It's so dark.

You couldn't see anything—rather, everything was so blurry. A cloud of smoke filled your vision, the mist of grey covering the somewhat warm metallic pipes of the area. Metal overstretched for a platform, the narrow hallway of pipes and steam filled your vision. March forward, and the dim lights of the hall slowly faded into nothingness. The morbid silence followed the darkness of what's onward, the only source of light being the one above you on the high ceiling—this place is so familiar, yet at the same time, it wasn't.

"(Y/N)..."

A familiar voice rang your ears, it was echoing in the hallow path—it was making you shudder, but it was also intriguing you to know where it came from.

You walked forward, step after the other led to hollow clinking of your low heel against the metallic platform, the sound echoing at your wake. The longer you walked, the darker the scene becomes. But still, you kept moving forward. Light being evidently devoid of its presence.

At the far end you could see something—the only hue different from the array of darkness beyond your vision. Two red dots were prominent, they were glowing, staring intently back at you with the same intensity that made you pause.

Why do they look so... familiar?

You were just about to step forward when the two red dots—whom you assumed were eyes, turned and vanished into the darkness, making you abruptly increase your pace from walking to running.

"Hey—wait!" you called out to the mysterious entity who revealed themselves earlier via their red eyes, finding yourself compelled to know just what it was—

But before you could get far, you overlooked the line of pipe on the metallic flooring that crossed to the other wall, making you trip and lose your balance.

You closed your eyes and awaited the inevitable impact. You did, a solid platform met your body as you lost balance, but it wasn't cold metal that met your impact—rather, it was warm.

By the time you opened your eyes, the scenery was different. The lights were bright, and orangey hue met your sight. Your hand grazed around the flooring to feel its warmth—it was the carpeted floor covering the whole room, Glamrock Freddy's greenroom.

You couldn't help but groan from the numbing sensation—you must've fell from Freddy's couch.

How wonderful.

It didn't take long for you to recall that you took the night shift the night before, and due to your fatigue from going around with Vanessa, you were inevitably a victim succumbing to the calm of sleep.

The lights were dimly lit despite the day already starting, the main lights of his greenroom were switched off—and the curtains were securely shut, not an ounce of light from outside could pass through the gaps that once allowed limited visuals. On the floor where you fell on laid the Freddy-themed blanket which he hides somewhere nearby, the carpet was cleaned—as if it was recently broomed or vacuumed. Finally, plush dolls littered the couch, and some were on the floor, following your recent fall.

Your things were on top of Freddy's vanity, your phone, flashlight, tablet, and even the taser was left there. You groggily rubbed your sore hip from the impact of the fall earlier, your face no longer tingling with the sensation of hurt. You immediately stood up, grabbed the fallen objects from the floor and nearly arranged them back on the couch. The blanket was folded neatly to be set just beside the couch, far from visibility of the outside. You probably assumed that the inactive lights in the greenroom, as well as the securely shut curtains, that Freddy must've been here a moment ago and decided against waking you up. Thus, to allow you longer rest, he didn't turn on all the lights and kept the curtains closed. For how he managed to talk the management from opening the curtains, you don't know. But given his usual personality and gestures—considering that you've been with him for a few months now, you could only guess the former.

You checked the time through your phone—it was a little over eight in the morning, half the hour before nine. Perhaps, you could just take the dayshift and nightshift altogether today? Since you barely did anything the night before. It would be a shame if you chose not to do anything despite being paid.

Besides, more time with the gang is something you always looked forward to.

You made sure to make yourself presentable—fixing your hair and straightening your otherwise creased uniform, you attached your things back on the belt holster and updated your tablet, switching it to daytime tasks. You didn't need to clock in for the morning, since you never left. The tablet will show your activity anyways. It's a good thing that you didn't have much to do last night, or they'll question how 6 AM passed without accomplishing the said tasks.

The doors automatically opened upon your exit, your flashlight strapped onto your belt holder while your tablet laid rest in your hands, devoid of light and activity for the time being. Your eyes wandered around the area; there were numerous customers already despite the Pizzaplex just opening for a few minutes.

