webnovel

Ol' Big Ears

You are a freelance technician. The job had its perks, you made your own hours, turned down dangerous jobs and picked your clientele. This was to be a simple job, they seemed desperate for anyone to take it. "J-just come in a take a look at the machine. Even if you can't fix him we'll pay you for the full night! Just please, take a look." A full night's pay for a few hours of work? Sure! At the time you had no idea it would spiral into a murder mystery, your personal brush with death and uncovering the dark history of a glam rock-themed pizza chain. And everyone keeps mentioning some sort of security breach that happened a year prior. Uncover the mystery of the missing purple bunny.

odaocer · Video Games
Not enough ratings
35 Chs

Day 4x6 - Everything Under the Sun

"Well, pleassseeed to meet you! I'm Sun!"

Finally, outside of Rockstar Row you notice the bots had cleaned up. There was no sign of the mess Monty had made earlier. There was a slight dent in the wall where the cart had smashed into, but it wasn't very noticeable.

Any indicators there had even been a struggle here were gone too, the concert hall looked back to normal. Of course, in dimmed light it's possible that more damages would reveal themselves in the morning. You shrug, that's not your problem though.

Following your map, you make it to the main entrance. At the top of the lobby was a normal sized red door with "Daycare Pickup" painted in graffiti on the wall next to it. You continue through it.

A thought enters you head. If the animatronics free roam who is to say he is even in the daycare? You leave a note in your phone to request all the animatronics numbers when you write your report.

Unlike the other parts of the plex this area was more minimal. It was darker here with less neon lights illuminating everything. Just before you enter the actual daycare something catches your attention. The vending machines!

There were vending machines of each animatronic. You find it cute and take a photo. You didn't have any change on you but now that you knew, you'd remember to bring some tomorrow. They all seemed to have their own brands of soda. You guess they're related to each animatronic's 'perfume'. Freddy's must be vanilla soda. You think.

The door slides open with ease.

The daycare itself was a bit different than what you were expecting. It was more plain looking than what you'd seen so far. Not that you could imagine what a 'retro daycare' would look like. The area was all blue having almost a lounge appearance with a chain-link wall at the end. There were a few regular looking tables around with chairs with blue stars for backings. In the centre of the room was a golden statue like you had seen before. This one of Sun and Moon posing like dancers. On either side of the room were two massive TVs showing animations of the two attendants. There were also a few cubby units for bags, shoes, or whatever belongings the kids had. They were empty of course.

For a daycare it sure appeared small. There weren't many places for the kids to play.

Getting closer to the chain wall your eyes widen, now seeing the real daycare for all its glory.

It was a massive complex of plastic structures and bright colourful playgrounds. Floors of mats and soft materials lined the floor. Just from your view you could see ball pits, play areas and maze-like tunnels rising off the ground. There were giant plushies, building blocks, little seating areas, resting areas and more. Even in the night the place was still very well-lit, and you could see a lot.

Sure, you were a bit big for some of the stuff there, but you could easily imagine yourself getting lost for hours in it. Your inner child screamed in happiness. You could only imagine how it looked lit up during the day.

There was no sign of Sun or Moon, however. The place was completely devoid of any activity, even the usual maintenance bots. To the left it looked like a normal entrance to the complex, but you were more interested in the entrance to the right. There was a slide tunnel into the ball pit that read "SLIDE INTO FUN" next to it, presumably for kids getting dropped off.

Ah, what the hell you think. Live a little. You go up to the slide and hop in. Colours of the rainbow flash through your view as you slide down, cheering as you slid. You land right into a ball pit, easily sinking down.

Like treading water, you swim to the top of the pit. You look up towards the small balcony near the ceiling. Almost on cue you see what you think is Moon emerges from behind curtains. He flashes a pose and notices you. "A new friend! Hohohohooo!" He announces and dives into the ball pit.

This slightly unnerves you as you have slight thalassophobia. There was a "beach" nearby and you swim to it through the ball pits. You didn't think he meant any harm, but phobias are phobias, no point in rationalizing it right now.

