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Chapter One:Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza(night)
OCTAVIUS, MIKE, and ABBY wander through the main room of the run-down pizzeria, ABBY making her way immediately to the main stage.
ABBY:It’s me! I’m back!
She notices the empty plastic bag on the stage, several wrappers from small snacks scattered nearby.
ABBY:Uh, did someone else come by earlier?
She points to the bag and looks at the other two, the NightWing freezing immediately.
OCTAVIUS: Maybe . Could just be…vandals who broke in and…ate something.
He looks at the older LeafWing, who’s trying to get a flashlight to work.
OCTAVIUS:So, Vanessa didn’t want to join us?
MIKE:I called her, but she didn’t answer. I left a voicemail anyway explaining what we’re doing.
When he gets the flashlight working and starts to walk out of the room, OCTAVIUS calls to him.
OCTAVIUS:I’ll keep an eye on her if you want to look around!
MIKE nods and continues walking down a hallway, his eyes falling on a door that’s open just a crack.
MIKE:Let’s see if those “vandals” left anything else behind.
Before he can even touch the doorknob, the sound of music from the main stage startles him, and he turns to look in the direction of his sister’s delighted shrieks.
MIKE:Octavius must’ve found the button. Surprised anything still works…or was even turned on. Those people must’ve wanted it to look a bit more…welcoming.
He turns around to see the door across from the slightly-open one, this door being wide open and clear to see what’s inside.
MIKE:Uh, Octavius?
He starts to raise his voice, a bit creeped out by what he’s seeing.
MIKE:OCTAVIUS!
The NightWing comes running down the hallway, the dragonet following behind out of curiosity, the three now at the open doorway with wide eyes.
MIKE:What is that ?
He shines his flashlight on a metal table in the center of the room, a smooth, silver doe-like animatronic lying on it, its spindly needle-like legs glinting against the light.
Chapter Two:Library(day)
GABRIEL walks through the doors, the SkyWing at the desk looking up from her papers to watch him look over at his friend by the microfilm viewers.
GABRIEL:Lily! You’re here!
The SkyWing growls softly as a reminder to stay quiet, and he nods before quietly dashing over to the SandWing.
LILY:Hey, Gabe. Did you find anything else you wanna look into?
The NightWing fidgets with his talons nervously, keeping his voice quiet so only she can hear him.
GABRIEL:Uh…well, I was cleaning my mom’s room and-...I found a piece of my eggshell. From when I hatched.
LILY looks intrigued, her tail swaying behind her slightly.
LILY:Was there anything weird about it?
GABRIEL:Well…it changed colour when I brought it to the light. It changed from silvery-…black…to white .
LILY:Huh. Is that like a thing that happens in your family?
The NightWing shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
GABRIEL:My mom said I got a lot of the recessive genes from my grandmother’s side. Mutations, as…people would say when I was a child.
He looks a bit hurt by the word “mutations”, like he’s some sort of sci-fi creature rather than a dragon.
GABRIEL:All of them are physical…I’m pretty sure.
LILY takes some time to look at him, his horns that look like deer antlers, the shape of his claws, his eyes that look like a mixture of blue and green, rather than one or the other.
LILY:How many do you know of?
The NightWing looks around for a moment, making sure no one else is around, then takes her to a quiet area behind a shelf.
GABRIEL:A lot. My horns, eyes… these …
He points to the silver scales behind his eyes, then hesitates before grabbing the hem of his shirt with one hand.
GABRIEL:And this .
He lifts up part of his shirt, revealing a line of white scales down the side of his torso.
GABRIEL:It first started appearing when I was around ten or twelve.
LILY stares at it for a few seconds, then looks back at his face when he lets go of his shirt.
LILY:Did anything else change?
GABRIEL:Just…my firebreath. And my tolerance of the cold got better.
LILY:Did you hatch in the winter?
The other dragon shakes his head, then fixes his glasses.
GABRIEL:No, I hatched in June. I was a summer dragonet.
LILY:Weird.
She looks back at the microfilm machines, then at him.
LILY:Do you think there’s anything on NightWing…uh… genes ?
The NightWing leans against the shelf, his wings folded towards him, feeling small from his confusion and differences.
GABRIEL:Maybe…
He thinks back to the box in the attic, and what else might be there if he only got a better look.
GABRIEL:I-...I’ll try to find more stuff at my house.
His thoughts go to what else his mother might be hiding, but stops himself from seeing it negatively, as it starts to paint her as a villain of some sort.
GABRIEL:Maybe you could even come over to help me?
The question escapes his mouth before he can stop it, and LILY just smiles.
GABRIEL:So…is that a yes?