Clearly, the Pizzaplex has just been that popular for people to wait outside for opening hours to begin.

You greeted customers that passed by you—the children being much more courteous to smile and wave back. Their innocent eyes filled with unrestrained excitement has effectively dissipated your fatigue, despite spending the night—again, in Freddy's greenroom, you still managed to make yourself look a little fresh. You'll just take a little detour to the restrooms should you need to touch up.

Vanessa would probably be present tonight during her shift, the thought of Vanessa simply gave you this peculiar feeling.

It reminds you so much of that dream.

A wave of déjà vu send shivers down your spine at this very moment, you recalled the scenes that played within your slumbering hours, the hint of familiarity just gives you the presumption that you've seen it before.

That voice, that whisper.

The solid yet shaky voice called your name in that dream, it was leading you somewhere. It looked to be a sector of the Utility Tunnels, yet at the same time, it wasn't. Was this one of the dreams you've heard Vanessa mention before? If so, why are you getting it as well?

Who exactly was that... in your dream?

Your thoughts were cut to a pause when you heard music, cheers, laughter. It seems, that the on-point shows must've begun.

Have you been wandering and about, and thinking for the past few minutes that long?

You went up the elevators to the Main Atrium, hearing the music and cheers growing louder as you neared the main stage area. The central area was crowded with customers and youths alike, the band now situated and playing up the stage. Freddy taking the lead as the singer, Chica and Roxy on either side of the stage, and Bonnie situated right beside Freddy. However, what piqued your interest is Monty's absence from eye's view. You had to inch closer and survey the whole area to finally spot Monty.

He wasn't on the stage, though, he was watching on the side lines, having exited his attraction a moment ago. You took the liberty to approach him and see why he wasn't on the stage like the rest of the animatronics.

His eyes were glued to the performance playing up front, yet his eyes were... sort of downcast.

Considering you've been with them for months, you already learned how to read their expressions despite their permanent facial façade, and this doesn't look too good at all.

"Monty?" you carefully called his name when you managed to reach his side, he just looked to be in a trance that he failed to register your presence beside him.

He seemed to snap out of it for a moment and glanced down at you, his expression of longing fading almost immediately. "Officer? I didn't expect to see you here. Weren't you resting in Freddy's greenroom?" he inquired, turning his body to fully face you. Of course, ensuring that his tail won't accidentally trip anything or anyone.

Due to the ongoing show, the other customers didn't bother fawning over Monty, it seems, the only thing they shouted were the names of Bonnie, then Freddy, then the other two girls on stage. Not a single voice called out Monty's name, it could've been the reason why Monty was able to decipher your voice.

You were the only one who called his name.

"I could ask you the same question. I'm taking the dayshift, but what about you? Why aren't you on stage with the rest?" you decided to ask, finding the answer to his question quite obvious. However, he on the other hand—he isn't booked for today, right? Only birthday parties that books animatronic rentals could excuse them from being absent on stage.

If your memory serves you right, there weren't any rentals for the entirety of the morning, just in the afternoon where Freddy and Bonnie were booked out—well, maybe Roxy if the notes were really updated. However, Monty should be available for the whole day, right?

"Well..." he dragged, adverting crimson eyes for a moment before looking back at you, his hand lightly rubbing the back of his head, lightly brushing against his mohawk. "I was entertaining guests in my attraction, I told the management that I needed to be there." He reasoned; eyes focused on your frame.

You could only raise a brow in suspicion at his refute. "Really? Because in the centralized memo in my assigned tablet, the management claims that you were absent from the scene for far too long that they had to start without you. Even with a tracker, you're still hard to find." You gestured for your tablet, using your finger to navigate and personally show him the data updated in real-time by the management. It was something you read a moment ago before coming here.

But the question is, why?

A sigh left the animatronic's mouth as he looked back on the stage, seeing the crowd cheering as the band played another song. "Remember the conversation we had a few nights ago? When Bonnie first appeared in the Pizzaplex?" he questioned, looking back at you. His tail was lightly swaying, serving as some kind of barricade to prevent the customers from accidentally bumping into you.

