It was a beautiful day.

Sun shining.

Not a cloud in the sky.

Birds chirping.

People going about their days.

All of it accumulated at one location.

Larry's Burgers & Fries.

A simple children's restaurant. The sign out front read it's name with the neon outline of a green alligator with a top hat waving to all potential patrons.

Inside kids ran from room to room playing games with each other and eating burgers and fries that were served at booths and tables where their parents sat. In the main dining room, three animatronic mascots stood atop of a stage.

On the left was a wolf-like animatronic that stood up on two legs. It had faded grey fur that parted at its joints to faintly reveal the mechanics underneath. Its green eyes illuminated by bulbs installed behind them to give the illusion of life, despite the old faded paint beginning to chip. It had black pants that went down to its mechanical ankles, woven right onto its body as to not risk them falling off on stage. The machine cradled a guitar in its hands, it also having faded paint and old strings that were never actually played. It was known as Wilfred the Wolf.

On the right was a seal-like animatronic. Despite it being a seal, it also had two legs that it stood on. It had a less faded blue fur suit that drooped slightly over its internals, shedding the occasional bit of fluff. It also had green eyes that used the same lightbulb trick as Wilfred, one flickering slightly more than the other. He wore a top hat with an orange band and a matching orange bowtie despite not wearing a shirt. In one hand it held a trumpet that it would pretend to blow air through while sounds came from a speaker on stage. It was also known as Sammy the Seal.

Lastly, standing proudly in the center of the stage stood the green alligator displayed outside. It had a green fur that was well kept, easily the least faded of the three. Its own pair of green eyes shined the brightest, maybe even a bit too bright. It wore an all black top hat missing its band along with a blue bowtie, despite once again not wearing a shirt. It had a line of foam teeth that were far from shiny, but not terrible. At his feet stood three smaller alligators, basically the spitting image of the larger one even waring the same hat and tie. This, was the title mascot Larry the Alligator along with Chip, Chomp and Chew the Mini Alligators.

The set of animatronics stood on stage, lip-syncing to the music that played from speakers, the children watching none the wiser that they were anything less than real. Sitting at a booth right across from said stage were four men.

One was on the heavier side, had green eyes and caramel colored hair that was naturally flowing into a cowlick. He wore a white button up shirt and a pair of suspenders that held up his back pants ending in a pair of dress shoes. The second was skinnier, had hazel eyes and dark chocolate colored hair was styled into a flattop. He wore a green turtle neck and blue jeans that lead down to his shoes, brown and worn out from constant use over their ownership.

Across from them sat a man with blue eyes and hair colored like peanut butter left in its naturally curly state. He wore an orange tee-shirt with a white long-sleeve underneath. He had navy swat pants ending in slip-on shoes that had also been through lots of use. Lastly was a man with purple eyes and raven black hair tied back to a ponytail, wearing a crimson sweater and blue jeans, topping off his outfit with some dress shoes. But unlike the rest, he had a unique addition to his appearance. His skin, unlike most, was a dark purple. From head to toe every inch of skin on his body shared this color, a rare genetic condition.

"So, have you considered our offer?" The man with purple skin, a man named William Afton asked. "Well, me and Laurance talked-" The heftier man named Samuel Harp started. "-And we think a partnership would be for the smartest move for both our restaurants." The news sent a wave of euphoria across the two other men.

The third man with the green turtle neck, Laurance Wilkinson, then took his turn to speak. "On one condition." The final man, Henry Emily responded right away. "Yes, anything you need!" He says excitedly. "We think we should open a third location. That was we can manage our own restaurants however we were doing before while having a space we all have authority over. We could use this to draw in more customers while also seeing who's methods of business are best to follow. Is that alright?" Laurance asked, Henry chiming in. "Of course-" He paused, realizing he didn't ask his partner for his input. "S-Sorry William." "No, it's alright. I agree! A third location sounds wonderful!" He says with a smile. "So, do you have anything in mind or do you want to work out a mascot together?" He asks.

Samuel chuckled. "No, we don't. I was going to suggest getting the paperwork done but eh, it's not going anywhere!" The four men share a laugh. "Well we were never much character designers ourselves. Heck, Larry and Sammy up there are just abbreviations of our names!" He says, pointing at the animatronics. "We just chose animals we liked and slapped them together, they aren't really much." "Nonsense!" William argued. "Anyone can create! Nothing's wrong with taking a bit of inspiration or just choosing an animal you like!" Then spoke Henry. "Exactly!... Speaking of though. If Larry was based of you-" He points to Laurance. "-And Sammy after you-" Then pointing to Samuel. "-Then who's Wilfred based on?" Laurance spoke up. "My son Thomas gave me the idea, actually! He's always been great at drawing." He smiles warmly. "Ah, I see." William adjusted his posture. "Well how about we throw out some ideas?" Everyone agreed, all excited at the feeling of getting in a group like this and brainstorming.

"So, I'm thinking a lead singer since those tend to be the head mascots looking at both our establishments." William opened with. "Any animal ideas?" "Well why not a dog? Seems simple enough." Sammy gave. "Hmmm. Not bad, but lets keep throwing ideas." William says. "We could always do a repeat. Since it will be the town over no one would be too upset with another alligator or bear!" "Okay, maybe." Henry then said. "We could try a clown! Kids love clowns!" Laurance snickers. "Yeah, but they're creepy, right?" "Yeah, gonna have to agree with Laurance on this one." Samuel says. "How about a... Bird? Like a duck or a rooster!" Laurance said. "Not bad... But what about this?" William starts. "It will be a bear. He's the lead singer but can also play the piano! Unlike the one at our place, we'll let him be a regular bear color like brown, white, maybe a panda! And here's the best part." He leans in. "We'll name him "Freddy", like "Teddy". Eh?" He says, leaning back a bit.

"Hmm... I can see it!" Samuel says. "Yeah, I like it! Hey, you're good at this William!" Laurance complimented. "Thank you!" Henry then took his turn to speak. "Right. So we should probably get to that paperwork then?" Everyone sighs, knowing they had to despite how boring it would be.

They get up and head to the head office to get to work, a new partnership getting ready to bloom into something that would change the lives of many people.

For better.

But mostly for worse.