Pop Goes the Balloon

"Found you!"

Now Playing...

Artist: Xaser Acheron

Song: Welcome to Die

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-r457MutLs

A kick off the ground and running madly you start traversing the maze. The goal was not to complete it but hide from The Avenger. She knew the maze damn well and the only advantage you had was that you could be quieter than her. Even though the lights shined above like any other stadium your dark clothing and ability to crouch would cover that.

The plan was already figured out as you ran, keeping your breathing in check as the Avenger counted down.

The walls were 8ft tall, randomly arranged and covered in pictures of food on them. Lollipops, bags of chips and the sorts of things you wouldn't consume in a gymnasium. Some walls had rails on them attached for traversal. Grabbing one and proving your upper strength you practically vault up and over, just as you hear a shout from the entrance.

"Ready or not! Here I come!"

You land in a peninsular section, three walls on your sides and one back. A deadend. A set of barbells sat on the ground, chained to the walls. It was here that participants were expected to do bunch of curls or something for points. You duck in the corner, trying to peer through the cracks in the walls, looking for that giant bird.

You hold your breath, or at least try to balance exasperated breathing and staying silent, practically doing it manually now. After all, Bonnie was the one with super-hearing, not Chica.

The Avenger wasn't visible for a few seconds. Then she leapt atop the wall, hand on her forehead looking around. Did that count as cheating? Her eyes had changed to a bright red.

This alarmed you slightly, the possibility of Chica being corrupted and using this as a way to take you out. But she could do that at will. You look up, finding yourself beneath the viewing box above, Bonnie standing there, watching the Avenger ecstatically. You also knew that if anything happened, Bonnie would have no qualms against smashing the glass and jumping into the maze. You hope that she wasn't possessed.

You turn away, stepping away from the crack, hoping she couldn't see you through it.

You hear her jump from wall to wall, slowly scanning the nearby area. Those walls were far stronger than they looked, easily supporting her weight.

Bonnie was still in the viewing both, both hands on the glass, jaw ajar in awe at the match. Crap. Bonnie was looking right at you, occasionally switching glances to The Avenger, looking with amazement. Would she even be that clever? With your watch you hastily type up a message and send to Bonnie.

'stoplookingatmeyourgivingawaymypositoin'

Bonnie takes a second to understand but stops, immediately glancing up and whistling as if pretending to be innocent. He couldn't be any more suspicious. "Thanks Bonnie! Now I can find this evildoer!" The Avenger shouted. Oh yeah, they practically had photographic memory. She must have seen Bonnie.

Time to run.

She was moving fast, practically leaping from wall to wall. The sounds her landing and shaking the walls grew louder as she approached.

The goal wasn't to hide anymore. It was to somehow outrun a giant mechanical bird for sub-5 minutes.

How in the- Running fast, you spot a part where one could crawl under the wall. Perhaps another shortcut you don't mull on it, practically diving under it and getting out of sight.

"Huh. I could have sworn..." The Avenger glanced up, Bonnie just shrugging in response. "(Y/N)? Where did you run off to?" She asked, voice returning to her usual tone.

You crawl a bit to get away from the hole, staying low while looking for a different hiding position. You needed another dead end. Staving your breath you listen in for The Avenger. Even if she was trying to be stealthy she made enough ambient noise for it to be impossible.

"You know there's only one other person who could hide this well? That little boy. And you aren't him." The Avenger said tauntingly. Judging from her she was a little ways away. With as quiet a sigh as you could muster you sit down, giving your heart some rest.

As the clock ticked you waited with baited breath. The Avenger was lurking somewhere around. Her stomping could be heard in the distance, a ways away, possibly trying to scare you with how much noise she made. So long as it remained distance you kept still. Occasionally you glanced up at Bonnie. He was watching The Avenger's position now, his eyes only occasionally meeting yours. He had his hands pressed up on the glass watching.

*RING RING* A jingle started playing. The first thought was that you won but the vibrations on your hand shot that down. Your watch was ringing.

"A-ha!" The Avenger shouted from across the maze.

Frantically you hit the decline button, only briefly seeing the caller's name as VANESSA. You started running, figuring the position blown, praying to anything that you didn't hit a deadend.

