Chapter - 12

Kim stood in front of a screen, reviewing the footage she got from Fazbear's. The image quality was poor, but there was no mistaking the flying blue hover craft. Dr. Drakken's hover craft. What was his game kidnapping her mother. Kim didn't know, but if past was prologue, then it was some foolishly complicated scheme to conquer the world.

All Kim needed to do was find where he had set up his lair, then she could save her mother. The beep from her communicator had her answering immediately. Kim said, "You got the location Wade." Less of a question and more of a pleading statement. Wade answered, "Sorry, I don't. But that's because Dr. Drakken isn't using his usual lairs. Not his island lair, not the timeshare lair, or any of the dozens of lairs he used before. The freshest trail I got is from almost six months ago. I spotted him entering the cyberspace dead zone that is Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. Then nothing."

Kim mulled over the information, then an idea came to her. Then she asked, "What are the odds that Drakken actually built his lair beneath the pizzeria?" Wade thought about for a couple of seconds, then he said, "It's possible, if he managed to get his hands on something that could hide him from the local security. But this is all conjecture, they're not going to allow you to investigate without more concrete proof."

Kim responded, "The concert and anniversary party is this Sunday, while they're all distracted but the crowds, I can investigate. Yuri has promised to help me." Kim paused for a moment as if to recall a something important. She then "Speaking of help, have you heard anything from Carmen Sandiego or her computer guy, Player?"

Wade had a look of sudden realization. Then he said, "Actually no, they've been off the grid for a few months now. I didn't think about because whenever something goes wrong, they would lay low for a while."

Kim was silent as she thought about the last time she interacted with Carmen. Carmen had mentioned that she spotted some of her enemies casing the place. Chill ran down her spine as a question entered her mind. She then asked, "Wade, what's the unsolved cases in the area look like, and I need you to focus on the time between when they first broke ground to now, please and thank you."

Wade began typing, then said, "There's nothing in the immediate area, but hold on a second, there appears to be several cases of out-of-state people either being declared runaways or simply missing. If I look at these cases like they're connected, there does appear to be a web like system connecting everything..."

Wade got a pensive look on his face; he clearly didn't want to say what the central connection was. Wade took a breath and then said, "It all circles around the Pizzeria and you." Wade then sent a graph showing the connections. Kim had to admit, the signs were pointing to the fact that her decision to investigate Fazbear's had been what triggered everything. Then Kim had a thought, 'If Drakken isn't behind this, then who? The Happy Man is the most likely culprit, but he still just a machine, no matter how advanced.'

Kim then asked, "Hey Wade, did you ever manage to track the origin of that social media challenge, you know #fivenightsatfreddy's?" Wade answered, "Kinda, I mean I tracked the ip address to the town where the Fazbear franchise is from, but I couldn't find the creator, it's almost like they did it from inside cyberspace."

Kim then said, "All roads lead to Fazbear, my instincts are telling me this is a trap with my mother as bait." Wade responded, "Well, Fazbear is the perfect place for it, whenever it closes it becomes a dead zone. Meaning, I will be cut off and can offer no help whatsoever." Kim remarked, "Then it looks like I have some serious prep work ahead of me then."

/////

The Happy Man was observing the preparations for the concert. Everything was going as planned for both the organizers and him. Testing his latest creation on the Hex Girls would be risky, but if successful no one would be out of reach. Since it planned for them to dissappear in a fog at the end of their performance, that would make the perfect time for the test.

No scheduled autograph signing or any planned interactions. So, if it fails no one should notice right away. That said, anything could still happen. Tickets for the concert itself was sold out, but in recognition of Fazbear's successful six-month anniversary, in the hours leading up the concert, the pizzeria was having a free day. With the more popular rides being free to all visitors.

The Happy Man began to ponder about his current scheme. Ann Possible, and the others were already processed and were safely tucked away. Even if there are unexpected variables, no one should be able to find anything until he wants them to.

'I'm sure Ms. Possible will try when the concert is in full swing. That is when security is typically the most focused on the main event and let other, less important things, get put on the back burner.'

H.M. was pulled from his thoughts by unfurling of banners. What caught his attention was the images of the Hex Girls. First was Thorn, lead singer and guitarist, pale skin and black hair with a red hugh made her visually distinctive. Then was Luna, Keyboard and back-up singer, her tan skin and maroon hair also made her visually distinctive. Finally, there was Dusk, Drummer and second back-up singer, pale skin like Thorn, but with her blonde hair in big puffy pigtails, Dusk stood out just as much as the other two.

Their hook as a Gothic Rock Band served them well in getting people's attention, but the fact that they're actually talented was the true key to their popularity. The Happy Man hoped that the experiment was a success, after all he would hate it, if he was the one to end their careers.

