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[11:50 AM] The Shadow Realm
/// Ten Minutes to Unveiling

"It's okay, Wyatt. You're okay." A boy wearing a bright yellow t-shirt comforted his friend. They both had sickly pale faces and thin limbs. They were surrounded by an empty black void that stretched into seemingly infinite directions.

"I don't want anyone else to be here." Said boy softly uttered in a way none of the other kids could hear. He  was bleeding from where the "mouth" in the logo would be on his Nashville Predators jersey. It looked sickening.

All eight of the children sensed a new child joining them. Two, rather. One was a blond-haired boy arriving with an angry expression on his spectacled face. The other was a chubbier boy sporting a black and gray striped shirt and a blood-stained pair of white headphones. The chubby one had an employee name tag, but he didn't look older than 10 years old.

"Why do you have a name tag?" A shorter brunette girl with a tag reading "Makayla S." asked.

"Yeah! Did you make it yourself? Cause what even is Fredbear's Family Diner?" A mixed race girl argued.

The blond boy decided it was his time to speak. "By the waaay, his dad k- k- killed me."

"Cass–"

"It's Marshall to you!"

"Marshy, we don't wanna scare 'em!"

"Oh, our names? Mine's Gage. Gage Willis!" The boy in the sunny shirt jokingly emphasized his name in a stereotypical Southern accent. This earned a couple laughs from the group of dead kids.

"I'm Wyatt." The jersey wearing boy simply said through a wall of tears.

"Guh- Good." Marshall growled. "Frr- ritz kinda s- s- sucked in the 80s."

"Marshall!" The Diner Manager's son nudged his fellow spirit for his offensive comment.

"How old are you guys?" MaKayla asked the duo.

"I died in 1983 at the hands of the person who now leads this building."

Marshall didn't respond with words, preferring to answer MaKayla's question with a nod.

"Who are the rest of y'all?" Mike asked, pointing to each child as he asked their name.

"Me and Marsh are your bosses."

"I'm not respecting that structure. Point blank."

"Don't think of us like that. Think of us like good friends!" The Bite Victim offered.

"I'll try."

"I don't like the idea of you guys not doing anything outside of helping us." A muscular boy with curly black hair and a voice not unlike Micheal's own, complained. He had a red University of Wisconsin tee on, and was a head and a half taller than his supposed leader.

"Luke! Chill out boy!" Gage rushed over in an effort to help.

"NO! HE AIN'T NO BOSS. HE'S AN EIGHT YEAR OLD NEPOTISTIC BABY!" Luke's yelling scared the Crying Child. He began to instinctively let out some tears, but Mike needed to remain strong.

"Do n- not y- y- yell at h- him! He d- d- does not l- like it." Marshall struggled to contain his boiling rage. In an effort to not explode at Luke, he simply talked at a normal volume, albeit stuttering a bit more than usual.

"FINE!" The football player stomped his foot in protest.

"And I'm Judah! I can't move my arms very much, so I hope I get some cool abilities." The boy in the power chair smiled at himself. Both Mike and Marshall felt like he would be a powerful ghost child.

"N- Now with the int- tr- tro- troduction out of the w- way, we c- can move on t- to our m- main order of b- b- bi- business: your a- ah- ani- anima–" Marshall began inhaling heavily due to the frustration with his own brain.

Why did his spiritual rage have to manifest in the form of a stutter? At least Mike talks the way he does because of how he died. Speaking of the young Afton, he opted to continue discussing the meeting's topic without him.

"Possess? So we are dead, then." Maddison seeked confirmation.

The children didn't like that. Gage, Wyatt, and MaKayla became sad at losing their prospect of life. The others, however, became angry and vengeful. Looking over at his fellow leader, Mike could see Marshall trying to desperately hide a smirk. The fifth Missing Child enjoyed feasting upon the Agony of the majority. Violence was all he knew, and he craved more of it.

The Crying Child didn't like that. He wanted to support his friends in a dark time, not thrive off their pain. So, he did what any good friend would do: hug the children. Gage immediately began to self-regulate; calming down within 30 seconds. Wyatt was similarly easy to calm, albeit sniffling for a bit longer than his more hyperactive companion. On the other hand, MaKayla was quite calmer than the other upset kids. Reading her face, Mike could still see a hint of sadness.

He tried to comfort her, but someone interrupted him. It was an adult. They had a purple vest on with a PizzaPlex name tag. It was the General Manager. Gregory Torres, himself. "Hey, kiddos. I just wanted to pop in to tell you that you've got five minutes to decide who you're going to be."

