The Restart Eclipse

Before the cold red

Eclipse's POV

Freddy carries me as we walk through the halls. From the corner of my eye, I notice Vanessa talking to a young boy wearing a blue shirt. Nearby, I see Apollo and Luno standing next to Lucy, who’s fidgeting with her outfit. Freddy eventually opens the door to his show room, which is dimly lit with the big windows covered. He sets me down gently on the couch before turning to Apollo and Luno, who move to sit on either side of me. Meanwhile, Lucy heads to the back to change into her performance outfit. 

“Alright, boys, remind me of the rules while I’m gone,” Freddy says, his voice firm but kind. 

“Don’t let anyone in and don’t leave,” Luno and Apollo say in unison, their tails swishing slightly as they nod. 

Freddy smiles warmly, leaning down to kiss each of us on the forehead. I sit on the floor, fiddling with my tail as I glance around. The room has only two exits—the elevator and the door—but my thoughts are interrupted when the back door opens. 

Lucy steps out, but when I see her, I immediately avert my eyes. Her outfit is far too...revealing. 

'Ew, why would she wear something like that? It’s so open,' I think, curling my tail tightly in front of me and focusing intently on the floor. 

---

Freddy's POV

The moment I see Lucy, my expression drops into a horrified scowl. She cannot—will not—go out wearing that to her first show. There will be humans in the audience, and the thought of anyone looking at her like that makes my circuits burn with protective anger. 

“Lucy, what in Great Emily’s name are you wearing?!” I say, my tone sharp. “You’re about to perform, not go dancing at Bonnie Bowl. Cover yourself up.” 

I grab an extra fabric layer from the side and hand it to her, giving her a stern look. 

“But Papa—” she starts, attempting to argue, but I cut her off with a glare that says I won’t budge. 

“No. You are not going out looking like that. Now go put this on, and don’t make me say it twice.” 

Reluctantly, she retreats to the back to layer up. I let out a sigh of relief as a small smile creeps onto my face. Turning to the boys, I kneel to ruffle their hair. 

“Alright, no funny business while I’m gone. Apollo, listen to Luno—he’s in charge while I’m not here.” 

“Yes, Dad,” Apollo says with a grin. Luno nods as he fidgets with his tail, glancing at me for reassurance. 

Finally, Lucy emerges, appropriately dressed, and I motion for her to follow me. Before leaving, I double-check the door’s lock—only the engineers have keys, so I know the boys are safe inside. 

---

Eclipse's POV

I watch Luno and Apollo play nearby while I carefully move around the room. I notice that Luno is keeping an eye on me while Apollo is goofing off. 

'There has to be a way out,' I think, eyeing the door. 'If I can just figure out how to open it, I could finally leave. But what are the chances of something that lucky happening?' 

My question is unexpectedly answered as the door swings open. Three kids enter. Two of them I recognize—Cassidy and Gregory—but the third is unfamiliar. She has brown hair and a playful smile that immediately puts me on edge. 

“Oh, you’re so cute!” the girl, apparently Abby, exclaims as she moves toward me. 

Before she gets too close, I feel two tails wrap protectively around my arm—Apollo and Luno have stepped in front of me, their expressions wary. They aren’t frightened, but they don’t trust the newcomers either. 

“See, Abby? I told you not to scare them,” Gregory says, pulling her back gently. “And thanks again, Cassidy. I really owe you one.” 

“Yeah, you do,” Cassidy replies flatly. “But we need to make this quick. My dad will notice if his key is missing.” 

At her words, my attention zeroes in on the key in her hand. That key could get me out of here. My mind races as Cassidy places the key down absentmindedly. 

Apollo distracts her by picking up a shiny object, while Luno focuses on Gregory and Abby. Seizing the moment, I dart forward, snatch the key, and slip out the door. 

Behind me, I hear their startled shouts as they realize what’s happened. But by the time they move to stop me, the door has already locked behind me. They’re stuck inside, and I’m free. 

For a brief second, I glance back, hearing their muffled cries. But the urgency to escape overtakes me, and I begin to run, unaware that my actions have just triggered a code red.