LILY:Yeah, maybe even give me your number first so I can call and ask about where you live. It would make it easier.
The other dragon’s ears perk up with realization, then he chuckles awkwardly.
GABRIEL:Oh, yeah, right.
He looks around for any paper or pens to write with, but LILY stops him with a laugh.
LILY:You can just tell me. I’ve got a great memory.
So GABRIEL whispers his number to her, she nods, and he waves her goodbye as he stumbles out the door.
Chapter Three:Elementary School(day)[eight years earlier]
While several dragonets play on the schoolyard, MILDRED stands with one of the teachers, a RainWing.
RAINWING:So, you must be Gabe’s mother?
The NightWing nods, looking over the teacher’s pink dress and brown boots, a clipboard in her hand with the day’s schedule.
MILDRED:He’s…my only kid.
RAINWING:Oh! Who’s the father?
MILDRED:He’s not around.
The RainWing’s frills turn a slight cyan with curiosity, but then grey when she thinks of the worst possible reason why.
RAINWING:Is he-
MILDRED:Let’s just say he was one of those NightWings society didn’t like.
There’s a silent tension between them, the NightWing managing to keep an almost uninterested, unemotional expression while the teacher looks sad.
MILDRED:Anyway, how’s Gabe in school?
The teacher snaps her attention back to the dragonets, her expression softening as she watches them play.
RAINWING:He’s doing excellent in his arts and languages.
MILDRED:Ah yes, I guess all that Spanish paid off.
The RainWing looks back at her with curiosity again.
RAINWING:Oh, I’m guessing you’re-
MILDRED:My mom’s side. Don’t know why they wanted to come here instead of staying in New Mexico, but I guess housing was cheaper.
She looks at her son talking with some kids in the grass, three SkyWing triplets inspecting his bracelet.
SKYWING 1:Ooh, pretty!
SKYWING 2:What’s it for?
SKYWING 3:Where did you get it?
GABRIEL pulls his arm out of the first one’s grasp, putting his hand over it.
GABRIEL:It’s really important, and my mom got it for me. Apparently it’s some experimental…medication…thing.
The triplets stare in awe and confusion.
SKYWING 1:Wait, so do you have like…a sickness or something?
SKYWING 2:How can you come to school if you’re sick?
SKYWING 3:Don’t tell me you have like, cooties or something.
GABRIEL:No, no, I don’t have anything like that!
He looks at his mother for a long moment, then back at his bracelet, fidgeting with the small black rocks.
GABRIEL:If I don’t wear this while I’m awake, I hear things.
The second SkyWing leans in closer to look at the rocks better.
SKYWING 2:What kind of things? Monsters and stuff? Are you haunted?
GABRIEL:No, it’s…it’s mostly my mom’s voice. It’s like she’s talking but…her mouth isn’t moving. It’s really creepy. She says it’s because I have…uh…
He tries to remember the mysterious diagnosis he was given, the name long and complicated sounding to his young child brain.
GABRIEL:It starts with an “s”, but I can’t remember how it’s pronounced.
The three SkyWings lean back slightly.
SKYWING 1:Damn. Do you think it’ll go away?
The NightWing shrugs, looking at his mother again.
GABRIEL:I don’t know. Mom said I might have to wear this for the rest of my life.
The memory ends, and GABRIEL lies in bed, fidgeting with his bracelet.
GABRIEL:For…the rest of my life.
He lets his arms flop onto the bed, looking up at the ceiling like a bored child.
GABRIEL:Maybe I’m just crazy.
Unbeknownst to him, OCTAVIUS stands outside his door, looking guilty after hearing those words, but walks away instead of saying anything back.
Chapter Four:Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza(night)
The sound of the front doors being opened alerts WILLIAM, but he can only slide the suit’s head across the floor slowly towards the sound.
WILLIAM:Who’s…there?
There’s no response, only footsteps, the sound getting closer.
WILLIAM:Millie…?
The sound stops in front of the door, and on the other side, MILDRED stands, but then continues walking to the security office.
WILLIAM:Millie…
She ignores his voice as she steps into the office, looking at the various computer screens, surprised to see them working.
MILDRED:Someone turned on the power. And left it on.
She looks at the different sections of the pizzeria, the stage, the back rooms, until her eyes fall on the silver deer on the table.
MILDRED:Hold on…
Part of it looks out of place, the head and legs moved just a bit.
MILDRED:No.
She quickly leaves the room and goes into the other one, carefully touching the shiny plastic.
MILDRED:No damage. But no one else has been coming here except me…
She glances at a small flower on the floor, blooming from a crack in the floor.
MILDRED:Not-
A sudden familiar voice, one of a child, speaks to her from the door.
