It felt too quite. Aside from the sound of the road against the wheels no one made a noise. Though what did foxy expect his friend to do? Your body laid limp in his arms, slow and shallow breaths parting from your cracked lips stained in dried blood.
Was this it? Was he really about to do the unthinkable to save you? Foxy knew he wanted you to live, but was this cost worth it? His head hung low, his heart clenched inside his chest. Almost as if someone had gripped it tightly in their hand yanking it from the vital cords that clung to it.
He was growing angry with himself. A feeling he couldn't stop no matter how badly he may have wanted to. His fingers brushed the stray hairs away from your face, ember eyes gazing upon your form cautiously observing the final breaths that parted from your lips.
The car took a tight turn, causing foxy to brace as he held you close. You don't have much time left. Looking up and out the window foxy observed the quickly fading buildings. Not much more to go.
The car took one final turn, swerving harshly into the empty parking lot of the pizzeria. Not bothering for a perfect parking job. Foxy didn't want to wait anymore, moving to hold you firmly in his arms ready for the trunk to pop open.
The others all clamored out, rushing towards the back to let the two of you out now. And as the door slid up foxy leapt out dashing towards the glass doors that kept him from the inside.
"Foxy!" Everyone gasped in shock, rushing towards him as desperation now took its hold.
"The Lass!-" he cried turning his head ears twitching impatiently upon the top of his head. Quickly he looked back towards the glass gasping about the door.
"Foxy wait just a moment!" Freddy was rushing towards him, and foxy knew that he was trying to calm him down. But there was no time. You're dying.
With out a second thought foxy slammed his foot into the door, kicking it open with the heel of his boot not bothering to stay after the garbled angry shout that came from Vincent. Foxy ran, dashing inside the main show room looking around in a hurry as if he was deciding where was the best place to go.
Parts and Services.
His eyes scanned the italicized label, feeling himself now running towards the room where it began for him. Pushing the metal door open, foxy peeked around looking at all the endo skeletons and heads that lined the shelves. He was quick to squeeze himself inside ignoring the shouts of his friends.
Where to lay you. He glanced, seeing if he could find a place comfortable for you to rest while he scavenged for a suit. The table in the middle of the room seemed like the best option. But as he stood there after making the decision, foxy couldn't move. His hands trembled from where they held you, his body shook, tears following quickly after.
He barred his teeth, irritated at the tears that stained his skin. Irritated that he can't stay strong. Finally the door pushed open, revealing the others as they flooded the room quick to surround the two of you.
"Foxy you can't run off like that." Freddy was the first to scold standing in the middle with the others.
"Yeah! We're in this together. You can't just take off like- like a- Chica help me out." Bonnie seemed lost for words at what to compare foxy's speed to. But Chica didn't seem like she was willing to follow Bonnie on this one. She clenched her hands together in fists gasping at the tears that ran down her face.
"We're here for you! For her! We want her to be saved just like you!" Chica gasped through her tears more. Shaking her head up towards the tallest of her friends.
Foxy's grasp loosened upon you. His ears flattened upon his head, they were right. He was so quick to race in here. So quick to do this alone, that he forgot that he's not alone. And you wouldn't want him to be alone in a time like this either.
"We-" foxy's voice wavered.
"We should clear the table. Together."
He felt small again. Like a helpless child all over again. But he's no longer a child. He hasn't been a child for many years. Freddy nodded offering foxy a tight smile before he moved to clear it off.
"We need a suit." Freddy looked across at the others purposely looking past foxy who was fixated upon you. Goldie remained silent as he had been the entire time watching. Unwilling to interfere. (Along side Vincent who lingered in the doorway. Watching.)
"I-I can find one." Chica volunteered, peeking around the room in hopes of finding a spare suit as Bonnie and Freddy tried to get foxy to place you upon the now empty table.
Chica wandered, looking around at all the spare suits that were left for her, Bonnie, and Freddy, unsure what to pick. Until suddenly something caught her eye. Pulling her forward towards it. She moved towards a stray shelf, eyes looking over it before deciding it needed to be moved.
