Defective Souls - Niki's Struggle

Chapter One

✰Familiar Faces✰

"The moral of the story, never underestimate the cunning of a pirate... Or a fox, for that matter."

The kids broke into excited chatter and questions, all eyes on him as they badgered and tried to get their pressing questions across. But a staff member gently pushed their way into the midst, ushering the kids away.
"You can ask your questions later, children, it's time for the party! Let's let Foxy rest a bit, okay?"

The staff lead the group away, to Freddy, who was waiting with a cheerful expression. The kids followed as he lead them to the party tables that lined the center of the atrium. The staff returned to Foxy with a light smile.
"Those kids never get tired of your stories, you know." He said in amusement.
Foxy gave a nod of agreement. "Aye, they love to hear of the tales of the seven seas."

The staff member smirked. "At least it keeps them busy. Hey, I'll be watching the party. See you later." He waved as he walked off towards the tables, and Foxy watched from his cove-which is how he caught sight of a teenage boy walking over to him. The boy had messy brown hair and light freckles on his face, and brown eyes.
"Ahoy, Gregory," Foxy greeted. "What brings ye to the cove?"
Gregory gave a small smile. "Someone came here to see you."
He gestured behind him, where a girl around his age stood, her long hair tied in a pony tail. The girl was smiling as she walked over, and Foxy's tail started wagging uncontrollably-he recognized this girl.

"Blow me down," he said softly. "Niki!"
The girl smiled wider at his words, nodding as she joined him and Gregory. "Yep. It's me. Your favourite quartermaster."
She opened her arms invitingly, and Foxy gladly accepted her embrace, ears slightly tilted down in joy.

"Look at ye!" He said when they pulled away. "I hardly remember ye as a kid anymore."
Niki smirked. "It's been a while since those days. And it's been a while since I saw you, so I decided to come visit."
She turned to Gregory, glancing him up and down. "I'm glad you're still here. What made you stay?"

Gregory shrugged. "Oh y'know. Helping out around the place, plus I feel like if I left, Freddy would've been sad. So I just figured I'd stay, it's an easy way to get some cash and it's fun."
Niki nodded in understanding. "Makes sense." She glanced back to Foxy, smirking slightly. "Hey do you... Mind if I stay for the weekend? It'd be nice to relive some old memories."

Foxy was more than happy to hear her request, giving an enthusiastic nod. "Of course ye can stay! Afterall, ye lived 'ere for years. Yer always welcome, lassie."
Niki smiled at his words. "Thank you. I'll be sure to visit you all more often, y'know. It's been way too long."
Gregory nodded in agreement. "Yeah it has. Hey, you up for a race? I challenged Roxy to one tonight. I doubt I'd win, but two of us might have a chance of beating her."
Niki smirked. "You're on. Beating Roxy in a race is something I've yet to do."

꧁-----------------------------------꧂

"On your marks... Get set... Go!"
Tess waved the red flag, and the three karts took off down the track, gaining speed as they headed down an incline.
The friendly race had turned into a little staff event, and a few dayshift staff had stayed over to watch, along with Vanessa and the band members. Even Sun had been convinced to come out from the Daycare after the kids had left to watch.

Now the lot of them were watching as Niki, Gregory, and Roxy sped through the track. Roxy was ahead by just a bit, with Niki second and Gregory inches behind her in last.
"You got this, Superstar!" Freddy called to Gregory as they zoomed past. Sun was apparently rooting for Roxy, because he helpfully called, "Drive faster, Roxy Wolf!" With a happy dance.
They'd decided to run three laps, and when they passed by the second time, Gregory was ahead.
"Blow the man down, lassie!" Foxy called, and as if in response, Niki stepped on the gas, gaining fast on Gregory as the three of them rounded a bend.

