The boy smiled and teleported to the Animatronic closest to him: Freddy. He placed his hands around Freddy and Freddy woke up with a hateful stare.
Why so angry? What happened here?
I tried to think, but my train of thought was broken by the sound of the music box fading to a stop. My spirit returned to my body and rage filled my psyche. I physically left my box and made my way to the office, where the night guard was.
Halfway there, I was near Foxy when I sensed another presence. Another spirit of a boy, age 10 this time. Her was glowing red with green-yellow eyes. He looked at me. I looked at the glowing red boy and he gave me a sad and worried look. Apologetic. My rage snapped out of me in recognition.
Alex?
Then that means the other two were Twilight Mist and Frederick.
Why? Who? Where? How? What? When?
I sensed another and looked across the room. A spirit of another filly that was glowing yellow, clutching her head and looked very scared.
My spirit tried to comfort her, but she stayed away from me. Then her tears dried and her eyes turned the hateful red. She appeared around Chica and woke her up with hatred and rage as well.
I remembered this child too. Surprise.
My memories faded to hatred and rage again, as the music came to a halting stop. My spirit retreated back into my body. And I continued to make my way to the night guard's office.
I came across the Parts and Service room, and I heard a woman singing.
'It's never satisfied, It's pulling strings of life tonight.
So many tears it's cried, I wonder what it's thinking...'
I knew that voice. My rage faded to curiosity and calmness.
'Its painted faces all I see, They're always haunting me.
It's pulling strings of life tonight, It sleeps...'
I entered the Parts and Service, to see where the source was coming from. Within the Parts and Service Room was the battered and bruised corpse of the first friend I ever made. I could feel tears running down my face, if I had any, as I gasped in shock.
The birthday girl! Apple Wisp.
She must've tried to protect the children, when they were still alive. Stupid girl, trying to make promises she couldn't keep. Stupid! Hopeless! Imbecilic... Wonderful, selfless, gentle young pony.
'Please buy us time..
Oh, please rewind...
A tainted rhyme...'
I felt she wasn't alone. I switched on the light and saw Spring Bonnie sitting near a wall closest to Wisp. She was sulking and looked like she was crying.
'A selfish crime.
Oh, please rewind...
We're out...
Of time....'
I put my hand over Spring Bonnie's shoulder. I remember not being scared of her, in my human memories. Now I know why; She was kind, calm, sweet and kinda cute.
Spring Bonnie calmed down. I looked over to Wisp and noticed something in my scanners. Her heart was barely beating.
To me surprise, Wisp's eyes shot open and she was breathing heavily. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. But, I had a feeling she wasn't gonna last long on her own. I quickly ran to the nearest phone and called the police and ambulance.
*Five Weeks Later, in the Hospital...*
Eleanor's POV.
'To this torture will unwind.
Take it from our broken crimes.
We have no place to go.
But you would know.
A pair of green eyes light up and stared at me.
Take your turn to run and flee.
But death's your destiny.
Stop holding back from me.'
I shot up awake with a gasp. I caught my breath and looked around. I was in a hospital room for some reason.
Is this Heaven? Is this Tartarus?
I placed my hand over my chest. My heart was beating steadily and my body felt warm.
I'm alive. How am I alive? Why am I alive? What happened to me?
"Apple Wisp! You're awake!" I heard a voice shout from my left.
I looked and saw a beautiful Earth Pony mare with pastel amethyst fur, spring green mane and tail tied in a braid, and light blue eyes. She wore a white collared shirt and a pair of denim jeans.
It was my mother.
She looked awful. Like she never left my side for a second. Never slept. Never ate. Phew! Add never bathed to that list. Hehehe.
"Mum?" I tilted my head.
I placed my hand over my throat. My voice was coarse and dry. How long was I out for?
Mother wasted no time to wrap her arms around me. My shoulder began to feel wet. Mother was crying, "I thought we lost you forever."
"What happened? Where are the other kids?" I asked.
"Well, the police received an anonymous tip, that there was a mass homicide in the pizzeria. You were barely alive when we found you in the Parts and Service Room." Mother answered.
"Mass homicide?" I repeated.
She nodded, "Yeah. But, the police and ambulance only found you with Spring Bonnie."
My eyes widen, "Spring Bonnie? Is she okay? Please tell me she's alright! It wasn't her fault!"
