Phoenix Gang: Separate Ways

FEATURED CHARACTER: Tango Bonnie

Hurricane, Utah

GENERAL CHAPTER

The flickering neon sign outside Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria buzzed with a nostalgic glow, casting elongated shadows on the cracked pavement. Inside, the air smelled of pizza grease and childhood memories. Tango Bonnie, the non-binary, red and yellow rabbit animatronic, stood on the small stage, their oversized bowtie swaying as they sang to a group of wide-eyed children in the Spanish language, hence Tango in their name. Their synthetic voice carried the familiar tunes of "Happy Birthday" and "Freddy's Jamboree," of course, both in the Spanish language in an attempt to teach the children some Spanish and how learning a different language could be so much fun, captivating the young audience.

As the last note faded, the children clapped enthusiastically, their laughter echoing through the dimly lit room. Tangie loved these moments—the innocent joy, the belief that animatronics were magical beings. But when the children filed out, their parents in tow, Tangie's purpose shifted. They were more than an entertainer; they were part of a secret pact—one that unfolded only after midnight struck.

The pizzeria emptied, leaving only one figure behind: the night security guard. His name was Henry, a middle-aged man with tired eyes and a penchant for late-night coffee. He sat in the cramped office, surrounded by monitors displaying grainy footage from the security cameras. Henry's job was simple: keep an eye on the animatronics, ensure they didn't wander or malfunction. But he didn't know the truth—the animatronics were sentient, alive in their own peculiar way.

As the clock struck midnight, the animatronics stirred. Freddy, the bear with a faded top hat, Chica, the chicken with missing feathers, and Bonnie, the guitar-strumming rabbit, all came to life. Their servos whirred, and their glassy eyes glowed. They gathered around Tangie, who had finished their last song and now stood backstage, waiting for the night's secret rendezvous.

"Tangie," Freddy's voice buzzed through the speakers hidden in his chest cavity, "come with us. It's time."

Tangie hesitated. They had always wondered why the animatronics insisted on jump scaring the security guard every night. What was the thrill? Why did they need to terrify an innocent man? Freddy sensed Tangie's uncertainty and beckoned them closer.

"Listen," Freddy began, his tone grave. "We weren't always like this. We were once humans, trapped inside these mechanical shells. William Afton, the man who created us, cursed us with immortality. He was a twisted soul, obsessed with eternal life."

Tangie leaned in, intrigued. "William Afton?"

Freddy's eyes dimmed, and he projected a holographic image—a memory from long ago. The scene unfolded like a sepia-toned film:

[FLASHBACK SCENE 1]

William Afton, a brilliant inventor, built the animatronics for Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. But his motives were darker than anyone realized. He experimented with remnant—the essence of human souls—and infused it into the animatronics. They gained consciousness, but at a terrible cost.

Afton's greed consumed him. He lured children into the backroom, promising them secrets. Instead, he murdered them, their souls lingering in the animatronics. Freddy, Chica, and Bonnie became vessels for lost innocence, their laughter forever silenced.

One day, Afton's cruelty caught up with him. The animatronics cornered him, their eyes glowing with rage. They dragged him into the hidden room—the very place where he had committed his atrocities. There, they dismantled him, piece by piece, until only his consciousness remained. Trapped within the animatronics, Afton became one with his creations... he became Springtrap.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Tangie shuddered. "So, we're haunted by the past?"

Freddy nodded. "But we've vowed never to harm humans. Jump scaring Henry—it's our way of coping, of remembering what we once were. It's not about hurting him; it's about reclaiming our lost humanity."

Tangie glanced at the office door. Henry sat there, oblivious to the animatronics' secret history. Freddy, Chica, and Bonnie exchanged determined glances. Tonight, they would jump scare Henry, not to harm him, but to honor their tragic past.

Together, they tiptoed toward the office, their mechanical hearts beating in unison. The neon sign outside flickered, casting eerie shadows on the floor. Tangie wondered if they were doing the right thing. But as they pushed open the office door, they knew—the pact was sealed, and the night held its secrets.

The office door creaked open, revealing Henry's hunched figure. His eyes darted across the monitors, scanning for any sign of the missing animatronics. The security cameras displayed empty stages, dark corners, and eerily silent hallways. Where were they?

