Chapter Text
Mike didn't dare move. He wondered if they were going to start fighting too, because that wouldn't end up well for them; Golden Freddy could barely hold himself up. But Springtrap didn't move, watching the shorter animatronic as it wobbled closer. When the bear stumbled, it twitched like it wanted to help but didn't dare touch him.
"Mike, you're bleeding again." Mark ran over, looking at the now pink tablecloth. "Sit down."
He let the other man ease him down. He really needed something to drink. His throat felt like it might be swelling again, and it was so dry. He groaned as Mark unwrapped the cloth and heard him curse under his breath.
"Bonnie, grab the first aid." Freddy ordered.
The purple bunny ran out towards the kitchen. Mike watched him go. Everything was suddenly very hard to focus on. Mark had him against the stage, mumbling under his breath as he took Mike's temperature. The guard must've dozed off for a few seconds because when he opened his eyes, Bonnie was back.
"Is he okay?" Chica asked.
"Uh, well, he's about to hate me because I'm going to dump most of this alcohol on it, cuz I really think it's infected." Mark said.
"S-someone might wanna hold me down here..." Mike mumbled.
He felt Bonnie and Foxy doing just that. Chica was holding the first aid for Mark as the other man began getting the rubbing alcohol ready. Past them, the two gold animatronics hadn't moved, with Freddy standing close just in case. What were they doing?
"Someone wanna...explain what's going on?"
Foxy hushed him. "Don't git in the middle..."
He opened his mouth to argue but Golden Freddy looked over at him. He froze. "Do not worry, Michael. I am sorry things had gotten so out of hand."
He just had an extra paranormal ghost reassure him. If he wasn't fired, he was going to ask for a vacation after this. "I-it's okay..."
The gold bear turned back to Springtrap. "Spring, I'm sorry it took so long to find you."
The rotted bunny twitched violently again, like it was struggling. "F-F-Fredbeaar....Howw howwww l-long?"
"It's been over thirty years, I'm afraid."
Springtrap made a noise, almost like a wail. Despite himself, Mike felt sorry for it. The original Springtrap, Spring or whatever it was originally called, was still in there. What was it like? Was it anything like Bonnie, being almost too nice and compassionate? Was it more like Freddy and was prideful and strong? How much of itself had been lost to the murderer inside it?
The gold bunny twitched and trembled, crashing down to its knees. Mike winced at the noise. Golden Freddy walked forward, worried, but Springtrap wailed again. The twitching didn't stop, pieces of it falling off to the ground.
"Hold him tight, guys. Mike, deep breath." Mark suddenly said.
Remembering what they had been about to do, the guard nodded and did so. He bit his lip tightly when the alcohol hit his arm. He sucked in a breath before letting out a cry as the sting grew and holy shit it hurt. He began breathing hard, grateful for Foxy and Bonnie holding him down.
His vision went white. As it faded, he became aware that Mark was facing away from him, like he was shielding him. His eyes slowly looked up, seeing Springtrap far too close, looming over them. He really hoped that it wasn't about to attack them.
"Get away from them." Freddy said. His voice was far too calm; a chill went down Mike's back.
"F-f-finally snap hi-hhhisssss n-neck, s-snAPPP hiiiisss N-NECkkkk-W-W-Welcome toootooo FreDDY Fazzbeaar's P-P-Pizza, r-r-remove his s-s-spine."
It was glitching. Mike swallowed, trying to get his vision to focus and ready to move again. The spirit was fighting against the animatronic; there had to be a way to get rid of it. Hopefully without destroying the animatronic since Golden Freddy would likely be very upset if something happened to Springtrap.
"You're stronger than him, Spring. He's already hurt you...he's made you do awful things. No more, Spring, you have to fight him." Golden Freddy walked forward unsteadily, managing to get a paw on the taller robot's shoulder. "I've looked and waited for you. Don't go away again."
The twitching came back. Springtrap hissed, an arm flailing and swiping at either Golden Freddy or Mark. He missed both as he let out a groan and his fingers gripped at his head. Mike felt a little nauseous when he saw it digging into holes in its own head. It fell again, this time to a knee as it let out a cry.
Mike thought he might've panicked. Because Springtrap seemed to react only to Golden Freddy, and the murderer's spirit came forth when dealing with the rest of them. But he hated just sitting there, knowing he was the one that unlocked this thing. Whether it deserved sympathy or not, it had attacked them.
"Do, do you like...singing?" He asked. Mark looked back at him, face pale and maybe horrified. "Do you sing for kids? Or, do you just play an instrument? Did you ever have any favorites?"