"Wisp, calm down. Spring Bonnie is fine. She's just being examined for evidence." Mother explained, then he added in a sad tone, "Can't say the same for Fredbear and the others."
This struck my heartstrings. "Fredbear? Others? Mum, what did you do?"
Mother twiddled with her thumbs, "Well, you were out for five weeks, Wisp. The old Animatronics have been replaced by new and foal-friendly Toy Animatronics. We're using the old ones for spare parts and upgrades." He answered, "We found handprints on Fredbear's casing and connected him to your attempted murder. So, we trashed him."
Handprints on Fredbear? He must've tried to save the kids too. Wait, 'trashed'?! My eyes widen in shock. My heart dropped in dread. My blood ran cold. "You... You killed Fredbear and replaced Freddy and the others?" Anger burned an inferno in my heart. I lunged at my mother, "You son of a-"
A powerful surge of pain coursed through me, and I was forced to sit down. I felt throbbing in my chest. Must've been where Mr. Afton stabbed me. Guess he missed my vitals by half an inch.
"Wisp, you must understand. You were out for five weeks. Things must change. Improve." Mother explained.
"That's no excuse, Mum. They were still alive! You can't program a soul into a machine, it just happens. You had no right to do that!" I shouted with hot tears welling in my eyes.
Mother shook his head, then looked at me, "Get some rest, Wisp. You still need to recover. I'll be back tomorrow."
With that, she left the hospital room. I tucked myself into the hospital bed and closed my eyes, trying to sleep. I looked over my nightstand and saw a marionette mask. I sat up and took a look at it.
It was the same mask as Marionette's. How did it get here?
'Help Them...'
Huh? Who said that? I looked around for the source of the voice. But the room was empty. It sounded like...
'Save Them...'
"Spring Bonnie? Is that you?" I called. My room suddenly grew dark, until it was pitch black.
I got out of bed, of course wincing a little because of the injuries. I walked forward a few steps. Still nothing. I blinked, then they started appearing in front of me.
The four kids that I tried to save from Mr. Afton. Tears running down their faces. The same clothes they wore that day. Their eyes... Blank and dead.
'Help Them...'
"No... Twilight... Frederick... Surprise... Alex..." I gasped with tears welling up in my eyes. None of them made it out.
The last one to appear was Lance.
A pale-skinned human boy of 10. Golden hair and turquoise eyes. He wore a blue, yellow and green sweater over an olive green t-shirt, blue jean shorts and red sneakers with green socks.
He stood right in front of me. His expression was sad. Tears running down his face.
My heart and mind couldn't take it. Tears fell down my cheeks. My heart ached like it was ripped from out of my chest, literally. My mind shattered like it was delicate glass.
I was the only one that made it out alive. I was left behind. I'm the sole survivor.
I fell to my knees, covered my ears to stop the voices, closed my eyes to try and stop the tears and screamed at the top of my lungs.
Then black out...
Apple Wisp's POV.
It's been about two weeks since my 'breakdown'. The doctors and nurses said I needed to stay in the hospital for another few weeks, so my wounds and mental state could heal.
My wounds healed over three days ago. My mind, however, hasn't gotten any better. Nightmares and images continue to plague my mind and voices talk to me. It's torture and sends chills up my spine.
Heck, last night in my nightmare, I saw those glowing green eyes again. However, the way they looked at me. It wasn't of malice or insanity. They were friendly and cute. I wasn't quite sure if they were the same eyes I saw last time. I know it sounds okay right now, but here's the freaky part.
The more I stared at the eyes, they started to fade into black with glowing white pupils. The owner of the eyes walked closer to me and I was able to see it in the light. A black rabbit animatronic with a dark purple glowing hue and a sinister smile. It looked at me with its piercing eyes and spoke to me.
"Nothing is real... Nothing is real... This can't be real... I hear it repeating in your mind... This is a dark place... Nothing is illuminated... Even when the light is on... Darkness prevails... You believe you are lost... And so you run... You run... And run through the shadows... But there's nowhere to go... No matter how far you run... You'll never reach an end... That's because this realm is never ending... "
Then the rabbit grabbed me by the neck and squeezed hard on my throat. I woke up choking and coughing that night. Gasping for air. It felt so real, I can still feel its hand around my neck.
Anywho, this morning, I was eating breakfast when one of the nurses arrived.
"Apple Wisp? Your mother is here to see you." She informed me.
