Broken Mind, Old Soul
This is the first thing I’ve written for my AU. I wanted to showcase the nature of my interpretation of the characters, so forgive me if some parts come off as rushed or weird. I hope you enjoy!
The dead tend to forget.
That was something Springtrap came to learn. After being trapped in the same room, rotting, dying, already dead but still dying at the same time. How did that work? Then he remembered; the remnant was keeping his soul attached to his deceased body. But he could feel himself rotting still, his human body losing more life everyday day. If there was hardly any left. The feeling was unnatural. The whole situation was unnatural.
In that time his soul had been in agonizing turmoil. However, unlike his victims, he wasn’t able to lurk about to satisfy the restlessness growing within him. All he could do was writhe silently.
His memories had begun to slip in that time, lost to the unyielding anger and agony that was consuming him.
"Holy-GUYS COME LOOK AT THIS!"
He had forgotten what it was like to be in the presence of another person. If he could be considered a person anymore.
"Yeesh, the thing looks just as creepy in the light. Hurry up and wheel it into the attraction."
He had forgotten what the outside looked like. His senses overwhelmed with sights, smells and sounds that he hadn’t heard in decades.
"HAHAHA!!"
He had also forgotten that he had helped program the damned suits to follow the sounds of children.
No matter how hard he tried to get to the office, he couldn’t resist when audio played elsewhere in the building. He had already learned long ago-when he was still a person- that the souls were still bound to the programming of the machines they were bound in. The same very much applied to him.
[DING DONG DING DONG…DING DONG DING DONG]
He growled as he watched the nightgaurd rush out the exit. Lucky bastard escaped again.
Daytime mode used to be useful, now it was nothing more than a hinderance he wished he was rid of.
The suit controlled his movements now. It forced him to walk back to his usual starting position. The room wasn’t as blank as the safe room, filled with props of the previous pizzerias.
The irony; to be trapped in a horror attraction based on the murders he committed, as the main star.
Fazbear Entertainment was never known for having tact.
He was now bound to this room until the next night. With a frustrated sigh, he sat down -the suit creaking as he did so - and leaned against the wall.
That pesky guard. He kept toying with him using that damn voice. He clenched his moldy fists.
He’s been so angry ever since he woke up.
He wanted to break something.
More like someone.
He wanted to spill blood, watch the life drain from someone’s eyes.
He wanted to be in control for the first time since being trapped in this damned suit.
And what better way to feel in control than controlling the fate of some poor bloke?
That annoying guard would do just fine.
"Failed again?"
Speaking of annoyances…
"Go away," he growled, not even bothering to look up at her. He knew it was redundant. She wouldn’t leave. He could only hope this was one of their shorter interactions.
"It’s been three nights, do you really intend on continuing this little game of cat and mouse?" The Puppet asked, in an unamused tone that made him want to punch her in her stupid plastic face.
"I’ll do whatever I want to," he glared at the floor next to him. He hated how she continued to nag him like this.
"You have nothing to gain by killing him."
He scoffed. "I’ll gain some satisfaction from snapping his neck like a twig. The place is better off without that annoying rat."
"The annoying rat that is just trying to do his job," she replied, rolling her eyes. "You’re the annoying one in this situation."
He narrowed his eyes and finally turned to glare at her. The Marionette started right back. She was the only other possessed animatronic that remained. All the others he had dismantled. Though, he didn’t know why she wasn’t scrapped with the Toys long ago. Granted she was dirty and somewhat damaged, but she was in much better condition than he was.
"The satisfaction is only temporary you know. Even if you kill him, it won’t last. You won’t be satisfied." She stated, then she leaned forward. "I’ve seen it happen. You feel an uncontrollable rage and want to take it out on whoever is unfortunate enough to be around. But even after the blood is spilled, it’s not enough. It’ll only increase your bloodlust until it becomes habit. Then you’ll be reduced to nothing but a rabid animal."
Her voice was serene and clear, completely the opposite of his own deep and gravely voice. But she spoke with certain gravity in her tone. Warning, almost haunted even. She was clearly dead (no pun intended) serious. And he had a good idea of who she was referring to in this context, a certain golden bear popping to mind.
"Don’t you have somewhere else to be, Puppet?" He grumbled, changing the subject. He didn’t like how familiar her description was to his current situation.
"I told you to call me Charlie, William."
William. Yes, William Afton was his name. It had slipped his mind more than once. He would’ve forgotten long ago had the puppet not stuck around and kept interacting with him. He didn’t know why she insisted on talking to the man that killed her. The people who brought him here dubbed him Springtrap, and the name grew on him.
It was strange. He remembered some things clearly, like his wife’s death, drinking himself into a stupor at Jrs, and killing the missing children of course.
But others, he had a harder time recalling. Like his wedding day, the names and faces of his children, and…why he killed in the first place.