CINEMATIC01 - Vs. The Avenger

Animator: Me

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp8Ornr_e0g

"Found you!" The Avenger shouted as you heard her land behind you, sound of her metal joints wheezing in anticipation.

You briefly turn around, seeing The Avenger perched atop a wall like a gargoyle, eyes wide in excitement.

"You can't outrun me!" The Avenger said happily. "I'm the master of exercise!"

No more turning back you start running, trying to ignore your breath running thin. Between the metal clanking behind you, trying not to hit deadends and even looking for shortcuts you barely make out Bonnie counting down. It had to be in the last minute.

Just as you turn a corner you nearly trip, reaching a deadend, a pile of jump ropes sitting there for contestants.

In the instant, three things happened. You quickly turned back, noticing now that the clanking had stopped, a shadow flew over your head and landed behind you on top of the jump ropes. Realizing too late you trip, landing on the ground just as The Avenger landed on the next tile, standing upright and fortuitous.

"Aha!"

Even as you tried to back up she was faster practically leaping and stepping on your leg with her chicken/eagle claw. Thankfully it didn't hurt but you were caught.

"You can't stop a superhero!" The Avenger declared as she stepped off, offering a hand to help you up. With a puff you take it, taking deep breaths now that you could relax.

"So close!" Bonnie shouted from above.

"Hm. I'm gonna be having my just deserts soon enough." The Avenger said happily. "I told you to take that watch off."

"Yeah, yeah." You say to The Avenger as you two return to the entrance again, resetting the run. Checking your messages a new one had arrived from Vanessa, telling you to check SCTASK241850. It was one of the jobs, though you had no idea which one.

Back at the start Bonnie spoke. "Are you all ready?"

"Yep."

The Avenger nodded.

"Then go!" Bonnie shouted with glee.

"Good luck finding me. I blend in here more than yellow on pizza!" The Avenger gloated.

You don't reply, instead turning back and starting to count.

"60, 59, 58..." You heard The Avenger scampering off. Finding her should be easy. It was a matter of actually catching her. She was one of the most acrobatic animatronics, only bolstered by her mastery of the maze and 'love for fitness'. She wasn't the fastest but she was agile. So long as she could dodge well catching her would be impossible. Gotta ambush her, you think.

"Ready or not. Here I come." You open your eyes, turn and look around. Up above Bonnie's eyes were traced on you. Guess he finally wised up. Walking in silence you start following the walls, keeping an ear open for servos and gears whirring. The only way The Avenger could stop her ambient noise were if she turned off parts of her body. But that would reduce movement and you knew her too smart to do that. Just needed to hear that machine stirring and surprise her. With no music playing either she had nothing to hide in.

As you passed walls of junk food and paths branching off into unknown you reach a dead end, a stationary bike seated there.

With a sly smile you climb atop it, using it to get to the top of the wall. Glancing around you spot a golden tuft off feathers quickly duck by one of the walls. And judging from the gap in the walls there she saw you. You continue looking around, playing dumb and certainly not looking at Bonnie.

With a fake shrug you get down and start walking, keeping the general direction of The Avenger in mind. She was near the corner of the maze, doubly ensuring she couldn't get away. Occasionally looking up or the other way you slowly approach The Avenger's position.

*RING*

Until you tense up, a familiar ringing on your watch giving away your position. It only rang for a second, the caller quickly cancelling it. Thinking it was Vanessa you get ready to let her have it until you see the caller.

Missed Call - Chica

Oh, she was gonna play it that way, huh? You hear shuffling from nearby, The Avenger back on the move again. You knew you could just attack and try racing up to her but you let her run off. From the quick landing she made you guessed she had moved about halfway across the maze. With a general idea of where she was now you take off your watch, a mischievous plan forming. Getting closer to her position you continue walking nonchalantly.

Walking by one of the walls you hear the faint sounds of gears turning, either with her beside you or the wall over. Keeping watch of the walls you determine she was hiding at a deadend, likely keeping her own ears open for your steps. Placing the watch down you do two things. You text Bonnie a message. "Tell me out loud how much time is left." Then set a 45 second timer on it.

"There is about 2 minutes left!" Bonnie shouted. While Bonnie spoke you picked up the pace, circling the deadend and getting on the other side. Practically ducking by the wall The Avenger was behind you waited for the watch's signal.