"GET OUT!!" Mike threatened. "This is my home. Leave. Now."

"I DON'T CARE!"

"I'll be that wolf from the racing area." Maddison offered out of desperation.

"Like the sound of that! Anyone else?" Gregory's tone became demanding; as if he wanted the children to take on the forms of the animatronics.

"I don't know who I want to be." Gage lamented. "Just give me anything you have."

"I'll be Monty, just cause I like sports." Luke proposed, to which the GM accepted.

"I might be Glamrock Bonnie. I just like the character." Wyatt thought fondly.

"I didn't know that."

"Of course I am!"

"Judah, Andrew? Who do you want the manager to turn you into?" Gage asked his friends, but when he turned to where his wheelchair-bound best friend would be, he saw no one. "Where did he go? And that blond kid is missing as well."

"Teleported away." Issac responded in his monotone vocal tone. "They probably went to massacre all the teachers. Judah would probably love to do that if he had the opportunity."

"He's pretty much a sadistic beast."

"Marshall would teach him how." Mike injected himself into the two's conversation.

"See. Proved my point."

Gregory's phone dinging prevented the argumentfrom going any further. It was time for the show to begin. With Andrew temporarily designated as Glamrock Freddy, the Fazbear band was ready to make their big debut...

[11:00] Freddy Fazbear's Mega PizzaPlex | Main Atrium

This is the Fazbear Entertainment Broadcasting Network. Listen live in Pizzerias, Diners, PizzaPlexes, Distribution Centers, and Corporate Offices across the US. Now back to The Fritz Show on...

PizzaPlex Radio!!!

"Welcome back to The Fritz Show on this Friday the 13th in the month of April. If you've just clocked in, or started eating your pizza, I'm broadcasting live from Freddy Fazbear's Mega PizzaPlex in Nashville, Tennessee! We've had some Team Leads run the show for the past hour while I showed my daughter and some of her friends around, but now, I'm back.

Joining me is General Manager Gregory Torres. Long-term employees may recognize that name. We'll get to that controversy in a minute. But, first of all, welcome to Fazbear Entertainment Radio, Gregory!"

"Good morning, Fritz. I am very privileged to have the chance to sit down with you for a couple hours today. I want to welcome everyone listening on Freddy Fazbear's Pizza Radio and Fredbear's Family Diner Radio. Also can't forget about our absolute troopers in the Supply Chain and in our Real Estate Development division. Those teams made this whole complex possible."

"I also believe we have Fazbear TV here as well, so I think we might be streaming to all 6,000 locations, plus the break rooms in our auxiliary facilities."

"I like the visual component of this, because we have a new series of animatronics developed exclusively for the PizzaPlex. They are called the Glamrocks. Powered by the latest in generative artificial intelligence, so think of ChatGPT but it's designed to sell more pizza."

"Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"But in all seriousness, when our CTO says that Fazbear is a technology company that sells pizza and brings happiness to kids on the side, she means it! We've partnered with Microsoft to make a child friendly AI experience that is tailored to have lifelike, age-appropriate conversations and information. You can tell one of our animatronics to Google something, if you wanted to."

"I'm just picturing someone trying to trick Freddy into dropping the F bomb." Fritz doubled over with laughter as he laughed at the absurdity of what he just said.

"Hopefully that won't happen. Maybe at another location."

"Ooh, other locations? Tell me more."

"Yeah, so Real Estate Development is hoping to build more of these experiences across the United States. Off the top of my head, I believe we will start construction on a Las Vegas PizzaPlex next year."

"Are you allowed to say that?"

"I don't know. You can fire me at the end of day, since you are the Senior Vice President of Communications."

"We have a President of Communications, who then reports to the Chief Marketing Officer. I don't talk to the media, the President does. CMO doesn't either unless it's a major rebrand. All of that's to say, I'm not allowed to fire you.

But my boss can fire me for going over the segment limits. So, the Fazbear Entertainment Broadcasting Network will return after the next three songs on the radio, or after this commercial break on TV."

After this week, we all need some feel good songs to put us in a good mood. It's Feel Good Friday... on PizzaPlex Radio!

[11:03] Main Stage

Seeing the stage from the eyes of the animatronics felt different. It somehow felt larger, even though they themselves also grew. The atrium also seemed limitless, with a blackened sky only illuminated by blue and purple neon lights. The whole room was awe-inspiring.