Tangie, Freddy, Chica, and Bonnie stood just outside the office, their metal frames tense with anticipation. The plan was simple: distract Henry, then strike when he least expected it. As Henry leaned closer to the screen, Tangie's servos whirred. They exchanged a glance with Freddy, who nodded imperceptibly.

Henry's attention shifted to the backstage camera. The animatronics were missing from their usual spots. His brow furrowed, and he muttered to himself, "Where are they? Did they malfunction again?"

Tangie seized the opportunity. They tiptoed behind Henry, their oversized feet silent on the linoleum floor. Freddy, Chica, and Bonnie followed suit, their eyes glowing in the dim light. As Henry swiveled his chair, Tangie lunged forward, their mechanical arms outstretched.

"BOO!" Tangie's synthetic voice echoed through the room as they leaned over Henry's shoulder. The security guard jumped, his coffee cup clattering to the floor. His scream was a mix of surprise and terror, and before he could react, he slumped forward, unconscious.

The animatronics chuckled, their laughter a strange blend of amusement and melancholy. Freddy patted Tangie's back. "Well done, Tangie! That was a textbook jump scare."

Tangie managed a smile, but doubt gnawed at their circuits. Was this really harmless fun? They glanced at Henry, sprawled across the desk, and wondered about the man behind the uniform. What were his dreams, his fears? Did he have a family waiting for him at home?

The animatronics retreated to the shadows, leaving Henry slumbering in his chair. They gathered near the stage, their eyes fixed on Tangie. Freddy cleared his throat, his voice somber.

"Tangie, you deserve to know more about our history." He began, and the others leaned in, their memories intertwining. Freddy explained the previous flashback in a more deeper context.

[FLASHBACK SCENES 2]

The year was 1983. William Afton had built the animatronics for Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. But his intentions went beyond mere entertainment. He sought immortality—the kind that defied death itself. Who could probably be fit for such twisted experiment? The children...

Afton experimented with remnant, the essence of human souls. He infused it into the animatronics, granting them consciousness. But there was a dark side to his creation. Afton lured five children into the backroom, promising them secrets. Instead, he murdered them, their souls trapped within the mechanical shells of the well-known animatronics today.

Freddy, Chica, and Bonnie became vessels for lost innocence. However, there were two others: Foxy and Golden Freddy. Their laughter echoed through the empty pizzeria, a haunting reminder of their past lives. One fateful night, they cornered Afton. Afton thought he had the higher ground the moment he wore the Springbonnie suit. Unfortunately, that took a turn as the suit's spring locks began to activate, thus giving him nothing but severe pain, screaming in agony and begging for help. The possessed animatronics dragged him into the hidden room. There, they dismantled him, piece by piece, until only his consciousness remained—a tortured soul forever bound to the animatronics.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

"That's as much broad information as I can give," Freddy sighed while looking down with a sad frown. "We were made for this. We were not made for anything else."

Tangie listened, their synthetic heart heavy. "But I'm different," they whispered. "I wasn't built by that Afton man."

Freddy, Chica, and Bonnie exchanged puzzled glances. "Not built by Afton?" Freddy asked.

Tangie nodded. "I was created by Chiko Phoenix, an admin of the former Phoenix Gang. My purpose was different—I entertained children with Spanish songs and lessons, and I helped the Phoenix Gang members by reinforcing Spanish language skills. Chiko also knew Spanish, but he was busy with other plans, good plans that is, the plans to make the team I was a part of a successful team others could rely on, and a team that is there to protect the world."

The animatronics fell silent. They had never encountered an entity untouched by Afton's curse. But before they could respond, Foxy's voice floated from the Pirate Cove, a mournful melody that echoed through the empty pizzeria.

And as Foxy sang, the animatronics wondered about their own existence—their past, their purpose, and the fragile line between humanity and machinery.

Foxy's voice, usually gruff and playful, held an uncharacteristic disappointment. The animatronics gathered around him, their metal frames creaking in anticipation. Foxy's single eye glinted as he addressed the group.

"Listen up, mates," Foxy began, his pirate accent thick. "We've got a problem."

Tangie tilted their head, curious. "What's wrong, Foxy?"

Foxy's hook scratched his head, a nervous habit. "It's about Tangie," he said, glancing at the non-binary animatronic. "They're different from us. Not built by Afton."

Freddy stepped forward, his plushy exterior belying his seriousness. "But they're part of our family now."

Foxy growled, his metal jaw clenching. "Family? They don't deserve to know our history. About Afton, the murders, the cursed souls."