A minute later it rung, alerting the Avenger. You hear her move and leap up, opposite of where the watch stood. Arms ready you watch as she practically jumped up top above you, her attention back at the watch's location. With a smirk you raise a single hand and grab the end of her pant leg, stretching the material.

"Got you."

"Whoa, wooa!" The Avenger said, losing balance and falling back down into the dead end. Pulling yourself up you see her eyes spinning as she gets back up. "That's no fair." She muttered. Up top Bonnie was giggling. "It's a tie so far!" He shouted in-between laughs.

Now Playing...

Artist: Odd Harmonic

Song: Knine

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv_LWW29KYE

It was The Avenger's turn to seek now. You left your watch at the entrance of the maze. No more 'baiting' with it, both you and The Avenger agreed.

Round 3 started a minute after, The Avenger counting loudly and you running off. The plan was identical to the first round, just without Bonnie or the watch giving away your position. You easily found a deadend with a pull-up bar plus ledge and ducked under it, watching through the cracks as The Avenger looked around.

She had changed up her strategy this time, looking more fervently, dashing a lot more and checking each nook. With her increased vigilance it made waiting a lot more worrisome. Occasionally you heard her steps clonk by fast, her taunting "where are youuuuu~" only serving to make your hairs stand on end.

The third time she ran by your wall she stopped. You waited a few seconds, hearing the ambient servos. She was standing right there. You look up, she wasn't looking down. Wondering if she was looking around you scoot over to the crack in the wall peering.

Had the maze's light not been at full blast you might have seen a light peering into the crack. Instead, looking there your eyes meet The Avenger's who had been waiting for you to look.

"He-he." She giggled.

"Whoa!" You stumble back and pull yourself up.

"Now let's put that excess energy to use!" The Avenger said, jumping up top. All the machismo in her voice was gone, now sounding exactly like Chica, her inner exercise-instructor coming out. "Let's get those legs moving! Left-right!" She declared cheerily.

As humiliating as it was you kept running. You had to lose her, the question of how at the forefront.

That muffin!

You try to sigh in-between puffs as you reach out. Damn did it look good. With no other option you turn back, seeing The Avenger in the same position, atop a wall laughing.

"Getting tired?"

Arm reeled back you throw the muffin over handed at her, shouting, "Think fast!"

She did, some instinct taking over as she leapt up like a shark trying to snatch it in her beak, landing somewhere in the maze.

"Awww..That one was for you.." Bonnie cried from above.

"Well a, mhm, snack break, is, mhhm always okay." You could hear The Avenger talking in-between bites. You make a mental note to clean her later. The food wouldn't easily fall out of that suit either.

At least she was distracted now. Taking a few seconds to catch your breath the run slows to a power walk, keeping an ear listening for The Avenger.

With sufficient space between you and The Avenger's last known position you slow to a walk, avoiding cracks in the wall and keeping close to the ground. Making as little noise as possible you continue moving, peering each corner before moving across it.

A few glances up top to make sure Bonnie wasn't tracking you and steps you reach another deadend. This one had a bench with a bar above it for simple weightlifting. A poster behind it read to always have a spotter.

With no sign of the Avenger you take a seat on the bench, catching your breath. Now it was time to wait and hopefully win the round.

"You know, rests are always good to take! Allow your body to heal from the workout!" The Avenger said cheerily. It made your hair stand on end. Getting off the bench you kneel down, ear to wall as you listen. She was walking around, the sound of her talons hitting the ground with each step. She was purposely stepping harder.

You had no idea when she became so...predatory but this behaviour was most unexpected.

You take a deep breath, realizing you were practically hyperventilating. Chica wasn't the one who had good hearing. That was Bonnie.

"But sometimes you gotta know when to get more reps in." The Avenger said cheerily.

You got up, she was really close now. Probably two rows over.

"And you just need the right...MOTIVATION!"

You run forward as you hear her land behind you, knocking the bar over. You turn, seeing her usual beaked smile, eyes still red.

"How about some deadlifts?" She said as she picked up the bar.

You stepped back and ran as if your life depended on it, a second wind emerging.

"That's right!" She shouted behind you. "Cardio! That's good for the heart!" She was enjoying this way too much.

As you ran she stopped taunting, now on the move. From the leaps and large steps she was either skipping or hopping from wall to wall behind you.