It was clear that the children had not yet moved in their new bodies, as the animatronics' movements were stiff and clunky. Their nods looked like something a bobble head would produce, not what the management team wanted out of their state-of-the-art animatronics.

Turning away from the animatronics, Kasen reached for his toolbelt, which included his company-provided walkie-talkie. When the Area Manager grabbed it, he pressed the "Talk" button and began to speak:

"Cassidy Brooks, please state your location."

"Main Café."

"It's not your break time. Go to room A101 for your training."

"Okay. And my name's Marshall."

"10-4!"

"Micheal Afton, please state your location."

"I don't know where I am."

"Can you give me a room number?"

"F025."

"That's the loading docks. Can you come to A101 for me? It's right by the main entrance."

"I don't know how to get there. Could you help me?"

"Yeah. I need to get into my work phone, though."

"I don't know if the atrium has any phones. Unless they're hidden?"

"I forget the last time you experienced was over 40 years ago. Today, all our phones are small slabs of glass that can fit in our pockets and work almost anywhere."

"That's pretty convenient!"

"It is. Anyways, I need to check the work part of it to get directions. I'll disconnect for just a moment."

"OK!"

"Hey, Mike? It's Kasen, your manager."

"Hey. Do you know how I can get into the room?"

"Are you still in the Loading Docks?"

"Yep."

"Okay. Do you see a long corridor going out to the café?"

"Yeah."

"Go down that way, but turn before you get to the cafeteria."

"OK."

Waiting for about two minutes, Mike's boss began speaking to his trainee again.

"Have you reached an intersection between corridors?"

"I passed it already."

"What side of the building are you on? Do you see any signs telling you where you are?"

"I'm at the east Atrium stairs. Where does that go?"

"That's in-between Monty Golf and Kids Cove. I'm at the stage, so I'll probably see you come out."

"I'm pretty big, so you'll definitely see me!"

"Use the underground passageways, then. If you're bragging about your size, I don't think you should be out in the atrium."

"I don't really care about revealing my true form."

"Well, I do. We've got cameras out here, members of the media, and a huge crowd of students and teachers. Use the basement connections, please."

"You win. Where do I need to go?"

"Are you still in the basement?"

"Yeah. Should I go to the other side of the building?"

"Yes, you have to be on the western side. There's a stairwell that connects with the main entrance. It's by the Server Room."

"Where's that?"

"Go down the hall. Don't go into the docks by accident."

"So turn at the café?"

"Yeah. Where it says Corridor S2, turn left there. Then, continue down that way."

"Alright. When I get there, where do I go next?"

"When you see a stairwell icon, follow the sign!"

Kasen's enthusiasm seemed to trigger something within the tangled child, for loud stomping echoed was heard not just physically, but virtually as well. Mike seemed to be invigorated, and the Area Manager wanted to keep him that way. Happily squealing, Mike said:

*Switches channel*

Placing his walkie-talkie back into his toolbelt, the CAS Manager began to traverse the large crowd. He wasn't one-fourth of the way to the escalators before a teacher stopped him to ask him a question.

"I don't seen my group of kids. I thought this is the meet-up point at the end of the trip?"

"Who was their chaperone?"

"I don't know. I think it was a young girl. No, that was the person that gave them their wristbands."

"Yes, please. I remember those incidents in Utah, and I don't want my kids to be a repeat of that."

Millions of thoughts were swirling through Kasen's mind as he walked with the teacher. Was the group of kids that she spoke killed by Fazbear? Was there an accidental victim? Or was this person just trying to smear their name? The only way to find out was to talk to Tim, who was one of the leaders who reported to him.

"There's a secret door to access the atrium. Only accessible to Area Managers and Team Leads." The superior said while unlocking the aforementioned locked door. "Alright, I lied. Regular Team Members can open this door. But there's also another one that connects the stocking room for these restaurants and the back offices in the lobby."

"Where are we going?" The unknown teacher asked.

"Training Office. It's behind the registration desk."

Dozens of Fazbear merchandise appeared before the duos eyes when they snuck inside the lower level of Glamrock Gifts.

"Would you let the kids pick out any toys at a discount?" Their teacher asked.

"No, Miss– What's your name?"

"Potter. Shawn Potter."

"Kasen, what are you doing up here this early?" A black man asked his boss with a drop of accusation. "I thought the meeting would be at 12?"

"I have a new leader to train, two in fact."

"What sectors are they assigned to?"

"Rockstar Row. We still need someone to oversee the FazPad."