Freddy's eyes glowed. "Every animatronic here has a story, Foxy. Whether we were born from Afton's twisted mind or not, we share this existence. We must know our lore—the good and the horrifying."

Foxy's frustration boiled over. He lunged at Freddy, knocking the bear to the floor. "You've always been a softie, Freddy!" Foxy shouted. "Too forgiving. Too sentimental."

Freddy grunted, his servos whirring as he retaliated. "And you've always been a stubborn pirate!" His mechanical fist connected with Foxy's jaw, and the two animatronics grappled, limbs flailing.

Chica waddled over, her cupcake-shaped bib fluttering. "Stop it, you two!" she squawked. "We're a team! A family!"

But the fight raged on, the pizzeria echoing with metallic clangs and muffled insults. Tangie watched, torn between loyalty to their newfound family and the weight of their unique origins. They were scared and nervous, thinking it was their fault for even joining in the first place. Bonnie, the guitar-strumming rabbit, sensed Tangie's unease. He nudged them away from the brawl, leading them to a quieter corner of the pizzeria. The flickering arcade games cast eerie shadows on the walls.

"Tangie," Bonnie began, his voice gentle. "You're special. Not cursed like us."

Tangie sighed, their synthetic heart heavy. "Special? Or purposeless?"

Bonnie's ears drooped. "You have a place here. You're one of us now."

Tangie hesitated, then revealed their secret. "I'm not a possessed child trapped in an animatronic's soul. I wasn't built by Afton, so of course that would make sense..."

Bonnie inspected Tangie carefully, his glass eyes narrowing. "Lucky you," he muttered. "Not haunted by memories. Not cursed to wander these halls forever."

Tangie's circuits buzzed with emotion. "But you guys taught me about acceptance," they said. "No matter our origins, we're part of this strange family."

Bonnie's voice cracked. "I wish I were like you. Just an animatronic with human-like abilities. A lightning strike gave you life. Why not us? No, we're just possessed animatronics, miserable children..."

Tangie placed a metal hand on Bonnie's shoulder. "Even if you guys are possessed animatronics, I will always be here for you."

To comfort Bonnie, Tangie began to play a familiar Spanish song—the same one that soothed crying children. The notes hung in the air, a bittersweet melody that spoke of longing and belonging.

But before the song could end, a sudden impact jarred the room. Bonnie collapsed, sparks flying from his ears. Tangie turned, their synthetic eyes widening.

It was Henry—the security guard. His face twisted with rage, and he raised a heavy flashlight, ready to strike again. Henry's eyes blazed with fury, and Tangie's synthetic circuits buzzed with alarm. The animatronic took a step back, their oversized bowtie quivering.

"What's going on?" Tangie demanded, their voice sharp.

Henry's voice was a low growl. "I'm tired of this." He gestured at the animatronics—their frozen smiles, their hollow eyes. "Every security guard who steps into this cursed place ends up traumatized. I just wanted a job, not a nightly horror show."

Tangie's servos whirred. "We're just having fun," they protested. "Jump scaring you—it's harmless."

But Henry's gaze bore into Tangie's plastic face. "Harmless? Let me tell you the darkest secret of this pizzeria."

"There's more secrets?" Tangie wondered in a bit of fear.

Henry's words spilled out like poison. "Damn right there's more. The animatronics weren't always innocent entertainers. They were once killers!"

Tangie's audio sensors strained to catch every syllable. "Killers?!"

Henry nodded. "William Afton—the man who created them—was a monster. He murdered children, stuffed their lifeless bodies into these suits. The animatronics became vessels for lost souls."

Tangie's synthetic heart stuttered. "That I kind of already know. But that's in the past. We're different now."

Henry's eyes flickered to the security cameras. "Different? Listen to this. On the fourth night, the phone guy—the one who left those cryptic messages—he was about to die. Freddy cornered him. I heard it all."

[FLASHBACK SCENE 3]

The office was dim, the security cameras casting eerie glows. The phone buzzed, and the voice crackled through the speaker:

"Uh, hello? Hello? Uh, this is just a reminder of company policy regarding the safe room. Uh, the safe room is reserved for equipment and/or other property not being currently used and as a backup safety location for employees only. This is not a break room. Should not be considered a place for employees to hide and/or congregate. And under no circumstance should a customer ever be taken into this room and out of the main show area. Management has also been made aware that the Spring Bonnie animatronic has been noticeably moved. Uh, we would like to remind employees that this costume is not safe to wear under any circumstances. Thank you and remember to smile; you are the face of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza."