Roxy had no intentions of being last however, swerving at the last bend to pass Gregory just by an inch as they floored it through the finish, Niki in front. She raised her hands triumphantly as the karts came to a stop, and the five animatronics and Vanessa headed down to the track entrance.
Foxy raised his paw to Niki, which she high-fived (A/N: We ignore that the Glamrocks have four fingers) with a grin.
"Nice job." he said with a light tail wag, and Niki smiled.

Roxy looked sullen as she leaned against the fence, arms crossed.
Niki smirked at her as she patted her shoulder. "Don't feel bad Roxy. At least you weren't last."
She said the last word in a teasing tone, giving Gregory a playful grin. He gently punched her arm, making her laugh.
"I got unlucky. That's all."

Niki suddenly perked up, an idea apparently crossing her mind.
"Hey, I know! Foxy, you and Roxy are the fastest animatronics here. What if you both did a race, but without the karts?"
Roxy perked up at this, suddenly looking much happier than before.
"Now that's a wonderful idea. I'll definitely win this time."

Foxy glanced between the two, figuring it could be fun. "Ah, alright. But I ain't goin' easy on ye, Roxanne."
Roxy's eyes narrowed in a playful manner. "Same goes for you. You'll have to be wily to beat me."
The two stepped onto the race track, Tess and Vanessa quickly clearing away the karts to make room for the two canines.

"Go, Roxy Wolf!" Sun encouraged from beside the track. As if in challenge, Niki called, "You got this, Foxy." Right after. Foxy winked at her, then glanced at Roxy with a mischievous expression. Roxy mirrored it, then focused her attention on the track ahead.
Tess held up the red flag again.
"On your marks... Get set... Go!"

Roxy sprinted forward immediately, and Foxy followed suit, only slightly slower. He swerved to the inner lane of the track, watching Roxy closely as she slowly got further ahead with every stride. They rounded the first bend, Foxy catching up slightly as he was in the inner lane. Roxy turned to glance at him, her yellow eyes narrowed as she increased her speed. Foxy again let her get ahead until the second bend, but Roxy had learned. She swerved infront of Foxy to the inner lane as well, causing him to have to slow down to avoid colliding with the wolf.

But he had one last trick ready. The two were on the last stretch to the finish, and that's when Foxy put on full turbo.
He dodged around Roxy as he sped up, paws a blurr on the ground as he easily passed her, just before they reached the end. Once past it, Foxy pivoted swiftly, leaning back as he skidded to a smooth halt in front of the track entrance.

Niki gave a cheer, clapping and smiling as Foxy stepped off the track.
"That was a good race!" She giggled with amusement.
"Aye. Just goes to show. Ye should never-" he was cut off at Roxy's mocking tone, "Never underestimate a pirate or a fox. I know, I know. You still cheated." She leaned against the fence again, sulking, ears drooped and tail tucked.
"On the contrary," Foxy replied. "I used tactics to win."
Roxy gave a light growl, still looking a little sulky.

"It's alright, Roxy," Niki said kindly to the wolf. "You've got lots of races tomorrow. You'll win those. You always do."
Roxy's ears pricked slightly at the prospect, making Niki giggle.

"Hey, Niki, how about you join us for a staff dinner?" Gregory suggested. "Since you're staying the night?" Niki nodded at the suggestion. "Yeah, that sounds fun!"
She then turned to Foxy. "I'll see you in Kids' Cove later?" She asked, and he nodded. "Aye. I'll be there."

And so the staff and Niki all headed out, and the animatronics followed slowly. As they were leaving, Foxy suddenly felt a wave of dizziness come over him, and he paused, confused. That was odd; a malfunction maybe? He shook his head to clear it, and the dizziness passed. He figured it was just some mechanic acting up for some strange reason.

Nothing to worry about.

Right?

Okay yeah, I know robots wouldn't really exactly get dizzy but it's the best foreshadowing I could think of, plus I've sorta enjoyed giving the animatronics somewhat human aspects, like being tired/sleeping/dreaming, and getting dizzy. So there you have it. XD.