"And what are you doing with that guest?"

"She's one of the teachers who came today for the play testing. Lost her group of kiddos."

"How awful! Do you need anything from me, ma'am?"

"Are you in charge of the registration desk?"

"No, that's Timothy. He's on break right now, but I can page him."

"You can't." Kasen interrupted. "You're just a Team Lead, so you can't pull another lead from their break. I'll do it."

"I need Tim back to the Registration Desk for a customer inquiry."

"I'm on my break. Can Dennis handle it?"

"He doesn't have access to the Guest Profile system; only the POS."

"What do they need?"

"Missing child report."

"Call S&S on the intercom."

"10-4!"

Turning to the guest that started this game of telephone, the Common Area Services Manager relayed what Tim told him. For good measure, he also paged for Safety & Security. "I have to go to an orientation. Stay in Glamrock Gifts or the mezzanine floor." The salaried member of management told Ms. Potter.

[11:16] Common Area Services Team Lead Office

Jogging across the hall to Lost & Found, Kasen entered a discreet door which perfectly blended in with the surrounding lockers. This brought him to the hallway connecting both the Team Lead Office for his area, and the Valet Parking Desk. Using his manager key, he effortlessly opened the door to uncover the translucent form of Cassidy Brooks, now preferring to go by Marshall.

"Hey, Marshall. Where's your friend at?"

"He got st- stuck in a doorfr- fra- frame."

"I'M HERE!" Said boy screamed as he teleported into the room.

"Oh." The child of William glanced down at himself, finding a Fredbear's Family Diner name tag. "I think that's why that girl pointed it out to me. I never worked there, though."

"So you don't know how you got it, then?"

"Sadly, yes."

"Also, where you put whatever you're possessing?"

"I got a bit lazy, so I wrapped him around the stairs."

"Who's 'him'?"

"Yep." Marshall confirmed.

"We're dead already." Mike told his boss in a monotone way that shocked everyone in the room.

"You guys will dissipate anyway because of the heat. Ghosts don't like strong temperatures. So, getting back to what I was saying, please remove your tangle of robot spaghetti from the only staircase connecting the unsecured zone to the basement." The last part was said rather irritated, as if Kasen needed to say something similar to countless other workers.

"Okay." Mike accepted.

"What's that?"

"199- 3?" The other Fredbear spirit guessed.

"Alright."

"I don't have a password. What do I put in that box?"

"Nothing. Just hit 'Launch On-boarding' and it'll tell you to create one."

"I don't know what these things even are? Why do I need them?"

"B- Ba- Both of us are d- dead. Legal re- qui- quirements be damned!" Marshall chuckled.

"Oh, yeah. I see it!"

"Do I just hit 'next'?"

"When I selected my role, it said hourly. What does that mean?"

"How would we pos- possess our suits, th- then?" Marshall asked.

"Would I h- have to do tr- tr- training?"

"I kinda want kick some of those Academy Trainers' butts." The blond boy smirked.

"What wa- would that look lie- like?"

"W- Will we be p- puh- pun- punished?"

"Yes. But both of you need to get back to your training.">

"Okay."

"Am I con- considered und- d- der- age?"

"I'll just pr- press no, then."

"Th- Thanks."

"YES!" Marshall enthusiastically yelled. Taking a sigh of relief, he laid his hands down onto the keyboard.

"Wha- What does i- it look like?"

"Did they get d- double pay?"

"Yes, but only for two weeks."

"I'm done as well. Where do I go in the system?" Mike asked.

"So, go to that side menu and hit 'Your Team'"

"Click 'view all roles'."

"It's giving me the names of all the animatronics with numbers next to them."

"That's different from my view. Let me peek at your screen."

"I'm guessing that form is the Team Lead version of the Assignment View from my dashboard. If I had your version of MyFazbear, I'd like the site more than I do now. Cause right now, the Area Manager edition kinda sucks." Mike giggled at his boss's comment.

"Do I just sign off now?" The chubby crybaby asked.

"Where's the break room?"

"In the basement. Right under the stairwell."

"W- Wanna give me a pi- piggyb- back ride, Mikey?"

"YEAH!"

The former duo of Golden Freddy spirits teleported away into a sea of yellow mist.

Looking out into the empty entrance area, Kasen began to ponder his new life among the dead children. The Academy Trainers referred to Salaried positions like his as 'permanently clocked in'. Now, he saw how true they were. He was always at work. Just like those children.

They were only children...