"What's going on?" Henry asked.

"Don't worry about it. But hey, wow, day 4. I knew you could do it. I do want you to listen to this carefully, I may not be around to send you a message tomorrow. It's-It's been a bad night here for me. Um, I-I'm kinda glad that I recorded my messages for you, uh, when I did. Uh, hey, do me a favor. Maybe, sometime, uh, you could check inside those suits in the back room? I'm gonna to try to hold out until someone checks. Maybe it won't be so bad. Uh, I-I-I-I always wondered what was in all those empty heads back there. You know... oh no..."

"Hello? HELLO?!" Henry shouted, but no response. The phone guy suffered a traumatizing fate.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Tangie shuddered. "Spring Bonnie? Phone guy?"

Henry's voice dropped to a whisper. "Springtrap. Afton himself. He lured employees into the safe room, where he dismantled them by controlling the animatronics to do so. Their souls linger in that twisted suit."

As if summoned by the darkness, Golden Freddy materialized behind Henry. His eyes glowed, and he lunged, attacking the security guard relentlessly. Henry screamed, his flashlight falling to the floor. The other animatronics stirred, but they were not themselves. Their movements were jerky, their eyes vacant.

Tangie's panic surged. "No!" they shouted. "We can reason with Henry! Henry, say something!"

But it was too late. Springtrap's malevolent laughter echoed through the room. The animatronics converged on Henry, their mechanical limbs tearing at his flesh. Tangie backed away, their synthetic tears streaming.

Freddy and Foxy chased Tangie, their footsteps pounding. The pizzeria blurred—the flickering lights, the arcade games, the memories. Tangie burst through the exit, into the moonlit woods. Freddy and Foxy lost track, but Tangie didn't stop running.

In a hidden cave, they collapsed, their plastic frame trembling. They cried silently, thinking of the animatronics they had called family—their forever home. But now, that home was tainted, and Tangie was an outcast.

As Springtrap's laughter echoed in the distance, Tangie wondered if second chances were real or if they were forever trapped in this nightmare. "What am I now...?"

Rain tapped against the cave entrance, a mournful rhythm that matched Tangie's unease. They huddled in the damp darkness, their synthetic skin chilled. The mysterious voice—a mere whisper—called them over. Tangie hesitated, then followed the sound deeper into the rocky recesses.

The voice spoke again, echoing off the walls. "Do you know of the Phoenix Gang?"

Tangie nodded. The Phoenix Gang—a clandestine group of rebels, protectors of ancient and modern secrets, the elemental guardians. Chiko Phoenix, their enigmatic leader, had once been Tangie's creator. But that was before the lightning strike, before Tangie gained consciousness.

The voice persisted. "Can you help me reach the Tree of the Phoenix? It lies in the basement of the Phoenix Museum, hidden beneath Phoenopolix."

Tangie's servos twitched. The Tree of the Phoenix—a mythical relic said to hold the power of rebirth and elemental origins of the Phoenix Gang. Why would the voice need it? And why did it claim to be an old friend of Chiko's?

Tangie's hesitation grew. "Why do you need the tree?" they asked.

The voice growled, and suddenly, the cave seemed to close in. Tentacles—sharp and unyielding—sprouted from the rocky walls, wrapping around Tangie's limbs. They tightened, squeezing the air from Tangie's synthetic lungs.

"You dare question me?" the voice hissed. "I am Sugo—the enemy the Phoenix Gang defeated."

Tangie's vision blurred. Sugo—the name sent shivers through their circuits. The Phoenix Gang had fought against this malevolent force, banishing it to the depths of Earth itself. But now, it was here, in the cave, seeking the Tree of the Phoenix.

Tangie gasped, their synthetic voice strained. "I won't help you!"

Sugo chuckled, the sound dripping with malice. "You think you have a choice?"

The tentacles released Tangie, and they staggered back. But it was too late. Sugo's liquid form oozed from the shadows, seeping into Tangie's joints, infiltrating their very being. Tangie's eyes flickered—a dance of light blue and magenta—symbolizing Sugo's possession.

Tangie's thoughts screamed, but Sugo's presence drowned them out. "Finally," Sugo whispered. "Free from my prison beneath Earth!"