"I do, is there... something wrong?" you cautiously asked, following his line of sight previously, catching a glimpse of Bonnie's rigid actions while playing the guitar. "Is it... Bonnie?" you looked back at him, your query making him shift for a moment.

"It's... the same scenario. I just feel so... out of place lately." He adverted his gaze, his voice lower than usual, ensuring that the customers around would not pay attention to his words of slight insecurity and self-isolation. "Whenever he appears, he suddenly grabs all the attention—like I don't even exist anymore. When I walk around the Pizzaplex, they'd scream my name and approach me but now..." He paused before he says anything else that could potentially do more harm than not.

You earnestly listened to every which word that left the animatronic, shifting your weight from one leg to another. "You know what? They're clearly missing out. You're awesome just the way you are! And besides, its just a hype of a trend, you'll be back in popularity lane in no time!" you cheered him on, in hopes of changing his perception with a gleeful change.

However, it didn't do much as the performance went on.

"Look, Monty." You placed a hand on his arm, nudging him to come closer to you. "I haven't been in your golf course for so long. I'd love to learn a thing or two from the champion himself!" a distraction is just what he needs, it's obvious.

He has been insecure with himself for so long that a tiny patch of disregard from the rest is enough to tip him into this swirl of emotions. You once thought that Roxy was quite insecure—but Monty was so much more. Then again, their sentience overtime has been improving, adapting, and even evolving—human emotions being introduced to them was a surreal instance that they had to accommodate and learn.

However, these humanly emotion is what brings them to this endless spiral of mental jeopardy. They know how it works, but are they knowledgeable enough to handle it should the event happen upon themselves?

"I've got nothing else to do at the moment, why not?" he attempts in giving you one of his signature smiles, but his true emotions were visible beneath. Still, despite his automated voice box which could easily mask and disguise his true feelings—his sentience just made it difficult to remain... as robots.

They are slowly shifting into becoming more human day by day.

Despite the odds, you simply gave a smile. Should you point out the obvious, he might end up losing it all in the moment's time of emotion.

In the end, the alligator for an animatronic made way, clearing the path by ushering customers to give space, just so both you and he could leave the area without bumping into anyone else. The customers obliged—barely, none or so paid special attention to the fact that it was the animatronic himself whom ushered them.

It somehow made you frown, sure, it's a good change for people to stop mauling over the animatronic but discipline was not the reason, and you know it.

The people were more excited in looking forward to see Bonnie, the hype of that trend still refuses to decline, and day by day, Bonnie simply grew more popular. It wont be long before his own popularity far exceeds Freddy's.

The journey to Monty's Gator Golf was fast, there were lesser people by the entrance since most customers had left to meet with Bonnie. It just so happens that he's roaming the Main Atrium's central area, and then he'll return to his own attraction and perform there.

The bowling alley has never had this many customers in one sitting, and it was always whenever the bunny animatronic was around.

In the end, you know the reason all too well, Bonnie was the original, just like Freddy.

However, those thoughts were inevitably pushed all the way onto the back of your head. For now, your focus was to make Monty feel better, to erase the insecurity which he suffers right now.

Though undoubtedly devoid of true experience, it shouldn't hinder you from trying. After all, you know well on how it feels to feel like... an outcast.

"Any track you'd fancy?" Monty questioned, pulling you back to reality from the void of thoughts which spiraled through your head.

You shook your head for a moment to clear those thoughts away, looking around to notice the humid-like scenery of his Gator Golf. The mechanical alligators on the creek emphasized the hue of realism, and lights illuminated the swamp-like environment which the management tried so hard to turn into false reality—an experience worth a lifetime to view.

Then, further inside laid a variety of course tracks which caters to all difficulties and joys of the customers. Some were easy, some were quite difficult. In the end, the joyous moment is what truly matters.