Moon gets you first and just before you could reach the edge of the pit, he pops up right in front of you from the balls. This nearly gives you a heart attack. You get a faceful of his sun-like face. It looked like it was made of marble. A huge smile from ear to ear was present on the animatronic. Instantly he picks you up, holding under both your arms. Despite being skinny looking he had no problem lifting you up as if you were a child.

"Oooo, I've never seen you before! Are you a new friend?" He said enthusiastically, his head practically spinning. He easily carried out of the ball pit before setting you down. You were taken by surprise at his sudden cheeriness and force that you didn't have an answer.

"What brings you here? Are you a new security guard? Oh! Are you to help set up for the morning?" He was practically dancing around in excitement.

"No-I,ahem." You clear your throat. "I'm the new technician here, name's (Y/N)." You extended your hand out.

"Well, pleassseeed to meet you! I'm Sun!" Sun said cheerily. He shook your hand back. His hands were much larger than yours.

You got a clear look at him now.

He looked almost like a marionette as well as a circus performer. His face almost looked like a ying-yang symbol the way the two halves of it interconnected. He had a wide smile on his face that went from cheek to cheek. Despite this he could still change his mouth as he spoke to you. His eyes shined like marble and emitted a small yellow-ish light. They looked to be solid and didn't have the same designs as the band members you've seen before. His head had sun rays emitting from it like how a child would draw a sun.

It was a far cry from the aesthetic the plex had been pulling off, but you didn't hate it.

You had no idea where Moon was, having thought this one was Moon. Looking at him clearly it was plain to see how wrong you were.

"Oh? We have a new technician? How wonderful, oh! Did you come to work on me?" He did a little twirl as he said that. My, he was just full of energy.

The rest of his body looked like almost how a clown or a marionette would. Ribbons on his wrists with bells attached, digits that make him look like a puppet and puffy clown-like pants with stripes and a tutu. He even had elf-like shoes with bells on too. They were all coloured in the way a sun would shine, yellows, oranges, and pale whites.

If he wasn't fully animatronic, he could have been mistaken from a character out of a fairy tale.

This was Sun, the daycare attendant with nothing to do with the band.

"I just came to introduce myself. Why, is there something wrong with you?"

Sun shook his head. "Nope. I'm all fine right now." He kept the same ear-to-ear smile as he spoke. He was hopping from one foot to another.

He stopped his pose and looked at you closely, squinting and leaning into you. "Hey, I know you! You spoke to Moon the other day, right? Freddy was reeeeeaaaally mad at you."

"Um, yeah. That was me. Freddy and I worked it out, just a misunderstanding." Moon must have told him. You think.

"That's fantastic! It's always good to resolve your differences."

"Heh, thanks. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?" As fun-loving as Sun was you just needed answers. There would be plenty of time to play later.

"Ooo! Like an interview? I always love being interviewed. Here, c'mon, I'll go set up a place!" He said running off doing somersaults.

Based on his high energy and eager movement it seemed as if Sun was the most hyper of the animatronics.

You were grateful he was all smiles. Looking at him you didn't you could outrun him. You try to imagine a scenario where you would have to confront him. This seemed too easy. You got lost in your thoughts.

Far ahead he peered from behind a bouncy castle. "What are you waiting for silly? Come on!" He said before disappearing behind it.

You followed slowly. It had been a long night and it was starting to wear on you. You shake your head but let out a yawn.

You apparently weren't going fast enough because Sun looked back again and saw you yawn. Seeing your demeanor, he practically ran at you. The sudden action startled you but otherwise you didn't do anything.

"Are you tired? It must have been a long night if you've been here all this time!" He looked closely at your eyes, checking for any signs of sleep. As he did you could hear a faint clicking sound from within him as he moved. Instinctively he grabbed your legs and you fell into his arms.

"Oh-I-It's fine." You were getting caught off guard by his erratic actions. He was being careful at least.

"Nonsense! I know you're tired. You can't interview me if you're about to fall asleep!" He coo'd at you. Still holding you, you could feel him rubbing your back.

You didn't put up any resistance as he continued to carry you. He set you down on a pile of pillows he had assembled just beyond one of the castles.

