A Guard's life

Puppet show

A/N:
So, there's neither Old Sport nor Dave in this chapter. I have no idea how that happened... but I pray you enjoy anyway, dear reader!

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Humming. Such a familiar tune...
It wasn't the usual tune.
Had someone tampered with his box?
Did he get a new one, after they discovered the destruction of his home?
But why change the tune? He liked the grandfather's clock melody!
The music was interrupted by a cough. It was real humming, no artificial reconstruction.
"Here you go, Puppet! You look just as cute as before!"
It had been a while since he was called "cute" the last time... who was that?
Without rush he resurfaced out of his fire-induced trance. His eyes lit up. The youngest Guard of the facility was smiling down at him, screwdriver and cloth in his hands.
You. How did you stay alive? Freddy's is not the right place for you.
Shock turned the question mark into an exclamation mark. "This voice... You're the one who talked to me while I was working the Nightshift! David!"
DO NOT CALL ME THAT.
"Why...? You remind me of my old neighbor, who-"
I do not care. Never call me that again if you value your life.
"Geesh, I'm really sorry, I didn't know it you hated it that much! What's your name then? So I can call you what you like!"
I am the Marionette! I do not need such a silly thing as a name!
"But wouldn't a name be more fun? It's something that's yours! It makes you individual!"
There are only so many names, individuality is a myth.
"That's pretty negative... I think Mike once said the same thing. How about I call you Marion?"
I feel humiliated already.
"So it's a deal! You already know my name if I remember correctly...? I thought I was becoming weird! But you were ACTUALLY talking with me! Thank you, it helped me to stay calm!"
The puppet tilted his head, deeply irritated. Was this... boy too stupid to realize that he was working on distracting him, so the others could get in easier?
Jeremy, why did you take me out of my box?
"Oh, there was an accident, you got burned and Mr. Phone Guy allowed me to repair you!"
I could kill you, you know?!
"Why would you?"
You- For God's sake, why would you even WANT to repair me?!
"Why wouldn't I? You're my favorite animatronic after all!"
Favorite... are you serious?!
"Yes! You're like Santa!"
... Santa ...
"Exactly! Going around, giving gifts, making people happy!"
A small laughter was kept back in the metaphorical throat of the creature. Startled he paused, not remembering the last time he genuinely laughed.
Jeremy, you DO know that I was a danger to you at night?
"Never got hurt by you, so... all you wanted was your music box after all and I understand that!"
What? Are you honestly saying that you don't mind people attempting to kill you for letting their music run out?!
"HA! Finally you talk normal! And well... you were malfunctioning... someone who gives presents out to cheer up kids can't be bad!"
A staring contest ensued, a contest the puppet lost, for the first time in forever.
You are... you're a weird one, Jeremy. Stupid, but a nice form of it.
With a giant grin Jeremy picked him up and held him face to face. "That's the spirit! Better stupid and nice then smart and cruel!"
...that's a good philosophy. Keep it forever. But if you don't mind me asking... what exactly did you repair about me?
"Thankfully it wasn't much, a few wires were damaged and of course you were a little dirty, but all in all I did barely anything."
The supernatural machine stayed silent, thinking. After a while he turned towards the window.
What does the clock say? I have to return to my box before midnight!
"Uh... it's three o'clock already..."
Panicked the being floated upwards, changing place rapidly from shadow to shadow.
I HAVE to be at the restaurant! How will they... they will...!
"Please calm down, Marion! I'm sure it'll be alright!" The brown-haired boy tried to catch him in hopes of calming him down via the magic of hugs.
You do NOT understand! I AM THEIR PROTECTION! THEY CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT! They aren't able to make the right decision!
"What are you even talking about? What decision?" In an instant the creature was right in front of him. It almost appeared as if it wanted to lash out, but suddenly it reappeared on the ceiling, looming over him.
Tell me. Do you know the dangers of being kidnapped? Of losing your perception of reality and justice? Forgetting to struggle against your captor?
Jeremy's confused and fearful expression told him that it wasn't the case. "Please, calm down, you're making no sense!"
The Marionette slowly descended, until he was back right in front of the Guard. Before he could say anything though, he was softly grabbed and cradled in Jeremy's arms. Who did this human think he was?! This goddamn human, this piece of-
Human. Right, Jeremy was a human. Not any human, but also an employee of Freddy's... and authorized to "repair" the others. Why didn't he thought of this before?
You are right, Jeremy. I am overreacting. It is simply... my fellow machines are quite moody at night, as you know yourself. BUT, I am currently working on something to... fix them. You could help me, Jeremy! You are actually the one thing I need to fulfill my plan! Please Jeremy, will you help me?
"O-of course! But... could y-you please slow down? What about the kidnapping thing?"
Silently the Marionette wished he had thought of this sooner, so he could have prepared a nice bedtime story, something a child-minded man as this Guard could comprehend and believe. A nice, clean story, with no real villain and everyone ending up happy.
Can you keep a secret? A well-guarded secret?
"Anytime!"
It's a dark secret.
"Tell me! Don't make this so tense!"
Inside the robots... are children's souls. They... got stuck at... their happiest place. As every confused kid, they get scared at night and as many scared people, they get angry.
"So, you mean..."
Nothing seems to get into their head! Even worse that they misjudged every attempt at repairing them as an attack against them. They are lonely, confused and scared and I am helpless, I can only try to make them trust me. I have made them believe that I participated in their dark activities, telling them that I can only exit my box once the music runs out... a task I prayed all Guards were able to fulfill. But I have run into a dead end, with no plan on how to save everyone. The deaths have to stop! The hate hast to stop! Yet there is no way to do it. Except...
"Except?!" As expected the Guy gobbled it up. With awe he watched him.
Except if you give me a shortcut. Take a few screws out of me and replace them with new ones. Keep the old screws and use the first chance you get to insert them into the others. It will give me the ability to get inside their minds, calming them whenever needed. Soothe their broken minds and help them move on, to turn Freddy's back into the paradise it could be.
"So, no more death?"
Never again. Peace and pizza!
They both smiled about that weird statement. "Good, but I need to buy new screws, I don't have any more in this house... I'll buy some tomorrow."
Can you... take me along?
"I won't go to work, since I want to get you done, so it wouldn't really get you anywhere..."
Oh... I would just like to see a normal store... I've heard shopping for items can be fun...?
"In that case, no problem! But how do I transport you? Wait, I've got it! I've gotten you here in a big backpack, would you mind being carried around again?"
Not at all! It's kind of like a piggyback ride, right?
Jeremy smiled at the happy tone of the Marionette. It was always an accomplishment to cheer someone up. But even though he felt accomplished, he still felt the weight on his eyes. It was far too late for him, he should have been in bed for at least six hours already...
Yawning the boy stretched his arms and shortly petted his new companion. "I'll go to sleep now, will you be fine? Should I turn on some music? If you want you can always wake me up or sleep in my bed!"
I- I will maybe take that offer up. Later...
Tired and happy Jeremy got ready, snuggled into his soft blankets and stared into the dark. Silently he prayed for Mike, even if he trusted in the abilities of his friend, he was sure that it wouldn't hurt.