"What about that one?" you pointed to a direction, somewhere just a few walks away laid a relatively easy course. The gentle wave of the barriers resembling a loose 'S' shape meant for beginners who are only practicing recently.

You played before, but never more did you practice even for a moment.

The animatronic went ahead to get the golf clubs, the stand, and the ball. You were left with your own comfort for that very moment, yet you didn't mind. There were several guests taking the leisure, but not many. Most were just teens who've taken a fancy of the game, while some were aged adults who also mastered the skill of wielding the club.

You approached the course you've previously chosen, seeing as no one else was occupying the spot. You pondered over the words you'd like to tell Monty. Ever since their peak of sentience, they've been behaving too much like how humans do, it became quite an interesting feat to watch their growth like a sibling. However, their nature still stands between who they are, and what they are. As much as you refuse to admit it, they're still artificial entities.

"So, do you want to go first?" Monty's voice once again interrupted your train of thought. Not at all did you minded; it was a good wake-up call.

"You go easy on me; it's been a while since I've played." You jested, earning a hearty laugh from the alligator.

The next few hours simply involved you and Monty playing golf. By the time you got tired, Monty volunteered to treat you to some pizza by the tables nearby. It could've been meaningful if only you didn't have the unlimited food benefit. But then again, who are you to complain?

What matters the most was the fact that you were somewhat able to distract the animatronic from his moment of self-depreciation.

He led you to a table, around it were two curved couches that resembled concaves enveloping the said table. A box of pizza was present as well as your favorite milkshake. You couldn't help but smile as you took a seat, finding the sight of the sweet drink enticing you to relieve your fatigue.

The animatronic took a seat on the other side, the couch being able to accommodate his size fairly well while his tail rested on the long end of the couch itself. "Man, didn't even realized its almost lunch time." He chuckled to himself and opened the box. "Go ahead and eat! I can assure you that Monty's Mystery Mix is the best flavor there is!"

His enthusiasm made you stifle out a small laugh, taking his word for it and began taking a bite of a slice. The funky combination of flavors brought quite a few mixed thoughts to spiral your mind, but it was evidently just as good anyways. Perhaps this mix will most likely be famous with people who likes to try the oddest of the odd.

You're one of those people.

"See? I told you so." He leaned back at the couch for a moment before grabbing ahold of a certain object placed there out of visual reach. It was his orange guitar, a signature instrument he long inherited from Bonnie over the past few months to years.

You immediately took notice of the instrument, chewing on the slice of pizza before swallowing to clear your throat. You didn't want to choke on your food now. "Well, I didn't know you'd bring your instrument out while you're outside performance hours." You commented in slight bewilderment since he was always against the idea of playing music anywhere else other than on stage.

"I wouldn't bring it with me on normal occasions, but you're a special case." He leaned back, just enough to give him some more room. His clawed fingers grazed the strings of his instrument before beginning to strum.

You attentively kept your eyes on him, it was the first time you saw him willingly play—you'd definitely be a fool to miss it.

He wasn't playing any specific tune, nor any specific songs. He was just strumming. The melodic symphony of his rhythmic strumming puts you at ease.

It reminds you so much of Freddy when he used to play with the guitar at night. Perhaps, it was a common talent shared between the animatronics who fancies that instrument? You couldn't find the thought to fathom.

"You should play like that more often, it's a soothing change." You blurted without thinking, only minding your words by the time you finished them. It was just your luck that the animatronic didn't seem to react adversely to that thought.

"You know my image around here, I'm the wild animatronic who rocks this place out. They'll probably think I need maintenance care if I simply shifted into this acoustic phase." He laughed for a moment, yet the strumming didn't cease. His movements were slow but calming.

"So? It doesn't have to be on stage, you could go play anywhere." You clasped your hands together for a moment. "You could utilize the show stage here in your Gator Golf! You rarely go up there nowadays." You suggested, casting a glance towards the show stage just a few meters away, right at the center front of the attraction.

The animatronic followed your gaze for a moment before continuing with his strumming. "I've been busy, but I'll see what I could do. I mean, if you're in the crowd I'd gladly be on stage." He gave a small wink, again, his miniscule of actions unfailing.

