"Lights? I think they handled the extras yesterday."

"You actually assumed they'll take care of it?"

"Well..." You sighed, plopping down on the many sofas in the karaoke rooms of the West Arcade, tablet in hand showed numerous tasks lined in a checkbox format. "What's the use of technicians if we're tasked to get on with it anyways?"

"Try complaining to management and see what happens." Vanessa sat on the sofa opposite to them, taking a sip of Fizzy Faz which she picked up at the bar earlier. "Not that anything ever happens. Best we just comply and get on with our days."

You sighed and took a look around, bright lights adorned the entire place, and music played melodiously in the entire building. The colors danced in your peripheral vision; it was making you dizzy—but you got used to it eventually.

"Break time's over, get up." Vanessa stretched and threw the empty can towards a nearby trash bin. "I'll stay here and survey the technicalities for the Arcade, you should take care of Rockstar Row and the Main Atrium." She waved and picked up her own tablet, scrolling through it to take a glance on its contents.

You didn't reply any longer, you clenched your tablet and headed out. The lights were blinding, but only for a moment did it bother you. The music was growing louder, and you can only guess that its by the work of the DJ. You rolled your eyes as you made your way down the spiral steps and arrived by the dance floor.

The floor lit up in tiles of a vivid array of colors, giving the vibe of quick and engaging movements, inviting you for a moment to let loose. As much as I'd be fun, you have too much on your plate.

It has been a few months since you came back in duty after your recovery, and what happened before was still vague—you can barely decipher, nor remember the exact events that unfolds. But you were set on one idea alone—its best to just forget it all, a memory probably not worth remembering. Others assumed the case closing under the premise of robbery, and an impact on the head led to a concussion, to brief memory loss. Security measures were said to be enhanced since that event, and through the course of months, nothing bad has happened. Vanessa was more open to you, finally interacting with you more than before. Her demeanor changed too, her cold and nonchalant personality, strict in business, was now changed into chill, and relaxed, and even jokingly, if permitted.

In short, everything has been going accordingly to how you would want it. Tomorrow was said to be a very special day, a day which marks the second anniversary since the Pizzaplex's establishment. Despite the measures taken by the management to ensure that everything is alright and settled, you still had to make sure they DID as claimed.

"Hey, DJ!" you waved over the loud music to catch the attention of the enormous spider-like animatronic up stage. It took a moment, but the robot did notice and waved back with one of its many hands, a permanent smile on his expression. "There are spare parts in the maintenance hallway, can you bring it in the west office?" you asked, at least, you could help Vanessa with one of her tasks.

The DJ only gave a thumbs up before retreating backwards within his tunnel-like path to do as told. If not under his duty as a DJ, he is quite helpful in certain areas of work.

Just not being a bouncer.

You left the West Arcade soon enough, finding it much breathable to be out as you entered the elevator. The chiming music of the band which you've heard every night and day in your shifts played as elevator music, you never got tired of it.

Upon checking your to-do list, you still have to check the technicalities in the greenrooms over at Rockstar Row to ensure that nothing is dysfunctional, most especially, lights and charging stations.

The elevator doors opened to show the warm ambience of the Main Atrium, the music in the background dull but calming despite its ecstatic nature. However, this wasn't your destination, yet.

Pressing another button on the elevator, the doors closed and descended to take you down where the Main Lobby is supposedly situated, the music now dulling even further, the peaceful serenity of the atmosphere you came to enjoy more.

Indeed, the lack of bombarding music is most comforting than anything else, but you still loved the Fazbear vibe.

You descended down the steps when the elevator doors opened, seeing the service desk nearby as well as the giftshop. Through the months you've worked here, you managed to memorize at most, almost all the areas you've been patrolling—save for the kitchen areas where Vanessa keeps watch. The dimly lit walkway on the right leads to Rockstar Row after passing through the turnstiles. The light up graffiti-like light sets on the walls glowed in various colors, and the image of the animatronics were at view. The golden statue of everyone's beloved animatronic, Glamrock Freddy, stood tall in its pride and glory, and several attractions littered the wide hallway of Rockstar Row brought back several trips down memory lane with its collection of past relics from the previous franchise.

Oh, how it brings back memories.

You made your way to the first door on the right—Freddy's greenroom. The curtains were drawn shut with only but a small gap between the blinds could show the visible lights within, the cool hue of orange mixed with several accents, the blueish-green carpeting that balanced the theme, the color almost matching the blue lightning bolt in Freddy's design.

