Not by the Strings, Please.

Never Alone

No.

That's where I'm wrong.

I was never alone.

"Alright, Toys, let's get these bullies back into their closet!" Toy Bonnie exclaimed, raising a fist in the air, snapping me back into the moment. All the animatronics standing beside me let out a short cry as they rushed forward, their hands reaching out at the withered animatronics. The older models let out a roar of frenzy as they dashed towards us, their claws reaching hungrily for the shiny metal bodies of the Toys.

Bonnie let out a buzz of discordant static, slashing his claw at Toy Bonnie's body, every so often landing a hit and letting a scratch follow the sharp point. The blue bunny retaliated with a punch that sent the faceless animatronic yowling backwards, scratching his hand at the newly created dent on his head. Toy Freddy grappled with withered Freddy, the two locked in a deadly tussle. Toy Chica was strategically racing around withered Chica, using her speed and mobility to evade every single whiplash the broken chicken threw her way.

I watched the pandemonium unfold, watching for weaknesses in one of the old animatronic's attacks. It was required that I helped, too. I noticed immediately that Chica was distracted with Toy Chica, leaving her back exposed. I could land a hit, trip her, and give the toy an opening. I took a single step forward to begin my assault, but then felt the all-too-familiar tug of Foxy's hook on my back. This time, however, he was much more ruthless while he jerked me back.

I let out a scream of pain. My fabric was actually ripping at the force of his hook.

"You be the first to die, puppet." Foxy spat out the word like poison while his claw brushed my throat, ready to tear the fabric open and shut me down forever.

"TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HIM!" Mangle's voice suddenly screamed as I felt Foxy topple over behind me. I fell to the ground, but immediately shot to my feet, turning to face Foxy as Mangle freed me. The two foxes were fiercely glaring at each other, deep growls escaping the backs of their throats. Mangle was the first to attack, hurling herself forward at the pirate fox, clawing at his face with her good hand. Foxy let out a slew of incomprehensible insults as he took each of the hits, his eyes screwed shut against the blows.

Balloon Boy approached from behind, suddenly jumping on Foxy's back and beginning to hit him in the face with his sign.

"Take that and that, you meanie! Your hook is stupid! Pirates are STUPID!" Balloon Boy exclaimed, barely keeping himself on the thrashing fox's back.

And I, without even thinking about it, threw myself at the fox, digging my own claws into his fur and using another hand to yank on his ears. Foxy let out howls of pain as I did, and it made me feel accomplished. I was successfully facing my fears.

Beside me, Mangle snapped her teeth at Foxy's ears, biting deep into the metal and fur, causing Foxy to let out a long howl of ache. After this, he immediately started thrashing, as if trying to get away. I immediately released my grip, and Mangle and Balloon Boy did the same. When we stepped away from the pirate fox, he took one last terrified look at us before he turned around and rushed out the door. A surge of courage rose in my heart.

Turning around, I saw the toys still fighting with the withers. Old Bonnie's movements were slow and groggy, and Old Chica appeared to have difficulty moving all together. Freddy was the only one fighting with every last bit of determination. I let myself rush forward onto Bonnie's back, tugging at his ears and letting my claws dig into the cords and old components of his face. The purple bunny let out a confused moan before he threw me off, then rushed out the door without taking a second glance. Chica immediately followed, her pink eyes wide with surprise and fear.

Freddy glanced backwards once, then let a startled look appear on his face.

"Cowards!" His voice boomed as he threw Toy Freddy off himself into the wall, his fist brought back for a devastating punch. Toy Freddy was dazed, and I knew for sure he wouldn't be able to move in time. I dashed forward out of pure instinct, wrapping my fingers around withered Freddy's fist and swinging him around into the shelves. The animatronic let out a loud grunt as the shelves fell onto him, showering him in prizes and toys.

"It's over, Freddy." I panted, not realizing my own strength. The animatronic's blue eyes locked into mine, filling my soul with his hatred.

"It will never be over, puppet. You're alone here. All of you are. You'll never know the joy of creation like we did. None of you are real, all just empty shells." Freddy spat, his eye twitching a few times. I tilted my head at him, narrowing my eyes into the most intimidating glare I could muster.

"That's where we were both wrong. We're never alone." I made sure to glance at the toys standing behind me as I said the words. Freddy clenched his fists, slowly rising to his full height and taking a step towards me.

"I'll kill you." He snarled, getting ominously close to my face. I held my ground, and for the first time ever, I shot him a defiant stare.

"I'm not scared of you, Freddy. Never again." I retorted, bringing my claws up where he could see them and stepping forward. At first, I was afraid I would run into his metal body, but to my surprise, the animatronic stumbled back a step as I did, proving my success. A surge of confidence arose inside me, and I felt happier than ever to say the following words.

"I never want to see you here again. Stay in your closet, where you belong."

Freddy stumbled back another step before he shot a glare to each of the toys, then rushed out the door. As he left, I let my body relax. An uproar of cheering arose from the animatronics behind me. I turned to face them, and saw all their eyes were on me.

"You did it, Marrie!" Toy Bonnie exclaimed, his ears perked up.

"Great job!" Toy Chica commented, smiling excitedly.

"Yes...I'm so...glad it's over..." I sighed, letting my shoulders droop with exhaustion. Mangle stepped forward, pressing her snout gently to my cheek. I could barely believe any of that just happened.

I, of all animatronics, faced the worst creatures in our world and won, making new friends in the process. Just a few nights ago, I knew myself as nothing more than a forlorn animatronic. As that lonely puppet that lives in the Prize Corner. But now I could be something more. Something much more.

A new time was just beginning for me, and I was going to welcome it with open arms. There would be no tears, no isolation, and no anger. Only friendship, happiness and love.

Never alone.

Always together.