He hated how messy and unorganized his memories were, it was driving him nuts. Just trying to think of the past made him tremble with rage.
He remembered Charlie though. She was the first. Henry’s daughter. They knew each other when they were alive. If anything Charlie should despise him the most, given the obvious betrayal. But she didn’t.
"Fine, Charlie. Why do you insist on interacting with me? Why don’t you stay away like the other brats?"
He knew the others were still afraid of him. He didn’t really care. But Charlie clearly didn’t fear him, nor did she go out of her way to torment him in any capacity as he initially thought she would.
"Because someone has to keep you in line before you add another victim to your list." She answered cooly. That part was true, ever since they got here she’s tried to distract him from attacking the guard, and after he left she’d try to sway him from trying again, as she was doing moments ago.
"And also," she added. "I want to help you too, if possible."
He almost snorted. "Ah, yes. Because there’s good in everyone right? Of course you want to try and save my poor, broken soul." He put a hand where his now physically tattered heart would be, feigning vulnerability.
Though her face has very limited expression, he could tell she was unamused.
"I know you’re mocking me, but yes. I sense that there is still humanity in you. And besides, if I made you see the light, there’d be one less murderous rabbit in the world."
William dropped the facade and scowled, facing away from her again. "Why do you waste your time with this? You should despise me most of all."
"You already got what you deserved. Besides, I was never one to hold a grudge. I don’t have that kind of time." She responded. That rung a few bells in his head. Charlie never liked holding grudges.
Seemingly done with their daily chat, she turned to leave. Looks like this was one of the shorter conversations like he had hoped.
"See you next night William."
And she was gone, leaving the withered rabbit to his one thoughts once more.
————————————————————————
"I’m back." Charlie announced as she entered the room. As soon as she spoke, the various spirits made themselves known.
The children rushed up to her instantly. Though their ghostly feet made no sound. They gazed up at her with the dull but not quite lifeless eyes their spirit forms had since they were freed of their animatronic bodies. Though they still retain characteristics of said animatronics. Like the animal ears and tails and the various accessories. Their clothes had changed to match the color schemes of the animatronics as well.
"Charlie! Welcome back!" Susie greeted cheerfully, bouncing and throwing her hands in the air. Her bib flapping as she did.
"Tell Jeremy that 'hook' is totally valid in rock-paper-scissors!" Fritz exclaimed, rising his pirate hook for emphasis.
"It does not!" Jeremy argued, stomping his foot in frustration and his ears reeling back.
"Why? Hook can beat paper!"
"But it’s not part of the game!"
Charlie shook her head, if she could she'd have a fond smile on her face. This was a common occurrence. Fritz and Jeremy often bickered over silly things. She honestly enjoyed these moments because they got to act like kids again, not bound by the programming of their metal prisons.
She was beginning to wonder if putting them in the animatronics was the right move.
"Did you talk to him again?"
The bickering stopped immediately, and Charlie focused her gaze on Cassidy. She had her arms crossed and a disapproving glare. Evan stood beside her, looking away uncomfortably. They possessed Golden Freddy together, but their appearances were slightly different. With Evan having more attributes associated with Fredbear (purple hat and bowtie), and Cassidy with the current Golden Freddy (black hat and bowtie).
"What else would I be doing after 6 AM?"
"Why do you keep going to him? He’s bad and dangerous!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. Cassidy was the most hateful of all of them. When Charlie started interacting with William she was heavily against it, which was understandable. But Charlie wasn’t deterred. They’ve had this conversation many times.
"You know why." Charlie stated. She didn’t bother to explain herself again. They’ve had this conversation many times.
"Do you really think there might be good in him?" Gabriel asked timidly, shifting in place. Ironically, he was the most shy despite possessing the star of the band.
"He’s a bad person, but still a person. A person I knew. And I have a pretty good idea of why he did what he did in the first place." She said, eyes shifting to Evan momentarily. A grim expression crossed his face. "I want to try, at the very least."
Cassidy scoffed, "Good luck. He’s just a lousy murderer."
"You say that as if we aren’t murderers ourselves." Evan retorted, glancing back at her and crossing his arms. Cassidy twitched and glared at him.
"You-"
"What? You know it’s true."
The other children cringed and held various expressions of shame. Gabriel, Jeremy, and Fritz’s ears dropped and laid flat against their heads. In their rage and confusion they attacked innocent people, thinking they were their murderer. Some of the guards left after the second or first night. Others never left the building.
Though, Evan never killed anyone himself, neither did Charlie.
"Oh yeah? Well if you’re gonna take your dad’s side, why are you too scared to approach him huh?!" Cassidy shot back, poking his chest hard. Evan recoiled a bit, looking conflicted.