Darting a right and then a left you hit a dead end, a pole at the middle of the end meant for pull-ups. Not even thinking you run up to it, grabbing it and leaping over the wall. I'm gonna be sore after this, you think.

"Nice moves!" The Avenger said.

You look in horror as you land into a one-way path, The Avenger standing at the end in a football position, ready to take you out.

"How about some wrestling?" She said, voice as excited as ever. "Burn a lot of calories that way."

Mind and body acting on pure adrenaline now, one thought hits your mind.

Charge her and do a wall jump over the wall to the left.

If such things were even possible were a matter of latter discussion. Charging The Avenger you attempt to juke her and kick off the wall. Instead, your foot slides off and you land on your back. In that same movement The Avenger let out a guttural roar as she leapt forward, flying over your now on-the-ground and in pain body. Landing elsewhere and shocking your body even more an air horn lets off above.

"And time!" Bonnie shouted, continuing to mash the air horn button.

You just lie there, exhausted and damn near scared to death. Staring up you see The Avenger walk by, entering your view. She stopped, staring down.

"Are you alive? Do you have brain damage?" She asked, bending down.

"I-I'm fine." You sputter. "C-can we take five?" You barely mumble out.

The Avenger shrugged.

"Okay! It gives me time to come up some new strategies! Muahahaha!" She said, eyes flashing back to her regular yellow colour.

"Here, let me get ya." The Avenger said, bending down and picking you up. There was little protest from you as she practically slung you over her shoulder, carrying you back to the starting point.

"Do you need water? Electrolytes?"

"I think I'm good." You say, careful not to hit your head as she carelessly carried you.

As your breath slowly came back you started to feel your back hurt. Nothing a night's sleep wouldn't fix.

"We're taking five!" The Avenger shouted up towards Bonnie. He nodded in response.

Back at the starting point you take a seat against the wall, recovering. With some interim time you check your phone, re-reading the last message from Vanessa.

It told you to check a certain task. Its description didn't say much other than "environmental risk in the daycare, attic room [attendant's personal room]." Filed by Vanessa there wasn't anything else written.

Vanessa was the night guard for the plex, often patrolling most nights. Like you she had her own fair share of close encounters at the plex. Within these walls she had a...history that she wished to forget. With no further details in the ticket you call up Vanessa.

"Hey, welcome back. What's up?" She asked.

"Thanks. I'm lookin' at this task. What's the issue?"

"I'm getting a lot of readings from the attendant's room. It's about 10 degrees lower in his room than the rest of the daycare. Can't see much movement from the camera either. There's something blocking it. Can't move it either."

"Could it be something with the heat?"

"Doubt it. The attendant's been acting weird too as of late. There were a few other tickets yesterday about strange behaviour. You notice anything?"

"Nope. I haven't been there yet."

Though she was meant to patrol she spent most evenings just chilling in the control room, pouring over cameras, sleeping or reading. Judging that she filed the task recently, you guess she was probably there now.

"Well when you get a chance go check it out. Something's going on there."

"Will do."

"Thanks." Vanessa said, hanging up.

You didn't notice but The Avenger had taken a seat next to you, back against the wall, looking upwards to Bonnie.

"Has the daycare attendant been acting weird lately?" You ask.

"I don't know, citizen." The Avenger said, resuming her machismo. "I uh, haven't been there lately. I don't think Chica knows much either. She's been, um, very busy, yes!"

"Hm." You shoot Bonnie the same message. Receiving and reading it, he replies, shouting from above.

"They have! Yeah they were getting angry at some parents yesterday, and, oh, yeah, Moon fell asleep during nap time. I came in to supervise instead!" Bonnie said cheerily.

Feeling more refreshed you get up. "Alright. One more round of this then I gotta check on the daycare. Okay?"

The Avenger stood up too, triumphant. "Sure! But this one is winner takes all! I want my pizza!"

"Fine. And shake your costume out. You got bits of muffin in you."

"Hmph."

The Avenger got into a running position, knees bent, hands on the ground, ready to start dashing.

With everything in place you turn around and start counting, figuring catching The Avenger would be much easier. She was going to have a different strategy this time, something that needed to be taken into account.

"3, 2, 1, ready or not, here I come!" You declare.

The next chapter will be called Maze Showdown.