You adjust yourself upright. Sun takes a seat across on another pile of pillows. He sits cross-legged, staring intently at you. "You can take a nap if you'd like. There's still time before opening." He said.

picture: https://www.deviantart.com/odaocer/art/Atop-the-Pillow-Pile-928077055

"It's fine. Really." You try to stifle a yawn, but the pillows and the way Sun had been rocking you just before forced it out. You could also catch just the faint smell of cinnamon.

Oh yeah, I still have those Bonnie Bites. Those should help get my sugar up.

"I finish soon, don't worry." You pull out the torn package of Bonnie Bites and have a few. Still stale but at least they weren't expired. The chewing and sugar helped stave off the sleep.

Sun takes notice of your little candy bag and exclaims. "Woah! Where did you get those?" His attention was fully on the candy now.

"You know what these are?" You ask, holding up the bag.

"Of course I do! Those used to be Bonnie's candys. I haven't seen those since, oh, I don't know, a long time!" So he knew Bonnie then. You didn't want to let cat out of the bag of Bonnie just yet. At least, not right now. You needed to know what Sun knew first.

"That's actually what I wanted to ask you about. "Freddy gave these to me." You pause.

"Right. Questions. I just have a few if you don't mind."

"Go ahead techie!"

You take out your phone for notetaking.

"What do you know about Bonnie?"

"Bonnie is..was a good friend." His smile got a bit smaller as he said that. "He would sometimes perform in the daycare. He and Monty helped me overcome my fear of leaving the daycare."

"I see."

"And then Bonnie stopped coming one day, and Monty too. The others still visit once in a while but I haven't seen Bonnie in a long time. Eventually, Freddy told me he was gone but they were looking for him."

"Monty stopped coming?" You ask.

"Well, he stopped for a bit. He came by a few times, always looking around though. I think he was playing hide and seek with someone." Sun said, clapping his hands together.

"Okay."

"Why?! Did they find him?" He started to get excited.

"I-I'll get to that in a bit." You still had some more questions.

"On last day you saw him were he or Monty acting…different?"

"I don't think so. It was like any other time they visited." He looked up idly, thinking. "Nope. There wasn't anything different." Considering Sun has never been mentioned until this point it's possible, he just wasn't there they day Bonnie died.

You finish the pack of Bonnie bites. Once Bonnie was fixed, they should really bring back the candy. You put the crumpled package into your pocket.

"Just a few more questions." You smile at him. He was fidgeting slightly. He wanted to know about Bonnie but was trying to wait patiently.

"There was an incident last year. Do you know anything about it?"

"Of course! They interviewed all of us the day after it. Moon and I were fine but the others were pretty messed up."

"Really? I heard most the animatronics were damaged. You were okay?"

Sun nodded. "Gregory came into the Daycare and we had a little...scuffle and he was banned but after that I just stayed.....in the Daycare..." He voice got quieter as he said that. He looked away.

"Everything alright?" He didn't seem like he was hiding anything.

"We-I-There was a fire, but me and Moon couldn't do anything." He said slowly, fear creeping in his voice. You stop him.

"It's fine. Don't put yourself through it." It was clear this was something traumatic for him. You would come back to it later. You didn't think Bonnie had anything to do with a fire.

You look around. It looked like each of the animatronics had their own maze in the daycare. There was also a few small tables and chairs nearby and the biggest Freddy plushie you had ever seen. It was far bigger than the one in Freddy's room.

You change the subject, Sun starting to get somber on you.

"Gregory was banned from the daycare?"

Sun grimaced for a second. "He messed up the daycare! He caused such a disruption I had to ban him. He stole a security pass too!" Sun shook his head in annoyance. "Moon said he started the fire too but I don't know for sure..." He trailed off.

Based on what you heard about Gregory you were starting to get impressed. He single-handedly took down all the animatronics and Sun. You didn't know if that meant Sun was the most durable or if Gregory wasn't trying to take him out. Either way you needed to look at those incident files.

"He's unbanned now. He made up for it. I had him clean my room and write an apology letter." Sun smiled again, content at that outcome. "Moon still hasn't forgiven him though but it'll happen one day. I'm sure of it!"