The twitching stopped. It seemed to be thinking, maybe trying to remember. With how damaged it was, memories might be out of reach. "S-s-sing...I, I singggg with, with FredBEAArrr. Togetherrr..." Its eyes dimmed briefly. "N-noo, no-no-no favorittessssss...Mustt s-share..."
That seemed to be a good sign. Mike swallowed. "Don't you want to sing with him again?"
"S-s-sing, sing, singINGGG with F-Fredbeaar....?"
"Y-yeah. Be on stage again. Play with the children. If we could fix Foxy and get him back in the show, I'm sure we can do it for you. If you want."
His eyes felt heavy. Blinking was becoming hard. But he gave a crooked smile when Springtrap looked at him, thinking about what he'd said. No one else dare say anything as the gold bunny thought. It made it worse for Mike since he knew he had a lot riding on how the animatronic responded.
"Singgg....with F-Fredbear..." His unbroken ear twitched. "S-s-s-ing...for c-children..."
The others seemed to relax slightly. They could overcome the murder's spirit; they could get through to the animatronic. But Mike watched it carefully, not daring to look away. He was glad he didn't when Springtrap began twitching again, an odd chuckle coming off of it.
"Y-yes, plEASSSeee give me more children.You don't s-seem to underSTAAAANNNdddd-"
"Shut the fuck up and let Spring talk to us." The guard grumbled.
He couldn't move when Springtrap gave a screech and lunged. Even though he very badly wanted to, he was too drained and dazed to even try to roll aside. He bit back a whimper when Freddy grabbed the gold animatronic and threw it aside.
"T-t-there is NOOooo h-him. There is n-no S-S-Spring. W-we aren't s-s-separate!" Springtrap picked itself up off the ground, jaw skew and revealing the horrible mummified jaw inside. "It's us! It's ME!"
Freddy grabbed at it again. Springtrap hissed and used its longer arms to easily swipe the bear aside. Mike tried to pick himself up off the ground; he'd pissed the bunny murderer off, it would come for him. He needed to do something. Freddy made a frustrated noise and went to get up, but Springtrap grabbed his leg and tossed him further away before sprinting unsteadily towards Mike.
Bonnie and Foxy were already up as Mark grabbed Mike and tried to get him to his feet. He vaguely heard the younger man say something about the office but the entire room was spinning. He could only lean against Mark as his arm was draped across his shoulders and they began moving away.
"Y-yOUUu don't g-g-get to leave."
Mike tried to look. The animatronics were made of the same stuff, they might even have an advantage since Springtrap was falling apart, but he worried about them getting hurt. Freddy was still on the floor, a segment of his leg cracked. And Bonnie and Foxy were keeping the gold robot busy with the purple bunny blocking it and Foxy using his speed to swipe at him and jump around out of his grip.
Where was Chica? Mike tried to look, eyes going over her twice before finding her. She was running towards Freddy, trying to help him up. He wondered if she'd fight too, but hoped she didn't. He didn't want her to be forced to face whatever had happened to her. They seemed to be okay for now.
Wait, he was missing one.
He found Golden Freddy, still standing where he had been before despite the fighting. Mike assumed he couldn't move. The gold bear was watching Springtrap, looking so defeated. The guard felt heaviness in his chest. He wanted to help the children, and yet he couldn't help Golden Freddy. He wanted to give them closure and reunite the two old robots, but he couldn't.
He was too busy watching the bear. Mike cried out when he was suddenly pushed, sprawling on to the tiled floor. The cry turned into a scream when his broken arm tried to take his weight before crumpling beneath him. Sobbing, the guard pushed himself up to see what had happened. Mark was several feet away, scrambling away from what looked like was a chair.
Who had thrown a chair at them...? Pain blinded him as he tried to pick himself up. It was hard with one hand, and he had to fight the bile in his mouth. His stomach felt like it was in his throat. Panting, he got his eyes to focus and look up.
He saw Springtrap's legs before a hand grabbed the back of his shirt.
He doubted his trachea could take another strangling from the killer robot. Turned out that Springtrap had no interest in choking him, as Mike felt his vision go black as he was slammed into something, which turned out was a table. He screamed again before the breath was forced from his lungs and he writhed in agony from his spine hitting the surface with so much force.
"Mike!"
He barely managed to open his eyes. It would've been funny to see Chica shoving Springtrap aside to help him sit up, even better when Bonnie grabbed the gold robot around the waist throwing him across the room. But then again, he was still struggling to breathe between a swollen throat and now with his diaphragm not working. The chicken tried to shake him awake as he groaned, finally able to breathe again.
"Mike, are you okay??" She asked.
"I, I think 'okay' is...pushing it..." He slurred out.