She shoved the shelf with all her might, revealing a limp purple animatronic cat suit. It fell from its hiding place with a thunk catching everyone's attention. They all stared in shock as she fished it out from its hiding place lifting it up to examine its dramatic eyelashes and painted nails.
No one said anything but the same question hung in the air. Where did that come from? Though everyone had more multiple thoughts. How long has that been here? Why didn't anyone know about it? What location is this from? Is it even theirs? Or did it come from the puppet?
Despite the many questions none could be answered. Everyone accepted that this was your suit. Chica stared at it the longest, swallowing thickly as she gazed upon the matted fur. She looked as though she was in a trance.
"Chica. The suit please." Freddy looked towards her, almost as if he was attempting to snap her out of her trance. She blinked rapidly until she was finally able to nod slowly stalking forward towards the still empty table.
"Here." She offered a sad smile, laying it upon the smooth metal surface opening up the hatches for the procedure. All eyes were in foxy now as he stood on the opposite side of the suit.
It felt as if timed slowed. This was all on him now, to place you within the suit. He wasn't alone, he knew that. But the fact that if he wanted you to live, you'd have to suffer the same fate he had to. How was this fair? How was this right?
His hands shook as he took the first step forward, clutching you close to his chest with shaky breaths. He can't do it. But he had to try.
Taking steady steps forward foxy clutched your dying body close to his chest, eyeing the odd mascot that laid upon the table cautiously. As he walked, he tried to soothe his upset mind. Hoping that each and every comforting lie he spoke inside his mind would continue to spur him on.
There was no where else to walk, now face to face with the table and the suit that called to your dying body. Where does he start? How does he start? Foxy closed his eyes tears beginning to run down his tired and slightly withered face. You're not alone in your end, but yet somehow the idea that you leave your mortal self behind by his hands felt like retribution for all the innocent lives he's taken in blind rage.
"Foxy?" He wasn't sure who called his name, his friends felt far away as he tried to recollect himself. Taking deep breaths holding you as close as he could, like he was holding on to a stuffed animal for dear life.
"I-I can't." He rasped out loud at last. Foxy couldn't bring himself to begin the procedure.
"I-I can't do this to my-"
His voice wobbled, or maybe the voice connected to the old rusted voice box to his other half looped. Either way, he was heart broken and unable to speak steadily.
"You can't?" Vincent scoffed from the doorway, standing straighter to gaze at foxy.
"You have a chance to save her, and you just can't?"
He sounded almost bitter. Foxy pried his eyes open glancing, but not turning, towards Vincent. The moment they made eye contact Vincent broke it huffing as if he was asked a silent question no one else heard before speaking again.
"I can do it. I've made myself a killer. I know that I'm a terrible person, but I'm just trying to get my daughter back. Just like you want her back. As much as I think you all are annoying and I wish I had never even made a deal with that bastard, I know what it's like to have someone you care about taken away from you. I've killed for selfishness. You've all killed for revenge. It's only right that I stuff her, to save you all the guilt you'll feel later."
Vincent's words didn't feel real. No one wanted to admit it but they felt sorry for him. No one would forget the things he had done, but they were mature enough to recognize his motives. His sad motives. Out of hesitance, Bonnie and Chica gazed at Freddy. Half excepting him to make the call. Though Freddy's eyes gazed at foxy, who was looking at your shallow breaths once more.
"Okay," Foxy breathed through his teeth, "it be a deal."
He could feel the shocked gazes of his friend with out even looking up. Foxy didn't want to tear his eyes away from you. Wanting nothing more than to preserve the image of you permanently in his mind. At that Freddy gently ushered the group out, leaving Vincent and foxy alone.
Foxy gently made room for you upon the table, ignoring one spring lock in the suit before him snapping upon the slight movement. His fingers gently grazed the side of your face, examining the cuts and bruises you had gotten from shadow.
Vincent cautiously approached him, an unspoken question in the air. Can I get to work now?
"If this doesn't work," Foxy lifted his gaze to meet Vincent with a dangerous gleam, "I will snuff ye out of any shadow you hide behind. I'll twist what ever is left of yer mangled body, and let ye die in agony for killing her."
With one final look at you, Foxy left the room to wait in the main party room until it was done. Ignoring the burning gaze of the purple man inside parts and services as he left.