"That's good. Just one more thing. I've been told that Bonnie may have come back during that incident. Did you happen to see anything? Anything out of the ordinary, other than Gregory?"

"Bonnie? Huh. Hmmm." Sun put a thumb on his chin and looked up again. He emitted a quiet hum as he thought. As if a lightbulb appeared above him, he snapped his fingers.

"There was one thing actually. Yeah. Yeah! I don't think I even told the boss the day after." He said enthusiastically.

"What was that?"

"Well, later in the night I was perched by my room." He said, pointing to the castle fixture in the wall he emerged out of. "I saw someone at the entrance to the daycare. They had big ears. Kind of almost like Bonnie. I couldn't tell."

"You didn't go after them?"

"No way! I was trying to keep Gregory out of the daycare. And that wasn't Gregory."

"Are you sure it was Bonnie?"

"Not really." He rubbed his chin again. "It could have been but it was too far away. I know I saw those ears though. And they were walking around, almost like he used to do. I know I did see someone there. They stared at me, and wave at me or something. I'm not sure." Sun paused.

"I found it creepy and stayed away. I dove in the pit and hid there...until the fire."

Well it almost backed up Monty's testimony. Added a bunch more questions too. Wouldn't the security cameras have picked up something? You note that for later.

Sun was helpful and while you still had questions you also had a bunch for Moon.

You put your phone away and nod to Sun. "Thanks. That's all the questions I have for you. Could yo-"

"What about Bonnie? What happened?" Sun asked, patience running out. You hadn't really been paying much attention to his demeanor, but he was fidgeting a lot. You had thought he didn't like sitting still. Nah, he was clearly worried about Bonnie.

"Alright, alright. I may as well tell you. Bonnie was badly damaged some time ago. I've been repairing him this past week."

"Really!!! Yippee!" He shouted. He dove at you, knocking you off the pillows onto the soft matted ground. He landed right on top of you. You could hear the gears quietly whirring within him. He got up, face just above yours. He was holding your arms down. You could see deep into those marble-looking eyes. It made you blush.

It was him that smelled of cinnamon.

"Really? He's really coming back?" He asked quietly.

"Y-yeah. I'm almost done." If you were going to work on Sun in the future, you needed to get used to his random outbursts.

"Oh! That's so great! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" While you were still lying on your he gave you a tight hug. Then he backflipped off you and with perfect precision landed atop his pile of pillows. You got up as well.

"When's he gonna be ready?" He asked, giddy from excitement.

"I still have to do some tests but earliest tomorrow."

"Oh! I gotta prepare! There's so much I gotta do. Thanks for the heads up!" He said practically cheering.

Now that you had your information from Sun you needed Moon's testimony. Maybe he saw something.

"Could you get Moon in here? I need to ask him the same questions?"

Sun completely stopped his cheers and looked at you. He cocked his head slightly while staring right at you, confused.

"I-is that okay?" You found Sun's sudden attitude change slightly unnerving.

Then as if something clicked in his head his smile re-appeared. "Oh, you must not know!" He clapped his hands again moving enthusiastically as he did before.

"Sun and Moon, we're the same! Anything Moon knows I know and anything Sun knows Moon knows!" He clapped his hands as he said that.

"Oh? You guys are the same, I didn't know that. Huh." This was certainly unexpected. Though now that you looked again you could see the yin-yang symbol on his face was really just a moon and a sun.

Then it clicks in your head. It's a daycare with nap time, so Sun is for playing and Moon is for sleeping. You felt like an idiot that it didn't occur to you sooner.

Sun picked up on your expression. "Don't worry! You aren't the first to think we're separate." He let out a chuckle. You laugh as well.

"Well, I gotta get back to the workshop and write my report. Thanks Sun."

"No, thank you! You're going to bring a friend back! Oh!!! I can't wait." He said brimming with happiness.

"I gotta prepare the daycare and the chairs and the plushies and oh I gotta clean my room..." Sun trailed off.

You smile and take your leave. He was by far the most energetic and happy animatronic you had seen so far.

On the way back you allow your mind to digest all the points from Sun's testimony. So he did see Bonnie during SB-9.. That means that Monty may have been telling the truth. He seemed desperate enough about it. Then why didn't any of the other animatronics mention it?