I nodded and put the cereal bowl on the table next to me. I looked at the clock. 9:00 am. Right on the dot. My mother visits every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 am. Like clockwork.
"Send her in." I told her.
The nurse nodded and my mother entered the room. She wore a light blue shirt this time.
Mother walked up to me with a smile and sat on the chair beside me, "Good morning, Apple Wisp. How are you feeling?"
I held my tongue for a second. I couldn't tell her I had a nightmare of a rabbit spectre choking me to death and I woke up coughing. She still doesn't believe me when I said that animatronics are alive and have souls.
"Can't complain." I answered casually, then I noticed, "You're wearing your blue shirt today. What's the occasion?"
Mother looked at her shirt and smiled, "It's your sister's birthday today. Remember?"
How could I forget? My younger sister, Sparkling Cider, is younger than me by a year and seven weeks. Since I've been in this hospital for about seven weeks in total, that means it's her birthday today.
"I'd never forget Cider's birthday." I smiled.
Mother clapped her hands together, "That's wonderful. We need to get you dressed for the party."
I raised a brow, "Party? Where are we going?"
"Didn't you know? We're going to Freddy Fazbear's. See how the place has improved and during its grand re-opening." She answered.
My eyes widen in shock. I scurried back until my back was completely against the wall. Freddy Fazbear's?! I can't go back there! I can still remember the murder like it was yesterday. What if I have another breakdown? What if the incident happens again?
"No way! I'm not going back!" I refused.
"Why not?" Mother asked with a cute pout.
"Because I said no! I'm not going back to a place that almost got me killed!" I answered.
"Wisp, Cider wants you to come. You don't want to disappoint your baby sister, do you?" She interjected.
"My answer is still no." I answered in a stubborn tone, folding my arms in emphasis.
My mother dropped her cute façade and told me in a strict and stern tone, "Appline Mauve Wisp. I am your mother, and you will go to your sister's birthday party!"
The force behind the tone put ice in my veins. I sank my head into my shoulders and sulked, "Yes, Mum. I'll get dressed."
Mother's strict and stern atmosphere quickly vanished with a sweet smile, "Good girl. I'll come collect you this afternoon."
With that, she left. I rubbed my arms in discomfort. There's a reason why my mother's name is Honeycrisp. She is very sweet and kind like honey, but she can also be harsh and strong. So best not to get on her bad side.
Well, I don't want to disappoint my mother, so I jumped out of my hospital bed, grabbed the backpack Mother left last week, and made my way to the bathroom.
I opened the backpack and picked a combination of 'nice' clothes. A white t-shirt under a pair of denim overalls and a pastel-themed sweater. 'Nice' and I don't really see eye-to-eye, but I make do with my sense of color coordination.
Now all I have to do is wait for Mother to pick me up.
*Later that Afternoon, at Freddy's Fazbear's Pizzeria...*
Mother and I entered through the new doors of the improved pizzeria. I couldn't believe how much the place has changed. The establishment was bigger. No doors and the colors have changed. Lots of children running around and having fun. It's like the incident never happened.
Sparkling Cider turned and saw us arrive. She smiled and hugged me, "Withpie! I knew you'd come."
Cider was very different to me. For one, she was a Pegasus in a family of Earth Ponies, well our father was a Pegasus. Her mane and tail were a light blonde with ash blonde natural lowlights. Her fur coat is a pale cyan. And her eyes are an ocean blue. She has a gap between her teeth, where she lost her first tooth. So she speaks with a lisp. She wore a pink t-shirt and matching plaid red skirt.
I hugged my baby sister back, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Hey there. You must b-be the older sister-er." A young male robotic voice spoke from the stage, "We-We've heard so-o much about yo-you."
I looked at the stage and saw three animatronics that fit in the new atmosphere of the establishment. They looked like Bonnie, Chica and Freddy, but younger and more colorful. All three had rosy red cheeks.
The new Bonnie's furry casing was a light blue with pale blue underbelly and a white tail. His eyes were green and he was about a foot and a few inches shorter than the original Bonnie. And his ears are flopped down. His bowtie was as red as his cheeks.
The new Chica had a more feminine design. Her feather and fluffy casing was a light butter-y yellow. Her beak was a light orange and her eyes were light blue. Nearly the same shade as Freddy's. She wore a bib that said 'Let's Party' and a pair of light pink underwear that matched her pink cheeks.