You couldn't help but smile, "I'm flattered." Your voice came out softer than you anticipated, like the thoughts from moments ago temporarily ceased from your mind. However, there was more to it than you presumed.

"Hey... Monty..." you suddenly began, the warm smile from your expression earlier now began to fade. "I've been meaning to ask..."

The automated entity paused his ministrations, looking over to you with concern, his strumming now ceased to nothingness. "Is there something wrong...?" he quietly asked, unsure if his words were picked correctly. However, he was still able to take note of your change in tone and expression. As an entity of the same origin as Freddy, he could also sense your change in vitals.

"I didn't want to bring this up, but could you recall anything about what happened... to Vanessa and I? You know, those few months ago." You brought up one topic that you and the rest no longer bring up in casual conversations.

That night was... a whole lot more dreadful than the rest. It was one memory you wished you could eternally forget.

But dreams, Vanessa's experiences lately, all of which just leads to your presumption that memories are coming back, and the past just begun in haunting you.

You were unsure, but what if that was the case to begin with? You were already living the life of beautiful colors that a slight reminder of the past just irks you.

But is there something more to it? you never knew what happened prior that incident, nor who was responsible for that occurrence.

"That's... a difficult question." He admitted, his eyes gazing away for a moment before meeting eyes with yours. "I don't think I could help with that. As you already know, Freddy is like the mother computer connected with us. If you want answers, you should ask him." He paused for a moment, shifting his position to sit more properly. "He knows better than all of us."

That exact line, it rings a bell somehow. Its just that you couldn't really ring the bell to find out just where you've heard it before.

"So, he's the only one who could know..." you trailed off for a moment in thought. Sure, asking Freddy of such information is very easy. The problem that surfaces revolves around the fact that Freddy himself is still in the process of recovering his lost data. The memory data of those few months prior the incident was still there, but it was locked and corrupted. There was still a way to salvage the said data even if only, but mere bits and pieces were to be left.

Based on Freddy's explanation in the prior weeks, he mentioned that his past self—rather, his state before the reset had deliberately conducted the process of automatically backing up data at certain moments. Kind of like an automatic back-up procedure of data to ensure a copy should anything else happens, it's an automatic procedure which Freddy has grown accustomed to doing. Was it because he was already suspicious or something? Or was he merely being cautious enough to secure it?

Either way, the data is stored and locked, a passcode which Freddy himself has set prior reset remains secured in the said data. Only Freddy knows the passcode, but his reset had deliberately made him forget.

Until now, after many months that passed, the animatronic still strives to recover that passcode through digging deep into his memory chips. The perpetrator who has harmed both you and Vanessa still roams out in the open, possibly waiting to strike back should their initial objective be still left undone.

But that's the problem, you have no idea what exactly their aim is to begin with. What guarantee could be made that they won't come back?

The loss of intel drives you very much weary.

"What made you ask that? I mean, didn't we agree to never speak of that incident since its in the past?" the animatronic questioned, seeing as you've been silent for quite some time now. It was making him quite concerned that he sets aside his guitar and focused entirely on you.

"Vanessa told me about... whispers in her dreams. She's certain that its linked to the incident a few months ago. Earlier this morning I took a nap by Freddy's greenroom." You trailed off for a moment, narrowing your gaze in the distance, trying to recall what you were supposed to remember. "I had this weird dream...."

"Dream? Sounds kind of odd. Can you tell me more about it? If it's alright, of course." He questioned, still remaining a safe distance away from your personal boundaries.

Monty could be seen as a haywire entity whose life goal is simply to play wildly. However, if one were to take the chance to actually get to know him, their views will be changed, and a different side of Monty could be possibly witnessed. Just like how you witnessed his calm, serene, and soft side.

"It's fine." You reassured and leaned on the backrest of your seat, allowing the cushion to somewhat soothe your back. "Earlier in my sleep, I had this dream. It looked like... the Utility Tunnels."

