The Miss and The Music: A Marionette X story

Not goodbye, not yet

•Janus's P.O.V.•

I sat on the stage, holding my knees to my chest, resting my forehead on them. Mars had his arm wrapped around my shoulders and Mangle was sitting beside me, running her hand through my hair. I'd been sobbing for about a half hour.

"They're back..."

I loved up to see the kids walking into the room. They were...bloody. Chica looked like she'd just been to the carnival. The grin that lit up her face contrasted with the deep crimson staining her dress. It sent chills down my spine.

"Is...is it done?" I asked quietly.

"Oh yes, it's done." She giggled. "No more mister purple man."

"Purple?"

"We all saw him as purple, for some odd reason." Freddy spoke. "I don't know why, but we did."

"At least...at least it's over." I sighed shakily, feeling a little more relaxed. "What about the body?"

"If this place is getting torn down, they'll find him eventually." He shrugged. "But...you guys..."

"I know." Toy Freddy sighed. "I don't know what the hell we're going to do."

"I do."

Everyone looked up at me. I took a deep breath, finally telling them about what I'd been planning since I'd heard the story on the phone.

"Tomorrow I'm going to be the day guard, Katie too. There's a birthday party, one final goodbye to this place. Once it closes, it'll be my job to sneak all of you out."

"You can't be serious." Mangle shook her head. "They're going to see us missing and call the police!"

"If you're getting scrapped already, I don't think they'll care much. I can't let you all die. You're my friends and my family." I shook my head. "To leave you behind is to leave my heart where it will be destroyed. I need you guys."

"I think it be worth a shot."

Everyone turned to Foxy. He smiled, walking up to me.

"But, I think we be too attached to leave. The withered and I." He looked at the other kids. "Whatever happens, we be stayin' here. Someone 'as to look over the pizzeria."

"Are you sure?" I asked quietly, and they all nodded happily.

"We're ghosts, Janus." Chica smiled. "But they aren't. We're happy here. And we'll have new friends, I'm sure of it. But you have to promise all of us one thing."

"What's that?"

"That you'll come back. Just to see us one last time."

I nodded. "I'll make sure of it."

The bell for six rang eventually, and I got off the stage, letting Mars help me down. He held me in his arms for a good few minutes before pulling away, only to place a kiss on my cheek.

"I love you Janus. And, thank you." He rested his forehead on mine. "Thank you for saving us."

"I couldn't let you go." I kissed him gently. "I love you, Mars."

"What time will you be back?"

"About seven. I need to get Katie up, and maybe shower and change. I feel like I'm the one covered in blood." I laughed quietly. "I'll have to show you what a shower is like when I get the chance."

"What is a shower?"

"Well, basically you stand under a tap naked and turn the water on warm while you wash yourself." I giggled.

"I like the idea of that already. Only if I can take one with you." He pulled me closer, kissing me passionately while I giggled louder.

"Okay. Well, I'm going to get going." I hugged him tight, waving to the rest of my friends. I hope the party would be over quickly.

~mini skips~

"So we just get to go in and watch a kid have their birthday?"

"Pretty much." I sighed, standing in front of my mirror. I grabbed Mars's necklace, clasping it around my neck. "After that, we need to get everyone out of there."

"Where the hell are we going to put six people anyway?" Katie asked, crossing her legs as she watched me.

I grabbed a newspaper and threw it at her. She found the article immediately, her eyes widening.

"Do you think we can actually do this?"

"Our pay checks should be getting handed out tonight. Once we get them out, we'll have to go job hunting immediately, but it shouldn't be hard. They're all adults, they can get jobs."

"Babe, this is...huge." She grinned.

"I already called them before you got here, they said we could move out stuff in whenever."

"Isn't this just on the other side of town too?"

"Yeah, it is." I laughed, grabbing my backpack. "And the property runs on well water, so we'll have that covered. We might not have electricity for a while though."

"I have a little generator my dads been trying to get rid of. That could easily keep some of the lights on."

"Good." I held out my hand, helping her up from the bed. "I'll talk to my parents tonight about moving things, they already know I've been looking for a place. I'll just say I got the deal this morning."

"Well, you technically did." She chortled as we walked down the steps and out the front door. The air was warm, a feeling of freedom carried with it. I was sort of glad that today would be ending with something happy, instead of what the night had ended on.

As the building loomed ahead of us, I could see the cars parked in the parking lot, hear the squeals of children echo from inside the pizzeria. I saw a flash of yellow run by and got curious, and the moment I opened the doors I was met with waist height hugs from a little chicken.

"Hey Chica." I smiled, picking her up. "What are you doing up?"

"Waiting for you." She hugged me tight, waving at Katie. "The party is just about to start, you guys better hurry up."

"We know, we know." I chuckled, holding the door open for Katie. We were greeted by the sounds of joyful children running about, socializing with the happy animatronics. I saw Katie's shoulders start to wiggle as she saw Bonnie, a sign she was excited. The second he saw her he winked and blew her a kiss, to which her cheeks lit up like cherries.

I walked over to the gift box, watching the usual crowd of kids gather around it. The music began to chime, and I felt my smile growing larger the closer it got to the pop. He finally leapt from the blue preset, flailing his arms and smiling. Mars saw me instantly, and his voice was filled with joy as he spoke.

"I know you're all sad that today is our last day," he addressed the kids, who all pouted. "But soon enough, you'll have new friends to play with. Today is a good day, because it marks a new beginning, for everyone here. Enjoy yourselves my little friends, for I'll miss you."

'I love you' he mouthed to me, holding a little nub hand to his chest. I reached up unconsciously, running my fingers over the jewel that sat on my sternum.

'I love you too.'

***
Oh god guys. There's only three chapters left. I'm crying.
Just...thank you to everyone out there who reads and enjoys this book. My writing means a lot to me and it makes me so happy that people enjoy it. Have a wonderful day guys, I'll be posting again tomorrow