"Enough Cassidy." Charlie said, raising a placating hand. "As of right now William is in a state of rage and turmoil, as you all once were. It’s understandable why Evan would hesitate to approach his father in this state. He might not even recognize him."
"But he recognizes you…" Susie pointed out. "Why would he recognize you but not his son?"
"To put it simply; his memories are a mess. He remembers some things, others he’s all but forgotten, or is on the verge of forgetting. He would’ve forgotten his own name if not for me."
"Yeesh, the guy sounds like a piece of work."
Charlie sighed slightly at the new voice. Well, not so new unfortunately.
Kelsey walked in with his hands in his pockets, his usual relaxed grin on his face. He was the first to possess Fredbear, thus his appearance reflected more of Fredbear like Evan’s. He wasn’t a victim of William, unlike most of them. He died via springlock failure, when some bullies shoved him into one of the suits. He was also a teenager like herself. He died around 14.
Everyone had varying degrees of discomfort or annoyance on their faces, except Cassidy.
"Yeah, and Charlie still thinks she can redeem him somehow." Cassidy said with annoyance, rolling her eyes. Kelsey stopped beside her and smirked at Charlie. "Oh yeah? Heh. Pretty stubborn aren’t ya Charl?"
"Yes, I suppose I am." If she could she’d narrow her eyes at him. Despite his chill demeanor, everyone here knew his true nature. He was a despicable, manipulative, bloodthirsty maniac. He lured and killed kids similar to the ones that killed him. But along the way he decided that killing was fun and just became a murderer. Unfortunately, he groomed Cassidy to act similarly. She was attached to him, saw him as an older sibling.
Evan was glaring at him. Kelsey had tried to manipulate him at first too, but thankfully he didn’t fall for it. He wasn’t particularly wrathful anyway, so he couldn’t take advantage of that.
Honestly, the only reason they tolerated him was for Cassidy’s sake. Also because they were literally stuck with him.
"Hasn’t it been years? What makes you think he’ll change now if he hasn’t for the past decades?" Kelsey asked, more genuinely curious than teasing as he usually was.
"Being trapped in an unmoving suit with your own corpse will do that to you. He’s restless and angry. It will take time, but I’m sure I can get through to him eventually." Charlie assured calmly.
"If anyone can help him get better, it’s you Charlie!" Susie cheered with a bright grin.
"Yeah! You can help him like you helped us!" Fritz agreed, confident in her abilities. The others gave their encouragement. Charlie smiled.
"Thank you. And I’ll be able to set you all free too. We’re so close now." Everyone visibly brightened at that, even Cassidy. Soon, they would all be free.
Soon…
————————————————————————
It was night four now.
Another night, another chance to kill that nightgaurd.
Springtrap stalked towards the office with malicious anticipation. It was 3:00 AM and he wasn’t hearing the audio as often, the guard must be getting sloppy. Or the technology was failing him now more than ever.
Whatever, both scenarios meant victory for Springtrap.
He grinned wickedly. Finally, finally reached the office. He could see the red lights blaring inside, and the guard desperately trying to reboot the system. Poor fool hasn’t realize he’s lost.
He stood outside the window, waiting for the guard to take notice of him and freak out.
Then the guard looked up, and they both froze.
This…this wasn’t the same man who’s been here past three nights.
The previous guard had short black hair and green eyes, and he was sure he had a mole. This man had long brown hair tied into a ponytail, and blue eyes, with a scar across his left eye.
He felt like a thousand bells were ringing in his head. Something about this man was so familiar to him, yet he couldn’t grasp why.
His confusion distracted him long enough that the guard was able use the audio to lure him away from the office. The suit took control once more. He blinked and growled in frustration. Damn it! He missed his chance!
Though his frustration was overshadowed by his confusion. He couldn’t help but wonder about the sudden change. Perhaps the previous one quit? Still didn’t explain why he seemed so familiar.
Damn his unreliable memory.
————————————————————————
Mike let out the breath he had been holding. Though he didn’t really need to breath anymore did he?
"So, he really is here…" He muttered. It had been so long since he last saw the Springbonnie suit. Time had not been kind to it, or to him for that matter.
He pulled out a photo from his pocket and gazed at it. A family photo from 1980. Three years before disaster. He focused on the man on the left, standing tall and dignified beside his mother, with a hand on Mike’s shoulder.
"I’ve found you, father."
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What if charlie and alastor grew up togethr ?
For that to happen, Lucifer would have had to know about Alastor from the beginning*. I don't think he would have taken Alastor away from Nicaise, and she wouldn't have wanted to live in Hell, even if it did mean living in luxury. The guilt and the feelings of betrayal are still there - it certainly doesn't help his crumbling relationship with Lilith - but Lucifer wants to keep an eye on his friend and their child. So he peeks in on them on Earth, occasionally pops in to grant a couple small miracles or gifts. Never staying long just in case Heaven catches on.
