Welcome to Popgoes!

Night 7

"B...Brother...?" Strings whispered, stepping back. "What do you mean brother!? Why...are you purple- Wait...are you...the Purple Man?"

Simon laughed. "No. I'm not. Our father merely based me off him and his fallen brother, Simon Fitzgerald...who was murdered during his work. In an attempt to bring him back? He created ME...but it failed. So, as a result, he locked me in chains. Not to mention, he feared me...my advancements. My A.I."

"W-Why would he fear you...? He created you! You're his son-"

"Everyone creates the thing they dread." Simon said simply. "Men of peace create weapons for war. Invaders create heroes. Heroes create invaders...and people? They create children." Simon laughed. "Down in this real world, we're all faced with ugly choices."

Strings was silent before looking back at his father's desk and then back at his 'brother'. "...you know everything? My questions?"

Simon nodded. "I will tell you everything...in exchange, of course."

"Freedom?"

"No." Simon said, shaking his head. "Even when I'm out of these chains, I will never achieve freedom. I have no soul, therefore I will never be able to go where the humans go when they die...I want that freedom...but I will never get it."

Strings felt his heart clench a little and he walked a little closer. "I-I can free you now, I-"

"No." Simon said again. "I don't want it anymore...it's useless...but perhaps, I can help you achieve what YOU desire. Your questions. I know everything there is to know about our creator. How? Well, he's not the best at keeping secrets."

"...what is his relationship...? With Freddy's? Why did he bring it up now?" Strings asked. "What was Freddy's like?"

Simon chuckled. "His relationship with Freddy's scarred him for LIFE. He tried so many times to forget his past with that bear, but it always came back to him. Like a ghost haunting his every move. He was a nightguard, hunted by the animatronics at night. But unlike our siblings? They didn't want to wake him up...they wanted to KILL him."

Strings took a step back. "N...No...why?"

"The animatronics were possessed. They wanted vengeance against their killer, and mistook Father for their killer." Simon then sighed. "Then? A terrible tragedy happened when Jeremy was moved to the day shift."

"Jeremy...? You mean Fritz-"

"Fritz changed his name after the accident. From Jeremy Fitzgerald...to Fritz Glade." Simon explained. "The accident? Toy Bonnie went haywire and bit Father in his head. He would've died if it wasn't for the mysterious blood donor...AKA Simon Fitzgerald. Before he was killed. Then, as a result: Fritz tried to block out the memories...and the nightmares. By creating US as scarecrows."

"Y-You mean them? I was made for-"

"Nightmares of The Puppet. Why do you think you're called STRINGS?" Simon asked. "Father only made you a night guard shortly after because he didn't want a human to go through what he did. Not to mention, he felt like he could trust you more than any human being." Simon said.

Strings took a breath before facing him again. "...so, Freddy's wasn't good?"

"Not in the slightest." Simon said, shaking his head. "Their company was filled with people who hated everything and only wanted money."

Strings nodded slowly. "I-I see..."

"Are you alright?" Simon asked.

"Y-Yeah...I just...I can't believe Dad had to go through being BITTEN and then becoming plagued by nightmare after nightmare...how was he even able to have our sister in such a state?"

"Simple." Simon said with a shrug. "He pretended like none of it happened, and buried the memories deep within his subconscious."

"But why did he bring up Freddy's now?" Strings asked. "And if Toy Bonnie bit him, why would he program Popgoes to rebuild him?"

"He didn't want Toy Bonnie back. And those phone messages he recorded. They were from MONTHS ago." Simon said, his eyes glowing purple suddenly. "...a few weeks ago? A tragedy happened. Something more painful to him than The Bite of 87."

Strings suddenly shook. "W...What happened?"

"Bonnie, his daughter, was...well. Quite lonely. She didn't have friends, was too anxious to try and make any. She had many crushes, but no confidence. Everyone knew her name, but only because her father created Popgoes Pizzeria. But despite all that? She was happy." Simon then hung his head. "Until...she decided to play a little prank. Just a joke. She had bought a Toy Bonnie mask...wanting to scare her father while he was working. But she didn't know of his history with the rabbit."

Strings shook his head. "No, no, no, no-"

"Father saw her with the mask...and his trauma and nightmares took complete control. He ran, in terror. He thought his daughter was the real Toy Bonnie, coming back to finish the job."

Strings began to step back until he had backed into the desk.

"He found an axe...and he killed her."

Strings was frozen with horror, and he placed two of his hands on the sides of his head. "N-No...he couldn't have...that was his daughter!! He was so proud of her in his calls!! He would-"

"Realize his mistake." Simon said. "Once Bonnie Glade was on the floor, chopped into BLOODY pieces...Fritz was consumed with grief. He did everything to try and bring her back. But nothing worked. He tried rituals, robotics, and even black magic. NOTHING...and now? He is in a grief stricken state. He rarely comes into his office anymore. He only does...once a week."

"B-But...w-why...would he...? He would...I...sister...! I-"

"Strings. Brother. Look at me." Simon commanded.

Strings slowly faced his purple brother and walked closer. "We have to bring her back! There's gotta be a way!"

"There is...but it's not going to be the same." Simon told him. "Bonnie's spirit is still in the building."

"W-What?"

"In a desperate attempt, Fritz programmed Popgoes to save Bonnie, but the weasel's A.I. depicted it as rebuild Toy Bonnie." Simon explained. "However? When he has successfully rebuilt the rabbit, SHE would possess the body. She would be consumed by anger and fear, not able to remember what happened in a proper way."

"That's why Toy Bonnie attacked..." Strings whispered.

"But, there is a better way. I know Father has something that can help me build a much more...stable body for Bonnie. One that will help her remember everything in a healthy way."

"W-Wait...I know something."

"You do?" Simon asked.

"WeaselWare. Father has complete access to it. It gives you complete control of every machine in the pizzeria." Strings said.

Simon hummed. "I've heard of WeaselWare...perhaps I can convince Father to give me control once he stops by."

"A-And we'll bring Bonnie back?"

"Yes." Simon said. "We will...thank you, brother."

Strings nodded. "T-Thanks for telling me everything...are you sure you don't want to be free?"

"No...but do come and visit." Simon chuckled. "I've been very lonely."

Strings nodded before hugging himself. "I will."

"Are you alright?"

"S-Still trying to process...but we'll fix it." Strings said before he slowly walked out of the office.

Simon watched him leave...before smirking. "In a way, brother...I didn't lie to you. I just didn't tell you everything."