You simply used your I.D. to get the door to open, and it swung open to allow you entry. The room wasn't sound proof, but it was quiet, cancelling out the ambience that Rockstar Row gives. Compared to before, the room was the same—except a few alterations like a bigger couch and more push dolls, but the room itself was clean. A potted plant was beside the door, a little lifeform that Freddy has been taking care of, has bloomed and grown, small flowers sprouted from stems that its quite admirable how dedicated Freddy has been taking care of it.

"Officer (Y/N)? What a surprise, do you need anything?" Freddy's voice snapped you out of your unsuspected trance as the animatronic emerged from the dark corners of the backroom where his charging station is, his figure somewhat reflecting the lights against his superb paint job. He was recently maintained to keep his animatronic casing splendid in the eyes.

"Nothing, really. It's part of my tasks to make sure that everything is functional in the greenrooms." You replied and tapped the screen of your tablet, tapping on a checkbox to mark it as complete under 'Animatronic Appearance_F'.

"Mind if I could help? I heard from other employees that numerous machineries are in need of maintenance check. Perhaps, with more manpower, you can rest early." Freddy proposed, not really waiting for your reply in any way as he placed his microphone down on his lit-up vanity. "After all, I have no other commitments that requires my attention tonight."

You knew better than to object. "Sure, whatever you want." You learned it the hard way that saying no to this bear will just drag on with a longer, unnecessary discussion.

Compliance is more convenient.

"Just check if the vent by your backroom is unblocked." You instructed and headed to the backrooms first. Freddy followed shortly thereafter.

As the animatronic is looking over the vent where stacked boxes of his merchandise are around, you were using the tablet to connect with Freddy's charging station. After several moments of analysis, his charging station is deemed optimal.

It became a security precaution of the management to remotely place control on the employee's tablets, to better maintain 'accountability' after—what you've heard, previous hacking and reprogramming attempts.

Which you're certain, has totally nothing to do with you.

"The vent is open; however, I think an advisory with the janitorial team in regards to cobweb buildup is necessary." Freddy commented, noticing how you just finished assessing his charging station. Though he was already aware of the machine's state, considering how he just finished charging recently before he found you in his greenroom.

"I'll leave a note." You sighed and left the backrooms. The couch did look inviting, despite your verbal thoughts to stay focused at work, you couldn't help but plop down his soft couch, plush dolls shifting to lean on you as a result of the momentum. "It's been months yet there isn't a new night guard to help out."

"Management is keen on their affirmation of keeping only two security guards at night shift. Reason to this is the majority of manpower shifting to opening hours and keeping automated staff during closing hours. If I should confess, it is indeed a good cost-conservative course in regards to employee safety." Freddy replied and took a seat on a nearby chair which was meant to match his vanity, waiting for your next steps.

"More like the management is a total cheapskate." You mumbled under your breath, not caring if Freddy were to hear you.

"I suppose we continue your tasks at hand? Considering we are two hours from 6 am." Freddy asked, pointing towards your tablet.

You checked the time, and he was right about the timestamp nearing the end of your shift. But it's not like it's a worry, because you'll consecutively take the morning shift too.

You weren't forced to take both shifts, but you were excited for the anniversary too, seeing as the Pizzaplex is your second home already—with its kind staff, both human and automated.

All except for that one bot that stands outside the Main Atrium elevator, always giving you near-deadly heart attacks.

"Well, to Parts and Service, I guess. To check on the other staff bots and their status." You got up and quickly fixed the dolls in place before facing the larger animatronic. "You in?"

"Definitely." He replied and waited for you to leave his greenroom before he himself left the room. The automatic doors sliding closed and locked until his next entry.

The journey towards the steps leading to the second floor of the Main Lobby was filled with comfortable silence, only the ambience music playing through the speakers.

Until Freddy decided to break it.

"Aren't you going to survey the status of technicalities in other greenrooms too?" he inquired, finding it odd that only his greenroom was checked.

"Don't worry about them, I checked them earlier. I was going to check on yours the last, but Vanessa invited me for a soda break." You recalled, it's the reason why you were dragged to the West Arcade to begin with, since you had a task to perform there earlier with Vanessa.

Or rather, she needed your help. Perhaps, if she was kinder to the animatronics, the DJ might listen to her.

"Understandable." He replied limitedly as he pressed the elevator's command button, letting the double doors of metal slide open to reveal the small space of the transportation mechanism. He allowed you to enter first before he himself entered as well.

The jingle of the song you heard and memorized by heart rang your ears, you nodded your head lightly to the beat while checking on what else you have to do before taking a rest.