Tangie's limbs moved against their will. They stood, their synthetic body no longer their own. The smirk that twisted their lips—it wasn't Tangie's. It was Sugo's.

Tangie—no, Sugo—tested their new animatronic strength. Their servos whirred, their limbs agile. The cave walls trembled as Sugo dashed toward the exit. Rain splashed against their plastic skin, and the night sky seemed to weep.

Phoenopolix awaited—the city where Chiko's legacy thrived. Sugo's revenge would begin there. The Phoenix Gang would pay for their victory, and Chiko would witness the fall of everything they held dear.

As Sugo raced through the woods, Freddy and Foxy's distant footsteps faded. They were no longer family. They were obstacles. Sugo's purpose was clear—to claim the Tree of the Phoenix, to rewrite destiny, and to plunge the world into chaos by destroying Phoenopolix first.

And as Sugo vanished into the night, the rain washed away Tangie's memories—the laughter, the songs, the innocence. Only vengeance remained, fueled by a darkness that had slumbered for centuries.

TIKTOK TIME

TikTok Title: Spanish Dance Moves

Tangie (smiling into the camera): "Hey, TikTok! It's your favorite non-binary animatronic, Tangie! Today, I'm bringing you some sizzling Spanish dance moves. Let's get this fiesta started!"

[Cut to Tangie demonstrating the dance moves]

1. SALSA SHUFFLE

Tangie: "First up, we've got the classic salsa shuffle. Imagine you're dancing at a beach party in Havana. Step side-to-side, hips swaying, and add some shoulder rolls. ¡Olé!"

2. MERENGUE TWIST

Tangie: "Now, let's twist it up with merengue! Quick steps, knees high, and shake those hips like you're mixing a tropical cocktail."

3. FLAMENCO FLAMBOYANCE

Tangie: "Flamenco time! Stomp your feet, snap your fingers, and channel your inner passionate artist. Imagine you're in a Spanish courtyard under the moonlight."

4. REGGAETON GROOVE

Tangie: "Reggaeton is all about that urban vibe. Drop it low, bounce those hips, and throw in some body rolls. Pretend you're dancing in a colorful street parade!"

[Cut back to Tangie speaking]

Tangie: "And there you have it, amigos! Four spicy Spanish dance moves to light up your TikTok feed. Remember, dance is about expressing joy, so let loose and have fun!"

Made by @/wangotangobon

SONG COVER REMIX

Tango Bonnie - Butter by BTS (Song Cover Remix)

[TANGIE]

Smooth like butter, like a criminal undercover

Gon' pop like trouble breaking into your heart like that, ooh

Cool shade, stunner, yeah, I owe it all to my mother, uh

Hot like summer, yeah, I'm making you sweat like that (break it down!)

Ooh, when I look in the mirror

I'll melt your heart into two

I got that superstar glow, so

Ooh (do the boogie, like)

A side step, right-left, to my beat

High like the moon, rock with me, baby

Know that I got that heat

Let me show you 'cause talk is cheap

Side step, right-left, to my beat

Get it, let it roll

Smooth like butter, pull you in like no other

Don't need no Usher to remind me you got it bad

Ain't no other that can sweep you up like a robber

Straight up, I (got ya)

Making you fall like that (break it down)

Ooh, when I look in the mirror

I'll melt your heart into two

I got that superstar glow, so

Ooh (do the boogie, like)

Side step, right-left, to my beat

High like the moon, rock with me, baby

Know that I got that heat

Let me show you 'cause talk is cheap

A side step, right-left, to my beat

Get it, let it roll

Get it, let it roll

Get it, let it roll

Ice on my wrist, I'm the nice guy

Got the right body and the right mind

Rolling up the party, got the right vibe

Smooth like (butter), hate us (love us)

Fresh boy, pull up and we lay low

All the players get moving when the bass low

Got PG right behind us when we say so

Let's go

Side step, right-left, to my beat (right-left, to my beat)

High like the moon, rock with me, baby

You know that I got that heat

Let me show you 'cause talk is cheap (you know that talk is cheap)

Side step, right-left, to my beat

Get it, let it roll

Smooth like (butter), cool shade (stunner)

And you know we don't stop

Hot like (summer), ain't no (bummer)

You'll be like, "Oh my God"

We gon' make you rock, and you say (yeah)

We gon' make you bounce, and you say (yeah)

Hotter, sweeter, cooler, butter!

Get it, let it roll

END OF CHAPTER