"Utility Tunnels?" Monty cut you off for a moment before clearing his throat. "Uh, sorry, please continue."

You only eyed him playfully for a moment as well. "As I was saying, I dreamed of the Utility Tunnels. It was kind of dark, and steam was everywhere. I can't remember the other details, but I recall red eyes." You paused once again to await for any reactions that could escape his eyes, it was better than being cut off mid-sentence.

"Red eyes... I'm sorry, could you be a little more clearer? As you know, I also have red eyes." It wasn't that he was offended, but rather, red has always been a violent and concerning color. Red being a color of warning could easily tick someone up their wits.

"It wasn't just any red eyes, Monty. It was something... different. They were not the size of ordinary animatronics, nor any other mechanical entities." You released a sigh of disappointment, closing your eyes for a moment as if the exact same scene spiraled your mind in the darkness. "I heard someone call my name in that dream, the voice was oddly familiar." It was another point you recalled, and nothing more after that.

"And? What happened after?" he seemed eager to get all the details as much as possible, his mechanical mind concocting what possible solutions could be found thereto.

"Nothing, I tripped in that dream and fell. I woke up on Freddy's carpet by the time I opened my eyes." You evidently ended the entire conversation while crossing your arms, a look of dissatisfaction evident in your expression. "It intrigues me, you know? After what Vanessa told me, I feel like I'll soon be near recalling things from the past. As much as it brings me bewilderment to know that I'm slowly recovering, it still scares me."

"Why? You're basically recalling the past, its an improvement sign to your condition. If anything, you should be trying to recall more as much as possible." He insisted, finding this occurrence somewhat of a good sign, yet he seemed to hold himself back. "On the other hand... what you've seen must be a memory. If you've seen red eyes, then that means you've met with someone who has those eyes in that particular location." He assessed while adverting his gaze. It was a mannerism of his, he'll dart his eyes elsewhere to keep himself entertained while assessing something.

Despite being the most 'unruly' of all the animatronics, he's still one of the wise ones. Not that you're devaluing other animatronics, its just that Monty's way of thinking is... different. He goes off on a detour before going to the exact destination, and it allows him to assess further the other possible reasons of the said occurrence.

"I want to remember, but at the same time..." you tried off, thinking of how you're going to sort your thoughts before eventually releasing a sigh. "I'm already contented with my present, I'm afraid of what I might discover if this goes on."

"So, you want to bury the past, huh?" the animatronic shifted to properly position himself in his seat, being mindful not to let his enormous tail to bump against anything. Despite his presumed behavior, he was actually really careful. "I get what you mean, but its inevitable, you know? Sooner or later, you're bound to remember something. Officer Vanessa must've been triggered by something, and her words might've been the trigger for you." He elaborated, presuming that after so long, only now did the matter actually concocted some kind of sense. In the end, it was through Vanessa's words did you actually think about the past, and dreams came haunting not long after.

"You know, you're good at giving advice." You ended the conversation through a compliment, no longer seeing any point in continuing the topic further. The animatronic was right either way, the past will sooner or later come back to haunt you until you've finally uncovered the truth underneath the past long forgotten.

"Hey, looks can be deceiving, you know? I may look wild but I'm actually quite docile too. In case you're having doubts, go ask Freddy. If he gives the same advice, then go ahead and test it out. After all, the advice of more than one entity is presumed factual." He stood up after a moment, allowing his tail to slightly sway on the ground after leaving it on the other half of the couch for so long. "I kind of feel better too, I guess I'll go wait for the next performance."

"You better, cause' I'll be watching you." You half-heartedly threatened, a whimsical taunt but not at all worth putting much thought. You could only smile for a moment, though your mind drifts elsewhere.

"Yes, ma'am!" he gave what seemed to be a short salute before he himself when off to find the rest of the band members. Changes in positions is inevitable, he'll have to coordinate with the stage manager first before joining the band in their next performance hour.

There were still but a few hours left, maybe you could stick around before taking the night shift tonight.

A good few hours' worth of sleep sounds desirable at the moment.