Then Nicaise is murdered by her employer. And there is no way in hell that Lucifer is allowing that fucking piece of shit to keep her child! Lucifer books it over as soon as he can and finds Alastor sleeping in a shed and, oh, he is not happy. He doesn't kill Nicaise's murderer. It's enough to flash his wings, horns out, spitting flames as he informs the man that Hell is real and he's bound to it before disappearing with Alastor**.
So now, in just the span of a few days, Alastor: has witnessed his mother's violent murder, has been effectively kidnapped by her murderer, was forced to sleep in a shed that smells like dogs, found out that angels and demons are real and that his father is one, has been whisked away to live in another world that transforms him into a monster as soon as he enters it, and is now expected to get used to living with his mysterious father as well as a new step-mother and half-sister. Needless to say, it's a lot.
So naturally, he's a bit shaken when he first arrives in the Morningstar household. He doesn't speak and spends most of his time shut up in his new room which is way bigger than his old house was. Lucifer's awkwardly trying to balance giving him the space he needs and make him feel welcome. Lilith isn't terribly thrilled with the situation, but... Well, she seems to have a lot of compassion for her people. I don't think she would really turn out a traumatized child, but she's definitely going through some complicated emotions of her own.
Charlie has none of the reservations the grown ups have. In fact, she's suuuuuuuuuuper excited to meet her new little brother! Even if he doesn't look that much littler than her***. So she slips into his room, tries to drag him out of bed, pesters him, and generally just acts like an excitable, friendly child. As much as Lucifer and Lilith try to get her to give Alastor space and time to adjust, she keeps coming back. Her little brother looks so sad and she doesn't want him to be sad! She wants to help him feel happy!
She remains persistent, telling Alastor all about her home and family and insisting that he'll like it soon because her mom and dad are really nice and she loves him already and he'll love it there in Hell and...
She stops as she sees the tears start to roll down Alastor's face. Charlie begins to panic, thinking she's said something mean by accident, but then Alastor sobs out that he misses his maman and just wants to go home! Suddenly Charlie feels really bad. She doesn't know how to make things better. So she just stays. Sits next to him. Doesn't leave him alone. Sheds a few tears of her own.
Once Alastor's cried it out and tired himself out a bit, Charlie asks him what his mom was like. They spend all night talking about her. When Lucifer goes to check in on Alastor later, he finds both kids passed out on the floor in a pile of blankets.
It's still rough going from there on out, but Charlie plays a large part in helping Alastor heal after everything. Some things still stay the same. Lucifer and Lilith's marriage still struggles, she disappears, Lucifer pulls away from now both of his children in his depression. And Alastor still has a lot of anger. He doesn't really agree with Charlie's goal of redeeming sinners because he fully believes that some people just aren't worth redeeming.
Still, he goes with her whenever she searches for injured sinners after the exterminations. He and Vaggie actually get along a bit better here. They still snipe at each other quite a bit, but there's an almost friendly undercurrent to it. And although he doesn't really believe in the goal of redeeming sinners, he does go along with the Happy Hotel project just to help Charlie out. Doesn't stop him from mocking the idea every step of the way.
This version of Alastor hasn't really developed the Radio Demon persona. He doesn't exactly need to, given he's the Prince of Hell. But he's still Alastor and still cultivates a terrifying reputation for himself. Charlie's grown up with this Alastor though and knows the man behind the curtain. She's not always happy with how quick he is to suggest violence as a solution, but she also knows that when he sees a weaker demon being preyed upon by stronger ones, he'll step in.
He's also protective of Charlie, and usually takes it upon himself to step in and do things that he sees as necessary but he knows she wouldn't like. For example, after finding out how Valentino treated her when she went to the studio, Alastor pays his own visit in private and makes sure Valentino knows if he tries to pull any shit like that again, Alastor will pick apart his soul piece by wretched piece and scatter it across all the rings of hell. Charlie knows he did something when the next time she sees Valentino, the pimp screams bloody murder and throws himself out the nearest window.
(*Just imagine Lucifer, wings out, attempting to drunkenly climb out of Nicaise's window, only to get stuck, give up, and slump over on the floor.)
(**The old bastard spends the rest of his life donating his wealth to build orphanages and hospitals, helping the poor, and basically trying to buy his way into Heaven. It doesn't work and he's slaughtered during his first extermination in hell.)
(***Charlie at this point should be roughly a century old, but to be honest, I'm not entirely sure what that means for a half-angel half-demon like her. Did she age at a typical human rate until she reached young adulthood and then just stopped? Or did she just age very very slowly? I'm going with the second for the sake of this AU. I also have this theory that Lilith never actually died, and was transformed into a unique sort of demon simply by entering primordial Hell. And something similar happens to young Alastor when Lucifer brings him home.)
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