The new Freddy was quite similar to the original Freddy. His fur casing was a more vibrant brown with a light brown underbelly. He still wore a black top hat, but with a red band. Same black bowtie and two black buttons under it. And his design was more... Husky. Probably to the feel that he's a friendly neighbourhood honey bear. Hehe.
All-in-all, these new animatronics looked like toys come to life.
The new Bonnie waved at me with a smile, "Heya. I don't th-think we've met before. My na-name is Toy Bonnie. Bu-But my friends call me Bon." Then he gestured to the other animatronics, "This is Toy Fre-Freddy, or just Fred. And To-Toy Chica. We call her Chika, with a-a 'K'." Then he asked me, "What's you-your name?"
I stared at the new Bonnie, Bon, as I could've sworn his fur just went darker. Even his familiar green eyes started to turn black with white pupils. I stepped back from Bon as his blue fur was now fully black and all you could see were his glowing white pupils and teeth. Just like my nightmare.
I gasped in realization, "It-It's you! You're Him!"
"I'm who?" The phantom asked in Bon's innocent voice.
"Withpie? Ith thomething wrong?" My younger sister asked in worry.
I closed my eyes and clutched my head, repeating a mantra, "It's not real... It's not real... It's not real... It's not real... It's not real..."
I opened my eyes again and saw the phantom was reaching out to me. I slapped its hand away from me, "Get away from me!"
Then I ran into the nearest hallway. I heard the phantom shout after me, "Wait! Kids are not aloud in that room!"
I didn't listen and continued running. I ran into a large dark room and closed the door behind me. I took a deep breath and tried to calm down, until my eyes adjusted to the darkness and saw something horrible.
My old animatronic friends. Broken and taken apart. Withered and still like statues. I covered my muzzle in shock and horror.
Bonnie had the top half of his face missing. His left arm was gone and the casing for his right hand left foot were missing too. Wires hung over what remained of his endoskeleton face. It was terrible.
Foxy wasn't in very good shape either. He looked like he got into a fight with something big and strong and was barely able to get out with his casing intact.
Freddy didn't look too bad. A few patches of his casing missing, wires poking out, but still in good shape. Guess he got lucky.
Chica, however, looked just as bad as Bonnie. Both her hands were gone. Her jaws were barely hanging on to each other. Patches of her casing were missing. And her bib was covered in oil stains.
Who in their right mind would do such a thing to these characters?! It's inhumane! I don't know why, but I feel lost. Lost in a maze of pain and sorrow. A maze of darkness and insanity.
"You are not lost... You are exactly where you belong... "
"Please... Get out of my head. Leave me alone." I pleaded, clutching my head and falling to my knees.
"The children... The ones who were sent here before their time... They are lost... They do not deserve the agony... That exists in my world... So now I ask... "
"What do you want from me?" I asked with tears welling up in my eyes, threatening to fall down my cheeks.
"Do you... Do you deserve the agony...? Do you deserve to be stranded in the eternal blackness...? Running away from the things that approach...? The monsters you've forged in life...? I believe... That none are more deserving of this fate... Than you... So run... Run... And scream... And pray... That your past does not catch up to you... "
The voice of the phantom went silent. The tears fell down my cheeks. Fear has frozen me in place. I couldn't move. Was that phantom Death? Why did it say those things to me? Was I the only one that could see and hear it?
"Ap-App-Apple Wisp? I-I-Is that yo-you?" A familiar voice spoke, breaking me out of my meltdown.
"Freddy?" I called.
I felt a couple of large furry hands take a gentle hold of me and wrapped me into a tight embrace. I felt the fur and could make out from my blurry vision that the fur was a grizzly brown.
Freddy was hugging me for comfort.
"You're a-alive. We-We tho-thought you died too." He sighed in relief.
I hugged the large bear animatronic back, "I'm so sorry."
"What for?" I heard Chica ask.
"For this happening to you. I could've stopped them." I answered.
"Sil-Silly Wispie. The To-Toys aren't here to replace us." Bonnie spoke up.
"Aye. If they're here to replace us, why aren't we in th' trash?" Foxy pointed out.
I nodded in understanding. But the phantom's words still echoed in my head. I cuddled up closer to Freddy's chest.
"What's wr-wrong, Wisp?" Freddy asked.
"I just want to go home." I answered in a tired tone.
My eyes couldn't stay open anymore. My body fell limp and my mind went black.