VOICE:It’s time they learned.
The NightWing sighs, then turns around to see the golden butterfly from her dreams, floating by the door.
MILDRED:I don’t want them to learn.
BUTTERFLY:You have to let them figure this out.
The butterfly hovers into the security office, MILDRED quickly following with a look of disbelief and anger.
MILDRED:I can’t just do that! It-...
BUTTERFLY:It’s the only thing you can do now.
The butterfly’s now stern done, makes the NightWing growl, but part of her feels bad.
MILDRED:I’ve tried too hard to stop them. To keep them quiet.
She sits against the wall, a feeling of anger boiling up inside her.
MILDRED:I’VE TRIED TO KEEP YOU QUIET!
The butterfly glows brighter, the lights flickering, until the butterfly disappears and a SandWing dragonet takes its place.
SANDWING:I knew from the start. There wasn’t anything you could hide from me.
The dragonet walks forward, the lights flickering even faster.
SANDWING:You’re disappointed. Afraid. Ashamed.
MILDRED tries to cover her ears, curl up into a ball, do anything, but it doesn’t work, she knows he’s right.
SANDWING:You were there.
The NightWing can’t take it anymore, and just screams, a deep, violent guilt eating away at her.
Chapter Five:Employment Service Center(day)[three years earlier]
In a small office, within a small building, an IceWing sits at his desk, listening to some commotion outside the door.
ICEWING:What the hell-
An elderly, pale-yellow HiveWing in a beige sweater and dress opens the door, looking a bit distressed.
HIVEWING:Uh, sorry to intrude on your work, Mr. Raglan, but there’s a woman here who’s very insistent on seeing you…despite not having an appointment.
She looks down the hallway, the passive-aggressive-sounding commotion a bit clearer.
HIVEWING:She keeps talking to me in very condescending Spanish.
The IceWing stares at her in response to the familiar description, and within seconds a NightWing pushes her way into the office, the HiveWing quickly closing the door and leaving.
ICEWING:Mildred…?
The NightWing crosses her arms as she stands in front of his desk, raising an eyebrow at the nameplate on it.
MILDRED:“ Steve ”?
The IceWing’s surprised, almost reminiscent gaze vanishes as he tries to act more casual.
STEVE:Yes, is there a reason you find it surprising?
MILDRED swings her tail just slightly, an action that doesn’t go unnoticed by the man.
MILDRED:Why choose that name?
The IceWing picks up on what she’s suggesting, his eyes narrowing as he holds back a growl.
STEVE:It’s…my name, Mildred.
MILDRED:It’s not the one I remember.
The IceWing sighs with audible anger, his tail flicking for a second before he stands up.
STEVE:What do you want?
MILDRED: I want to know why my nephew’s friend was sent to the restaurant.
STEVE lets out a quiet, subtle hiss, then strides over to MILDRED, towering over her small frame.
STEVE:He asked for help, I gave him that. It’s my job .
The NightWing tries to keep her tone serious and intimidating, the IceWing continuing to look down at her with unamusement.
MILDRED:I still think you’re putting him in danger.
STEVE slams his tail against the floor suddenly, startling MILDRED.
STEVE:It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, and the first thing you do is accuse me of trying to kill a man?
The NightWing glances at his tail as it twitches again, then into his eyes.
MILDRED:I never said you were trying to kill him, but now that you’ve mentioned it that only makes me more suspicious.
The IceWing stomps the heel of his shoe against the floor, startling her again, his expression more irritated than before.
STEVE:You are so unbelievably stubborn.
The NightWing starts to get defensive, but takes a few steps back from him.
MILDRED: I’m stubborn? I’ve been the one keeping people out of death traps , while you’ve been sitting here sending people to them!
STEVE:You know nothing.
He glances at the door, then at her.
STEVE:And keep your damn voice down.
MILDRED looks at the door, takes a deep breath, and STEVE stares with worry once he realizes what she’s about to do.
MILDRED:You’re still sending people to a dangerous restaurant that YOU OWN-
STEVE holds her snout shut, letting out a low, enraged growl.
STEVE:Don’t you f***in’ dare .
MILDRED glares at him and pushes his hand off her snout, letting out a soft snort, like one of an angered animal.
MILDRED:I should’ve known reasoning with you was useless.
She speaks under her breath, leaning back against the wall.
MILDRED:Eres un idiota.
STEVE suddenly slams his hands against the wall, trapping her, but he just chuckles instead of talking back, something that catches MILDRED off guard.
STEVE:Don’t think I’ve forgotten what that means, Millie.
There’s a moment of silent tension, eventually broken when he slides his hands off the wall and steps back.
