Prologue
Ah Freddy Fazbears, the only place where children and adults alike could celebrate with innovative animatronics for special occasions. Unfortunately, what was once a beacon of potential was now a building on its last legs financially and physically. The two missing children incidents took a big blow to the company’s public image, leading to a massive loss in revenue due to a lack of customers. The cost of having so many animatronics still meant their hygiene was suffering from grime and stench. Changes were going to have to be made for the company to survive.
It was well known at this point to anyone working that the animatronics were sentient, coming alive at night to bother the night guards. Over time though they began to become more…human. They could articulate their words better outside of garbled noise. Even Mangle, the most audibly hard-to-understand animatronic to date, had figured out how to say simple words and sentences. They also appeared somewhat mature at times but were still hostile to newcomers, the Puppet becoming the most protective of the animatronics.
Mike at this point had mixed feelings about them. At best, they were decent company to talk with when they weren’t trying to maim you. At worst, they were a nuisance that could potentially kick your ass if not ready. Still, there wasn’t much else he could do or another better-paying job he could get so this hellhole was it.
[6:04 AM. March 16th, 1998]
Mike, Jeremy, and Fritz were packing up their things from the night shift. Balloon Boy had been especially annoying tonight, stealing not only the flashlight batteries but Mike’s flip phone, which led to a needlessly long chase around the building. By the time it was over they were all tired and ready to leave as soon as possible. Mike closed his locker, holding onto Jeremy half-sleeping on his shoulder. “Come on, time to go.” He gave Jeremy a small shove, helping him gain some semblance of living before leaving.
Mike is a darker-skinned adult man who acted seriously during work (mostly due to stress). After an accident during the dayshift, he was forced to go bald and regularly maintain the stitches on his arms. He is tall compared to the other guards and seems unapproachable unless you’re already close to him.
“Mmn… tonight could’ve gone better…” Jeremy mumbled rubbing his eyes.
Jeremy was by far the shortest of the Guards sporting curly, fluffy brown hair and an array of freckles all over his face. His eyesight was by far the worst as well, only able to see the vague shape and colors of the guards (not like he could afford glasses or contacts on Fazbear’s minimum wage). He is anxious both in performance and social interaction before he grew closer to the other guards. He could comfortably talk to Fritz about their interests and recommendations to each other while finding comfort in being with Mike.
“Yeah but at least we don’t have the night shift until Thursday.” Fritz came over with his duffle bag, pausing to stretch and crack his back. Fritz was an older guard of the group, featuring a bigger build, messy ginger hair, and round glasses. He did have a beard but recently shaved part of it as tiny stubbles of hair poking out of his face. “Scott and Vincent should be here by now, get home safe guys.”
“Yeah you too.”
They all walked to the main area where Scott and Vincent were waiting for them to switch off. Scott was somehow both an enigma and the most “normal” guard of the bunch. He is the straight man to the rest of the shenanigans happening around Freddy’s, usually working on finances or any management the company shoves onto him. The only odd part about him is his insistence on wearing a giant red rotary telephone over his head, with glasses over it. It is unclear if the glasses make a difference in his vision, but the rest of the guards have a long bet going on about who will get to see his face first (if the phone is even removable).
If Scott is the straight man Vincent is the exact opposite. He is the chaos incarnate that has simmered a bit (but not much) over time. His skin due to a prank gone wrong was permanently dyed purple with his eyes being a blinding stark white (due to contacts but he denies it). He also had a slight stubble on his chin and black hair with a dyed purple streak, bound into a tiny ponytail.
“You guys look like shit,” Scott remarked.
“No kidding, I swear if the company doesn’t put that menace out of commission I will myself…” Mike crossed his arms clearly annoyed.
“Unless you want to lose your job go right ahead.”
“Oh shut up Scott. The only reason why they haven’t fired you is that you’re the company’s lapdog. Why do you keep pushing yourself when you’re this miserable?!”
Scott and Mike continued to argue for a bit before Fritz noticed something odd in the corner. “Uhhh guys, that’s not normal right?” Everyone turned to look at the supposed suspicious activity but found nothing.
“Fritz what the hell are you talking about? There’s nothing there.”
“Seriously dude it’s right there?” Fritz was referring to a thin, blue, vertical line slowly growing bigger and wider.
“Maybe we should just leave…” Jeremy mumbled. But it was too late. The tiny, odd tear that Fritz had mentioned had cracked further and further, bigger, and bigger until it was a massive hole in the middle of the building. None of them could bare to look away or leave at the clearly supernatural force happening in front of them.
“Oh shit-!“ Suddenly, gravity was receding as Mike and his bag were being pulled toward the tear. The others: Jeremy, Fritz, Scott, and Vincent were also being pulled into the tear as cameras and electricity went out in the building. The animatronics were safe as they were too heavy to be pulled in but watched in awe as to what was happening. Mike managed to grab onto a wall, trying to hold onto Jeremy before they both were sucked in, and darkness took over.