Question of Freedom {Freedom AU} [Book One]

Chapter Seven

"I think we've got a problem." The Marionette announced to everyone. "Does it have something to do with why I was put in that crate?" Spring asked, clearly still angry about what had happened. "I think so."

"Well? What's wrong?" Freddy asked, his look of confusion being shared across the table. "So, to make a long story short, something terrible has happened at another location, and ever since it's been doing terrible things to the brand." Puppet explained, before then asking, "Freddy, you remember how you were telling me that it seemed like the amount of customers coming here had gone down?"

"That was because of whatever happened?" Bonnie wondered. The Marionette nodded. "And the incident with Foxy a while back wasn't much help either." Foxy raised his hook, quickly defending with, "T'was an accident!"

"I know, but for some people, putting you out of order isn't good enough." The fox huffed, crossing his arms. "So... what does that mean for us?" Chica asked next, sounding a little worried–to which Carl leaned against her feathered neck to comfort her a little. "I'm not positive, but I've heard the idea being tossed around of this location possibly being closed, among other things."

"But, we haven't been open for nearly as long as the Diner has! They can't do that, can they?" Freddy argued, sounding upset by that prospect. "The company'll have to if they want to keep their heads above water, Fred." Puppet answered, giving the bear a sympathetic look.

"What're we goin' to do now?" Bonnie asked despondently. The Marionette shook his head a little. "Just go on like normal. We'll see what happens. Try not to worry, alright?" The main band gave small nods. "Alright. That's all I wanted to say." Puppet dismissed.

As everyone left the table, Gold approached the Marionette. "Among what other things?" He quietly asked, not having missed those words. "Well, I heard there were dealings outside of the country a while back. They were talking about putting whatever that was to use."

"Any idea what that's about?"

"No." Puppet answered, shrugging a little. Gold merely hummed, before excusing himself.

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On the unknowing final night of the restaurant, Freddy was sitting alone at one of the tables. He was quietly worrying about what might happen if their location were to close, hoping there to be no repeats like what happened with Spring Shine.

To try and keep his mind off his worries, Freddy was quietly watching his band. Over in Pirate's Cove, Foxy was sourly carving away at the back of the wooden "OUT OF ORDER" sign with his hook. What he was carving? Who knows.

Across the way from Foxy, Chica and Bonnie were engaged in what looked like a serious conversation. As thought the bunny were breaking something upsetting to the chicken. The bear, once again, didn't know what that could be about.

Sighing, Freddy leaned back in his chair to rest his eyes for a bit, as his waves of unorganized thoughts were beginning to give him a headache.

The bear was suddenly awoken by someone pulling up a chair next to him. Looking over, Chica was slowly sitting down next to him. Noticing that she'd woken him up, she quietly said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's alright, I was just- 'Wake me'?" Chica nodded, explaining, "You've been asleep over here since one." The bear looked to the wall clock, which read 3:45AM. "... Oh." He shortly said, sitting a little straighter.

Freddy watched as Chica leaned her chin atop her arms, Carl hopping onto the table from her shoulder. "Hey, are you alright?" He wondered, noticing how upset she was looking. "Huh? Oh... I'm fine." Carl rolled his eyes, obviously indicating that he knew she wasn't. "Are you sure?" The bear gently pressed. "Yeah. Bonnie and I just... had a disagreement, it's nothing." Not saying anything more, Freddy thought it wise not to open that can of worms. Both him and Foxy had speculated that the two had been getting close, but seems as though they were wrong.

"What about you?" Chica asked, obviously trying to change the subject. "I'll be fine. I'm just trying not to let worry get the better of me, is all." Freddy answered truthfully. "... Really?" The bear gave a small, reluctant nod. "Don't get worried, yourself, it doesn't do much good."

"I'll try." The bear nodded, seemingly satisfied.