_________________________
Here he was again. All alone, sitting in silence waiting to hear the news. The others had long since left, parted ways due to Freddy's request to spend their last nights of freedom before the final day tomorrow.
The closing didn't really bother foxy, he was always alone during opening hours. The kids may pass occasionally, they had parties in the cove still after all. But he hasn't preformed in a long time. This would be like any day to him. Except at the end of this one, an eternal sleep awaited him until something would wake him again. (And by that he meant the consequences of his actions. He shouldn't have left the pizzeria.)
Everyone knew what leaving the pizzeria had meant for them when they rushed to save you. No one said it, everyone acted as if they had forgotten but the puppet gave them the rules. If they left the pizzeria at any point for any reason they'd be cursed. That's all the puppet had said about it, vague as always.
What kind of a curse was it? Foxy wasn't sure, though if that was the word used it most likely wasn't anything good. Maybe they'll be in a worse predicament than they are now. What a world that would be.
Foxy's leg bounced in anticipation, arm draped over the back of the chair as the other resided on his open leg. He looked relaxed. Like a real pirate captain in his study observing the map once more for directions. But he was far from that reality.
How much more did he have to wait? At least you didn't scream in pain, he wasn't sure he'd be able to handle that if you were. Was this going to work though? Is this all going to be worth it in the end? Maybe he should get up and see how it's going.
Just as foxy pushed himself up, ready to approach parts and services, the door swung open. Vincent's elbow causing the force. His uniform was stained in blood that was hard to see in the dark. It was stained in your blood.
Foxy's stomach twisted at the thought, you're stuffed in a suit now. Just like he had been all those years ago.
"Well?" Foxy was impatient. Tail swishing behind him as his anxieties grew. Vincent fully exited Parts and Services to stand before foxy. Lifting his bloodied hands Vincent sneered, though it was more to himself.
"I don't think it worked." As he spoke foxy's hope diminished.
"I don't know under what circumstances everything has to be under for it to work. What happened to you and your friends was something no amount of my knowledge in science could explain with out research right now."
He sounded almost intrigued at the whole process. Though it died from his voice the moment foxy met his gaze with resentment.
"No, it had to have worked." Foxy shook his head in denial.
"Maybe it just needs time. You and your friends didn't exactly get up and start wandering when I killed you all." Vincent wiped his hands on his pants, seeming as though he was making a mental note to always have some sort of towel on him.
Foxy glanced to the side in thought. That was true. It had taken the puppet sometime to work and give them their gift of a second life. With out the puppets efforts, they wouldn't be here today still. In fact they probably wouldn't be able to at least be somewhat human if the puppet hadn't of gone the extra mile and given them the ability to shift as they do.
Foxy said nothing despite his conclusion to trust Vincent's word. Instead turning to leave muttering a half hearted thanks.
"Hey," Vincent stopped him crinkling his nose perplexed, "you're all acting as if tomorrow is your last day. I don't get it, don't you all have free will? You can move around as you please! Hell you could all even pass as humans out in society with your weird transformation thing. So why don't you guys just leave? Or just come back to life after they try to turn you guys off?"
It was quite. Foxy knew Vincent was fishing for information. He was intrigued by this entire thing now, some sick twisted part of him was at least. Foxy wasn't sure how to answer, shrugging his shoulders to stare at the wall.
"It won't work like that. I don't have all the answers yer lookin' for, but I can tell ye that there are rules. We broke them tonight tryin' to save the Lass. I'm not sure what consequences await us, or what will happen when they shut us off. All I know is, tonight may be my final night of freedom." Foxy's answer left the room too quite. He didn't want to stick around much longer than that, there was nothing left to say. So with that, Foxy walked towards the cove in search of his friends in these final hours.
He may be alone when the time comes to part, but he will not be alone in his last few hours of remaining freedom. You wouldn't want it to be that way after all.
___________________________
So, this was it huh? The pizzeria that's been open for almost 30 years now finally was at the end of its era. Cawthon almost didn't want to open the glass doors for the opening shift. His eyes staring at his reflection. Despite it all he pushed them open, keeping them unlock for its last day of business.