You notice a security camera in the daycare lobby.

Well, you now had a rough time, place, and camera that Bonnie would have appeared. Maybe you could get access to the cameras and view then. There was also the matter of Vanessa and Gregory's testimonies. You knew you'd see Vanessa on the way out. You'll ask her then and ask her if you could speak to Gregory. You also needed those case files. There were still too many holes in Bonnie's disappearance. Still so many questions.

You decide you aren't turning on Bonnie until you get that SB-9 case files the rep said he had as well as getting the story from Vanessa and Gregory. You needed answers. It was simply too dangerous right now.

Back in the workshop you got to your daily report. You had a lot to write about. In it you noted that work on Bonnie was nearly complete and that you would test him out tomorrow as well as if there was any special protocol for turning an animatronic on.

You briefly went over Monty's incident but noted that it worked itself out, you apologized about the glass on behalf of Monty and note that you needed to run a diagnostic on him eventually.

You write an inquiry about the status of Monty and the band when Bonnie comes back noting that having two bassists wasn't uncommon as well as that he was interested in a sax. You requested the case files on SB-9 that the rep mentioned as you believed Bonnie had some connection to it. And you needed all the animatronics numbers so you could reach them easier.

You conclude the report with a blurb that when Bonnie was back, they should consider bringing back the Bonnie Bites candy.

Content with your work for tonight you sign off the paper and wave bye to Bonnie. Hurrying back to the entrance you hoped you could catch Vanessa before she left for the day.

By the entrance you managed to catch her just as she was leaving. She had changed out of her security guard attire into sweatpants and a white hoodie, hair hidden in the hood. Her work cloths had been stuffed into a gym bag she had slung over her shoulder.

"Vanessa! Do you have a minute?" You asked, just running out of breath.

She looked slightly annoyed about you stopping here though you weren't sure if that was just her resting face.

"Keep it quick. I'm in a rush here."

"Okay, I just want to know about SB-9, was Bonnie involved at all?"

She looked confused at your question, tilting here head slightly.

"No? I've never even seen him until today."

"I heard that he or someone looking like him was walking the plex that night."

She looks as if she was about to say something but stops herself, temporarily breaking eye contact with you. "I don't know what you've heard but there weren't any rabbits, especially Bonnie in the plex that night. If the animatronics told you that I wouldn't believe them. They were all acting strange that night."

"Right."

"Anything else? I need to go." There was more you wanted to ask and press her on the statement but you'd see her again.

"Yeah, just one. When is Gregory in next?"

"He's coming on the weekend, why?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"I just want to get his thoughts on what happened. It looks like Bonnie may have been linked to what happened last year."

She frowned at your suggestion, annoyance building.

"I'm telling you; Bonnie was not there that night. I would have saw him."

"Well-"

"Did Monty tell you that? Don't believe him. He's always saying strange things. It's just part of who he is."

"But-"

"Look, if you're so convinced that Bonnie was involved, I'll tell you everything that happened tomorrow."

Other workers were starting to file in, ready for early morning tasks.

"Okay, sorry, I didn't mean to hold you back. I'll see you tomorrow then."

Vanessa sighed. "Sorry, it's a been a long night. It's fine." She let out a deep breath. "You did a good job today with Monty today. Since your little talk he's been acting completely different." She smiled, her tire and annoyance at you being suppressed.

"Really?"

"He was playing with Freddy. They looked as if they were enjoying themselves. We'll have to see if it lasts but it's a good sign."

A wave of relief washes over you, happy that the two made up. It occured to you that maybe Monty might not have told Freddy but whatever, you would set the record straight tomorrow.

"Thanks, Vanessa. See you tomorrow."

"Take care, (Y/N)." She waved and left the plex.

With that the day came to a close. The toll from both chases, repairing Bonnie and the hijinks with Sun took a lot out of you. You were also still getting used to the night shift. With that you also left the plex.

Without so much as a second thought the instant you step into your home you fell asleep right on the couch. Nevermind all the information and thoughts you had to digest.

Above all you needed sleep.

The next day will be called Meltdown.