Turning Freddy's greenroom into your own temporary sleeping quarters became quite an unhealthy habit. Or rather, his couch became your sleeping quarters.

Have you and Freddy gotten that close that you're sleeping on his couch between shifts? He mostly offers rest when you needed it. Besides, any normal human being will eventually collapse should they take multiple shifts.

In this case, the company should consider dormitories for stay-in employees.

"I'm uncertain if you've heard, but something extraordinary will occur tomorrow during the lunchtime performance." Freddy brought up, finding the silence comfortable but at the same time, it wasn't.

Perhaps, the time spent talking is most appealing to him.

"I think I heard gossips around the other employees, but I don't know what it is." You replied, humming. "What about you?"

Interesting as it seems, you don't see any advertisements of it. A new attraction? No, you would've found out about it if so. A new menu? Preposterous, as that too requires publication.

Then what?

"Sadly, despite my authority and connection to the main office, I have no clue on what the event might bring." The animatronic replied just as the doors slid open to reveal the chill ambience of the Main Atrium. "We'll just see in a few hours." He added.

The staff bots were working twice as much as they usually would. Aside from patrol bots, there are plenty of staff bots that are cleaning the vicinity. The tables down the center were arranged with much precision, saving the obvious space between the tables and the front stage to make way for crowdy fans and onlookers.

You walked side-by-side with Freddy down the central circle of the Main Atrium, the staff bots naturally staying out of the way the moment they detected an animatronic's presence—its mandatory to prevent false alarms and other unnecessary complications. You headed up the stairs over the side of the stage until you reach the center where the command module was. You waited for Freddy to get settled first before pressing the button, allowing the platform to tremble for a moment before descending below. The tunnel-like surroundings filled with lights at the supporting sides allowed visibility despite the darkening descend down. The tremor ceased when the platform shifted down a few levels lower, the Parts and Service dock where maintenance is often made, and where the animatronics are initially stationed prior performance time.

The trek towards Parts and Service wasn't long, you arrived at the double doors that you pushed open, and there shows a computer at the center, and behind it is a protective cylindrical casing that's supposedly used during animatronic maintenance. Several rooms with open windows surrounded the area with spare parts, and stairs ascending up to service elevators were clearly in view.

You took a glance at your tablet before connecting it with the computer. "Hey, Freddy?" you called out, not because you needed assistance, but it was... something else.

"Is there anything you require assistance of?" the animatronic replied, taking a few steps until he is a few feet behind you, maintaining distance to ensure that you have enough space to perform your work accordingly.

"Earlier, I can't seem to tap into the service tunnel's systems. So, I have to check it manually." You felt sullen, the service tunnels were one of the places that gave you this...

Eerie feeling.

It's like whatever is down there is suffocating you with dread, could it be from a past experience? Or was it because an intruder intercepted you down there before? You don't know. But since your work requires your presence there, you can't just reason out your gut feeling to amend negligence.

"Do you want me to check it instead?" Freddy asked, concerned, seeing the change in emotion in your appearance. He could see your distress whenever that location is mentioned—he admits, even other staffs dislikes staying there for multiple reasons, and if given the chance, he wouldn't let you stay there for long.

Aside from obvious hazards, you had too many unlikely experiences there.

"It's fine, it's my job anyways. I just want to at least tell you about it. After all, you'll probably scurry around looking for me if ever I disappear again." You laughed lightly, recalling how the bear would occasionally scout the area for your presence whenever he feels you've been gone for too long.

You were clumsy, very much so, and Freddy is well aware of that. Your friendship and fondly-grown feelings with the bear made him quite overprotective. Compared to real living humans, you felt sincerity at most from this bear.

This is why you love this job.

"Pardon? Scurrying around is not a word that defines me, just so you know." The animatronic crossed his arms and simply waited for you to finish your tasks. After all, he's also learnt the hard way of not involving himself in digital work, his fingers alone can destroy the tablet than maneuvering its functions.

You merely rolled your eyes and finished the scanning procedure remotely via your tablet, seeing that everything is at optimum status, you disconnected and turned to face the animatronic. "Since you have so much time in your hands, why don't you go gather some spare staff bot heads from the West Arcade and repair the driving assistants at Roxy's Raceway?" you stood there, waiting for his response.

The animatronic was about to retort before simply conceding. "Alright." He replied limitedly and turned to walk out the Parts and Service area. Most likely, he'll take the elevating platform back to the Main Atrium. It wasn't a worrying factor, since your next route will take the service elevators back to Rockstar Row, which leads to where the service tunnels are. The service tunnels and the utility tunnels are one and the same, employees simply changed how they call it to make it look... less unnerving.