He should've died months ago, he decided. If he had, maybe being shoved into a suit would've been painful, but he would've died quickly. Instead he was forced through all this agony because he'd fucked up how things should've gone so long ago in fighting against the homicidal animatronics.
And then he shoved the thought away because if he really died tonight, in this amount of pain and this slowly, it was worth it. He'd made amazing friends, formed his own family because of it. So he took a moment to make sure nothing was broken and pushed himself up. He felt dizzy, well, dizzier than before, and had to take a moment to just breathe.
"Mike, don't...you're already hurt." Chica grabbed his shoulders and tried to lay him back down.
"I can tell. But he's going to keep coming, and we can't do anything against him, Chica." Mike gently removed her hands, amazed that she let him. "I wanted to heal you guys, but I can't. I'm sorry. I have to completely destroy that thing."
Behind Chica, he saw Golden Freddy slump. He wished he could've reunited the two, let them be happy. But the longer they let Springtrap exist, the more it was obvious it couldn't happen. So he tried to ease himself off the table, seeing that it had a huge crack in it where they'd met, and took an uneasy step forward.
The gold bunny was having trouble, it seemed. It kept twitching and shaking as it tried to push itself up to its feet. Ignoring it for now, Mike hobbled over to where Golden Freddy was watching his once partner, hesitating before he put a hand on the bear's arm.
"...forgive me, Michael. I had hoped maybe he just needed some repairs. I never thought he'd..."
"I know..." The guard whispered.
Golden Freddy looked at him, his empty black eyes feeling too heavy on him. But then the bear fell, like its endoskeleton couldn't hold him anymore. "We should've been scrapped years ago. Together. None of this would've happened if we had been. Despite knowing you don't owe me anything, Michael, please try to see that we are this time."
He hesitated. It would be like killing the animatronic himself, but...if he couldn't reunite the two friends, the least he could do is let them be destroyed together. He nodded slowly and Golden Freddy seemed to relax on the floor.
"N-noOo..."
Mike jumped. Springtrap was up on his feet again, dead eyes watching the gold bear closely. It seemed to be completely ignoring anyone else as it forced its body forward. The guard backed away when it fell to its knees and grabbed Golden Freddy's hand. They didn't say anything as Freddy, Foxy, Chica and Bonnie helped Mark and joined them. They had some damage, but nothing horrible at least.
"Spring," Mike gently cut in. The bunny looked up at him slowly, guiltily. "You know you can't...be here anymore. I'm sorry..."
"...S-sssscrapped, scrapped? I, I have to be...s-s-scrapped..."
"We've been long overdue, Spring...It's time we officially retired. Together." The bear paused. "And think well, yes, think as you are fighting...that a dark eye is watching you..."
Mike paused. He knew that tune too well, despite the way Golden Freddy's voice wavered and seemed to be unable to keep a constant volume.
Springtrap made a noise, grip tightening on the others hand. "Toreador, l-lovee...love i-i-is waiting for y-y-y-OUuu.."
The guard bit his lip. But the animatronics understood. Golden Freddy patted Springtrap's hand and the two shared a look. Mike felt like he was intruding on them. He jumped when the bunny stood up abruptly, wondering if the murder had taken over again.
"N-n-not together."
What? Mike frowned, since that was the animatronic's voice. But then Springtrap gripped at his head, fingers digging into the holes and broken pieces of the shell, and began pulling.
"H-hey, what're you doing?" Mark went to step forward, but Freddy stopped him.
There was a crack, ripping. Springtrap lifted his head up off the bottom section of his jaw, revealing the mummified skull inside, pierced with long steel beams and a horrible melding of human and robotic eyes inset into the eye sockets. Mike felt sick as he watched screws fall off of it. When the top part of the head seemed ready to be pulled off, Springtrap moved its hands to its neck.
"Spring, don't..." Golden Freddy tried to get up, but his endoskeleton wouldn't support him.
"A-a-a-ll at once, w-w-w-we ARREeee silent..."
There was a sickening crack. Springtrap's eyes dimmed instantly as its head fell from its fingers, hitting the ground hard. Bits of bone broke off and there was a layer of dust around it. The body didn't move, the still somehow together endoskeleton holding itself up. Mike hesitated. It seemed...too fast. Too sudden. Springtrap was dead, had killed itself.
After the long, horrible night, it was...over.
"...he was always so sensitive. I knew he'd never be able to handle what had happened, but I hoped..." Golden Freddy picked up the head, holding it close. His eyes closed. "We are silent...Oh, what is happening?"
"I'm sorry...If he had a choice; I know he would've stayed with you if he could." Mike whispered.