The familiar hallway was nothing but a bittersweet reminder of what was to come today. And then Cawthon saw Vincent. There standing in the main show room waiting for him alone. The main crew behind him ready for their final performance on stage.
"So," Cawthon forced a smile clapping his hands together in fake enthusiasm, "you ready for one last shift?"
Vincent sighed shrugging.
"Not sure. What about you?" His eyes were intense. Cawthon had no clue to what had happened last night, but the truth was he never had a real clue to what's been happening in this company for years.
"I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye." Cawthon looked towards the main crew sorrowfully.
"It's like saying goodbye to an old friend. It's not an easy thing to do."
"Well, what's the plan for today then?" Vincent stuffed his hands into his pockets as he spoke casually.
"I want to make sure that the kids who come through those doors today have a really good time. I want their final memories of Freddy's to be a good one. So I hope that everyone can make today extra special for them." Cawthon sighed still trying to keep his smile.
Vincent nodded, unsure of just what was to come. As he and Cawthon walked on towards his office to discuss a few more things together, Freddy watched carefully with a heavy heart.
Time was cruel, it moved quickly when you didn't want it to and slowly when you wished it would go faster. That was the perfect way to describe the day. It felt like seconds after Vincent and Cawthon left, and soon enough other employees came in for their final shifts. And then shortly after them the children.
It was almost like any other day of a performance, the children cheered begging for more. Their greasy hands trying to reach for them on stage only to be ushered back by employees. And then what was so many became so little as the time for closing approached.
Foxy was all alone in pirates cove. It felt as though you were gone, leaving him in pieces as if there was nothing left to make him whole anymore.
The curtains around his stage swayed as a few employees passed him by, leaving him sitting there in his human shape in the darkness. He stared at the small sliver of light waiting for the moment when they'd shut off and he'd be next.
"I promised we could say goodbye to foxy, and then it's home okay?" A parent spoke not too far away from the stage, and foxy tensed in shock. Someone was actually coming to see him? (Or rather his stage that's been long forgotten.)
"Foxy!" A little boy gasped with enthusiasm. Foxy could hear him place his hands upon the old wooden floor of the stage, his small hand brushing against the curtains but not moving them.
"I'm going to miss you a lot. I-I wanted to say goodbye! You're my favorite! I-I wanna be a brave pirate like you someday!"
"Fritz!" The parent that accompanied the boy sounded far away as they called. Foxy scooted towards the curtains. Reaching for the light.
"Coming!" Fritz was gone just as foxy peeked his eye out of the crack in the fabric. The image of the retreating boy faint as he watched him run off to the distance.
Foxy scooted away, smiling bitter sweetly to himself at the interaction that had just occurred. As the voices got fatter away, foxy rested back to where he had been the entire day. He felt oddly at peace with himself.
The hours ticked by, and foxy knew now that fate was upon him. No longer in his human form, foxy reverted back to the weary and damaged animatronic that's been a part of him for years now. Waiting anxiously for the mechanic to appear.
He could hear footsteps off in the distance and knew that they were finally coming for him. This was it.
With a swoosh the curtain opened, revealing light upon his lonely stage. The mechanic huffed as they climbed on top, tool box in hand approaching foxy from behind with an exasperated sigh.
He could feel the fur of his suit parting to reveal a hidden latch that opened up his back. The mechanic complained about the smell as they fooled around inside with the wires. Foxy gazed out at the wall in front of him. Looking carefully over all of the children drawings with care.
His mind wandered to you, thinking about your presence. He wished you were here with him. Offering him encouragement in his final moments. Instead you soothed him in his memories. Your smile. Your laugh. Even your kiss. Foxy let out an inaudible sigh as he made one promise to himself, that would transcend even the fate that was catching up to him as the mechanic aimed to shut him off for good.
I'll wait for ye. For as many years as it takes. I will not move on to my happiest day, until yer by my side. My fair Lass.
His thoughts were soft, focused on the image of you as he made that promise. One final tug in a wire and the mechanical body he inhabited fell slack. The light faded and replaced itself with darkness. Consuming foxy into an endless sleep. Waiting for the day when the two of you could be reunited once again.