Not that it worked.

You took Roxy's service elevator, considering that you left something in her greenroom earlier. The elevator ride was less pleasant than the elevator ride you usually take, since this one was more serene with silence. You arrived at her backroom anyways, which was a little bigger than Freddy's. The architecture of this place could be as questioning as it could get.

You yawned for a moment, "Hey, Roxy." You greeted the animatronic who was brushing her synthetic hair by her vanity, and immediately, she noticed you.

"Service elevators again?" she questioned, placing the brush down and picking up a pen. "You forgot this, by the way."

Gingerly, you took the pen from her large hand. "Thanks, and yeah. I was from Parts and Service, and this is the fastest route. I hope you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all." Her focus shifted towards the mirror where she's been brushing her hair just a moment ago. "Do you think I look nice?" she asked, motioning towards her hair which always looks the same naturally, which fits her behavior and personality as advertised.

"You look amazing as always, don't worry too much." You gave her a thumbs up before heading to her greenroom door, remembering your task at hand. "As much as I want to chat, I really have work to do." You apologized briefly, but before she could reply her usual sentiments, you left the room.

In any case, Roxy didn't minded, she knew the hectic schedule of security guards—who are already all-around employees at night. It makes her glad that she's an animatronic and not a human, she only needs to do what she does best, and not because she needs sustenance in life that compels her to work.

Humans are pitiful.

You took a deep breath before heading towards the door at the end of Rockstar Row, the door leading to the utility tunnels that serves as the all-in-one access point for employees who needs to get around without being hindered by too much human traffic.

Even so, the utility tunnels have certain mechanisms that could cause a domino effect towards the entirety of the mall should maintenance be neglected.

This is where you come in the picture.

In the night, technicians don't stay this late, leading to nighttime security guards to ensure that everything is in good shape, and to report as soon as possible for any anomalies.

But only until that point, not like they are in any urgency when maintenance is needed, everything is done the moment the clock strikes 6 am.

You took a deep breath before pushing the door open, and you were met with several sets of stairs that leads down to the utility tunnels. You took your flashlight with one hand while keeping the tablet secured with the other, visibility is hard without tools here. You watched every step you make to ensure you don't tumble and about, reaching the end of the flight of stairs in less than a few minutes.

The utility tunnels is naturally grotesque with random garbage being disposed just anywhere, with routes of it leading to the area beneath the kitchen where the trash compactor discards what it holds. Sadly, not all of them falls into their destination, some are left here, and others are casted aside from the waters that murkily carries them where it can reach.

Shuddering at the sight, as well as the somewhat cold atmosphere, you took several strides to walk deeper into the tunnel, with several passages and doors from either side which leads to every possible attraction and service areas that allows easy access for employees alike. You checked your tablet to recall what you need to look for—the switches that controls ventilation ducts in the utility tunnels itself is inaccessible remotely, you have to check it yourself.

Whenever you're down here, you get this chilly, dreadful feeling that you couldn't explain, it's a feeling that prevents you from calmly going down here. Like something might happen eventually, or someone is watching from the shadows, you certainly don't know.

Best you get out of here soon.

You arrived at the far end where steam pipes and exhaust was evident, the flashlight reflecting the foggy, physical manifestation of heat that escaped through the little cracks on the ventilation pipes, a sudden change in temperature from chilling cold to nauseating heat was expected. Some of the steam could also be originating from the kitchen, where the pipes should dispose of that material somewhere outside. It was good that the disposed steam was natural from cooking, otherwise, global warming may not like it.

"2... 4... 8..." you counted the switches that are supposedly switched on in the breaker module which you found a moment ago, recalling which is on, and which should be switched off. After checking your tablet, you flipped three switches off which stems from the kitchen, considering that it is not needed until morning.

However, just as you were about to turn back, the sound of metal clinking caught your attention, making you look around in alarm. "Vanessa? Is that you?" you questioned to particularly no one—hoping the sassy reply of your nighttime employee to make herself known, but you earned none so far.

You couldn't help but take a step back to look around better, the steam in the area has yet to settle after the controls were switched off.

It was silent for a moment, but you knew better than to tempt fate.

With a weary sense of danger, you locked your tablet in a convenient handle by your belt and held onto your flashlight, while your now-free hand held the taser you always brought along now as a precautionary move. You should go back to where you came from and simply move on to next tasks but the second the clinking sound of metal was audible, you paused.

"Vanessa, you better not be playing around." You mumbled lowly and approached the noise where the utility tunnel went deeper within the Pizzaplex's walls.