"Then he's gone...?" Freddy was standing close to the other three, all of them staring at the still body. "I guess...we expected more, getting our closure."
"You guys did kinda have a giant fight that broke most of the building." Mark pointed out.
Mike wasn't sure what to expect. Maybe lights, of seeing souls leaving the bodies of the animatronics. Maybe ghosts, drifting away. But all that happened was them standing there, exhausted, in pain, and now knowing that they couldn't save everyone. The only hint that anything happened was when the five suddenly closed their eyes.
"Are you okay?" Mark asked.
"...th'kids be leavin..." Foxy whispered.
The two guards shared a look. A vague crash came from the kitchen. Mike tensed, remembering that the Marionette was in there. But he couldn't hope to check on it. Any energy keeping him upright, likely a rush of adrenaline instantly faded. He wobbled before Mark caught him before he fell over.
"Thank you, Mr. Schmidt." He heard Freddy say as his eyes slid closed. "And welcome, permanently, to the Fazbear family."
xxxxxxxxxxx
"-that nasty, creepy ass shit away from him. He wakes up to that and I'll break your fucking neck."
"It wanted to be here! You're going to rip it."
"Good. Fucking thing haunted me for weeks, saw it in my dreams. Was horrible. And stop drinking all the goddamn water; he's going to be thirsty when we wakes up."
Mike wondered what was going on. None of the animatronics talked like that...but the voice was familiar. A warm swelling hit him when he realized who it was. Maybe he was dreaming, but despite not even being awake yet, he smiled.
"You look really fucking creepy, smiling like that, dude."
Mike opened his eyes slowly. Jeremy was covered in bandages and he was paler than he'd ever seen him. But he was alive. Both he and Mark were in hospital gowns, the two had IVs hooked to them. Mark didn't seem that bad off though, maybe just looking tired, but Jeremy looked like he'd been to hell and back, covered in scabbing cuts, dark bruises and a lot of pink bandages. Apparently the two had been fighting over the Marionette, which lay lifeless on an extra chair.
"H-how...?"
Jeremy raised an eyebrow, snorting. "You don't think very highly of me do ya? You're an idiot. Who the fuck you think put Golden Freddy's endoskeleton together? The tooth fairy?"
He had to pause and think. Golden Freddy had never been upright before because he couldn't be. Mike felt embarrassed when he had to blink rapidly, wiping away any stray tears. He'd been so sure...And even when he was hurt, Jeremy had saved his ass.
"...I almost was dead..." Jeremy sighed. "Got some sweet new scars. Seems to be a thing with this company. Anyway, zombie rustbucket dragged me outta there and began twitching, so I kicked it and ran. Remember how the assholes can't get into the safe room? I hid in there like a bitch."
Mark gaped at him. Of course. He'd seen Springtrap wandering around there. He had been trying to get to Jeremy. "But...what about Golden Freddy?"
"Well, when newbie decided to start screaming from the office, I knew something was up. So I had to pull myself from there to the office without getting caught. Course none of you were there, but Golden Freddy was."
Well shit. Their plan worked. Mike glared at Mark who ducked his head sheepishly. "I didn't know!"
"So Goldie tells me he needs to face Spring whatever and that his endoskeleton needs work. Fastest job I've ever done, and it was pretty shit. I kinda passed out in the office until the police woke me up the next day." Jeremy shrugged. "All three of us were rushed to the hospital. We almost lost you a few times, Mike."
"Your arm had turned yellow...they were talking about amputating it, but...I guess it never got that bad." Mark said.
Wow...he'd almost lost his arm? He glanced over, seeing it in a sling and a huge cast. He also felt a neck brace, but wasn't sure what exactly that was for. Swallowing, he laid back in bed. "So....are we fired?"
Jeremy burst into laughter. Mike gave him a dry look, waiting impatiently for the blond to finally control himself. "N-nah, man. Newbie and I explained that killer bunny had forced itself from the room, and that it almost killed us all if the Fazfuck crew hadn't helped us out. Lansdale looked like he was going to off himself right there."
"The CEO called us both separately. Said that they would be dealing with things, that they appreciated our silence, and that they expected us back to work once the hospital released us." Mark rolled his eyes. "So basically we'd best stay silent if we want our bills paid for."
"Could just sue and get both." Jeremy sighed. "But whatever."
Well...he still had a job then. Mike sighed. "And...and Springtrap?"
He felt nervous when Mark refused to look at him. Jeremy heaved another sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well...it's not like we could hide what was inside it. Management freaked out, found the tapes. If I wasn't nearly dead I think they would've fired me. Anyway, my next project after fixing the others is putting the two back together."