STEVE:Now why don’t you head home? Leave me to do my work, and I won’t give you any trouble. Whatever concerns you have for that LeafWing are just pointless.
MILDRED sighs, looking over at the clock on the wall, realizing what time it is and walking towards the door.
MILDRED:Fine. I’m going home, but if I hear a word that he’s been hurt, I’m coming right back here and-
STEVE:Again, all pointless.
The NightWing sighs with a mixture of annoyance and defeat, knowing it’s impossible to keep arguing with this man.
MILDRED:Alright then, I’m going home to prepare for my son’s birthday. Haven’t baked a cake in a while, but-
STEVE:You have a son…?
The silent tension returns, the NightWing freezing just before she reaches for the doorknob.
MILDRED:Yes, I do. He’s turning sixteen.
She can see him trying to calculate when her son would’ve hatched, but she quickly interrupts his thoughts.
MILDRED:He’s not yours, by the way.
The IceWing raises an eyebrow at her comment.
STEVE:I never asked if he was mine.
MILDRED opens the door to leave, the sounds of other people in the waiting room nearby flooding into the office.
MILDRED:It doesn’t matter anyway. As long as I’m alive, you’ll never see his face.
She leaves the room, slamming the door behind her, while the IceWing just listens to her footsteps fade…his expression looking hurt.
Chapter Six:Byer’s Residence(day)[present]
GABRIEL and OCTAVIUS go up the ladder in the hallway to the attic, while MILDRED makes dinner in the kitchen.
GABRIEL:Wait…why are you taking me up here?
OCTAVIUS:I need to show you something.
GABRIEL:Is it the box?
The two pause once they’re in the attic, OCTAVIUS looking at his cousin with confusion.
OCTAVIUS:What box?
GABRIEL:The one that said I shouldn’t open it.
His cousin sighs and nods.
OCTAVIUS:It was only a matter of time.
He leads him to that same box, moving the one on top away to slowly open it again.
GABRIEL:Wait…you’re actually letting me look at this?
The other NightWing pauses, not looking inside yet.
OCTAVIUS:Just…don’t tell your mom. I’ll handle this with her.
GABRIEL still feels a bit unsure about this, but approaches the box anyway to look at its contents.
GABRIEL:What…is it? What is this?
OCTAVIUS:Some things she’s collected over the years. From before you even hatched.
Inside the box is various memorabilia, including newspaper clippings, small plush animals, photographs, and VHS tapes.
GABRIEL:I had no idea she had this.
OCTAVIUS:That’s because she didn’t want you to know about it.
GABRIEL hesitantly shuffles around the box, picking up one of the VHS tapes and reading the title written on the side.
GABRIEL:“ New Hires:First Days ”.
The two men look at the small, old T.V. nearby, and OCTAVIUS takes some time to figure out how to turn it on.
OCTAVIUS:You can watch it if you want. I honestly think you should.
His cousin looks at the tape, then carefully slides it into the VCR, the tape taking a few seconds to play a video of a MudWing cheerfully waving to the camera.
MUDWING:Welcome to Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, and if you’re watching this, it’s because we want you to meet our dear, brand-new hires!
The camera moves to a group of NightWings waving back, then cuts to one of them, a man, talking by the main stage.
NIGHTWING:I’m Markus, and I’m one of the technicians.
It cuts to another MudWing, leaning over the counter of the prize counter as dragonets run past.
MUDWING:I’m Sidney, and I keep an eye on the arcade.
It cuts to a NightWing by a wall of drawings, her face all too familiar to the men watching.
NIGHTWING:And I’m Mil-
The tape turns to static, and GABRIEL puts his hand on the screen desperately, in complete disbelief.
GABRIEL:Mom!
He steps back when the tape cuts to security footage of the main room, children running around and watching the animatronics, while a shiny, silver, robotic deer sits deactivated in the corner.
GABRIEL:...Mom…?
After a few seconds, the deer is activated, standing up on its spindly legs and looking in the direction of a group of children as they walk to an area offscreen.
GABRIEL:Is this what the restaurant was like?
OCTAVIUS is about to answer, but the tape ends, and the two are startled by MILDRED’s voice calling them from downstairs.
MILDRED:Octavius! Gabriel! Time for dinner!
OCTAVIUS helps his cousin put the tape back in the box, ushering him out of the attic before following behind while speaking quietly.
OCTAVIUS:We’ll look at more another time. But remember, I’ll handle this. Don’t say anything to her until I say so.
GABRIEL nods as the attic is closed, and the two make their way downstairs to the dining table, trying to act like they didn’t just uncover a major part of MILDRED’s past.
To Be Continued...