It didn't take long for you to arrive at a conjunction of pathways that takes you to other areas that are mostly meant for endoskeleton maintenance crews, but the areas are currently shut and inaccessible at night to prevent roaming endoskeletons from... getting lost.

As endoskeletons each have a different programming in terms of their A.I., they still fail to recall their appearance that could lead to unease.

The noise seemed to stop, and no matter where you point the flashlight, you couldn't see anything that could've caused the noise. You hoped it was a loose piece of metal hitting against another but there wasn't. Even if there was, isn't it a sign that extensive check and maintenance is deemed needed?

But no, the noise continued, and this time, it's in another area farther in the utility tunnels.

You could've sworn that a chill ran up your spine for a moment, as this time, the sound was more hollow. The annoyance was there within you, but the dreaded feeling was slowly making its way to pre-dominate the earlier feeling. Somehow, you began to feel a little anxious and uncertain, maybe you should turn back?

Maybe you're just tired that you're starting to hear things?

Or maybe, there was something going on, but would it be best if you'd find someone to help you find it? After all, you did have pretty unpleasant experiences in places like this—

"(Y/N)? What are you doing here?" the voice you longed for earlier snapped you free from the thoughts, bringing you back to sweet reality. Vanessa waved a hand in front of you during so. "You're breaking in cold sweat..."

"Oh uh... I'm fine, it's just..." you looked back towards the deeper part of the Utility Tunnels where you planned on continuing the search just a moment ago, if not for hesitation. "Have you heard something? Like metal against metal?"

"We're in the Utility Tunnels, noise like that are very common." She shrugged off, standing for a moment to listen but there was no noise of similarity to be heard.

"No, it was something else, like it was on purpose." You reasoned, though you were not really holding onto the thought any longer.

"Look, let's just get out of here, it's all probably in your head. You didn't have any good experiences in being down here, it must be what's unsettling you." She checked her own Fazwatch that allows her to communicate with the animatronics upstairs, hers was in Roxy's shape. "I've sent a message to Freddy, I think you need to take a break for a while, you've been taking three consecutive shifts lately."

"Vanessa, that's unnecessary, you know--"

"Unnecessary my ass, start moving before I make you." Vanessa wasn't having it, listening to your strength speech has been very irritating whenever you pull consecutive shifts like this.

It just so happens that rent is coming, of course you'll have to work double shifts to pay it off and still have some cash for your own wants. In a world where bills constantly come, would regular shifts suffice?

You chose not to reply anymore and oblige, following her back to where you came from, towards the stairways to Rockstar Row. Of course, the sound of machinery and such lingered in your ears but the sound of your heels on metal alongside Vanessa's steps were overpowering enough.

In the end, you followed her up the flights of stairs and through the doors that led to the warm ambience of Rockstar Row, truly the most comforting atmosphere in the Pizzaplex, with Freddy's greenroom being the most comfy to stay at. The moment you took in the warm serene of Rockstar Row, Freddy was already waiting just a few steps ahead.

"You really took that seriously." You breathed out, already expecting one of the many reprimands or worrywart statements that the bear could possibly let out.

Vanessa simply turned off her flashlight. "It's the stress, I think her mind is finally reaching out." She shifted her stance and crossed her arms. "There is still an hour and a half before 6 am, go rest up." She wasn't staying to hear your drama as she as well has been up for too long.

Rest is very much needed, but she'd rather rest at the security office where they're supposed to stay on.

Freddy gave a nod. "She's right, just rest for the time being, it is necessary for humans to rest in order to function properly." He implied and pointed to his own greenroom which was near the Main Lobby and his golden statue. "I'm not listening to your reasoning either, so, go."

In utter defeat, you simply obliged and followed. Freddy will probably take care of the rest, not that there is too much left undone.

Entering his greenroom, the area was just as neat, it seems that Freddy has been doing a little bit of housecleaning himself. The curtains were closed completely, and the plush dolls are arranged in a neat way that none will fall off the couch even if he sits on it.

The inviting view of serenity made you plop down and instantly cuddle the warmth of his giant plush, taking not more than minutes to doze off in light slumber.

Freddy merely took a cup of water which was by his vanity and carefully poured its contents down onto the potted plant which he has been tending recently, taking one glance at you before he left the room entirely to let you rest.

Given that he is fully charged and capable of doing other security tasks, rest was not a problem.

His only problem is how you care less about your health. He'll usually reprimand you but tomorrow's a very special day.

He'll make an exception, just for tomorrow.