Two...? Mike sat up, gaping. "They're going to fix Springtrap?!"
"Apparently having a dead guy inside him isn't a problem." Jeremy mumbled dryly. "I have to remove the remains, put him together and he and Goldiebear are getting a show."
"We're not sure what'll happen...if he's going to be...sentient?" Mark frowned. "He might just be a robot..."
Mike sighed. "Golden Freddy would hate that..."
"Yeah but we all can't work around his shit. So once I get out of here, I get to pull out the remains and get him functioning again." Jeremy huffed and slowly got himself up unsteadily to his feet. "Newbie, mind giving me a hand?"
Mark wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Mike swallowed again. "Uh, Jeremy...I'm glad you're okay."
The blond chuckled. "Hey, someone's gotta make sure you don't fuck shit up right?"
He began limping out with Mark's help. It was only once he was nearly out the door that Mike caught sight of the huge wrap of bandages around Jeremy's ankle. Any warmth or happiness the guard had drained instantly when he realized the engineer's left foot was completely gone.
Mike laid back and couldn't find the strength to move for a long time.
xxxxxxx
His arm had indeed been broken. He had a few hundred shots to sit through to combat whatever diseases Springtrap likely had from sitting in the backroom for years and years, also since he had a decayed dead guy in him. He'd scar, he had puncture marks from the wires Chica had sewn him up with, and he was to be careful about eating since his throat was still very sore.
Mangle's bite marks had scarred as well. Mark didn't seem to mind so much, since they were out of the way. He was the first one released, and he came to visit every day to tell him and Jeremy about what was doing on. They'd cleaned up the restaurant and the animatronics could function but needed Jeremy's attention desperately. They also kept asking about them. They hadn't changed at all despite the absence of the child spirits.
Jeremy seemed to have it the worst. Springtrap had ripped through tendons and muscles, forcing them to amputate from his lower calf. He had physical therapy to deal with once they were sure he was okay. The engineer seemed to shrug it off easily, but Mike noticed he'd get quiet sometimes and stare off at nothing.
Recovery was slow. Mike was discharged next, and he promised Jeremy he'd come back with a burger or something since he kept complaining about not getting any decent food. Once he was out, Mike dragged himself to the pizza place.
He got a few well wishes from waiters as he made his way through. The place was closing, and some of them tried to convince him to head home. Why would anyone rush back here after nearly dying? But Mike smiled and brushed it off, hoping that they never realized how ironic that statement was.
The doors clicked locked and Mike was ambushed instantly as Bonnie jumped off the stage and hugged him.
"You had us all worried! Guys, Mike's here."
Mike patted Bonnie's shoulder. "H-hey, let me down. I'm okay, really..."
The purple bunny set him down as Foxy ran out from the cove. The pirate tackled him, making the guard wheeze as he was hugged too tight and spun around.
"Mike, ya scared us! We was convinced ya split on us."
Mike groaned in response. He was grateful when Foxy stopped spinning and he was shoved back on his feet. Shaking his head, he saw Freddy glaring at the fox, who looked on sheepishly. Chica helped him steady himself.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
Freddy heaved a sigh. "Really, Mr. Schmidt, we should be asking you that. Mr. Pliers explained to us what has been going on."
"Jeremy be okay?" Foxy asked.
The guard sighed. "Y-yeah, he's...doing better. I don't think it's hit him yet that he's...missing a leg. Um, but he'll be released soon so it's okay. He really can't wait to come back and get you guys fixed."
"I think we can wait." Chica shrugged.
Mike chuckled. Making a big show of reaching into his bag, he grinned when they all brightened up upon seeing his laptop and movies. "How about we ease back into things, hm?"
"I call first pick!" Chica said.
Freddy huffed. "Chica, I'm surprised by you." She winced, looking embarrassed. "Obviously I have much catching up to do with you three. I shall pick first."
"Hardly, I be thinkin' I do." Foxy argued.
Mike sighed. As the three argued, he leaned closer to Bonnie. "Wanna see how far we get into a movie before they notice?"
"Sounds fun!"
They didn't notice until the opening song went off. The five of them sat around the laptop and began watching. Freddy ignored the looks when he sang along, mumbling about overhearing the movie before. Mike felt relaxed as he sat there, letting them fight over the next movie with a roll of his eyes.
They were the same. He still had his friends, his family, hidden away in this little pizzeria. Mike grinned when Chica announced that Mike had to pick himself and he pretended not to notice when Golden Freddy appeared on the stage and watched as well. Not for the first time, and definitely not for the last, he silently thanked Jeremy for breaking in that night, and letting him befriend the animatronics around him.
He'd become the face of Freddy Fazbear's family.