//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Freddy's New Job // by ImmaGenericWriter //------------------------------// It had been a rough day for Applejack. She felt nearly as tired as when she tried to do the entire applebucking season on her own. First she found out that her sister might be in danger, then she found out that she had nearly been killed by a Manticore, then she had found out that a group of metal monsters that looked like large animals had saved her and then her brother had been attacked by some crazy fox strong enough to overpower him! The moment Zecora had gotten back with Big Mac, Applejack fussed over him for a short while before she galloped towards Ponyville at full speed to get a doctor or nurse to help her brother as he was in no shape to make the trip. Applejack knew she had to get Twilight, but her brother took priority over those creatures in her barn. Nurse Redheart was the only medical pony available to go back to the apple orchard with her. The rest of the staff had been busy tending to several patients that had severe bite wounds. By the time they had gotten back, Zecora had already cleaned and disinfected the wound using some of the stronger cider the two siblings kept hidden. Nurse Redheart had thanked the Zebra for stabilizing the patient before she used more professional disinfectants and wrapped up the wound. She then proceeded to do the same to the wound on Apple Bloom’s side, which had been cared for long ago by Granny Smith. While all of this was happening, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had slipped out of the house after saying their goodbyes. Zecora went with the two fillies to defend them, should the crazy fox return. So with all of these events behind her, Applejack quickly flopped onto her bed. It had been a day that drained her completely. Both physically and mentally. In rebellion of her peaceful sleep, her mind chose that moment to remind her that she still had guests in her barn. Applejack groaned and nearly wished that Granny Smith didn’t teach her how to be a good hostess. Kicking off her covers, she left her bed very reluctantly. As she passed her sister’s room, she decided to peek in. Apple Bloom’s day had been just as rough, if not more so, than hers had been. It didn’t surprise Applejack in the least when she found the small filly fast asleep, curled up into a ball. It didn’t stop her from smiling at the sight, though. Applejack closed the door slowly and carefully, not wanting to disturb the room’s sleeping occupant. Walking further down the hall, Applejack made sure that the little boy in her care was alright. She opened the door leading to the guest room, but didn’t see him anywhere. “Hi.” Applejack nearly yelled out in surprise, but managed to stuff her hoof into her mouth before she woke the entire house. With her heart still racing, she turned around and found Balloon Boy standing directly behind her, holding his iconic red and yellow balloon and a big sign with the word ‘Balloons!’ written on it. Even with her heart pounding with the force of sledge hammer wielded by a Minotaur, she had time to wonder just how he had sneaked up on her like that. Her room was at the end of the hall, with Big Mac’s and Granny Smith’s next to hers. There was nothing else except for the bathroom – with the door closed – and a dead end. She should have at least heard the door open or his footsteps at the very least. “Dag nabbit!” she exclaimed in a loud whisper. “Don’t scare me like that!” “Sorry, ma’am,” Balloon Boy said, his expression never changing. With her heart now only going at a rate it did after a race with Rainbow Dash, Applejack addressed him more calmly. “What are ya still doin’ up? It’s past midnight.” His teeth parted slightly, as if widening his smile. “I know.” Applejack sighed in defeat, she did not have the energy to have to argue with him right now. “Jus’ go ta sleep, please? Can Ah bring ya some water?” He shook his head in a negative, his eyes never leaving Applejack. “No thanks. I’ll go sleep now if that’s what you really want.” With no further words he waddled into the room. As he passed her, his head turned around a full one hundred and eighty degrees, allowing him to keep his bright, never changing eyes trained on Applejack. Even as he put down the items he held, he still just stared. Applejack could not hold back the shudder that ran through her body. She closed the door before he even got into the bed. With a renewed haste, Applejack left the house. As scary as Freddy and his companions looked, she would prefer to see their sleeping forms than spend another second being looked at with those eyes. Those eyes… They were so bright and innocent, so happy. And yet, whenever she looked into them, she felt like she was looking at a picture of a graveyard. Pushing the thoughts away, she continued towards the barn. Soon they would find his parents, and he would be gone. Balloon Boy watched Applejack leave the house from the window in his room. He had once more picked up his sign and balloon, holding them in outstretched arms. “Fooooxyyyyy…” he began. “Foooxyyy.”  On the second repeat of the name, it sounded like a second, deeper voice had joined his own. “Foooooxyyyy~.” On the third repeat, a distant, pained screech answered him. He watched as Applejack looked around her, trying to pinpoint the location of the noise before. When she was unable to, she all but galloped towards the barn. “Hahahahahaha… Good night, Applejack.” A quick check, then straight back to tha house… Nothin’ to worry about… She constantly repeated this to herself, hoping that she might eventually believe it. Applejack pulled on the handle, not having to worry about the lock. She had never put it on earlier that day. They were her guests, not prisoners. The moment it was open wide enough, she hurried in and closed the door behind her. It was to keep the inside warm, of course, not because she was scared. Summer nights could get cold. Wouldn’t want her guests to freeze, after all. Just as she thought, Freddy, Chica and Bonnie were all fast asleep. At least, she assumed so. All of their eyes, except Bonnie of course, were closed. RUN! This time, Applejack had no doubts. She definitely heard something that time. “Who’s there?!” she shouted, but received no answer. Applejack squinted her eyes in an attempt to improve her vision in the darkness. It helped slightly, Freddy’s coat seemed to have gotten a little bit brighter at least, almost yellow. Though she couldn’t fathom why that was. If it was magic she could not possibly hope to comprehend it. Still nothing. She shook her head. Perhaps the day had just been more draining than she though. As Applejack left the barn, two glowing serpentine eyes lit up besides Freddy. The moment she left, they shifted around the room before finally coming to a standstill on Freddy. “This won’t do at all…” Moments after those words were spoken, the shadows around the animatronics condensed to such a degree that only a shadowy outline and two glowing spots where their eyes would be remained, even Bonnie’s. “Ghn,” the disembodied voice that accompanied the glowing eyes grunted. “Stop resisting, we all know you can’t last long against me.” The white spots on their faces glowed even brighter in defiance. “Very well, you want to remain in control so much?” The shadows softened, as did the glow from their eyes. “Then watch as you rip her apart!” With a reluctant stutter, two red dots appeared in the gaping hole where Bonnie’s face should be, Chica’s eyes snapped open, and Freddy Fazbear stood tall.