He let out an audible sigh. If nothing else, H.M. hoped at the very least his current family would enjoy the show. It will be the first time they wouldn't have to preform after all, and instead have a chance to be entertained.

/////

On the outskirts of Middleton. That which has been called many names such as; Scraptrap, Springtrap, or Glicthtrap. Whatever its name, it is close to its destination. However, its goal is not close to being fulfilled. The Pretender's sphere of influence was not weak. If it tried to takeover now it would end in failure.

It wasn't deterred however, no, it could sense individuals nearby. Individuals, who with the right whisper, can be influenced into attacking the Pretender. If they destroy or at the very least disable, then it could take over.

Now, what rewards would be given to such individuals if they are successful? The only one worth giving of course. The privilege of being added to his collection of torture dolls.

It couldn't wait for the party to begin, but it would, because this was not something one should rush.

/////

The Mystery Machine pulled into the parking lot. It was moderately full, understandable since today was a special occasion. Officially it was a celebration of six successful months for the new location. Unofficially, they were celebrating six months of no scandals. That part wasn't really known to the general public. It was also the last stop of a rather lengthy tour of a popular Gothic Rock Band, the Hex Girls.

Velma had managed to get her hands on tickets as soon as they were available. Unfortunately, the Hex Girls didn't have any concerts in Crystal Cove, and with rather limited funds, she could pick only one. She chose this venue because of its animatronics. Rumored to be so advance that they could be mistaken for living beings.

The group entered the building, it was rather elaborate for a lobby, banners of the animatronics were on full display. There were two types, big ones which separated them by their groups, and smaller ones, each dedicated to a specific animatronic. Each animatronic in a cool pose and their name in bold letters at the bottom. For the most part, the banners appeared to be reserved for the main stars, the support staff were notably absent.

From her research, Velma determined that the animatronics called; Puppet, the Drop twins, and the Happy Man were missing from the banners. Puppet was easy enough to spot, it was at the prize exchange/gift shop. It was giving prizes and wrapping gifts. Certain things could only be won, while others could only be bought.

If the map near the front was to be believed, the twins were working the daycare area, meant for the children to small or who couldn't afford the main rides. Which left the Happy Man.

The gang already split up after entering. Shaggy and Scooby went to the pizza eatery. They had some money, so they were going to try to order the largest pizza on the menu. Fred and Daphne went to Freddy's miniature golf course. Probably to try some alone time. Then Velma spotted her target, the Happy Man.

He appeared to be conversing with the one called Roxanne "Roxy" Wolf. Their behavior was giving credence to the rumor of how life like they were, which was exciting to Velma. As she approached, Roxanne noticed her and then nodded to the Happy Man before walking away. The Happy Man turned to Velma and said, "Hi there, is there anything I can help you with?"

After taking a moment to collect herself, Velma said, "Hi, I'm Velma Dinkley, I was hoping to talk to you for a minute." The Happy Man looked visibly confused, and then asked, "What would you want to talk to me about?"

Velma was getting visibly more excited by how responsive he was being and proceeded to ask him questions about himself. The Happy Man actually tried to stop her by saying, "I'm sorry, but any information about me is technically a trade secret. If there is nothing you actually need, then please move along, as I have other duties to attend to." He then turned and immediately left.

Velma didn't know what was more impressive, the speeds at which he left, or the fact that he moved with such grace, no one noticed him passing by. 'The second one, especially since his clothes are so brightly colored. He could probably even avoid one of Fred's traps, and that is no small feat.' Thought Velma.

/////

Yuri was standing there in the same outfit she wore when she first met Stoppable-San. Considering the environment it would draw less attention them her ninja uniform. She could switch between the two in the blink of an eye if she had to.

That being said, the security here was rather impressive for a restaurant. There were two areas that were off limits to customers. First the kitchen, which had to points of entry. The first was a loading dock which presumably is where the get the ingredients for the food, and the door that connects to the dining area.

The second area as she understood it, was the repair bay. Also, only two points of entry. First was an elevator in the V.I.P. area, currently off limits because all the stars are out on the floor. Second point was a simple door by the exit on Monty's Safari Ride. Presumably, the door was connected to a staircase.

So far, according to Possible-San the repair bay was the only place left to investigate. Normally it should be an easy task to infiltrate, however, the number of digital eyes here was a real hindrance. The staircase was their only real chance, they would have to wait for the concert, but with some luck, they should succeed.

Stoppable-San would stand watch while she and Possible-San would investigate. Stoppable-San would have to remain hidden since technically none of them had tickets for the concert, and the overhead announcements went off every hour reminding people that if they didn't have a ticket then they couldn't stay.

There was also the fact that no one has ever remained hidden from the guardian of this place for more than an hour. Time would be against them, but since this might also be a rescue mission, Yuri would do whatever it takes. Even if that means fighting this place's guardian, the one they call the Happy Man.